… I’ve got a thing for long, rambling posts …
In light of what happened on Black Friday – craziness, greed and tragically death- and as Christmas looms ever closer I’ve been thinking a lot about Christmas. My one friend is already calling it “greed-fest 2008”. I’m sure we all, at some point, have felt the pressures of the season. I know I have. There was the time I was a broke college student and I wasn’t even sure I was going to be able to go home for Christmas. Another time I was asked at the last minute to extend my missionary service and would get home mid-February rather than December 23rd. There have been other times I’m sure.
One thing I always think about this time of year is the Grinch. Not because I’m feeling Grinch-y (I heart Christmas) but it’s a sweet story and I end up repeating the line “It came with out ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!”… over and over again. All of the presents in the world will not make Christmas any more special, just like no presents at all will not take away from it’s meaning.
…Three thousand feet up! Up the side of Mt. Crumpit, He rode with his load to the tiptop to dump it! “Pooh-Pooh to the Whos!” he was grinch-ish-ly humming. “They’re finding out now that no Christmas is coming!” “They’re just waking up! I know just what they’ll do!” “Their mouths will hang open a minute or two Then the Whos down in Who-ville will all cry Boo-Hoo!””That’s a noise,” grinned the Grinch, “That I simply MUST hear!” So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow. It started in low. Then it started to grow…
But the sound wasn’t sad! Why, this sound sounded merry! It couldn’t be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Who-ville! The Grinch popped his eyes! Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so? It came with out ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!” And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.” “Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
And what happened then…? Well…in Who-ville they say That the Grinch’s small heart Grew three sizes that day!
And the minute his heart didn’t feel quite so tight, He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light And he brought back the toys! And the food for the feast! And he…
…HE HIMSELF…! The Grinch carved the roast beast!
a flash of delight 