Four hundred Atheist signs in Seattle say, “Yes, Virginia there is no God.” In NYC, signs say “There is no god just be good for goodness sake.” Kids in Ridgway Elementary School in Dodgeville, Wisconson are given the following new lyrics to the song “Silent Night”: Cold in the night, no one in sight, winter winds whirl and bite. How I wish I were happy and warm, safe with my family out of the storm. A pastor friend of mine works a second job at the Christmas Tree Store where employees are instructed not to say, “Merry Christmas!” He says, “Merry Christmas Tree Store,” so he doesn’t get in trouble.
Why are there grinches in the government, in education, and in the private sector trying to steal Christmas? To find the answer, we will look back to the first Grinch in the Bible.
The first Grinch’s name was Herod, the king of Judah. In Matthew chapter two, he was approached by wise men who wanted to know where the Messiah, King of the Jews was to be born. The Bible says, “Herod was troubled and all of Jerusalem with Him.” The government, educational system, and the private sector of Jerusalem were threatened by a coming King. Herod and the gang instinctively knew there could only be one king of the Jews; and, as far as they were concerned, it certainly wasn’t going to be Jesus. In our day, there are many Herod’s who will not relinquish their throne and thus try to steal Christmas from the world.
1.) Herod the Grinch Was a Deceitful Person. He told the wise men he wanted to celebrate Christmas with them. “…bring me word again, that I may come and worship him!” Herod’s Bible scholars quickly found out from the book of Micah that the Christ child was to be born in Bethlehem. “We will celebrate with you!” People today, like the wise men, are still deceived into thinking that the government will help them find the answer and that the education system, along with the secular system, will help them discover the truth. “We have your best interests in mind!” “Let us help you!”
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
You really are a heel.
You’re as cuddly as a cactus,
You’re as charming as an eel.
Mr. Grinch.
2.) Herod the Grinch Had a Deviant Plan. Herod feigned caring for the wise men, but what he really wanted was a world with holiday trees, winter carols, and festival lights. The wise men brought Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh — gold for a King, frankincense for a priest, and myrrh for a burial. Herod wanted to take away our King, our High Priest, and our Crucified Saviour.
You’re a bad banana
With a greasy black peel.
You’re a monster, Mr. Grinch.
Your heart’s an empty hole.
Your brain is full of spiders,
You’ve got garlic in your soul.
Mr. Grinch.
I wouldn’t touch you, with a
thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole!
3.) Herod the Grinch Had a Deep Problem. After leaving the presence of Herod, the wise men saw a ministering star once again. After they found the Christ Child, God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod, “They returned another way.” “Wise men still seek him” what a great bumper sticker! When Paul was founding the church at Corinth, God said, “I have much people in this city.” God was saying I have “wise men” or truth seekers who need a guiding star! They need a soul winner to show them the way to Christ. These people had been looking to Herod, but all they needed was a guiding star! This season we will come in contact with friends, relatives, and coworkers who are looking for Christmas in all the wrong places. Be that shining star that points to Jesus!!
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.