At the heart of the Grinch's story lies a profound reminder: love has the power to transform even the most unlikely of hearts. But this isn't just a fleeting seasonal sentiment or a vague notion of love; it's love in action—real, tangible, and life-changing. The Grinch reminds us of the true meaning of the Christmas story, where perfect love took on flesh and blood and entered our world. His name is Jesus, and His love is the reason we celebrate.

Luke 7:36-50

36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among[a] themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

1 John 3:11

3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 3:11

11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 3:16-18

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Read Luke 7:36-50. Which character do you most relate to in the story?

2. Read 1 John 3:11, 16-18. What does it look like to share the kind of love John talks about in the places you live, work, learn, and play?

3. Who do you know that needs to experience the love of Jesus in a tangible way this Christmas? 

For Families with Kids

1. Take time this week and watch both How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) and The Grinch (2018). Which one do you like better and why? What do both versions have to say about love? What does love do to both versions of the Grinch?

2. Read 1 John 3:1, 11, 16-18 together. How and/or where can we see God’s love for us? How can we get others to see God’s love for them?

3. Are there any areas in your life where your heart or love feels small? How can God make your heart bigger in that specific area?

4. People can easily become “grinches” when they feel unloved. 

As a family, think of someone you interact with weekly who might be feeling that way during this Christmas season. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you reach out to that person and warm and enlarge their hearts with the awesome love of Jesus.