I would never, ever think of myself as a Christmas Grinch. I love the Christmas season so much! I play Christmas music 24/7. I embrace gift giving wholeheartedly. I love the seasonal coffee drinks.
I’m nothing like the Grinch. Or so I thought.
With Christmas music playing in the background of my house, a shocking reality hit me recently. Deep down — way beneath the surface of my holiday smile — I have a lot of Grinch-like tendencies.
Although the Grinch is portrayed as someone who despises Christmas, that’s not his true issue.
His real heart issue is that he loves himself more than anyone else. He is selfish and self-centered. He is consumed with having things his way.
And those stinky green heart issues are the exact same heart issues I wrestle with every December.
Yes, I love the Holiday cheer. But do I joyfully change my plans to accommodate someone else’s schedule? Of course, I’m all for the delicious and festive food. But do I go out of my way to help with the cleanup?
I’m all for shopping and giving gifts! But am I genuinely grateful when I don’t get what I want? Spending time with friends and going to Christmas parties is a blast. But am I kind and sweet to my own family?
The list goes on and on.
It’s easy for me to portray the Christmas spirit on the outside. But sadly, I can have a heart of green slime on the inside. I can be a lot more like the Grinch than I want to admit.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably experienced the same struggle. If you were honest, you’re probably a lot more like the Grinch as well.
So — since we all struggle with Grinch-like tendencies during the Christmas season, I have an idea.
As this December begins, let’s link arms together and make it our goal to have a Grinch-free Christmas. Let’s strive to have a truly Christ-centered Christmas by pursuing Christ-centered hearts.
When Jesus came to this earth in the form of a baby, He powerfully demonstrated the true spirit of Christmas.
As He gave himself for the world, He revealed that the true heart of Christmas is rooted in a heart of self-sacrifice.
You see, the real spirit of Christmas isn’t about the lights, drinks, music or the gifts. It’s about loving other people selflessly. It’s about going out of your way to serve your family. It’s about sacrificing your wants for someone else’s. It’s about expressing gratitude rather than complaints.
That is what Christmas should be all about.
My prayer for myself and you this month is that we would pursue hearts of self-sacrifice. Hearts of genuine love. Hearts of Christ.
So…to help each of us get into the spirit of self-sacrificing and giving, I have a fun announcement!
Bethany and I are launching the 12 Days of Christmas with Girl Defined, starting today.
From December 1st through the 12th we’re going to partner with you in showing Christ’s love through giving. These little gifts can be anything that would show love to someone else. And as a part of our own personal family’s tradition, we’re calling these gifts “Christmas Angels.”
The goal is to secretly leave a little “Christmas Angel” gift for someone in a place where they’ll stumble across it.
This little gift will instantly bring a smile to their face and show them that you love them.
And…*drum roll* The best part is that we’re going to be giving away Christmas Angels to our Girl Defined family too! As you give little gifts over the next 12 days, we’re going to do one new giveaway each day as well.
For details on how to participate in the Christmas Angel giveaways, check out our YouTube channel later today for a Christmas video explaining everything. You’re also invited to join us today for our LIVE Facebook Christmas Party at 12:00pm (CST)!
We hope you’re as excited as we are to begin cultivating a heart of self-sacrifice and giving!
Instead of being grinches this year, let’s ask God to help us cultivate hearts that reflect the true spirit of Christmas — Jesus Himself.
Let the giving and serving begin!
