Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Uncluttered Christmas

This year, Christmas at the Trent House is going to be simple. I even boycotted the Black Friday sales. My time is valuable; why waste it rushing to a register or shoving senior citizens?

This year, Christmas will be about family. This year, Christmas will be a time to be thankful. This year, Christmas will be simple.

One of my all-time favorite Christmas movies is How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The Grinch, if you remember, has a heart that is two sizes too small, so he decides to keep Christmas from coming to the unsuspecting Who's. When they wake on Christmas morning, the Who's realize that their Christmas preparations have vanished.

To me, this story has always been a little satirical...poking fun at the people who think Christmas is all about gifts. I'm not exactly a sentimental girl, but it always warms my heart at the end of the cartoon when the Who's all come together to celebrate Christmas, without the gifts, without the feast. Once he realizes that the people of Whoville are going to celebrate the holiday anyway, the Grinch has a change of heart. Literally. His heart grows two sizes.

Would I still be cheerful if Christmas came for me with no gifts? No Christmas tree? I like to think that I would be my usual, radiant self. (Please note the sarcasm.) But honesty compels me to admit that I would be a little dismayed.

This year, I'm focusing less on the material aspects; the gifts and the food don't matter. I'm going to focus on the things that are truly important.



And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? 

It came without ribbons.It came without tags.

 It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

4 comments:

Laura @ The Things I Said I'd Never Do said...

We wrote very similar posts for Writers Workshop! Simple is the way to go!! I love how you used the Grinch as an example. How perfect!

Mz E said...

*smile* Adorable! Its not about how much we spend or how much we want...its about Christ and the love we have for each other. The Spirit of the season that flows throughout us. *smile*
Stay Blessed...
http://www.thrumommieiez.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Now how do I teach my kiddos to have this "simple" attitude??? SIGH Great post! Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

Thanks, ladies! Have a happy Christmas!

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