The Grinch

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, ‘God with us’. – Matthew 1:23

Are you a Grinch around Christmastime or do you know a Grinch?

I was reading to my daughter the famous “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and I came across words that made me rethink some things.

Maybe these words of Dr. Seuss sound familiar:

‘Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot…

‘But the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT!’

‘For, tomorrow, he knew…all the Who girls and boys would wake bright and early. They’d rush for their toys! And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the Noise! Noise! Noise! Noise! That’s one thing he hated! The NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!’

Now I’m a Who at heart, I love Christmas, but I can certainly relate to the Grinch. Sometimes there’s so much noise at Christmas, you begin to think Christmas is about the noise, and friend, that will make you Grinchy every time! When that happens, remember the Grinch’s wise discovery:

‘Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn’t come from a store.’

‘Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!’

What does Christmas mean to you? Can you get past all the noise and consider what it meant for Jesus to come to earth as a babe in a manger?

Can you stop from all the buying, running, cleaning, and stress to marvel at God’s love for us.

I hope and pray this Christmas Holiday that you would find true joy and peace in.

May God bless you all,

Chaplain Dunbar