The Real Problem in Whoville

We all seem to agree that it is a heinous crime for the Grinch to steal Christmas from the Who’s in Whoville.  After all, if there is no gift under the tree or no Christmas feast, little Cindy Lou Who might cry!  So, of course, the story must end with the Grinch’s conversion—not from God hater to God lover, not from secular humanist to Christian, but from stingy miser to extravagant gift-giver.  The Grinch must experience a transformation alright, but the transformation is from agent of material deprivation to agent of economic stimulus.  Bottom line:  when the Grinch is changed, when his heart grows ten sizes that day, Little Cindy Lou Who gets her stuff and everybody lives happily ever after, or do they?

   

The problem appears when we consider that little Cindy Lou Who is not permitted to hear about the Christ child.  There is no nativity in the center of the Christmas morning revelers, no explanation of the source of the celebration.  The elders in Whoville have agreed to keep the matter of the Christ, and most especially the Cross, secret and private.  Whoville is happy for some ambiguous reason.  The song they sing is not praising God for his work of redemption—just a happy little ditty.

              

And so, while little Cindy Lou Who is entitled to Christmas gifts and a Christmas dinner, and the momentary happiness they may provide, she is doomed to eternal unhappiness because she is denied a relationship with Jesus Christ.  The life of true purpose, meaning, and hope that relationship with Christ yields is denied her.  The very thing we had hoped to avoid is assured: little Cindy Lou Who cries.  I don’t know about you but it sounds like a bad deal to me.  Better Christmas morning should stink.  Better there should be nothing under the tree, no Christmas dinner, better for the Grinch's heart to grow and for him to become the preacher who returns the gift of the gospel to the children of Whoville!