In Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, we see a character who isolates himself, closes off his heart, and builds walls to keep others out. Sound familiar? Sometimes, life can leave us feeling the same way—hurt, guarded, and afraid to let others in.
The Grinch didn’t wake up one day and decide to hate Christmas. His heart shrank over time because of unresolved pain and bitterness. And the same thing can happen to us. When we don’t deal with our hurts, they don’t disappear—they harden our hearts.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23
The Grinch thought he could fix his problems by stealing Christmas. But here’s the truth: no amount of stuff, status, or success can fill a hurting heart. We try to distract ourselves with busyness or achievements, but deep down, what we really need is a transformed heart.
That’s the beauty of Christmas. Jesus came to earth not to steal our joy but to restore it. He came to heal what’s broken and give us a new heart. The Grinch didn’t find freedom until he let love into his life, and neither will we. Real change begins when we invite Jesus in.
“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
Maybe you’ve been holding onto hurt, resentment, or disappointment. Maybe your heart feels a little “Grinch-like” this Christmas. The good news is that Jesus doesn’t just want to patch things up—He wants to give you a new heart. He wants to replace bitterness with joy, fear with peace, and isolation with love.
So, how do we start? We choose to open our hearts to Him. We choose forgiveness, even when it’s hard. We choose gratitude, even when life feels unfair. And we choose to let Jesus do what only He can—change us from the inside out.
Just like the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes that day, Jesus can expand our hearts in ways we never imagined. This Christmas, don’t settle for a life behind walls. Step into the fullness of joy, peace, and love that Jesus offers.
Reflection Questions:
• Is there an area of your heart that’s become hard or guarded?
• What would it look like to invite Jesus into that area today?
Christmas isn’t about the stuff we buy or the traditions we keep. It’s about a Savior who came to restore our hearts. Let Him do that for you this season.
Merry Christmas,
Joe Angelo
Lead Pastor, Vivid Church