Welcome, Christmas!

The Christmas season isn't complete without reading, or watching, the beloved holiday classic from Dr. Seuss, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. We all love little Cindy Lou Who and her innocent little Who voice, asking the Grinch "Santy Clause, Why? Why are you taking our Christmas tree? Why?" The book, the original movie, and the various movie remakes, always seem to bring a warmth to all of us who read or watch it, whether it is our first time with the story or our 50th.

As you'll recall, the Grinch, with his heart three sizes too small, works very hard to take away Christmas from the Whos in Whoville. He takes their presents and trees, Who Hash, and Who Cheese.

Then, on Christmas morning, the Grinch listens carefully, eagerly awaiting the dismay he will hear when the Whos awake to find their Christmas stolen. But instead he hears singing! The Whos are standing together, singing "Welcome, Christmas"! How can this be? And then, the Grinch realizes Christmas is not a thing. It is not packages or toys. It is, in fact, not something you get from a store.

This year, the story feels a bit more apropos. For many of us, it may feel like COVID is The Grinch, stealing our ability to celebrate or enjoy the holiday like we have in the past, be it with friends, families, activities, or traditions. Even our shopping was very different this year.

But on Christmas Day, let's all be reminded of the key message from this timeless classic:

Every Who down in Who-ville,
The tall and the small,
Was singing without any presents at all!
He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming
It came! Somehow, or other, it came just the same.

It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags.
Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store
Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

Welcome, Christmas,
Bring your cheer,
Cheer to all Whos, far and near.
Christmas day is in our grasp,
so long as we have hands to clasp.

Welcome, Christmas.
While we stand,
Heart to heart,
And hand in hand.

No matter where you are today, let's all pause to Welcome Christmas. And remember...

Christmas day will always be,
Just so long as We have We.

Merry Christmas to all of you in our ThriftBooks Community.

Barbara Hagen
VP, Sales and Marketing, ThriftBooks

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