Christmas Blockbusters: The Heart of Christmas

I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since this movie was released.  And for my generation, no one was better cast to play the Grinch than Jim Carrey.  His portrayal of this character was spot on, but so was the writing that was mostly taken from the original book released in 1957.

There is a quote in the movie that I want us to think about today:

“He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. 

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. 

Maybe Christmas, he thought… doesn’t come from a store. 

Maybe Christmas, perhaps… means a little bit more!” 

Here’s the question I want us to think about today: Do we know the real meaning of Christmas?

Now chances are some of us exploring faith have no real idea what it is really all about, and for those of us who follow Jesus have remained true to its meaning? 

Here’s the truth of about Christmas…yes, it’s a celebration of the birth of Christ, but it is so much more rich than that.  It is the time we stand in awe that the God of the universe chooses to send his son into the world he created, to begin the process of restoring us back to him.  He does this    by being with us through his son Jesus.  Charles Spurgeon, a 19th century theologian and pastor, said it best when he said:

“He who was born at Bethlehem is God, and “God with us.” God—there lies the majesty; “God with us,” there lies the mercy. God—therein is glory; “God with us,” therein is grace. God alone might well strike us with terror; but “God with us” inspires us with hope and confidence.” – Charles Spurgeon

Christmas is about celebrating a God who is wanting to be with you and me!

It’s that song, “Where Are You, Christmas?” that really captures the heart of this message. 

Because I think a lot of us can relate to what Cindy Lou was feeling. There’s a line that says,“My world is changing, I’m rearranging…does that mean Christmas changes too?”


That question hits deep, doesn’t it? Because our world has changed, not just a few years ago, but even right now. Our schedules, our routines, our relationships…everything around us seems to keep shifting. And sometimes, when life rearranges on the outside, it starts to rearrange something inside of us too. That’s where the real struggle happens…not just to us, but in us.

Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”


We can’t always control what happens around us, but with God’s help, we can guard what happens within us. So maybe the better question this Christmas isn’t “What’s happening in the world?” but “What’s happening in my world?”
Because no matter how much changes out there, Christmas isn’t something we can lose…it’s something God wants to show new or renew inside of us.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

That’s exactly what happened to the Grinch. He had every reason to be bitter — feel rejection, pain, disappointment…but those moments didn’t just happen to him, they got in him. He became mean and green because he went through some terrible circumstances in his life that got into the depths of his heart. It became a heart issue. His heart literally shrank. And maybe that’s where some of us find ourselves today. Something happened. Maybe it was a loss, a breakup, a financial setback, or just the wear and tear of another hard year, and it’s left your heart feeling a little smaller, a little colder. So let me ask you the same question Cindy Lou asked in her song: What changed? What rearranged – that makes you now wonder if Christmas will be the same?

You know we laugh at this ridiculous character called the Grinch – but I think there’s a little Grinch in all of us. In fact, I think he says out loud what we all are thinking inside and that’s why this movie is so funny – because it’s how we feel.   But Jesus talk about the things we feel, or the things we express from our heart.

Luke 6:43-45:

43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 

Look at the dichotomy we choose from:  Good or Evil

The things we partake in, the thoughts we have, the feelings we express…they all lead in one way or another. James chapter 3 has another dichotomy like this when it says that fresh water and salt water cannot come from the same spring…from the same source. 

We protect our heart because it is the wellspring of life.  But we are encourage by Jesus when he promises his gift.

John 14:27 (NLT) “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” 

So again – I ask you – how’s your heart? Here’s what I know. Things on the outside might not change – but God can touch your heart today if you’ll let Him. And that’s the story of The Grinch and Who’s in Whoville. They let Christmas be all about the external things – and they missed what Christmas was really intended to be.

Well you know how this story goes. When everything externally is stolen away by the Grinch and there’s nothing left, the people of Whoville realize that there’s more to Christmas than shopping, spending, and all of the stuff. They get back to the heart of Christmas. This hilarious movie serves as an annual reminder that perhaps we should come back to the real meaning of Christmas too. Here we are just a few weeks away from Christmas – and what would it be like if we came back to the heart of Christmas? I believe if we do, God would heal our hearts from the disappointments, disconnections, and doubts that we have. So how do we do it? 

I want to challenge you to consider three things. First, like the people of Whoville – we need to remember that Christmas is a time for family and friends. It is not about shopping and presents – but about real relationships. And if you don’t have family and friends you can be with – God designed your church to be a family to you. The Bible says in Psalm 68:6, that “God sets the lonely in families.” I want you to know that you have a family here. You need to know that Libby and I pray for you every day – especially during this holiday season. 

The second way we can rediscover the real meaning of Christmas is by realizing this: the season becomes truly beautiful when we show the love of Jesus to someone else. One of the best things about this time of year is that it gives each of us a fresh opportunity to be generous; to reflect God’s heart in simple, tangible ways. You don’t need a special program or card to do it; just look for a need and meet it.  When we do this, reflect who Jesus is to those around us. .

Maybe it’s leaving an extra-generous tip at a restaurant. Maybe it’s paying for the car behind you in the drive-through. For students, maybe it’s helping someone who’s struggling or offering to volunteer your time for free. It could be baking cookies for your neighbors, writing a note of encouragement, or bringing breakfast to your coworkers… just because.

And here’s another powerful way to share God’s love: use the invite cards we’ve provided to personally invite someone to join you for the rest of this Christmas series or for one of our Christmas Eve services. I guarantee most of your friends and family will say YES!  You never know what God might do through a simple invitation — it could change someone’s life. Because here’s the thing: when you bless others, yes, their hearts are touched — but something happens in your heart too. Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” That’s the miracle of generosity — every time you pour out love, God pours something fresh back into you. 

And lastly, if you need healing in your heart today – What if this year, you gave Him the gift that He wants most of all? Your life. Well I promise you this – He will heal your heart – and it would be the best Christmas you’ve ever experienced. Isn’t it about time to rediscover what Christmas is really all about?

If you’re searching for the meaning of Christmas, you’ll never discover it apart from the person that this holiday is all about – Christ. Perhaps today, you’re searching. Well, the Bible says in Jeremiah 29:13, “When you search for Me with all your heart, you will find Me!” I want to encourage you to do that today.