Let's Steal Christmas Back from the Grinch

 I have a theory that the Grinch who stole Christmas is back again! He's back not to steal Christmas like he did the last time, but to steal from us the real reason for the season.

If you remember from Dr. Suess's famous children's book, or maybe the Broadway musical, the last we heard of the Grinch is that he got reformed. When he realized that taking away everyone's presents and holiday treats didn't stop Christmas from happening, he changed his mind and went back to Whoville to give everything back and join in the celebration with them. As Dr. Suess puts it:

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

And he brought back the toys and the food for the feast

And he. . . he himself. . . the Grinch carved the roast beast.

But today, my sense is that the Grinch is more subtle. He's learned that he doesn't need to steal Christmas the way he did last time by taking away all the presents, food, and things people used to celebrate the holiday. Instead, all he has to do is divert people's attention from why Christmas was established in the first place. And if I'm correct, then I would say the Grinch has done a masterful job of it this particular year. First we have the supply chain issues that creates anxiety about being able to adequately shop for those Christmas gifts. On top of that, there is the global COVID pandemic along with national mandates plus anxiety about deep systemic problems in our societies.  Is it any wonder that our "Silent Night, Holy Night" has been shattered with terror, trauma and tears?

So--I believe it's time to steal Christmas back from the Grinch. And in the spirit of Dr. Suess, here's my idea of how we should do it:

Let's Steal Christmas Back From The Grinch 
by Jon Lewis
The Grinch has come back with some new Grinch-like zeal
And now knows that instead of a thing he must steal,
All he must do is change the main reason
That people like Christmas during this winter season.
Today Grinch thinks Christmas could maybe be stopped
When folks forget Jesus with stuff they have shopped,
That tinsel and lights and toys to be awed
Will make us all think that there’s really no God.
Or if that doesn’t work to bring a pandemic,
Or cause us to worry about problems systemic.

But the Grinch doesn’t know that God is no stranger
To those who believe Christ came in the manger.
So, this year let’s show Grinch that Christmas IS more
Then expensive gifts we buy at the store
Or then trying to make the whole world happy
With man-made ideals that are often quite sappy,
And focus instead on the Bethlehem story
Where shepherds and angels gave God all the glory,
For the coming of him of whom prophets did tell,

Christ, God Incarnate, our Emmanuel!

May God give you some fresh, new reasons to truly have a. . .

Merry Christmas!

Why Christmas Is Important

Recently, I was asked by my church to teach a couple of adult Sunday School lessons on the topic of Why Christmas Is Important. As usual, the process of thinking through this subject was more beneficial for me personally than probably for anyone else who sat in my class. It also brought new meaning to the Advent readings my wife and I have been doing this year. It has reaffirmed for me that despite of the commercialization that takes place around this holiday season, especially in our American culture, the core of Christmas is still a powerful testimony of Missio Dei, God’s great mission to reclaim a fallen world and reestablish relationship with all mankind. 

With that in mind, here are nine reasons to consider why Christmas is important, divided up (a bit like Dickens’ three ghosts) into Christmas Past, Present, and Future: 

From Christmas Past 

1. The Fulfillment of God’s Promises – It reminds us that Christ’s birth and subsequent life among men, is the fulfillment of hundreds of prophesies found throughout the Old Testament. 
2. The Incarnation: God becoming Man—It is the single most important event since the beginning of the universe, the moment when the Creator Himself chose to become part of His own creation. 
3. The Means of Redemption—The Christmas event of Incarnation was the only means by which God could bring about His act of redemption and reconciliation for the entire human race. 

From Christmas Present 

1. A Celebration of Joy—In a world full of despair and discouragement, it stands out as a celebration of joy! Regardless of cultural tradition or even secular application, it stands out as one event with a primary purpose of bringing gladness and joy to as many people as possible. 
2. Global Missional Impact—In a world divided and fragmented, the “good tidings of great joy” of Christmas is a message directed at ALL people everywhere in the world. It therefore is the most global “missions” event of the entire year as God’s values of hope, peace, joy, and love are passed around and shared worldwide. 
3. Original Model of Gift-Giving—In a world obsessed with self-centeredness, it declares and models God’s generosity to Mankind through the gift of his own Son and thus becomes the ultimate model of selfless gift-giving with a focus on people other than ourlselves. 

From Christmas Future 

1. Renews our Expectations—It reminds us that Jesus not only came to be with us 2000 years ago but has promised to come again. 
2. Restores Hope for Eternity—It further helps us remember that Jesus will not only come again to establish His Kingdom, but now, as part of his family, we have the prospect of spending Eternity in God’s presence. 
3. Refreshes our Commitment to being Prepared—As we wait for His second advent, it helps us focus on Christ’s mandate to be prepared for his return no matter when it might be. This, in turn, demands that we need to stay committed to unity, faithfulness, and being blameless and holy, as Paul so aptly states in Ephesians 1:4 and Colossians 1:22. 

 All of these reasons certainly give new meaning to the messages embedded in Christmas Carols whether sung in church sanctuaries or a Home Depot plumbing aisle or a Beijing MacDonald's. Those messages are still powerful and clear and worth singing again and again, such as: Joy to the world! The Savior reigns! or Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today, or Oh tidings of comfort and joy. . .  because Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day. 

 All good reasons to reaffirm why Christmas is important. 

And all good reasons, even this year, to truly have a . . . 

Merry Christmas!