Don't Give The Grinch An Inch

He came in the dark

And slithered like a snake

Stole all the presents

Even the star he did take

The candy canes were stolen

From kids sleeping in bed

He stink, stank, and stunk,

Took all and fled on his sled

But when he stopped to hear

The cries of boo hoo

The Spirit of Christmas

Came through and through

The joy of Whoville changed the Grinch

A smile replaced his frown

Christmas can never be silenced

When the Joy of Jesus is all around.

Starting last year, with all the lockdowns, it felt like the Grinch was trying to steal Christmas. The Pandemic could wear us down: put on a mask, social distance, stay home. But the “Pandemic Grinch” isn’t going to win: Christmas doesn’t come through wrapped presents – only His Holy presence.

It’s sad, but too many people don’t live in the spirit of Whoville.

The Grinch from Whoville,

Finally Found faith in Hisville

For in Whoville that was Hisville

He was converted to goodwill.

Instead of peace on earth goodwill toward men, we live in a pretty “Grinchy world” of commercialism where Christmas has been reduced to a time of buying and receiving presents. Tis the season of “I want”. Of too much food. Of overspending. Of Grinchitis!

Too many people behave like the unconverted Grinch, think like the unconverted Grinch, believe like the unconverted Grinch, and hurt inside like the unconverted Grinch.

The Grinches in our lives today don’t live in far-away lands or mountaintops or caves. They live across the street, across the state, and sometimes in our own families.

It would be easy to spot every Grinch if they had green bodies. So how do we spot the Grinches around us and suppress the Grinch within us? There are signs we can look for when the Grinch is winning:

Let’s read Matthew 2:1-3: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the East and have come to worship him. When King Herod heard this he was disturbed.”

You know you are a Grinch if you get disturbed because someone might rise to be more popular, more powerful, and more influential than you. Herod loved power, popularity, and influence.

He also wanted autonomy. Autonomy is the desire to govern our own lives. We don’t want to be under the power and influence of anyone else. We like autonomy – power – control. There are a lot of studies out there today that look at the power game. People want power over others, even if there’s nothing to gain in the process.

It is just Power for the sake of Power. Power gives people the ability to live life on their own terms. You see, power gives people a fake sense of happiness. And after chasing power their whole life, they end up powerless.

On the other hand, being a Christian is a very humble act. We submit to Christ – and give up our own power – and place our faith in His power.

Herod couldn’t do that. The thought of someone being more powerful than him, consumed him. It made him a first-rate Grinch. Don’t give the Grinch an inch.

The story continues in verses 7-8: “Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”

Research says that on the average, people lie 4 times a day, which comes out to 1,460 lies a year. How sad that people find lying to come so easily. Herod could easily lie. He had no good intentions – he didn’t want to worship baby Jesus – he wanted to kill him – destroy him – even if he had to kill innocent lives in the process.

Too many people today are what I call a “Pinocchio Grinch” – they lie, then lie about their lying, until they don’t know the difference between truth and a life. Their consistent lying erodes their character in every other way. Liars pretend to be good but their true motives are self-centered and evil.

They also hide behind their lies. In our society – who gets lied to the most? Parents 86% of the time. Friends 75%. Siblings 73% and Spouses 69%.

So why do so many People lie in life? There are many reasons, but usually it’s because they want to save face; they want to shift the blame onto someone else; they want to protect a loved one or friend from being punished; they want to avoid embarrassment, they want to get their own way, or they want to Lord it over others.