The Grinch

Last night, my family and I went to “Christmas on the Square” in our small town. There was hot cocoa. There was a Texas snowball fight, with something that resembled snow. There was a horse-drawn carriage, a hayride, a petting zoo, and several Santas. Church choirs took turns with the high school choir and band, providing festive background music. On one corner was a live manger scene, and on the opposite corner, kids lined up to have their photos made with . . . drum roll please . . . the Grinch.

 

Not Santa.

 

Not Baby Jesus.

 

Last night, the Grinch was the star of the show.

 

And honestly, I could relate. I’m not proud of it, but some days I feel like a Grinch. There’s just too much Christmas everywhere, which would be wonderful, except that all this peace and joy and fa-la-la doesn’t feel very peaceful or joyful. It feels more like somebody’s trying to get my money.

 

Every year, Silent Night Holy Night gets drowned out a little more loudly by Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer. Every year, the peace signs get a little more blingy and the joy signs look a little more like an invitation to a  

brothel.

 

See what I mean? Grinch.

 

But somewhere deep inside, there’s the old Renae, the once-upon-a-time Renae who used to love Christmas. The little girl Renae who gazed wide-eyed at the tree and prayed that Jesus would get what He wanted for his birthday. And there’s a war going on, between the Grinch-Renae and the Christmas-Renae.

 

The more I think about it, though, I feel that in this case, the Grinch isn’t all bad. I mean, I’m not Grinchy about Christmas; more about what this season has become. I’m all in favor of not exchanging gifts . . . or at least not receiving them. I have everything I need. I think the best gift you could give me is a $5 (or $10 or $15) donation to build a well in a third-world country. And no, I’m not a saint. I just have too much stuff.

 

I do have a Christmas tree, and about a gazillion nativity scenes set up at my house. If I’m really honest, I hope I get a new supply of Red Door this Christmas, because I’m almost out. And yes, I have already bought too many gifts, and I can’t wait to give them to the people I love.

 

So I guess Christmas Renae wins, right?

 

But deep down I like my internal Grinch, because he keeps me in check. He keeps me from straying too far into the jumbled maze of Christmas lights and credit cards . . . he keeps me focused on what Christmas would be without all the hype . . . Simple peace, in knowing God loves me. Simple joy, in knowing He wants me for His own. And boundless love, made known through the greatest gift anyone’s ever given: a baby, born in a quiet manger, who grew into a man . . . who gave His life for us all.

 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” Isaiah 9:6.