A CHRISTMAS CAROL

 

     Charles Dickens’ story by this title is truly a classic. Most people know of the humbugging Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the spirits of Christmas. But there are many great lessons to learn from this great tale.

 

1. HAPPINESS IS A MATTER OF THE HEART, NOT THE PURSE!

At one particular point in the story this truth is captured. It takes place in a conversation between Ebenezer Scrooge and his nephew, Fred. Fred wishes his grouchy uncle a Merry Christmas. Scrooge replies, “Merry Christmas? What right have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.” Fred cheerily retorts, “Come then, uncle. What right have you to be dismal? What right have you to be morose? You’re rich enough.” Mr. Scrooge, in spite of his possessions, was a very miserable man.

 

Let me play Scrooge for a moment. What right do we have to be merry? What right have we to feast while millions are starving? How can we enjoy the splendor of Christmas while others are persecuted, cold and homeless? 

 

Those are good questions. We need to be concerned for those in need, pray for them and give them all the aid we can.  We need to help others. But Solomon made a wise observation in Ecclesiastes 3:1. “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under Heaven.” Christmas is a time to ask, “What right have we to be dismal and morose? What right do we have to be unhappy when God loves us unconditionally and sent His Son to be our Savior? What right have we to despair when God turns everything that happens to us for our eternal good? How can we be morose when nothing can separate us from the love of God? How can we mourn while angels are singing, “Glory to God in the highest?”

 

When our heart is right, the state of our purse matters little. “Bless be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. By His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in Heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith – being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:3-9

 

Tiny Tim is a wonderful example of this. Though sick and crippled, he remarked how he felt it did others good to see him in church so that they might be thankful and remember the one who opened the blind eyes and healed the lame. If we have an attitude problem it is not things or the lack of them, or what others have done – IT IS OUR HEART. 

 

2.   PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT, NOT THINGS.

In the scene where Ebenezer Scrooge is attending to his dying partner, Jacob Marley, we find a great conversation.  Scrooge tells his old partner “You were a good man of business Jacob.” Jacob replies, “Business, business, people were my business.”

 

We must remember that people are what is important. All Bob Cratchet had to give were a few warm chestnuts, a poor goose and a little rum punch. But that was enough to warrant a great celebration in his home because his family was there together. Let’s not forget we are blessed because of people not possessions. 

 

3.    OUR SPIRITS CAN BE CHANGED.

That is my favorite part of this wonderful story. Scrooge gets saved! And the truth of Christmas can still change a person. Anyone can still be born again! As Scrooge learned, our lives do lead to certain ends but if those lives be changed, will not the ends be changed as well? Dickens’s tale, and more importantly the Gospel, answers that question with a giant YES!

 

4.    WE NEED TO MAKE PEACE WITH OURSELVES AND OUR GOD. 

After its most frantic month of the year, the world grinds to halt on this one day. Why? A baby was born and its first cry was God saying, “There is hope!” And in that hope there is peace for the whole world and for each individual.

 

5.   WE CAN FIND GOD IN THE ORDINARY EVENTS OF LIFE.

On that first Christmas God was profoundly there in the birth of a baby. In everyday God is there in our events. A good meal, a warm fire, a loving family, good friends. Find God, He is there if you will look for Him.

 

So, what right have you to be dismal? What right do you have to be morose?  You’re rich enough – you are a child of God. You are alive! Just look around you and there are more blessings within the confines of your vision that you can even begin to count! So I say, it’s time to rejoice! Turn on the lights! Tune up the band! Throw a party! We are celebrating the birth of a King!

 

       Christmas Blessings,