A Stolen Christmas

This past weekend, I met the Grinch. Well, really, he said I made him the Grinch when I subjected him to yet another year of husband-Christmas-labor. It happens every Black Friday weekend. I need him to do the job: putting Thanksgiving decorations away and bringing out Christmas. This year, while celebrating Thanksgiving, my brother and husband compared their impending fates. In that man way, they compared box counts, sizes, and other sundry Christmas decoration tasks. Ben says he won because he has the least amount of boxes.

Ben's happy with the idea, but can get weary of the process. Picking just the right tree. Transporting the tree. Fixing the lights that don't work. Trips back to the store for new lights. Mounting the lights. Serving cookies and Eggnog at just the right time, I try to get it all done without…."You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch."

Remember, Dr. Seuss' Mr. Grinch? The grouchy, solitary creature green old man who tries to put the kibosh on Whoville's Christmas. Despite his efforts, Whoville still celebrate. Grinch returns everything he stole and is the honored guest for dinner.

Have you lost the joy of Christmas? What has stolen your Christmas spirit?  Are you becoming Grinchy?

Busyness and preparations for Christmas can become a duty. We HAVE to get the decorations up.  We HAVE to attend parties. We HAVE to get the gifts. We HAVE to go Christmas shopping... Somewhere along the way, Mr. Grinch emerges, stealing the wonder of Christmas from our own hearts.

What is threatening to destroy your Christmas? Is busyness keeping you joyless and grouchy? Will unrealistic expectations trap you?  Please, this year, don't let anything or anyone, especially Mr. Grinch, steal your Christmas. Christmas is an amazing glorious time to remember the birth of Christ,

Luke 2:11-14 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.