Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire

December 23, 2007

“Love Breaks Through: 

Ebenezer, the Grinch, and even Santa”

Rev. Kathy Duhon

            The December holidays are about many things – finding light in the darkness, delighting children, kindness and generosity, the magic of surprises, and sweet homecomings.  This month we celebrate key moments in Christianity, Judaism, Earth-centered spirituality, and African American spirituality.  Most of all, though, we are in the midst of one of the hugest celebrations of love.

            Some of the tales that have grown up in these holiday times begin with the absence of love, or perhaps its hiddenness.  The Grinch’s heart is 2 sizes too small – he’s “a mean one”.  Ebenezer Scrooge is full of humbug – he’s nasty to everyone.  In the film, It’s A Wonderful Life, if Mr. Potter had his way, everyone’s life would be miserable.

            And in the classic cartoon, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, which my family takes to heart for its many life lessons, it’s not just one grouchy or mean character, even though there is a scary abominable snow monster.  No, everyone is mean, even Santa, when it comes to the misfits.  Not totally bad, but, whether they are adults or youth, elves or reindeer, they close their hearts to the two among them who are different – Hermie and Rudolph.

            Sadly, this is the more realistic story, in that everyone has a “too small heart” problem, at times, and it is more to the point than that there’s one Grinch or a grouch spoiling everyone’s lives.  When Unitarian Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, he wanted to show that conversion to big-heartedness is possible for anyone.  And Ebenezer is practically giddy with his transformation to love.  Not a specific faith or religious conversion, mind you, but a love conversion – love breaking through.  It can happen to anyone. 

            In the December holidays, love is breaking through all around us, enlarging hearts and shining a light in the darkness.  The story we are closest to right now, of the baby Jesus born into poverty, yet surrounded immediately by love, is the celebration of the possibility, each year, of peace on earth, goodwill to all, big-hearted love.  God bless you, everyone.