When you put on your favorite piece of holiday gear, you usually expect smiles and good cheer. But what happens when that gear features a grumpy green figure like the Grinch? Several years ago, while wearing my favorite Grinch earrings , I was asked a surprising question: “Oh, do you like the Grinch?”. When I confirmed my love for the story, the person responded, “Oh, well, you must really hate Christmas.”. Ouch!

That interaction has stuck with me for years. If you’ve ever felt misunderstood for loving this classic story, this episode of Geek Devotions is for you! We’re tackling the question: Does loving the Grinch make you a Grinch? We’ll also show why the Grinch is actually a really good Christmas movie.

Watch the video version below, or keep reading for the full blog post!

Hello and welcome to Geek Devotions! If you don’t watch past this point, know that you are loved, you’re cared for, and there is a plan and a purpose for your life.

I love Christmas, but I also genuinely love the Grinch. To me, it is a fantastic story about redemption.

The True Meaning of Whoville

For those who need a reminder, the main crux of the story of The Grinch is that Christmas isn’t really about the commercial stuff but about something more important. The movie talks about how Christmas is about love and family, being together, and being thankful.

The Grinch, in the end, realizes that the gifts were not the point of Christmas. The true value was being thankful for what you have and being thankful for those around you.

Now, the Grinch doesn’t fully understand this immediately, but by returning all the gifts, he showed that he wanted to be a part of the community and began the process of changing.

Side Note: Don’t steal Christmas gifts just because you think people are too commercial with Christmas. That is illegal!

The Grinch’s Story Mirrors the Gospel

As believers, we understand that Christmas is a celebration of the coming of redemption and the coming of grace into the world.

Without Jesus being born of a virgin, coming to earth fully God, fully man, we would not have:

  • Salvation
  • Sanctification
  • Healing or redemption from sin

Without his sacrifice, we wouldn’t have the chance to work out our own salvation. We wouldn’t have the chance to be in a relationship with the Father or to begin the process of changing from our sinful ways.

When I see a story that is showing a reflection of the biblical redemption and compassion, I get excited. I know the Grinch didn’t “come to Jesus,” but his change is such a good example of that process of when someone comes to God and realizes:

  • “Maybe I’ve been doing this wrong.”
  • “Maybe there’s a better way.”
  • “Maybe there really is someone who loves and cares about me.”

Our Hearts, Two Sizes Too Small

So, does loving the Grinch make me a Grinch?.

Maybe. But only in the sense that without Jesus, all of our hearts are two sizes too small. It takes the power and grace of Christmas—the birth of Christ—to grow our hearts and bring us into a relationship of love and redemption.

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