In this season of peace on earth and good will towards men, many joyfully lay down resentments and take hold of compassion. There’s just something about the lights and carols and festivities that beckon us to reach out to others and share the joy.
Why, then, am I in the grip of the Grinch?
though, that he couldn’t spirit away their Christmas spirit.
Would that I were a Who.
I’m not going to delve into particulars because I don’t
think I’m unique in the slightest. See, behind the lights and carols and
festivities lie labor and cash and family stuff, any of which can squeeze joy
out of the well-intentioned faster than December 25th turns into
December 26th. I have my
baggage, you have yours, but the bottom line is we all have the “I” word: issues. Just because the calendar flips
to December doesn’t mean those issues are laid to rest; on the contrary, they’re
often exacerbated by the very season we celebrate.
What to do?
The only means I know of to combat the Grinch Pinch is the one
that inspired a young, unmarried woman to welcome a pregnancy that could ruin
her societally. It’s the same guidance that caused her fiancé to
stay the course with his betrothed and spurn voices that would label him a
cuckold and a fool. It’s the same force that led an unnamed number of stargazers,
AKA, wise men, to travel well over two thousand miles round trip to worship a
divine baby.
It’s a little thing called the Incarnation, which in simple
terms means God laid aside His royalty and became a peon for 30 or so years. He
put His immortal nature on hold temporarily and took up humanity, ultimately
dying a sinner’s death in our stead. He asks only that we accept His sacrifice
into our hearts, not just our heads, and try to pattern our lives after His.
A good start to sending the Grinch packing.
A good start to sending the Grinch packing.
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