Stealing Christmas is Not Possible

Growing up my mother read to me often and I loved her to do it. By age 6, I could read by myself, and I enjoyed doing it, but still loved hearing my mother read to me. One of my fondest Christmas memories is of my mom reading, How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss, to me, me reading it myself, and then being able to read it to others, including my children. At age 6 and years to follow, I would grab my oversized book and my yellow rocking chair and sit in front of the television eagerly anticipating the televised edition of one of my favorite stories. I would follow along with my book. I still own that oversized book, and I still love the story of how an angry, misunderstood person found joy at Christmas.

The entire premise of the book was that someone thought he could steal Christmas joy and he set out to do so against a group of people who loved Christmas. At age 6, I didn’t fully understand the impact that Jesus had on Christmas. I knew that it was His birthday, and that Christmas was about Him; however, my six-year-old mind had not yet separated Christmas from Santa even though I knew Santa was not real. The book, however, made it clear that Christmas (joy) could not be stolen. In the story, the Grinch had stolen every material item related to Christmas. Ironically, what the Grinch hated more than the noise from opening and playing with toys was the singing of their Christmas song that talked about loving one another. He took the gifts, the tree, the tinsel, the lights, and even the food. Then he waited to hear the wailing from the people because he had stolen their beloved belongings. The book says that the Grinch stole from them in the night and then waited until morning to hear their misery. He said, “They’re just waking up! I know just what they’ll do! Their mouths will hang open for a minute or two. Then the Whos down in Whoville will all cry boo-hoo!” He was excited for their misery to join his misery. And when he put his hand to his ear, he did hear a sound. The book says, “The sound started out low but then started to grow.” It goes on to say that, “the sound wasn’t sad, but the sound sounded glad! Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, was singing without any presents at all! He hadn’t stopped Christmas from coming! It came! Somehow or other, it came just the same.”

That is the blessing of a Christ centered Christmas. It doesn’t need frills and fanfare. Just like in the book, it will come without ribbons. It will come without tags. It will come without packages, boxes, or bags! A Christ centered Christmas brings joy with or without the packages. The book says that the Grinch stood puzzled and when he realized that Christmas didn’t come from a store,  that his heart grew three sizes or more. Most, if not all of our discontentment stems from a heart issue. Imagine the joy of knowing that Christmas isn’t all about gifts but instead is about the greatest gift, Jesus the Christ. Now, I don’t know if Dr. Seuss was saved but because of my spiritual foundation at that age, my young mind understood that Christmas joy cannot be truly stolen from those who know the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas is and will always be about Christ. It cannot be stolen! Although many will put themselves in debt for the commercialized part of Christmas, I pray that they know or will come to know the real reason for the season and that is Jesus the Christ.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of Jesus. You sent Jesus to us as a Child and that Child grew and experienced life without sin. Then He was obedient even to the cross. Lord, help us to remember this season that Christmas is about You and that we should all accept the free gift that is Jesus the Christ. We praise You Lord and thank You for the gift of Christ and His sacrifice for us. In Jesus name, Amen.
By Sis. Pat Towns
(Excerpts taken from How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss)