Christmas Grows Your Heart Three Sizes

In the classic Christmas tale How the Grinch Stole Christmas, written by Dr. Seuss’, the central figure Mr. Grinch suffers from having a small heart. The fundamental issue of his heart problem is his lack of understanding the meaning of Christmas. As the story unfolds, the Grinch attempts to put a stop to Christmas, however, in the end, he comes to understand what Christmas is all about and his heart grows three sizes! The Grinch’s enlarged heart makes a big difference in his life.

The Grinch has the feel of a Christian parable. This may not have been Dr. Seuss’ intentions in 1957 when he wrote this children’s book, but it suggests to me a parallel of the change that takes place in a person’s life when they come to understand the true meaning of Christmas which proclaims the birth of Jesus, God’s Son, who was born to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). When the light of the Gospel according to Christmas dawns upon the heart of a person, God replaces the old heart of stone, with a new, loving, compassionate heart — and a new person emerges. Just like what we read about in Ezekiel 36:26— I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Or, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!” —2 Corinthians 5:17
We celebrate Christmas because of the power Jesus brought to change our hearts.
O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in;
Be born in us today!
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!
    (from O Little Town of Bethlehem)

“Welcome Christmas — While we stand — Heart to heart — And hand in hand.” (quoted form How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr. Seuss, 1957)
It might just make all the difference in the world.

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