A Christmas Carol...thought

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. 

'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?

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"