This time of year can be a bit crazy with the rushing to purchase
gifts, traffic, and the shopping crowds. To compound the problem, the
nation is (or was depending on your view) in a recession and millions have lost jobs, health insurance,
and are struggling just to keep what they have. Then add to the mix the
politically correct crowd and now the Christmas holiday is turned into a
battle ground over semantics and the the removal of Christ from the
holiday. Is it any wonder that the spirit of Christmas is lost by many?
One
of the things that I like to do during this time of year is watch the
Christmas Carol movies base on Charles Dickens novel “A Christmas Carol”
published in 1843. I have several versions ranging from the silent
film era to some of the latest releases including the 1951 version with
Alastair Sim, which is probably the standard to compare all other
versions. Each film puts a slightly different twist or emphasis on
portraying the characters. I think what makes the story so popular is
how it address issues that cross time. The struggle between the
classes, the exploitation of the poor, and the treatment of our fellow
man. These are timeless problems that say a lot about a society and the
kind of people we are and want to be.
Fred, Scrooge's
nephew, at the beginning gives an excellent speech concerning Christmas
"I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round...as a
good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I
know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by
one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people
below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and
not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore,
uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I
believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God
bless it!'" Of course, to this Scrooge says his famous Bah Hum Bug!
Yet, I wonder how many people see Christmas as a time of good will to
their fellow man? Or, how many see their neighbor “as a
fellow-passenger to the grave”? The green eyed monster of greed and
mass consumption seems to have taken over the holiday. When standing in
line at midnight and trampling their neighbor for a thing that will
lose its luster in a month becomes a holiday tradition, I think we have
missed what Fred was talking about.
In one version, Patric
Stewart playing Scrooge, ask the ghost of his old partner Jacob Marley,
why he suffers so because he was a “good” businessman. In response,
Marley screams “mankind was my business, their common welfare was my
business.” In another classic version with Albert Finney as Scrooge, we
see Scrooge going around to various debtors and demanding payment on
loans he has made to them. Here we see Scrooge taking advantage of the
poor and forcing them into deeper debt or be forced into work houses
and/or lose their livelihood. This is not much different than the
modern credit card industry. Once they get you hook, they drain away
the resources of the household. There is even a credit card company
offering a card with 79% interest. The conversation between Scrooge and
Marley raises the question “is it right to do something to your fellow
man as long as it is under guise of a legal business transaction?”
In
another scene the Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to Fred's
house. Scrooge sees Fred toasting his Uncle even with complaints from
his guests. Some guest even openly state that they hate Scrooge. Fred
displays some real Christian attitude. Not only does he rebuke his
guest without anger or malice, he sees his Uncle's real condition as a
man poor in spirit with a real need for a changed heart. Do we see the
other shoppers as competitors and adversaries or people who are truly
poor in spirit and need a life changing a event – the Christ in
Christmas.
The Ghost of Christmas Present also takes
Scrooge to Bob Cratchit his clerk's house. Here we see that while poor,
there is joy and happiness within the home. In a very interesting
gesture of gratitude, Bob toasts Scrooge for what has been provided.
Even though he really is over worked and under paid. Bob's wife does
object to the toast, but Bob insist that at least for the days sake. In
the Cratchit home we see gratitude, humility, love and peace. All of
these seem to be missing from the modern home, which must have the big
house, the new cars, and the latest gadgets. The modern family, in one
respect, is not much different then the Cratchit family living paycheck
to paycheck. The difference is the Cratchit family is much happier and
content.
So, is this going somewhere or what? The point is to ask the question “should we be more like Scrooge this time of year?”
Before
answering the question, you need to think about the end of the story.
After Scrooge has encounter with the Ghost of Christmas Future, he
repents of his ways and becomes a charitable fellow. What makes Scrooge
the role model is that it is noted that Scrooge kept the spirit of
Christmas all year and became the best master and friend that the city
knew. This makes Scrooge the role model for he shows the signs of the
Spirit: Gal 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
against such things there is no law.”
Maybe we can
reclaim Christmas by being a bit more like Scrooge, living it the year
round reaching and touching people. Giving them the changed heart,
which ultimately will change society.
Just a few thoughts about the Spirit of Christmas. I hope you all have a joyful holiday.
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