Don’t Be a Grinch!

Don’t Be a Grinch!

For many children it is a known fact that the Grinch stole Christmas.  The great storyteller Dr. Seuss gave us a vivid recollection of how he did so.  The grinch, sitting up on his mountain, couldn’t stand the joy and festive spirit of the Whos in Whoville as they prepared for their Christmas holiday.  And so, filled with bitterness and envy, the grinch (and his dog) went down and stole every gift, every tree, every light, every meal, every smallest article that had anything to do with Christmas.  Was he successful in his mission?  Did the Grinch successfully steal Christmas?  Well, you’ll have to read the story and decide for yourself…

For many conservative Christians, the very word Christmas is offensive.  They are aware of the fact that the word Christmas itself is literally, Christ-MASS, and that its observation was appointed by the Catholic church as part of its liturgical year.  They recognize that, as a result of its origins in Catholic theology, that many practices involved with Christmas promote false doctrine.  Many conservative Christians acknowledge that there are some pagan elements in the modern celebration of the Christmas holiday.  They recognize that the holiday itself has been elevated to a national observance, and that observation of the holiday (holy day) itself has no scriptural basis.  Yes, the story of Jesus Christ is found in scripture, including the story of His birth, but those with a conservative view of scripture recognize that the date of Christ’s birth is not revealed.  And so, very often, conservative Christians who take an anti-Christmas position are accused of being opposed to celebrating the birth of Christ, and sometimes even accused of being grinches!

The word grinch is defined as a person who is mean-spirited or unfriendly.  The word grinch isn’t used in scripture, but that sort of personality and behavior is clearly condemned.  Ephesians 4:31,32 says, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you.”  The grinch was guilty of ALL of these!  During the months of November and December, when the subject of Christmas or the “holiday” season, etc. come up, let us not have the attitude of the grinch!  When our conscience is pricked, and we feel another is involved in an unscriptural practice or has an unscriptural belief, let’s not be found guilty of attacking them with a bitter attitude, or with evil, hurtful, and insulting words (Ephesians 4:15).  Instead, let our conversations and interactions with others be “kind and tenderhearted” (v.32).

The grinch was also a prideful fellow.  Many Christians, knowing the truth of God’s word, approach teaching others with a prideful attitude.  Their intention is to put the other person in their place and show them, “I’m right and you’re wrong!”  I Timothy 6:3-4 says, “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions.”  If opportunities come up to teach others and help them discern truth from error, it must be done in a self-less, peaceable manner, and not with the intention of producing arguments and strife.  Indeed, divisions may come (!) but our objective ought to be reconciliation in the truth about Christ (II Corinthians 5:18,19).

Instead of waiting with the eagerness of a lion about to pounce on a wounded gazelle when it comes to teaching others about their error, disciples of Christ ought to walk about with hopeful compassion (Matthew 6:34).  This time of year produces MANY opportunities to invite others to study or to services because many more minds are at least spiritually inclined.  Whether or not a person has accurate belief on who Jesus is or why they put up Christmas lights, imagine all the different ways we can engage others in spiritual conversation.  Ask your neighbor: What do the lights around your house mean?  Why do people put up trees in their homes?  Are you going to any special worship services or assemblies (why not come to our service?)  What does Christmas mean to you?  What do you believe about Jesus Christ?  Another great question we can ask others: How are you doing?  Often, this time of year brings on increased hardships, more stress.  We can assure people that the word of God has provided YEAR-ROUND comforts and hopes.

Luke chapter 2 teaches us the truth about the birth of Christ.  His birth was proclaimed by angels who proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill toward men!”  He was sought after by wise men and shepherds.  The Son of God was wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger in Bethlehem because there was no room in the inn.  The angel proclaimed He would be called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.”

The grinch, when these subjects come up, will find a way to alienate him or herself from others, by bitter words or even a “stay away from me” attitude.  The ready disciple of Christ will see an opportunity to teach, and lead others to a deeper knowledge of our Lord, and what it truly means to believe in Him.

Jeremy Koontz