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LittlePilgrim
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« on: December 03, 2005, 09:24:00 PM » |
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All the little whos down in Whoville liked Christmas allot. But the Grinch who lived just north of Whoville did not...
So begins a classic Dr. Seuss children's tale. The Grinch, in an attempt to stop the people of Whoville from celebrating the festival of Christ's birth by sneaking into town in the middle of the night and stealing the trappings of celebration: The trees, the decorations, the food, the toys and gifts... And all this from beneath the disguise of Santa Claus. In the end of the story, we see a change in the Grinch, a change rendered by observing the whos as they celebrate even without the material trappings of the holiday. We are told that the stealing of these things cannot stop Christmas or its celebration, for what is to be celebrated exists in our hearts.
Well friends, it seems the Grinch is trying again. But this time he has changed tactics. Rather than going after the material of Christmas, he seeks to steal the spirit of love and joy within. He seeks to steal what Christmas is truly about, rather than how we recognize it. And he has a new partner in this. The spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge is alive and well, busily working this time of year to fill the hearts of men and women and children with greed.
He works from the tops of the nations biggest retail chains, chains which no longer allow their employees to wish patrons a, "Merry Christmas," but instead tell them to use the generic phrase, "Happy Holidays".
He works from the desks of TV network execs. Who this year has not seen television commercials of people asking for expensive gifts. Who has not seen the images of Santa and his reigndeer, carrying goodies for the kids upon his sleigh? But where, I ask you, is the mention of giving? And I do not mean material giving. I mean the giving of love, the giving of hope and joy. Where is the mention of the baby Boy who is the very reason this holiday exists? Are these things so worthless?
The Grinch has donned his Santa costume once again. He eagerly works to further his work with Scrooge, catering to greed and to materialism, turning people's views further and further from the true reason for this season's existance.
But even their work could not succeed without help from the highest offices of the world, from politicians and individuals alike. Political correctness is their weapon of choice, diluding Christmas until the materialism of Scrooge is all that remains, the trappings of the holiday only a reminder of seasons past.
It is up to us, friends, those who see behind the red suite and white beard to the foul green creature beneath. It is up to us to spread the alarm that the Grinch is indeed back, and trying, along with his partner Scrooge, to steal Christmas once again. But this time, he does it not under cover of darkness, but in broad daylight. He does not steal the trappings, but the reasons, the very spirit which we hold so near and dear within our hearts.
This time, he can only be defeated by this holiday's Founder, by the little Boy who came to earth over two-thousand years ago on Christmas night, whose birth was celebrated even then by sheperds and angels and magi.
It must be He that confronts the true master of the Grinch and of Ebenezer Scrooge, who uses the deceptions of wealth and the misconceptions of this holiday's meanings as his weapons.
I pray urgently for Him to restore to us the joy, the love, peace, the giving spirit, the feeling of His presence on this day like no other, to blind us to the deceptions of the Grinch and his master, and to help us to rescue others who are drowning.
No... The Grinch will not succeed. He cannot. What Christmas is cannot be taken, not by man, not by beast, and not by his master and the enemy of our Lord. Love cannot be stolen, only hidden. Peace cannot be shattered, only scratched. Joy cannot be stopped, only slowed. Hope cannot be extinguished, only dimmed. In spite of the attempts of the Grinch, of Scrooge and of the enemy, Christmas will go on, even if the world does not see it, it will go on in the hearts of those who keep their eyes upon this season's true meaning, as long as we are willing each year to make the journey to that little stable, in that little town, and look upon the face of Jesus Christ.
"A light still shines,
It will always glow,
In the hearts and minds,
Of the wise who know,
That a King has come,
And his life defines,
What his Love has won,
A light still shines..."
I pray that those of you who read this will share it with friends and family, will warn them that the Grinch has not changed his ways, but is indeed working even now to steal Christmas yet again. Turn their eyes toward why this holiday really exists, toward the baby Jesus... Toward Love... And the hope of mankind. Amen.
Soli Deo Gloria! To God alone be the glory!
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