The Grinch, like the shepherds, is considered an outcast – a dark soul. Yet, it is into such darkness that God sends the great light of the child, Jesus. When such a great light shines in the dark of each of our lives, and the darkness of our shared lives, humanity is offered the healing of shalom, in which we all unite as one great body praising the love of God in Christ.

The celebration of Christmas is about a reminder that the world today does not need a new savior. We have a Savior, and he doesn’t live in a gold-adorned high-rise.

What makes Charlie Brown Christmas good enough that we would be willing to use it as the foundation for the message about the gift of Christ on Christmas Eve? It connects with our brokenness, our wandering, and our hope for the light of Christ.