(This devotion was written by Jim Liebelt)
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.
Ezekiel 36:26
In Dr. Seuss’ classic Christmas tale, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch suffers from having a small heart. The source of his heart problem is his lack of understanding the meaning of Christmas. As the story goes, the Grinch tries to put a stop to Christmas, but in the end, he comes to understand what Christmas is all about and his heart grows three sizes! This heart change makes a big difference in his life.
I’m not sure what Dr. Seuss’ intentions were when he wrote the story back in 1957, but it certainly comes across as a Christian parable to me that parallels the change that takes place in a person’s life when he or she comes to understand the true meaning of Christmas: 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 Good News of Jesus dawns upon the heart of a person, God replaces the old heart of stone, with a new, fleshy heart – and a new person emerges.
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)
“Welcome Christmas – While we stand – Heart to heart – And hand in hand.”1
It might just make all the difference in the world.
We celebrate Christmas because of the power Jesus brought to change our hearts.
Don't miss more uplifting posts this Christmas on Charlotte on Ginger's blog....Spiritual Sunday.
7 comments:
Jillian,
I really enjoyed reading your post as The Grinch is one of my all time favorite Christmas stories...and that it is about redemption makes it even more special.
I liked this post so much, bless you.
Such a wonderful verse ~ Thank God for His gift of Jesus.
I never thought about what the writer of this book was thinking. What a perfect description. I hope you and yor family have a Merry Christmas.
God Bless,
Ginger
Interesting perspective. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Blessings for a wonderful Merry Christmas.
Charlotte
Dr. Seuss did not write the Grinch based on religion. He was a political cartoonist and a social commentator and wrote the Grinch as a critique on consumerism. Most of his children's stories have political meanings, i.e- The Lorax (environmental protection), The Butter Battle Book (the arms race), and Yertle the Turtle (fascism). Ironically, he also did not like children.
Hi Karey, thanks so much for taking the time to comment on my post about the Grinch. While I had a feeling ol' Dr. Seuss was not a religious type... I still think there is a great comparison to how Jesus can change our hearts in his story.
Thanks again and Merry Christmas!
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