A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Dec
27
Written by:
12/27/2010 12:00 AM
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
CHRISTMAS EVE 2010
“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens has been a very popular Christmas story from the time it was written in 1843. The main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, continued his selfish and stingy ways as a moneylender, even on Christmas Eve. He rejects a Christmas dinner invitation from his nephew, Fred. He yells at charity workers and overworks his employee, Bob Cratchit. At night, Scrooge's former partner Jacob Marley, dead for seven years, visits him in the form of a ghost. Marley's spirit has been wandering since he died. His spirit is condemned to carry heavy chains throughout eternity because of his ruthlessness in business. He has come with a plan to warn Scrooge and perhaps save him from the same fate. Marley`s spirit tells Scrooge three spirits will come to him over the next three nights.
Scrooge falls asleep and wakes up to find the ghost of Christmas Past. The ghost shows Scrooge scenes from the past. The scenes trace Scrooge's life from a lonely young boyto a young man. The first traces of greed appear. Greed would deny love in Scrooge’s life.
Scrooge falls asleep again and is awakened by the ghost of Christmas Present. He shows Scrooge several current scenes of Christmas joy and charity. Next Scrooge is shown the Cratchit household. The ghost informs Scrooge that unless the future is changed, the Cratchit's handicapped and good-hearted young son, Tiny Tim, will die. He also shows Scrooge the party at Fred's house.
Finally, the silent ghost of Christmas Yet to Comeappears. Scrooge learns that Tiny Tim has died. The ghost showsseveral scenes of people discussing someone's death. No one seems pained by the death. In fact, most are happy about it. However, Scrooge does not knowwho the man is. Scrooge finally discovers that he is the one who has died! He expresses the hope that through the lessons of the past, present and future his future can be changed.
Scrooge wakes up in his bedroom and learns that the whole adventure took only one night. It is now Christmas Day. Scrooge is smiling and friendly to everyone he sees. He sends a large turkey to the Cratchits. Also, he gives a sizable donation to the charity worker he previously insulted. In addition, he has a wonderful time at Fred's Christmas party. The next day he gives Cratchit a raise. Scrooge continues his kindly ways after Christmas, befriending everyone. He also becomes a second father to Tiny Tim, who does not die. Ebenezer Scrooge is redeemed from his previous life and receives the love and forgiveness of his fellowmen.
What can we learn from “A Christmas Carol?” Ebenezer Scrooge had the opportunity to see the past, present and future of his life. The end that he saw was very sad. People were happy he had died! After seeing his life Scrooge decided to change the future. Like Scrooge, can we know what will happen at the end of our life? The answer is yes. What will happen to us depends on whether or not our name is written in the “Book of Life.” We will go to Heaven when we die if our name is written in the “Book of Life.” The Book of Life is referred to 6 times in Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Let’s look at the last reference in Rev. 21:7. (Rev 21:27 NIV) Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. When we believe Jesus came into the world to save us from our sins Jesus becomes our savior. (Luke 2:11 NIV) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. When Jesus becomes our savior our name is written in the book of life. If your name is not written in the book of life I strongly urge you to make every effort to change the future so your name will be written in the Book of Life!