Mr. Scrooge and Grinch get a bad wrap every year. Afterall, they got it right in the end...Scrooge found love and promised to keep Christmas all the year through! Grinch's heart grew and he, too was a changed critter from then on. Unfortunately, their alter ego returns every year just the same, in plays and programs, and in each of us. Despite our best intentions and efforts, that little cranky curmudgeon on our shoulder sometimes wins out. In that moment, no sweet little babe in a manger, Who came down to Earth with love and glory is going to convince us that "Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!"
I imagine this temporary lapse in Spirit inspired that Holiday favorite, "Grandma got run over by a Reindeer." 'Nuff said.
Of course, other favorites such as "Deck the Halls" and "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth," are perfect anthems for those joyous shoppers seeking the last sale item. Over the loudspeaker plays, "Deck the halls or whoever gets in my way!" "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, because I got in the way!" "What child is this," is the loudspeaker looking for lost parents in the Department Store. "Ding Dong, merrily on high," is announcing the siblings fighting...again.
We seek "Silent Night," but pause to check our notifications. "Oh Holy Night," is interrupted by a ringing cell phone. "Do you hear what I hear?" is just a phrase we utter before badmouthing or snickering behind someone's back, all in the spirit of Christmas. "Silver Bells" announces another gray hair appearing over the worry and stress of a peaceful, joyous season.
"I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas," rings true for the other hundred ridiculous items we think will fill our heart stockings and satisfy us. "In Excelsius Gloria," translates to in excess gluttony. "Here we come a wassailing", in hopes that the wine and bottled spirits of the season will at least send us into visions of sugarplums and perfection.
Recalling that 80s hit, we look around at our fellow man and wonder, "Do they know its Christmastime at all?" There, we shake our heads in wonderment and then realization dawns as we see ourselves in those we berate. We realize that we stopped listening to those harkening angels. We realize that the Hallelujah Chorus is not an unending stream of expletives. We realize that the guy who just cut us off cannot hear our "Have yourself a merry BLEEPING Christmas" afterall and begin to simmer down. We realize that Christmas does live in our hearts and if there is to be peace on earth, it begins with me.