Charles Dickens’ novella, “A Christmas Carol,” was first published in 1843 in London. It is a fictional story about the earthly redemption of a man named Ebenezer Scrooge. Ebenezer hated everything associated with Christmas because it took time away from the only thing in life that mattered to him, making money. Only grudgingly did he give his overworked and underpaid employee, Bob Cratchit, the day off to celebrate Christmas. But just making money was not enough. Ebenezer was a miser who hoarded all the money he made and refused to consider using any of it to aid the poor.
The story begins as Mr. Scrooge receives a visit from the ghost of a close business acquaintance that had died 7 years earlier, Jacob Marley. Marley was bound by a heavy chain and money boxes that he had forged in life, through selfishness and greed. He told Ebenezer to expect a visit that night by three Spirits: the Ghosts of Christmas Past, of Christmas Present and of Christmas Yet to come; and he warned him that his only chance to avoid being bound by even heavier chains than his own was to listen and respond to what was to be revealed to him.
As promised, during the night the three Spirits, in order, appeared. First, the Ghost of Christmas Past took Ebenezer back to the days of his youth and early adulthood. He was reminded of how well he was treated and of a girl he had truly loved, but lost her through neglect, once she came to understand that he would always love money more than her.
When the Ghost of Christmas Present came, he revealed to Ebenezer people joyfully preparing for Christmas Day, allowing him to see some of the celebrations going on at gatherings of family and friends. This included one at his nephews, with whom he had consistently refused invitations over the years. He was also taken to Bob Cratchit’s house and made aware that his son Tiny Tim was seriously ill, and would die unless something changed.
Finally, the “Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come” arrived and he presents to Ebenezer people discussing the death of one that no one seemed to have any sympathy for. The only person it seemed to bother was his employee, Bob Cratchit. Finally, he was taken to a grave stone that shows the name of the deceased person and, just as he greatly feared, it was himself. This brings him to his senses, and when he awakens the next morning, he rejoices in the fact that he has time to change his destiny. He totally repents and changes his ways completely, he helps save Tiny Tim and from that day forward, becomes one of the most beloved and benevolent men in the city.
Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” is a wonderful story about the redemption of a life that was wasted, to one that is beautiful in character. But, just like everything else today when it comes to the Christmas season, there is one thing that is missing from the story. You see, the only One that can truly change a man’s character is Jesus Christ; and it is amazing that no matter where you look, whether shopping or with the countless movies being shown on TV, Christ, the true reason for the season, is nowhere to be found.
My prayer and hope is that this will not be the case with us, because a Christmas miracle has occurred in our lives too, made possible through the death and resurrection of the One born of a virgin two millennia ago and accomplished through another Ghost, the Holy Ghost. O Come, let us adore Him!
For God’s glory and His alone,
Pastor Terry.
