On the First Day of Christmas, my t.v. gave to me...

I love Christmas.

I love the tree, the music, the decorations, the hats, the movies, the traditions, the gatherings, the gifts, and the stories.

So, as my own way of celebrating the Christmas season, I'm watching Christmas movies every day until the big one. Today's movie: How The Grinch Stole Christmas(1966 animated version, of course).

Dr. Seuss is a classic for children of all ages(despite his incredible political cartoons). He took concepts and put them in the most basic forms, and The Grinch is no exception. It shows us that Christmas is more than presents and feasts and celebration; As long as we have love in our hearts, its Christmas. And at the end, the Whos take in the Grinch and give him a spot at the head of the table- what better message of forgiveness and acceptance than that?

Aside from great themes, the music and animation is beautiful. They just don't make'em like that anymore. Any Dr. Seuss movie fascinates me(I haven't seen the live action ones, so take my opinion with a grain of salt), because his worlds are so whimsical and fantastic. Things loop and spiral and curve. There are very few straight edges in Whoville.

I've always loved the Grinch, but this year it holds a little more for me. My beautiful boy, you see, is incredibly Grinch-like. He hates Christmas, and he has his reasons. He swore he'd have no part in my merriment.  But "he hadn't stopped Christmas from coming, it came! Somehow or other... it came just the same." And little by little, slowly but surely, his Grinch-y heart grew three sizes this week. He helped me fetch the tree, and even asked to put the star on top when I was finished. I think, just maybe, he's getting to enjoy Christmas with me.

If you want to watch How The Grinch Stole Christmas, here's a good spot: http://vimeo.com/56293226

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. Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we. Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart, and hand in hand.