Tag: Grinch

Have You Been Robbed?

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Has the evil Grinch Dr Seus created in his children’s book How the Grinch Stole Christmas robbed you of all seasonal good will? It takes no effort on our part to feel overwhelmed from the things associated with Christmas. How can a person keep Jesus in mind as we celebrate his birth?

The words I share with you today are not all mine. Recently I listened to a message from missionary, Joy Owens, on how to keep our focus on the true message of Christmas. She helped me see references in the Good Book on how to get through the busy days ahead. I wish to share them with you.

Did you make a to-do list? Joy did.

  • Christmas lights: John 1:9 tells us Jesus is the light of the world.
  • Santa Claus: The original St Nick was Nichalos of Bari, a Greek Bishop known for his many miracles and love of secret gift-giving. He is the forerunner for who we recognize as Santa today. The Wise Men brought gifts to the new baby king.
  • Christmas tree: Think of the history in your ancestry family tree. Some were good, others not so much. The first chapter in Matthew lays out Jesus’s family tree. Notice the imperfection of some folks. Yet Jesus came from those roots. He has the ability to make goodness come regardless of your background.
  • Family dynamics: Despite our best laid plans of what must be, consulting Jesus’s will is crucial.  Jeremiah 29:11 says Jesus has his own ideas meant for our good.
  • Baking: John 6:58 says Jesus is the true bread from heaven.
  • Music: Many of the Christmas carols we sing carry the message of Jesus. Think Joy to the World, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, and more currently, Mary Did You Know?
  • Traveling: Are you planning a trip to see loved ones? Keep in mind the shepherds that traveled to see the newborn baby, the Wise Men noting a bright star and followed where it led, and Joseph and Mary traveling to be part of the census. The one that traveled the farthest was Jesus coming from heaven to earth.
  • Spending money/Gift -giving: It takes time and sacrifice in giving to those we love. Reflect how much it cost Jesus to offer his gift of salvation. His is the to-die-for kind of love.
  • House-cleaning: Forget the house, it will only get trashed with festivities anyway. Instead follow the words of Psalm 51:10. Ask Jesus to give you a clean heart, a renewed mind, and a right spirit.

Let the above words bring joy back into your holidays. Jesus did not arrive in a nursery months in the making, but a stable meant for animals. He is a simple son of God, known as our Messiah, Savior of the world. Allow him to restore your Christmas spirit so you can enjoy the peace he brought to earth.

Stolen Christmases

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Today I’m burying the Grinch. May he never rear his ugly head again.

He has stolen too many of my Christmases and I’ve had enough.

I’m not speaking of the beloved Grinch we love to hate each Christmas season. I’m speaking of my own personal demon Grinch. Like the famous Grinch, mine is green too, I suspect envy.

Dr Seuss wrote the book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and I am amazed how much the two Grinches have in common. My Grinch also hates Christmas, doing everything he can to make mine miserable. But it doesn’t end there. Like the Grinch in the book, he can’t tolerate happiness of any sort, only my Grinch has no heart at all.

Each miserable Christmas I would come to realize my poor attitude and feel shame. Too late I would reach the point of what Christmas is truly about.

The sad fact is I gave my Grinch permission to be a demon in my life. It was so unnecessary. For no reason I allowed this Grinch to ruin my disposition. Our home wore the décor, but it was a façade. My heart wasn’t there.

The holiday season can be painful if a beloved family member has died, but that wasn’t my case. I don’t have the fear of a family member in the military serving overseas in a dangerous country.

I believe my situation is shared by many. The season of celebration isn’t what it used to be. Through the years our family has spread across the country and now reside far from each other. Through no fault of our own, life just takes us places. Now there is no one to ‘do’ for.

Our children are no longer children. All of them are living responsible adult lives as they were taught. I’m proud of them. Even the grandchildren are adults, more pride added. We have been promoted to great-grandparenthood, but again, distance comes between us…I’m not alone. There are others.

It’s inexcusable to be distraught over not having to fight the maddening crowds Christmas shopping. We no longer exchange gifts, so are spared the concerns. Would she like this, or does he need that? I confess it’s hard not to buy for those I love. Likewise I shouldn’t miss baking Christmas cookies. We don’t need all the calories.

The time for a wake up call is now. Are we not celebrating the birth of our Savior? He’s the ideal gift. He’s needed, one size fits all, plus he doesn’t require wrapping. No shipping costs either. Didn’t he come to take away all the hurt this world dishes out?                        A gift doesn’t get more perfect than that.

This year I’m looking forward, not back. I can recall past Christmases with fond memories as long as I return my gaze to what Jesus will be doing in the future. Both in my own life and those around me. I’m convinced that is why God placed eyes on the front of our head, not the back.

Merry Christmas!