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Theme: A heart that has been wounded and walled off is transformed by love
Thinking that he has prevented Christmas from coming by stealing all the presents from Whoville, The Grinch 1 is arrested by the sound of merry singing from below. As he entertains the thought that, "Maybe Christmas2 doesn't come from a store; maybe perhaps it means a little bit more," his heart begins to beat.
This is a profound scene of the transformation of a heart. We learn from the narrator that the Grinch's heart grew three sizes that day, a reference to the triune God, who alone is able to take out the heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36: 26-27)3. Suddenly, the Grinch is feeling, and he cries, "What is happening to me?" As if to answer this question, the glorious sun rises (Malachi 4:2)4, symbolizing what is taking place within his heart as he says, "I'm all toasty inside." The first expressions of this new heart are love (Max, the dog) and caring (the presents). The Grinch rescues Cindy Lou, returns the presents, confesses ("I took them"), and repents ("I am sorry"), receiving reconciliation and restoration.
Scripture: Malachi 4:2
Luke 1: 78, 79
Notes:
1. Grinch; Grin 1. To smile broadly, esp. as an indication of pleasure, amusement, or the like.
2. To draw back the lips to as to show the teeth, as a snarling dog or a person in pain. Webster Dictionary
Grin: To snarl, grimace. Allied to Grown and Grim. Dictionary of Etymology
2. Christmas: (Mass of Christ) The annual festival of the Christian church commemorating Jesus' birth.
3. A parallel passage to Ezekiel 36:26-27 is Jeremiah 31:31-33; the promise of the New Covenant
4. In the closing verses of the Old Testament, God gives His people a promise in Malachi 4:2.
This promise is fulfilled in the advent of Jesus Christ (Luke1:78-79) which Christmas commemorates.
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