“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

When our children were growing up, one of our favorite holiday traditions was to get dressed in our best clothes and attend a stage production of “A Christmas Carol.”  The boys would dress in shirts and ties, the girls in long skirts and of course, they would have to be on their best behavior!  The actor who played Scrooge had done so for over 30 years and gave an excellent performance.  Every year, as I sat there, I wondered what was the real truth behind the story?  Did Scrooge change because he realized what a greedy, miserly old man he had become and give his life to Christ?   Did he realize his fearful  future, and was this really a story of redemption through Christ during the Christmas season?

I did a little research and found out, yes, it is a story of redemption, but not a spiritual one.  Not the kind of redemption that makes a man a new creation through Jesus Christ.  At the beginning of the story, Scrooge rejects all offers of Christmas cheer from everyone he meets, including his only nephew Fred.  He calls Christmas a “humbug,” and refuses to give money to the poor or a day off to his hard-working clerk.  His life was wrapped up in material security, his idol was his money.  He worked for it, hoarded it and measured everything and everyone by it.  As time went by, he became a lonely, bitter old man who cared for no one and no one cared for him.  When it came time to die, his money offered no peace on his deathbed.  When he was forced to view his tombstone, it terrified him!  However, it wasn’t death that terrified him, it was the prospect of never having lived!  He realized that money couldn’t buy happiness.  He woke up the next morning with a different view of life.  Material gain for all its benefits, does not compare to the riches and happiness of knowing Jesus and the life He gives.  Personally, I like to think Scrooge accepted Christ as his Savior and that’s what made the difference in his life, but that was probably not the author’s intent.  Generosity to the poor, a selfless spirit, love, joy and peace are the fruits of the Spirit.   “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!”  2 Cor. 5:17. 

The author, Charles Dickens, lived an interesting life.  His stories fascinated me, maybe because my grandparents were from England and lived during the late Victorian Age.  I loved “The Tale of Two Cities,” and “Oliver Twist.”  Charles’ early life was one of hardship.  At the age of twelve, he worked in a factory that made “blacking” or shoe polish.  While his father was in debtor’s prison, the rest of the family moved to live near the prison, leaving Charles on his own.  The working conditions in the factory were appalling and his life was filled with loneliness and despair.  After three years, he returned to school, but never forgot the factory experience.  He married and had 10 children, but in later life, he left his wife.  It doesn’t appear he ever really knew the Jesus who loved him and gave himself for him.

One of the blessings of “The Christmas Carol” are the beautiful carols sung throughout the performance, all focusing on the true meaning of Christmas.  Hymns such as “Hark, the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king!”  “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”  “O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”  “This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing,” are some of the lyrics. Sing the carols and enjoy the beauty of Jesus this holiday season!

Your friend, Jean