When the Snow Jiggles

It’s no secret that one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I’ve seen it so many times that I’ve come across random trivia about it. For example, much of the movie was filmed on a lot in Burbank, California—not exactly known for its white Christmases. Much of the snow you see around the house? Mostly foam. If you watch closely, you can even see it jiggle when cars drive down the street. And in one of my favorite goofs, Cousin Eddie’s RV can be spotted sitting in the driveway long before Eddie and the family actually arrive in the story.

And yet… none of that ruins the movie for me. In fact, I think it makes it better. Because Christmas Vacation isn’t great because it’s flawless. It’s great because it’s honest. It’s about a family trying really hard to make Christmas perfect—and discovering that love, laughter, and togetherness usually come wrapped in chaos.

That feels pretty true to life. And to church. Our lives don’t always look like the finished movie. Sometimes the snow is a little fake. Sometimes the RV shows up before we’re ready. Sometimes things are messy, out of order, and a little awkward.

But that doesn’t mean God isn’t at work. In fact, Scripture is full of stories where God shows up in the imperfections—through ordinary people, missed cues, and unexpected interruptions. Faith isn’t about having everything perfectly staged; it’s about trusting that God is present even when things jiggle a bit.

And honestly, I’m grateful for that. Because if God only worked through perfect scenes and polished performances, none of us would make the final cut. Grace, it turns out, doesn’t require fake snow—just real people willing to show up. May you and your family have a Merry Christmas!

May God hold you,

Rev Chris Hester