4 Lessons from 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'

If you are familiar with this story, you know how Cindy Lou helped Grinch know the true meaning of Christmas. Through the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, we can learn many lessons. Here are four lessons from How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

1. Remember the True Meaning of Christmas

The first lesson from How the Grinch Stole Christmas is to remember the true meaning of Christmas. The true meaning of Christmas is often shrouded by materialism and consumerism.

In the classic story How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch hated Christmas. All the people of Whoville were joyfully celebrating Christmas with song, yet he hated it.

While the people of Whoville are singing, the Grinch gets upset and declares, “And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise! There’s one thing I hate! All the NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!”

The Grinch didn’t like the happiness or joy coming from Whoville. He spent his life living on the mountain away from Whoville with his dog, Max. The Grinch didn’t want to hear the joyful celebration from the people of Whoville.

While the Grinch was hateful toward Christmas at the beginning of the story, by the end, Cindy Lou was able to help him understand Christmas better.

Through Cindy Lou’s extension of love, the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes. After his heart grew, he joined in with the festivities of the Christmas season. He understood that love was a major part of the Christmas season.

While the birth of Jesus is never mentioned directly in this story, it does point us away from materialism. The Grinch says, “Maybe Christmas, he thought...doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps...means a little bit more!”

As the Grinch says, Christmas doesn’t come from a store. As Christians, we know Christmas is all about Jesus and His advent into the world.

For many decades, individuals have tried to push the notion that Christmas is about gifts, but truly Christmas is about celebrating the anniversary of Jesus’ birth into the world. We don’t need fancy gifts to celebrate Christmas. All we need is to celebrate the Lord in our hearts.

2. Kindness Goes a Long Way

The second lesson we can learn from How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the truth that kindness goes a long way. Cindy Lou extended much kindness to the Grinch. Even though nobody in Whoville was particularly fond of the Grinch, Cindy Lou was a true friend to the Grinch.

Her small act of kindness went a long way in the Grinch’s heart. It is through her love and kindness that the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes in one day. Cindy Lou freely gave away kindness even though it was not reciprocated back to her.

In our own lives, we need to remember that kindness goes a long way. Similar to Cindy Lou, we need to extend kindness to all people, even if they might be grouchy like the Grinch. Even though a person may act like a Grinch, they can still benefit from your kindness.

In fact, your kindness might make their day or even be the catalyst to a change in their life. During this holiday season, as well as after, we need to remember to practice kindness to all people and to extend love even when it seems difficult. Our small acts of kindness can go a long way for a weary and lonely soul.

3. No One Can Stop Christmas from Coming

A third lesson from How the Grinch Stole Christmas is that no one can stop Christmas from coming. In this beloved story, the Grinch tries to stop Christmas from coming. He does this by stealing gifts from all the people of Whoville in an effort to destroy Christmas.

Despite the Grinch stealing all of the gifts from the people of Whoville, they still celebrate Christmas. Once the Grinch saw the Whos’ continued celebration, he understood that not only was Christmas not about presents, but he also saw that no one could stop Christmas from coming.

Nobody can stop Christmas from coming because it is the celebration of the anniversary of Christ. Year after year, Christmas will return whether we want it to or not. While some Christmases can be difficult for us throughout the years, the holiday still returns.

Even if we don’t feel the Christmas spirit, we can celebrate Christ in our hearts. We don’t have to have special gifts to celebrate Christmas.

Many individuals feel they can’t celebrate Christmas unless they have gifts, but as the Grinch story tells us, nothing can stop Christmas from coming. Christmas is the anniversary of Jesus’ birth, and this beautiful celebration will return year after year to commemorate Jesus’ advent into the world.

4. Redemption — A Change of Heart

A fourth lesson from How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the aspect of redemption. While the Grinch doesn’t accept Christ, the story does paint a portrait of redemption through the Grinch’s change of heart.

It is through the Grinch’s change of heart that he was able to grow to become a better friend to others. Cindy Lou’s kindness helped the Grinch learn how to love others through the love and kindness she showed to him.

This ultimately helped him experience a change of heart, not only over Christmas but also for all the people of Whoville. The Grinch had originally hated the people of Whoville, yet by the end of the story, he loved every Who in Whoville.

This story of redemption and a change of heart helps us to know that anybody can truly change for the better through redemption.

As believers, we experience redemption through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and accepting Him as our Savior. It is only through Jesus that we can be redeemed and know redemption.

The Apostle Paul tells us, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7). As Paul tells us, we have redemption through the blood of our Savior.

Christmas time is the perfect time to share the message of salvation with others. We can help others know the story of redemption by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Once a person accepts Jesus as their Savior, they experience redemption.

We cannot be redeemed in any other way except through Jesus. During this Christmas season, try to share the story of the birth of Christ and redemption through His blood to help others also experience salvation. God wants us to help all people come to know His Son and experience forgiveness.

The Lord tells us, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

For further reading:

What Is the Meaning of Christmas

How Can I Simplify Christmas to Focus on Jesus?

3 Ways to Keep Jesus at the Center of Your Christmas This Year

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images-Staff

Vivian Bricker loves Jesus, studying the Word of God, and helping others in their walk with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master's degree in Christian Ministry with a deep academic emphasis in theology. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside. When she is not writing, she is embarking on other adventures.

This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com.