Casandra Martin

The Grinch is one of my favorites. Dr. Seuss created a character that captures both the best and worst of the Christmas season. The Grinch is a cynical hermit who lives high above Who-ville. Each year, he watches the Whos down in Who-ville bring out bells, stockings, trees, and ornaments in an all-out celebration of Christmas. They prepare a feast, wrap gifts, and sing carols, while the Grinch sinks deeper into a spiral of complaining and crabbiness.

No one really knows why the Grinch is so grinchy, but Dr. Seuss finally reveals that the culprit is the Grinch’s heart, shriveled and withered, two sizes too small.

The Grinch cooks up a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos. He makes a Santa Claus costume and dresses up his dog, Max, as a reindeer. He sneaks into Who-ville, stripping the town of every piece of tinsel, every bow and ribbon, each and every toy, and all the fixings for the feast. He is sure that without all these things, Christmas will not be able to come.

With a smirk on his face, the Grinch leans over the edge of the mountain waiting for the cry that will come when the Whos realize that Christmas is not coming. To his amazement, the Whos gather together, hold hands, and sing. Love is what makes Christmas real.

My Jesus Resolution today is remember the lesson of The Grinch. There are all kinds of Grinches out there trying to steal my joy. It is easy to get caught up in the shopping, the baking, the wrapping, the crowds, and the traffic, and forget that Love is what makes the season special. The Grinches of the world are watching to see what I will celebrate, where my focus lies, and what I will let define my joy. I want them see something that will help their hearts grow three sizes today.