There is a movie that plays nearly every Christmas time on this channel or that since it was 1966. Like most movies it came from a book, but unlike most books Dr. Suess’s books always have meter and rhyme.  Like most movies made years back a retelling or digitized, animated, adaptation has been brought before the holidays. And in 2018, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas is back in theaters near you.  This is not a recommendation, endorsement, approval or review. But I want to think briefly about its message for just a moment or two.

If you’ve never seen it, the short story starts rather quick.  Introducing the Grinch, the green pear shaped curmudgeon who live above who-ville in the mountains and slopes.  He hates all things Christmas, especially the noise. He especially despises the little who children banging on new toys.

So, he devises a scheme and recruits his poor dog Max. And they sneak down to whoville dressed as Santa Claus with empty sacks. Of course the tragic scenes of Jolly Saint Nick steeling ribbons and cookies, and gifts and trees only makes sense in a whimsical rhyming animation, but it does hold your attention, at least for 30 minutes.  The story can’t end with the stealing of Christmas and the song deriding the foul Grinch caper. Of course the last minutes reveal that the important truth about Christmas wasn’t wrapped up in presents. Nor was it present in the feasting. Nor was it festive decorations.

It is deeply ironic that Dr. Suess doesn’t share the truth behind Christmas, but only hints with a cross shaped light. But it illustrates what we see today, or better said, what is unseen in our midst. That Advent season draws us near to the truth: a truth that is far more important than the images and decor surrounding Christmas, a truth that we strain to keep in focus during a busy holiday, a truth that isn’t seen directly like wrapping paper and lights. The true gift of Christmas: a union of divine and human, invisibly conceived gives birth to a new life in you and in me.  Just as the Grinch learned the invisible won over all facade. We also learn again, that the deep truth of Jesus’ invitation isn’t merely initiation into divine fellowship but a promised abundance of life filled with God and his fruit. It is a truth unseen, a truth easily missed.

So let’s pray.

– Excerpt from a sermon preached toward the end of 2018 with minor grammatical editing presented here for your enjoyment.