Heart Grows Three Sizes
December 16, 2009 by Dan
Filed under Encouragement
by Jim Liebelt
Dec. 16, 2009
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will
remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of
flesh. –Ezekiel 36:26
In Dr. Seuss’ classic Christmas tale, “How the Grinch Stole
Christmas,” the Grinch suffers from having a small heart. The
source of his heart problem is his lack of understanding the
meaning of Christmas.
As the story goes, the Grinch tries to put a stop to Christmas, but in the end, he comes to understand what Christmas is all about and his heart grows three sizes!
This heart change makes a big difference in his life.
I’m not sure what Dr. Seuss’ intentions were when he wrote the
story back in 1957, but it certainly comes across as a Christian
parable to me that parallels the change that takes place in a
person’s life when he or she comes to understand the true meaning
of Christmas: the birth of Jesus, God’s Son, who was born to save
His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
When the light of the Good News of Jesus dawns upon the heart of a person, God replaces the old heart of stone, with a new, fleshy heart – and a new
person emerges.
As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“Welcome Christmas – While we stand – Heart to heart – And hand
in hand.”1
It might just make all the difference in the world.
O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in;
be born in us today!
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!
(From O Little Town of Bethlehem)
We celebrate Christmas because of the power Jesus brought to
change our hearts.
Source: Home Word
Editor’s Note: You can contact Jim Liebelt contactus@homeword.com.
We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com