Sunday, Dec 12, 2021
“We can do this, Mr. Grinch!”
The theme of the third Sunday of Advent is JOY. Joy is likely the easiest theme to understand because Christmas is all about being happy and bringing happiness to the ones we love, right? Sure, Hope, Peace, and Love (week four) are important, but ain’t Christmas all about the HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY, JOY?
Watching the Christmas movies on television these last few weeks, I’ve been particularly interested in something that the Grinch (Jim Carrey’s version) says to the people in Whoville. When one of the female Who’s is offered a car and diamond ring to accept a marriage proposal, the Grinch gives the people of Whoville a dramatic speech:
“Gifts…That’s what it’s always been about. Do you want to know what happens to your gifts? They come to me, in your garbage. You see what I’m saying, in your Garbage! I could hang myself with all the bad Christmas neckties I found at the dump. The avarice never ends! (He points to the crowd.) ‘I want golf clubs. I want diamonds. I want a pony so I can ride it twice, get bored, and then sell it to make glue.’ “
The tirade is funny but it’s causing me to stop and think for a moment. How do I usually try to bring joy to my loved ones? By purchasing gifts, which are sometimes randomly chosen because of their convenience rather than their relevance to the recipient. Yep, there it is. I said it. I’ve been guilty (more than once) of a late-night Christmas Eve rush to a 24-hour drug store to get that gift that makes no sense whatsoever.
What to do? Maybe this year, we can choose gifts that make a difference. Letters, phone calls, and personal visits are great gift ideas. Homemade goodies and personally handmade crafts are unique, as are framed photos and artwork of ourselves and our loved ones.
Christmas doesn’t need to carry a huge cost. Christmas just needs our time, attention, and loving consideration for those around us. Save bad gifts from the dump and leave them on the store shelves! We can do this, Mr. Grinch!
“Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7, CEB).