Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart and hand in hand.

Ok, I apologize that it's been forever since i last wrote... being home and whatnot has robbed me of will and inspiration to write. However, it is Christmas Eve, and I'll be darned if I don't write a Christmas post!


Thusfar, my Christmas has been... interesting. I watched an irate customer tear into a Walmart cashier because her machine wouldn't scan all of his pathetic gift cards at once. I watched people fight each other over carts in the parking lot. I have almost been run over twice, and my car almost hit four times... all in one trip to the store. 


What the heck, people? When did "Merry Christmas" translate to "I'm going to kill you over a parking spot"? I'm usually a Christmas fanatic. I love this time of year, I really do. However, the commercialism of the holidays is getting ridiculous. 


The solution is simple: go read a kid's book.


Dr. Seuss' "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" is a tradition in our house. We always watch the original cartoon version before presents are opened on Christmas Eve (can't wait!) and I pretty much have it memorized at this point. It's a masterpiece, and I don't say that with any sarcasm whatsoever. Seriously. Seuss was nothing short of a genius.


I'm sure all of you have read or seen the story of The Grinch. If you haven't, you're pretty much a terrible American. Seriously, if you don't know the story of The Grinch... the terrorists win. However, for those that may not have read it, or have forgotten, let me break it down for you:


The Who's of Who-ville love Christmas, but The Grinch hates Christmas more than anything else. As a result, he dresses as Santa, and steals all of the Christmas things from every Who in Who-ville, reasoning that, if there's no Christmas presents and decoration, there won't be Christmas. He takes all of the stuff up to the top of Mount Crumpit to destroy all of it, when the following takes place:

"Pooh-pooh to the Whos!" he was grinch-ish-ly humming.
"They're finding out now that no Christmas is coming!
"They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do!
"Their mouths will hang open a minute or two
"The all the Whos down in Who-ville will all cry BOO-HOO!"

"That's a noise," grinned the Grinch,
"That I simply must hear!"
So he paused. And the Grinch put a hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow...

But the sound wasn't sad!
Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn't be so!
But it WAS merry! VERY!

He stared down at Who-ville!
The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook!
What he saw was a shocking surprise!

Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming!
IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?
It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore.
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 what happened then...?
Well...in Who-ville they say
That the Grinch's small heart
Grew three sizes that day!

The Grinch, having realized the true meaning of Christmas wasn't something that could be bought, but only something that comes from the heart, he brings back everything to Who-ville, and celebrates with the Who's, even carving the Roast Beast for the Christmas dinner. 

The point here is obvious: Christmas isn't something that is bought, or wrapped, or cooked, or made. Christmas is something that comes solely from the heart. Christmas is about being with family. It's about giving, not getting and, as The Grinch learned, doesn't require anything more than family and a song to come. 

But even then, Christmas means a little bit more...

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising  God and saying, 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the other shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger." Luke 2:8-16

Yes, Mr. Grinch, Christmas DOES mean a little bit more. It's not something in packages, boxes or bags. But Christmas is a child, wrapped in cloth, lying in a manger. 

So spend your Christmas with family and friends, telling them how grateful you are for them. Keep the spirit of Christmas alive with giving and celebrating. Above all, remember the reason for Christmas: the celebration of the lowly birth of the Savior of mankind, Christ our King.

Grace and Peace be yours in abundance, and let your heart grow a few sizes today,

The Wayfaring Stranger

Also, a shout-out to my roommate Lane, who lost his grandmother today. Our prayers are with you, my brother.