I reread A Christmas Carol recently, because it’s a thing I do every year and it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t.
(Not to be pushy, but if you’ve never read it, DO SO NOW! Here’s an online version if you don’t own a copy. I recommend you read it slowly, to get all of that great Dickens’ humor.)
Anyway, yesterday as I was listening to the radio, I heard the DJ call his brother a Scrooge because he was complaining about the nonstop Christmas music. The DJ was wrong on two counts:
- It’s perfectly reasonable to complain about Christmas music. I wrote about it HERE.
- It’s flat-out wrong to call such a complainer a Scrooge, because Scrooge was a happy man who loved everything to do with Christmas! Why do we always forget that part?
A Christmas Carol is about the transformation of mean-spirited old miser into a joyous, generous man. To call someone a Scrooge should be a compliment, not an insult.
Or maybe we don’t believe the transformation really happened? Maybe we believe that it worked for a few days, but in time, as these things usually go, all his good intentions faded away, old habits are hard to break, yada-yada-yada.
To that I say: That’s not the story Dickens told!
Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.
And as Dickens is the author, we’ll have to take his word for it.
But even more than that, consider the fact that Scrooge’s resolution was not to eat less, lose weight, or get his closet reorganized.
I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!” Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed. “The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. Oh Jacob Marley! Heaven, and the Christmas Time be praised for this. I say it on my knees, old Jacob, on my knees!
Scrooge’s plan was to live with an awareness of his own mortality, to let go of his past sorrows, and to live in a state of wonder and love toward all.
I’m certain Dickens got it right. I think it can be done.
… and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!
Indeed, God bless us!
May we all learn to keep Christmas well.
Note: I’ll be taking next week off to tinker on the blog and maybe make a few changes/updates. In the meantime, have a wonderful, folly-filled time!
Feeding on Folly 
I love reading “A Christmas Carol.” Okay, I’ll admit some years I watch the movie version.
The Alastair Sim version? That’s my favorite. I try and watch it most every year. My favorite scene is toward the end when he scares his maid and she runs down the stairs!
Of course! but I have been known to watch the George C. Scott version. sshhhh, don’t tell.
Haha! My dirty secret: I enjoy the musical version with Albert Finney, and I’ve been on the receiving end of many death glares for admitting it. 😬
Merry Christmas to you and your family my supercool electronic friend. You have found the true meaning of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. I agree Alastair Sim is the best.
Ooh, I’ve never been called supercool before! What a gift you’ve given me! 😎
Thanks for sharing the online link; I’ll be reading it before days end. By the way, George C. Scott here😏 Only copy I have. Merry Christmas!!!
I hope you enjoy the story – actually I’m sure you will. Merry Christmas back atchya!
I would always read the play version that was in our textbook with my 7th graders at Vista Verde. Then, I’d show the movie version with G.C. Scott as Scrooge. I LOVED sharing that piece of literature with the kids, and most of them were not familiar with the story, believe it or not. For many, it would probably be their only exposure to Mr. Dickens as well. I may have to reread this during the time off. Thanks, Christi!
It amazes me how many people never read the story, but even for myself, how many times I think of a scene and have to wonder, was that from the book or the movie? It so easy to meld the two together!
I too read it every year and to get hold of an old copy with the feeling of leather and that smell is heaven. The only thing better is to read it while it snows outside.
I found an old copy years ago and I treasure it. We have a storm brewing now, though for us that means wind and rain. Even so, it’s enough! 😊
May you continue to keep Christmas well, and in your heart and mind each and every day too. See you on the other side.
Thanks Claudette! I hope you have a beautiful Christmas as well – which I assume will be a warm summer day? Santa in a speedo, that sort of thing? 😄
Have a great one!
It was a warm one, with a little breeze to keep it nice. 🙂
Indeed. And the best of New Years to you. ❤
Thank you Roo — here’s to a great 2017! 💞