by: Allen Domelle
This is the favorite time of the year for most people. It’s a time when families get together and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a time when Sunday school classes have their Christmas parties and spend time together. It’s a time when families and friends enjoy exchanging gifts. It is truly one of the most giving times of the year.
With Christmas comes all the stories about Christmas that many people enjoy talking about. One of those stories is, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” It is a story about a bitter and grouchy creature who hates Christmas. He lives on a high mountain that overlooks the village of Whoville. At Christmastime, the Grinch hears the people of Whoville singing and laughing and having a good time together. Annoyed by the happy noises from the people during this time of year, the Grinch determines to stop Christmas. He disguised himself as Santa Claus and goes into Whoville and steals all the presents from the people. He couldn’t wait to get to the top of the mountain and dispose of all the presents he stole. He couldn’t wait to hear the people whine and mourn over losing their presents. Instead, when he gets back to where he lives, he shockingly hears the people singing joyful Christmas music. The joy of the people overwhelmed the Grinch so much that he realized Christmas was more than just presents, but it was a joyful spirit in the hearts of the people. The joy of the people caused the heart of the Grinch to grow so big that he determined to return the presents. As he returned the presents, he was surprised that the people of the village invited him to join them for the meal and festivities of Christmas.
Though this is a fairy tale, I find that Satan is like the Grinch, and he would love to steal your Christmas. He hates Christmas because it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the One he hates. I find that like the Grinch, Satan uses many things to steal your Christmas. In fact, let’s just call Satan the Grinch in this article. You can let Christmas be a time that is joyful, or you can let the Grinch steal your Christmas and be miserable. Let me point out to you several things that the Grinch would like to steal from your Christmas.
1. Don’t let the Grinch steal Christ from your Christmas.
We live in times when more and more places are trying to take Christ out of Christmas. You often see people post, “Merry X-Mas.” The Devil would love for you to take Christ out of Christmas. You must remember that the whole reason for Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is when we celebrate the fact that Jesus came to Earth so that He could die for the sins of mankind. There would be no Christmas if Christ was not born. Christmas is about Isaiah 9:6 when it says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Christian, don’t let the whole reason of why we celebrate Christmas be forgotten. Remember that Christmas is about the Son of God being given to us as our Saviour. One of the things my family does every year on Christmas day is we read the portion of Scripture about the birth of Christ. We will read from Luke 2, and it doesn’t take long, but I believe that it is important that we don’t forget that Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus Christ.
2. Don’t let the Grinch of political correctness steal Christmas.
Along with people trying to take Christ out of Christmas, we have a politically correct crowd who truly have tried to take Christ out of Christmas by using the tool of political correctness. They say that we should be understanding of those who don’t believe like us, so we must be careful about not offending others with our Christmas displays and wording.
They now demand that we say, “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” I’m sorry, but Christmas is about Christ. If Christ offends people, then so be it. Let me remind you that America is a Christian nation. We are a nation that was founded upon the principles of God’s Word. Don’t let people shame you into saying, “Happy Holidays.” Make it a point when seeing people to say, “Merry Christmas.”
Furthermore, there is the attempt by Christ-haters to move Christ completely out of the public arena by removing nativity scenes from the public eye. I say that you should do what you can to display a nativity scene so all are reminded of the birth of Christ. Let us not let the grinches who hate Christ steal Christmas from our country.
3. Don’t let the Grinch steal the songs of Christmas.
One of the things I truly love about Christmas are the songs of Christmas. I love the songs of the birth of Christ. I love going to the stores and hearing, “Away in a Manger” and “Joy to the World.” Ephesians 5:19-20 says, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Let the songs of Christmas be played throughout the day in your home. One source of good Christian music that you can listen to online is KNVBC. Dr. Jack Trieber has worked hard at making this a radio station that plays wholesome Christian music. During the Christmas season they have a great assortment of godly Christmas music to which you can listen. Play the songs of Christmas and sing along. Let the songs of Christ be in your heart and mouth as you go throughout your Christmas season.
4. Don’t let the Grinch of bad attitudes steal your Christmas.
Christmas is supposed to be one of the most happiest times of the year, but I find that Christmas can bring out the worst attitudes in people. Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” Don’t let the attitudes of others cause you to have a bad attitude. When others are having a bad day, be kind and make an effort to cheer their day with your good attitude. I have found that a good attitude can go a long way in helping others with their attitude. When others are curt, be kind. Be kind to the store clerk, you never know who they have dealt with before you. Be kind to those who are simply having a bad day. There is a reason God brought them across your path and that reason could be to help brighten their day.
5. Don’t let the Grinch of pettiness steal your Christmas.
We can get so petty during Christmastime. Romans 12:10 says, “…in honour preferring one another;” Learn to let others have their way. Don’t make Christmas all about you. If you want a miserable Christmas, then make everything during the Christmas season about you. When everything becomes about ourselves, we become very petty. Those little petty things will destroy a good spirit in Christmas. I often tell people that the greatest life is the life that lives for others. When you have a disagreement with someone, let it go and enjoy the people you are with. When someone breaks something on accident, don’t get all uptight about it. If you’re not careful, you will let things destroy relationships. Don’t let the trivial things of life destroy your enjoyment with family. Lay down the politics and family disagreements for a time and enjoy having time with those you love.
6. Don’t let the Grinch of greediness and selfishness steal your Christmas.
Christmas is supposed to be a time of giving. Don’t become so greedy and selfish that you only want people to give to you. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” I believe it would be good to find a needy family or bus child and do something for them during the Christmas season. If you don’t know someone, then ask your pastor if he does and do something for others. How selfish we can be to want everyone to give us something and we never give anything to Christ for His birthday. The way you give to Christ is you give to those without. Matthew 25:45 says, “Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” Set some monies aside to do something for Christ. It’s the least you can do for His birthday.
Furthermore, don’t be so selfish that you forget about those who are alone. This would be a good time of the year to visit those in nursing homes and hospitals. Don’t forget about the families who just moved to your church and have no one with whom they will spend time. Fill your Christmas season with lifting the spirit of those who are hurting or lonely. It may be that you call a missionary and wish them a merry Christmas, or invite a widow or widower over to your house so they don’t have to be alone. Don’t forget about the singles in your church who might have to be alone for Christmas.
7. Don’t let the Grinch of busy schedules steal your Christmas.
Don’t get so busy with the festivities of Christmas that you stop being spiritual. This year Christmas is on Wednesday. I encourage you to be in church for your midweek service. Make Christmas truly about Christ. How sad that you celebrate the birth of Christ, but don’t go to hear about Him during your midweek service.
Moreover, don’t get so busy with the affairs of Christmas that you pass up your daily time in the Scriptures and prayer. These must stay a priority in your life during the Christmas season. It would be sad if you backslid during the time of the year when society celebrates Christ.
Furthermore, make sure you take the time to enjoy the church Christmas parties. Most churches will have several times for their members to have time together with Christian brothers and sisters. It may be that your Sunday school class has a party, or maybe the pastor plans a time for a Christmas cantata. Be sure to attend these as it will help your Christmas to be more fulfilling.
Finally, my wife, daughter and I would like to personally wish you a Merry Christmas. We hope and pray that you have a wonderful spiritual Christmas season, and one that is filled with joy.
Merry Christmas!