Where are you Christmas? Why can’t I find you? Why have you gone away? Where is the laughter you used to bring me? Why can’t I hear music play? My world is changing. I’m rearranging. Does that mean Christmas changes, too?
Written originally for one of the film versions of Dr. Seuss’s timeless classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, this song was then also recorded by well-loved country artist, Faith Hill.
In many ways, this song is a perfect one for many of us adults who have grown up and become jaded by the ways that time has shifted our viewpoints of Christmas. There are moments, if not entire years, when we have lost our ability to see the wonder and magic. We have forgotten what Christmas truly means – and in forgetting, we have lost our ability to see and hear its sights and sounds as we always could before.
For some of us, that can even turn us into a grinch: Frustrated. Hurt. Lonely. Wanting all the merriment to stop because if we can’t be joyful, then no one should be joyful.
What can break into such weary sadness and snide meanness?
Love.
Because love is what Christmas is truly about. Love come down to earth. Love made flesh. Love set loose. And even a world-wide conspiracy of love, to boot (shhhh!)
My hope for all of you is that you will find someone to love this Christmas. Not romantic love necessarily. But real love. It could be a child or grandchild. It could be a neighbor or a friend. It could be a complete stranger.
Show kindness. Offer a helping hand. Go out of your way to ensure that someone else finds the magic this Christmas. And you know what will happen? You will find it, too.
Even Before 