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!