Christmastime. ‘Tis the time of seasonal insults. Two of the most common are to call someone who doesn’t celebrate Christmas the way we think they ought to one of the following:
A Scrooge
A Grinch
We’ve probably all called someone one of these names before, and a some of us have probably been called these names before. (It is entirely possible that one of those words was directed at me just last week.) But as I have thought about it, it occurred to me what the response should be when someone calls me a Scrooge, or a Grinch.
“Did you just call me a Scrooge?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you! That is so sweet!”
Why? Because being called a Scrooge or a Grinch should really be one of the greatest compliments we could ever receive. In fact, if I I died and had my exit interview with Jesus, and he said, “You remind me of this silly fictional story about a guy named the Grinch..” I would breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Anyone who calls someone a Grinch or a Scrooge in a negative way really doesn’t grasp the stories.
Why? Because the characters of Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch both represent the attainment of that one thing that we should all desire: A change of heart.
They were both cantankerous, faithless, unhappy characters. They both went through a mighty change of heart, and found joy and redemption.
Remember, the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes that day…
A mighty change of heart? Oh yeah, suddenly it gets scriptural.
And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances?
Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? (Alma 5:14)
And they both ended up happy:
Yet somehow, both of these characters names have become idioms for just the opposite. The are always used negatively. It is like we completely ignore the miraculous transitions they made, and instead, focus on what they were before. We consign them to being the lesser version of themselves forever.
I can’t help but think that we do that with real people sometimes. We forget that everyone has a chance, and a need for a new heart. Occasionally, when someone is given that new heart, as happened to Saul when “God gave him another heart” (1 Sam. 10:9) we refuse to acknowledge the transformation that has been made. Sometimes it is easier to keep someone in a well-defined box, rather than admit that they have broken free, and become a better version of themselves. Instead, we’ll just remember them in their pre-repentant state.
Both Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch had successful transformation that each one of us must experience at some time in our lives. Not only do we need to experience it, we need to retain it.
“And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” (Alma 5:26)
Both characters got it right. I think I’m going to quit using those two names as a Christmastime insult – because both stories are about characters who found new hearts, and redemption. I want to be more like them.
If you want to call me a Grinch, feel free. And thank you.
________
Ever wonder about the name Ebenezer? It isn’t very common, and I assure you that Dickens did not choose that name by accident. You have probably noticed it in the song “Come Thou Font of Every Blessing.”
Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by thy help I come
And I hope by thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
What does it mean to “raise my Ebenezer? You might not know that the word Ebenezer is biblical. Here is a quote from a speech at BYU by Curt Holman that explains it better than I could:
It is in the Old Testament that we gain further understanding of what it means to “raise my Ebenezer.” In 1 Samuel 7 we read that the Israelites were under attack by the Philistines. Outnumbered and in fear for their lives, they pled with the prophet Samuel to pray for God’s help. Samuel offered a sacrifice and prayed for protection. In response the Lord smote the Philistines, and they retreated to their territory. This victory is recorded in verse 12: “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”
In Hebrew the word ebenezer means “stone of help.” This raised stone was a reminder to the Israelites of what the Lord had done for them. This Eben-ezer quite literally was a monument set to remember the great help that God granted the one raising the stone. The Old Testament is replete with examples of the children of Israel forgetting the many miracles and spiritual experiences given to them by the Lord. (Link)
In that context, Ebenezer Scrooge -in name and deed – could stand as a monument to remind us of the importance of attaining that mighty change of heart, and the miracles and experiences that have been given us of the Lord.
Gotta love Christmas.
I just wanted to say thank you for choosing Muppet Christmas Carol as your Ebenezer Scrooge example. It warmed my heart. Also, three cheers for all you’ve said here. Merry Christmas!
I add my vote for George C Scott as the Best Scrooge Ever. The nastier the portrayal of the pre-repentant Scrooge, the more effectively the lesson is taught that we are never out of the Savior’s Reach. Thanks for the reminder of Dickens’ ultimate intent.
Super awesome post. Love the message.
Mmmm. A rose among thorns. A beacon of light among darkness. This Christmas these experiences have taken the form of 1) a visit the other night to the Mesa Temple to enjoy the lights and the Savior. Hard to stand before the Christus and NOT feel his comforting power. Excellent medicine. 2) Our Sunday Sacrament meeting. Outrageously beautiful music, Silent Night in 6 languages, 2 harps and saw (yes a saw, it was awesome). 3) This article. Maybe because of the definition of Grinch and Scrooge or maybe because Dickens was inspired enough to know the word Ebenezer, or maybe just the thought that among the chaos that is in the world today (an in my life), somehow my Savior and my Heavenly Father have it all figured out and are still in control. Way too comforting.
This Christmas doesn’t have as many challenges as past Christmas’ have. But it seems to have a whole lot more noise. Maybe my 3 previously mentioned experiences are the Lord’s version of the noise cancelling earphones/magic pixie dust mentioned in the next MMM. Thanks!
Thank you for reminding me. I needed this right now.
Though I puzzle this: the “real” Grinch repented and sought forgiveness….yet decades later, he became Jim Carrey. I hope that doesn’t mean he regressed.
I think the Washington Monument could be considered an Ebenezer, even if it was completed over a century after the victory. I’m going to think of it that way from now on.
This is stunning. I love this thank you.
We just watched “The Christmas Carol” a couple days ago (George C. Scott version–my favorite) and my husband asked me why it made me cry so much since it ends happy. I told him because the message of Scrooge’s personal repentance and atonement touched my heart. It reminds me of what I should be doing. Thanks for your gift of language to be able to put it into the right words.
You have such great knowledge!! Thanks for sharing it with us! You always give me something good to ponder. And on a side note, I shared your post about the Angel Gabriel with my primary kids today and I loved seeing the lightbulb go on above their heads! Since I don’t get to gospel doctrine, I love coming here each Sunday to have my dose of spiritual enlightenment. Your blog is a gift to me.
Merry Christmas!
Wonderful! What a great way to start my day. To think what it really means at Christmas. to turn your heart, to change your heart to be closer to Him.
I have had that concept for years. Thank you for writing my thoughts so beautifully. Merry Christmas to all those wonderful Scrooges and Grinches out there and to you, my friend.
Oh! I so love this…the entire thing! Bless you, Bro. Bradley
That was so awesome. Thanks for the lesson you old Scrooge!