How the Virus Stole Christmas

Source: pinterest

Most people in North America know Dr. Seuss’ story “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.  It is a classic Christmas story that many people love and view every Christmas.

The story makes a beautiful statement about how Christmas is not about the gifts, the abundance of food, the decorations, etc.  But rather it is about the spirit of love.  And for us Christians, the spirit of God’s love being born on this Earth in the person of Jesus.

Who can forget that scene when the Whos in Whoville get up on Christmas morning and do not bat an eye at the fact that all the gifts, food and decorations are all gone?  They simply come together in a circle, hold hands and sing.

The Grinch is confounded by this act.  He cannot believe that the Whos are rejoicing without the gifts, food, and decorations.  And he discovers through this simple act of love that Christmas means a lot more than those material things.

Well, it seems that Christmas 2020 might be stolen from us as well; not by the Grinch but by Covid-19.  We will probably still have our gifts, our abundant food, and our decorations.  But we probably will not be able to celebrate those material things with our families and friends.  At least the Whos had the warm touch of family and friends.

We may want to ask ourselves the question: “What is Christmas really about?”  Is it really about the music, gathering with our loved ones over a meal and opening up gifts on Christmas morning (or for those in the French-Canadian tradition doing a réveillon after Midnight Mass)?

Or is it about something deeper as the Grinch discovered?  Is the Covid-19 Christmas that is looming over us a call to let go of our own “gifts”, “food”, and “decorations” that are within our own hearts, and discover, as the Grinch did, that Christmas is much more than that?

 

Norbert Piché is the Directeur national Service jésuite des réfugiés - Country Director Jesuit Refugee Service – Canada

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3 Comments
  • Caroline Maloney
    Posted at 02:01h, 11 December Reply

    Thank you! We are so bombarded with distractions at Christmas, and this year with Covid, your clear, concise reminder of the true meaning is so appreciated!

  • Gilbert Verrier
    Posted at 02:28h, 11 December Reply

    Most excellent piece!!

    P.S. Salut, Norbert! Joyeux Noël!

  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 20:57h, 13 December Reply

    Thank you Norbert!

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