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| Gonzo and Rizzo |
Christmas conjures up more traditions than any season and/or
event within our American culture. Decorations and presents likely lead the
list of traditions that emerge, but others include, caroling and plays, feast
and family, trees and mistletoe, stockings and Santa, cards and candy canes and
hopefully even the remembrance of the Christ child. Movies for the season
perhaps are close to the top. You can always find numerous ‘Hallmark’
expressions of Christmas or the infamous ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’. Still others
live and die by ‘Christmas Vacation’ or ‘A Christmas Story’. And of course
Charles Dickens provides perhaps one of the most enduring reflections in His ‘Christmas
Carol’. Written in a mere six weeks with the belief that he could reach greater
masses regarding his concerns about poverty and social injustice through story
than any other means.
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| 'Christmas Present' |
Two adaptations of the ‘Christmas Carol’ are regulars in our
home, a 1970 version called ‘Scrooge’ with Albert Finney and the 1992 movie
with Michael Caine in ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’. Yes, the ‘Muppets’. It
provides plenty of humor along with a few thought provoking lines. My favorite
characters ‘Gonzo the Great’ and ‘Rizzo the Rat’ with their, "Light the lamp, not the rat". And of all the quotes I think
none are greater than Scrooge during his time
with ‘Christmas Yet to Come’ when he says:
“Ebenezer Scrooge: [in the graveyard] Must we return to this
place? There is something else that I must know, is that not true? Spirit, I
know what I must ask. I fear to, but I must. Who was the wretched man whose
death brought so much glee and happiness to others?
[the spirit points to a headstone, Scrooge begins moving
toward it, then turns back, frightened]
Ebenezer Scrooge: Answer me one more question. Are these the
shadows of things that *will* be, or are they the shadows of things that *may*
be only?
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| Scrooge with 'Christmas Yet to Come' |
[the spirit points again at the gravestone, Scrooge slowly
approaches it]
Ebenezer Scrooge: These events can be changed! A life can be
made right.
[he clears the snow from the stone and reads]
Ebenezer Scrooge: [in tears] Ebenezer Scrooge! Oh please
Spirit, no! Hear me, I, I am not the man I was! Why would you show me this if I
am past all hope?...
[sobbing]
Ebenezer Scrooge: I, I *will* honor Christmas, and try to
keep it all the year! I will live my life in the past, the present and the
future. I will not shut out the lessons the spirits have taught me! Tell me
that I may sponge out the writing on this stone!
[kneeling, clutching at the spirit's robe]
Ebenezer Scrooge: Oh Spirit, please speak to me!”
Perhaps the essence of the story
found in this simple sentence, “Are these the shadows of things that 'will' be,
or are they the shadows of things that 'may' be only?” Is it not as well the purpose of the Christ child. The
changes that are possible in each of our lives, the changes that can affect
those who are placed in our path. Plus the realization that we are not “past
all hope”.
As the year 2016 begins I like to remember that they are “shadows
that may only be”. And that mine is a “A life that can be made right”, a life
that can be a present and presence of hope to a world that is often without.
I give thanks to my Savior Jesus Christ for the provision of
that hope. And I look forward to next year when once again we'll sit together to watch this version of 'A Christmas Carol'.
Plus "It Feels Like Christmas"
