The Grinch had taken everything, all their floofloovers all their tartookas.
He snatched every whohooper and gardooka. He stole the roast beast. He left nothing, not even a crumb for that mouse. Then he horsewhipped poor Max his dog, and that giant sled of
Photo by Geoffrey Moffett via Unsplash
toys, up to the top of Mount Crumpet to dump it.
Just before he did so, he said “Pooh-pooh to the Whos! They’re finding out now that no Christmas is coming!
I know just what they’ll do!
…the Whos down in Whoville will all cry boo-hoo!
That’s a noise, that I simply must hear!”
He paused, and put a hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound, they were singing,
“Welcome, welcome, fahoo ramus
Welcome, welcome, dahoo damus
Christmas Day is in our grasp
So long as we have hands to clasp.”
This is my favorite moment in the show. The Grinches jaw twitches to the left, as he ponders the unbelievable: joy in the midst of hardship. Hospitality where you would expect anger and revenge. Spiritually empowered people, joining together in celebration, in place of the righteous victim.
Have you been burglarized? I have. Three times in 2 weeks one summer when I lived in Phoenix. It is violating. I was not the in the mood for holding hands and singing. I wanted revenge!
These Whos are inspiring. And we need a little bit of what they have right now.
In invite you to look your troubles right in the face and find some hands to clasp. This is a season for miracles. Create some!
Thanks all of you who have engaged and journeyed with me this year. I have enjoyed the chance to help you with your people challenges.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all! I’ll be thinking of you as we carve the roast beast.
Tom Esch
p.s. please enjoy this Christmas video our son Eli made of a local group here in Minneapolis
Billy McLaughlin’s Simple Gifts music https://youtu.be/3w7IOGbA6D8