The Christmas Grinch

My friend, April, told me once again, with a deep sigh, "This month is so stressful for us every year. My husband positively hates Christmas, he says, and makes it miserable for everyone.  On Christmas Day, he ends up screaming at the children, ruining it for everyone.  I don't know what I'm going to do this year.  I've tried everything.  I try to keep the children out of his way but they're so excited!"

It's so hard to believe there are people like April's husband, James, who really hate Christmas.  I've never thought of it before, but I think I'm going to mention it to April: "Did you ever ask him why he hates Christmas so much?  Did he have bad experiences growing up?"

Knowing that James is really an up-tight, perfectionist, nervous-type person, I suspect that he was simply an ordinary spoiled brat as a child, used to getting his own way.  James is also a domineering man who must be IN CONTROL at every moment or he gets furious or sulks.

There may be another side to this situation: April's part.  She works very hard - too hard - and is near total exhaustion by Christmas Day.  Perhaps if she scaled back her plans somewhat, she would feel strong enough to 'cajole' James into a good mood.  It's worth a try.

What else could this family try to have a peaceful day?  If worse comes to worse, and James was in a horrible mood, they could leave James at home and "visit" either her parents or his family on Christmas.  For the sake of the children, they need to do something different!

When you're out and about town, look at all the beautiful decorations, "catch" the mood of expectation.  Something important is about to happen, even if few of us give it much thought: we're about to celebrate the birth of Jesus, King of the Universe, God becoming Man, one of us!  It's worth preparing for, not just in giving presents to each other, but preparing for, in our hearts.

Why not throw in an extra church service or two this month?  Why not go to church, watch the TV Christmas cartoons, drive around at night hunting pretty decorated homes,  go to a concert or party - together?  Add some hot chocolate, marshmallows, and cookies, and you have some great memories in the making!

And if the Christmas Grinch doesn't want to participate, well, it's his loss!

Dear Lord, day by day, excitement is mounting about Your Birthday Celebration!!  Help us support each other in our plans, help us enjoy all the fun of Santa, the reindeers and elves, but help us focus on the Real Event: Christ-Mass!