When The Grinch Did the Most Christ-Like Thing...
Heritage Happenings for Friday December 12th!
Let’s be honest: If the Grinch were alive today, he’d 100% have a “Leave Me Alone” doormat, noise-cancelling headphones, and his phone permanently set to Do Not Disturb.
And honestly?
Sometimes I feel the same and I generally get my energy from being around people.
But in the classic Christmas tale, something miraculous happens—something Christlike, something biblical, something deeply inconvenient for those of us who enjoy avoiding people:
The Grinch went toward the people he wanted to avoid.
Let me translate that into modern Christian terms:
He attended the family gathering he swore last year would be his “last one ever.”
He showed up at work without hiding in the supply closet.
He returned texts from people who end every message with a 4-paragraph voice memo.
That, my friend, takes the power of the Holy Ghost.
WE ALL HAVE OUR WHOVILLES
Whoville isn’t just a fictional snow-globe town.
Whoville is a place, person, or situation you would rather swallow a fork than revisit.
Everyone has a Whoville:
The relative who argues with furniture when politics come up.
You know the one. Starts debates with end tables. Shouts at lamps. If the remote control had opinions, they’d fight that too.
The coworker with the casserole that smells like spiritual warfare.
You don’t know what’s in it, but you’re 99% sure one of the ingredients is regret. My wife calls these the Casseroles of Doom! Ha!
The Person You Only Pray For From a Distance
A person waves enthusiastically across the sanctuary, while another person internally prays,
“Lord bless them… from far, far away.”
We all have people we’d prefer to avoid, places we’d rather not re-enter, emotions we’d rather not process.
And like the Grinch, we justify our avoidance with noble-sounding excuses:
“I’m protecting my peace.”
“I’m setting boundaries.”
“I’m allergic to drama and people who create it.”
“The Holy Spirit told me not to go.” (When in truth…the Holy Spirit never said that. You said that. To yourself. While eating cookies.)
But here’s the shocking revelation:
Avoiding people doesn’t make us holier.
It just makes us isolated, brittle, and strangely attached to our version of Max the dog.
The Grinch didn’t get better by hiding in his cave.
His heart didn’t grow until he moved toward the very people who drove him insane.
“YES, EVEN THEM.” (COL. 3:13)
Paul writes:
“Bear with one another…” — Colossians 3:13
If we updated that to the Original Snarky Greek Translation, it would read:
“Put up with each other. Yes… even the difficult ones. No exceptions.”
Why does the Bible tell us to bear with one another?
Because apparently God knows the Church (and Christmas gatherings) are not filled with magical unicorn people who sprinkle kindness everywhere they go.
No—God knows the Church is filled with real people:
The enthusiastic talker you can’t escape
The pessimist who critiques potluck dishes like a Food Network judge
The joyful person whose cheerfulness feels personally offensive to your mood
And yet—Paul says:
Bear with them.
Hold space for them.
Show grace toward them.
Move toward them, not away.
Why?
Because you can’t love people you’re constantly avoiding.
THE GRINCH’S HEART GREW BECAUSE HE CHOSE CONNECTION OVER COMFORT
This is the part that stings—in a good, biblical, Holy-Spirit-slap kind of way:
The Grinch’s heart didn’t grow when he felt the Christmas spirit.
It grew when he practiced Christmas community.
He put down the bitterness.
He walked down the mountain.
He risked being seen.
He risked being known.
He risked being hugged by overly enthusiastic Whos who probably smelled like peppermint and childhood trauma.
And the miracle happened:
When he stepped out of isolation and into relationship, his heart literally expanded.
God wired the human heart to grow in community—
even weird community.
Especially weird community.
Because weird community forces humility, compassion, patience, forgiveness, and—brace yourself—maturity.
Healing happens when:
You show up even when it’s easier not to
You forgive someone who didn’t apologize correctly
You choose to listen instead of loading your next argument
You sit at the table with people who see the world differently
In other words:
Your heart grows every time you walk toward the person you’d rather walk around.
Identify Your Whoville
Who (or what) do you avoid with Olympic-level skill and passion?
Write their name.
Pray for them.
Don’t pray, “Lord, fix them.”
Pray, “Lord, grow me.”
Take One Step Toward Them
Not a leap. Not a jump. Not an entire holiday meal if that’s too much.
Just one step:
Send one encouraging text.
Start one short conversation.
Attend one gathering without hiding in the kitchen behind the rolls.
Ask God for one ounce of supernatural kindness.
Expect Your Heart to Stretch (It May Hurt a Little)
Growing pains are normal.
If your heart feels tight, uncomfortable, or resistant, you’re probably doing it right.
Remember: Jesus Walked Toward His Whoville Too
Jesus walked toward the cross.
Toward sinners.
Toward outcasts.
Toward difficult people.
Toward humanity’s mess.
If He can do that, I can sit through a Christmas dinner without plotting my escape route.
PRAYER
Jesus, thank You for walking toward us when we were the ones avoiding You. Give us courage to approach the people we’d rather avoid, patience to love the people who stretch us, and grace to be part of healing instead of hiding. Grow our hearts this Christmas— even if it means awkward conversations, weird casseroles, and community that smells a little like chaos.
Amen.
The Best Is Yet to Come,
Rev. John Roberts
YOU ARE INVITED!
A Night of the Father’s Love — Christmas Cantata this Sunday @ 10:30 am!
A Service of Music, Wonder, and Worship
Heritage Church family, get ready for an unforgettable Christmas experience!
This year, we are thrilled to present “Night of the Father’s Love: The Awe and Mystery of God With Us” — a breathtaking Christmas Cantata that will lift your spirit, touch your heart, and draw you deeper into the miracle of Christ’s birth.
This special service will be entirely musical, filled with powerful choir arrangements, beautiful harmonies, and the timeless story of Jesus told through song.
It’s a service designed to help you slow down, breathe deeply, and encounter the presence of God in a fresh and moving way.
We are especially blessed to be led by our amazing Choir Director, Nancy Kissinger, whose passion and excellence make every note meaningful, and accompanied by the incredibly gifted Neena Taylor, whose artistry brings the music to life.
Together, they have crafted a worship experience that is both magical and deeply sacred.
Expect a morning filled with:
Glorious Christmas music
A heart-stirring atmosphere
Worship that invites peace, joy, and reflection
A sense of awe at the Father’s love revealed through Jesus
Join us as we celebrate the greatest gift ever given — Emmanuel, God with us.
Come and be blessed. Come and be moved. Come and experience the wonder.
We can’t wait to worship with you @ 10:30 am!
On December 28th, we are excited to launch our brand-new Worship Service times! Our Choir-led Traditional Service will now begin at 9:00 AM, and our Band-led Contemporary Service will follow at 11:00 AM.
This is an exciting new chapter for our church family! Stepping into a new service schedule takes vision, courage, and faith, and we believe God is leading us into a season of growth, renewal, and expanded opportunity to worship together. Beginning a brand-new service isn’t just a schedule change—it’s a step of bold faith, trusting that God will use every moment, every song, and every gathering to draw people closer to Him.
We can’t wait to worship with you as we begin this new and joyful journey together!
The Sisters at Heritage had an amazing and delicious time celebrating the birth of Christ at Mona’s! Joy, laughter, and genuine connection filled the room as everyone gathered around the table to share good food, good conversation, and the true meaning of the season.
A special thanks to Jodie and her wonderful team for organizing this awesome Koinonia fellowship event. Your hard work created a space where hearts could slow down, friendships could deepen, and Christ’s love could be seen in every moment shared.
There is a unique power in fellowship—when believers come together, burdens grow lighter, joy grows stronger, and the presence of God becomes beautifully tangible. Yesterday was a sweet reminder that we were never meant to walk this journey alone.
What a beautiful way to honor Jesus—by enjoying one another.
“Renovating God’s House-Renovating Hearts”
As we come to the end of the year, I’m reminded of a simple but powerful truth in Scripture:
God uses ordinary places to do extraordinary things.
From a manger in Bethlehem to a hillside in Galilee to an upper room in Jerusalem — God has always chosen physical spaces to spark spiritual transformation.
Today, Heritage Church is one of those places.
Over the past year, God has stirred us to renew and strengthen the physical home where His people gather: a new parking lot, new AV equipment, a refreshed stage and focal-point wall, and even the calling of a new Worship Pastor. These aren’t merely renovations; they’re investments in ministry, mission, and the eternal kingdom of God.
Because every improved space becomes a place where:
A heart hears the gospel clearly for the first time.
A child learns that Jesus loves them deeply.
A family finds hope in the middle of their storm.
A worshipper encounters God in a fresh and life-changing way.
When we renovate God’s house, God uses that house to renovate lives.
As we approach year’s end, we invite you to pray about a special gift — not out of pressure, but out of vision.
Your generosity helps us finish the work God has begun.
Your giving becomes a seed sown into eternity.
And your sacrifice today becomes the foundation on which tomorrow’s testimonies will stand.
Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:17:
“Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.”
When you give to God’s kingdom, you are investing in fruit you may never see this side of heaven — but fruit that will last forever.
So, Heritage family, let’s finish strong.
Let’s give boldly.
Let’s build faithfully.
Let’s prepare our church for the lives God is preparing to transform.
Your year-end gift isn’t just covering costs — it’s fueling the mission.
It’s expanding the kingdom.
It’s changing eternity.
Thank you for being a church that believes in what God can do when His people step forward in faith.
Click this QR code to give now!
Hope, Help, and Healing During and After Your Divorce
Experiencing separation or divorce is one of the hardest things a person can go through, leaving you feeling isolated, confused, and deeply hurt. You don’t have to go through it alone.
Heritage Church is pleased to offer Divorce Care, a special weekly seminar and support group designed to help you navigate this challenging journey and heal from the pain. This Christ-centered, biblically based program provides vital support in a compassionate and structured environment.
What to expect:
Weekly Sessions: The program runs for 13 weeks, with each session featuring a video presentation with insights from respected Christian counselors, pastors, and people who share their personal stories of recovery.
Supportive Community: You’ll meet with a small group of people who are experiencing similar struggles. It’s a safe space where you can share (if you wish, there’s no pressure to talk) and receive support.
Practical Tools: Sessions cover relevant topics like anger, grief and depression, loneliness, financial and legal issues, forgiveness, and single living, providing practical tools for coping.
Hope for the Future: Best of all, Divorce Care helps you apply biblical principles to rebuild your life and gain renewed strength and hope for the future.
Join us:
January 19th, 2026
6 PM
Conference Room @ Heritage Church, 14139 Huffmeister Road, Cypress Texas 77429
It’s Free to the Community!
For more information: Please contact Rev. John Roberts ] at 361-876-0534 or visit https://find.divorcecare.org/groups/284595/registrations/new
We encourage you to invite friends or family members in the community who might benefit from this ministry.
I really identify with this message! I am most comfortable alone, with a book or a movie. So, I try to embrace people more in order to grow spiritually! Thank you, John for always bringing messages that cause me [us] to think, incorporate, and grow!