How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This may be a long post, so I apologize because I know this may not be the best time for long posts.

Several months ago, my son came home from school and told us he had joined the 4th/5th grade choir. I must admit we had to stifle our chuckles. Not that we were laughing at him, but it just struck us as a little odd for him to do. (The week prior to that, we also had to stifle our chuckles when he said he was going to play the cello in the school's orchestra. Another odd choice for him.)

Forward to December 16th, his school's Christmas concert. The orchestra honestly sounded wonderful. I can't tell you the number of teachers at the school who said it was the best the orchestra has ever sounded. (My son hasn't learned how to "bow" yet, he only plucked the strings.) As for the choir, they were simply angelic sounding. Such a sweet & pure sound.

For the choir's last song, 5 girls came forward holding paddles with Cindy Lou Who's face on them. The music began and we hear:

Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome Christmas!
Bring Your Cheer!

It was that song. You know, the one that the Whos in How the Grinch Stole Christmas sing? It was beautiful. Then the music changed. The 5 girls flipped their paddles and it was the Grinch's face they now displayed, while the choir started singing, "Your a mean one, Mr. Grinch."

Out from behind the choir came this:



Yes, my son dressed in Grinch gear! He circulated the gym of some 700+ students, not counting teachers & staff, while the choir sang his song. He stuck his tongue out at students & stared them down with an evil-grinchy stare. It was one of the most magical moments I have ever experienced. I laughed until I had tears in my eyes.

I knew he was going to play the Grinch. At the time, I thought how ironic...he is probably the least-Grinch like child on the planet. Honestly, I thought he'd get scared and not be able to pull it off, but he did pull it off and amazingly at that!
He got thunderous applause, everyone remarked that he stole the show (see, the Grinch really did steal Christmas) and kids he doesn't even know, now say, "Here comes the Grinch!" whenever they see him.

The book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas has long been on of my favorite books. Every year, I read it. My favorite part is this:

Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming!
IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!

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 three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

Yes...the magical words of the genius, Dr. Seuss. I may not follow his words, but oh how they fill my heart!

So, if you have stayed with me through this whole post, I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years!



In the words of the great Doctor:

Welcome Christmas!
Bring your cheer!
Cheers to all Whos far and near
Christmas Day is in our grasp
So long as we have hands to clasp
Christmas Day will always be
Just as long as we have we
Welcome Christmas!
While we stand
Heart to heart and hand in hand

Merry, Merry Christmas....may it be magical!