From the Pulpit: Don't be a Grinch. Find the true meaning of Christmas in Christ

Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch that lived just north of Whoville, did not. The Grinch hated Christmas, the whole Christmas season, now please don’t ask me why, for no one knows quite the reason. It could be that his head wasn’t screwed on just right, it could be perhaps that his shoes were too tight. But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that his heart is two sizes too small. 

Dr. Seuss uses his unique prose to paint an accurate picture of too many of us around this time of year. We sometimes forget that the Holy Nativity, had a Grinch of its own. His name was King Herod. If you know history, you know he was a very paranoid ruler. While he is known for his unmatched brutality and deception, King Herod did many good things. He financed an extensive building program, including roads and the rebuilding of the temple. He did a lot for his people, including melting his own gold plates to feed the hungry during a famine. 

However, like Dr. Seuss’ character, he had a dark side. After taking the throne, he had the entire Jewish ruling council, 70 of the most influential Jewish leaders, put to death. He had two of his eldest sons killed along with his favorite wife because he saw them as a threat to his throne. Insecure, desperate people tend to make irrational, insensitive, and selfish decisions to protect their title and position.

The GRINCH is all about the GRINCH. We LAUGH at the Grinch, because it is so much easier than looking at ourselves. At Christmas, we are faced with a choice. Will I receive this baby KING? Or will I reject Jesus? Our hearts are created in a unique, special way – we have only enough space for ONE KING. Our hearts are too small for two kings. 

May I share a spiritual truth with you? If Jesus is not on the throne of your heart, everything and everyone will be seen as a threat to your kingdom.

When we make CHRISTMAS about ourselves, we totally MISS it. What is supposed to be a season of JOY, LOVE, HOPE, and LIGHT digresses into a self-centered quagmire.  

Christmas was never supposed to be about what we wanted. CHRISTMAS is about what GOD wanted, and what we needed  

Who is on the THRONE of your HEART? President? Politics? Principal? Pandemic? Parent? Boss? Past? Pain? Ex? Child? Neighbor? Co-worker? Work? Future? 

When anyone but JESUS is on the throne, Christmas will be a time of great disruption, and you will find your heart DISTURBED.

When we look at Christmas through the disturbed and selfish lens of the Grinch or Herod, the whole message of Christmas gets twisted, our hearts begin to shrivel.  

What is so disturbing about HEROD, the GRINCH? It’s all about them, and their hearts are too small. If all you see is negativity, instead of nativity, it may be more about you than anything else. WHEN JESUS is on the throne of your HEART, Christmas is a time of HOPE, JOY, PEACE, and LOVE!  

There is an old adage that is goes like this, ‘Where there is No Jesus-No PEACE. However, when you know Jesus, you know PEACE.’ In a year like few others, allow me to ask you a question, do you know the humble king, who was born in Bethlehem? Do you know the peace that his Kingdom brings? My prayer is that if you don’t, please join us at Celebrate this Christmas to experience the true meaning of Christmas. We meet Sundays at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., or online at brandon.church.