In Dr Seuss's story of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch sets out believing that if he steals all the trimmings, presents, and other material aspects he will be able to destroy Christmas. As the story progresses though, he realizes this is not so.
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
As you celebrate this Christmas day, I hope that beyond the presents, the food, the candy and the lights you might take a moment, like the Grinch, to contemplate whether Christmas indeed means a little bit more.
Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth into the world of Jesus Christ. Above all else Christ stood for love. His birth was heralded by a heavenly host declaring "on earth peace, good will toward men." Christ taught to "love one another as I have loved you", and to "love thy neighbor as thyself." In our day and age it is easy to wonder if love can indeed prevail. It almost seems impossible to think that peace can be had across the world, that we can love one another without reserve. There are those that have hurt and deceived us. Those who are vastly different in their outlook and philosophy than we. Those who have differing beliefs. There are so many reasons not to love. Can love towards all really be found anywhere but in the innocence and naivety of a child?
The columnist, Erma Bombeck, once wrote: “There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.”
There is something magical about Christmas to a child. But even more amazing is the magic of Christmas that is able to touch each of us and turn us child like. Whether or not you believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, one cannot help but be touched by the Christmas spirit of love.
I hope that as you enjoy your Christmas time, that a bit of that magic may touch your hearts. By all means enjoy to the fullest all the celebrating, all the fun and laughter, that Christmas brings. But let it also bring back to you a touch of the purity of childhood. And with that purity reach out in love to those around you. Give forgiveness where it has been withheld. Mend the broken bridges. Let go of the pride that separates you from others. Learn to accept the differences that divide. Awake to the reality that we are all sons and daughters, all brothers and sisters of the same universe.
As you move forward beyond Christmas give the greatest gift that is possible, a loving heart. Help love mend your own lives, lift the lives of those around you, and heal a trouble world. It will not happen over night, but it begins with you, it begins today, it begins now. Let the angels' declaration become our rallying cry, one of peace on earth, good will toward men.
