Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Good morning. I want to tell you about something fun that I got to do, so far, over the Christmas holiday. I got to go see The Grinch who Stole Christmas. I don’t know if you know that story or not, but in the story, everyone in Whoville loves Christmas, except, of course, the Grinch. The Grinch hated Christmas, and he had a plan, that he wanted to steal Christmas from everyone. And what he did was: he dressed up like Santa Claus, and he stole the presents, he stole the food, he stole the decorations. Now, why, you might ask, would someone do something like that? But, it was because the Grinch’s heart was two sizes too small.
Now, the Grinch did all that stealing, but one thing he couldn’t steal? He couldn’t steal the joy out of everyone’s heart, because the people of Whoville knew that Christmas is more than just presents and decorations and food – Christmas is all about love. Did you know, there is a real, live Grinch in the Bible? His name is King Herod. King Herod was king, about the time that Jesus was born. And the wise men had seen the star in the sky; they had followed the star. They came to Herod and they said, “We’ve seen the star. We’ve heard talk about this baby that’s supposed to be king of the Jews one day, and we want to know where he is.
Well, King Herod was kind of like the Grinch, his heart was very small. He got very angry when he heard that someone else was going to be king one day, and he said, “Hmm. Why don’t you go see if you can find this Jesus, and if you find him, come and tell me, because I want to go worship him, too.” Of course, he had another plan in mind. He was going to kill Jesus. Well, the wise men went on their way, and one night as they were on their way to see Jesus, an angel came to them, and said, “Don’t tell Herod where the baby is, because he wants to kill him. The angel also went to Joseph and said, “You must take the baby and go to Egypt. Get out of this town, because Herod is coming.”
So, Herod’s plan did not work, thankfully –We’re so glad that it didn’t work – but he was like the Grinch. His heart was way too small. You know that song? (Singing) You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
I’ve made up another song about King Herod.
(Singing)
You’re a mean one, Mr. Herod,
‘cause your heart is way too small.
You are jealous of a baby who will be the king of all,
Without Jesus! Your heart shrinks up, and you have no love at all.
You know what? That’s what happens to us if we don’t have Jesus. Our heart shrinks up and becomes way too small. Let’s have a prayer right now, and let’s just invite Jesus to come into our heart, so our hearts won’t shrink.
Dear Jesus, please come into my heart.
I don’t want my heart to be small.
We love you.
Amen.