-The layered message in 1843’s, A Christmas Carol-
“‘There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,’ returned the nephew. ‘Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round—apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that—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!‘”
—A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The holidays are a season of traditions. We experience them in the places we gather, the food we eat, and the conversations we have. The rhythms we set are what make the season wonderful. They are familiar, comfortable, and nostalgic and serve as a milestone as we prepare for the coming year. I am a person of traditions, collections, and praxis. Where words and actions are aligned. I was 11 when I first read Charles Dickens’, “A Christmas Carol.” It was Christmas Eve and I couldn’t sleep, so I was captivated by this beloved story until morning. From that moment, I was hooked. Now, it is a yearly tradition. I read Dickens' novella each Christmas. I have seen several theatrical interpretations, radio broadcasts, and countless film adaptations. Now, when given the opportunity, I share the message with friends because I have found that its timelessness spans cultures and creeds.
SYNOPSIS: A Christmas Carol was adapted for the stage almost immediately after publication- a one-man reading/performance in London was recorded in 1844- it lent itself to drama because of the many vivid characters, its moral plotline, as well as its striking use of fantastic elements.
A Christmas Carol begins on Christmas Eve when the miserly Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, who died seven years earlier. Marley warns Scrooge that he is to be visited by three spirits. Without their insight, Scrooge will not be able to avoid the endless wandering that Marley now endures. The trio consists of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come. Escorted by each in turn, Scrooge is first transported to the scenes of his youth, then to the present family life of his nephew and his loyal clerk Bob Cratchit (father of Tiny Tim), and finally to the ominous shape of things to come if he does not change his ways. Chastened by his experiences, Scrooge awakens on Christmas Day transformed and basking in the warm glow of his restored humanity. - Douglas Langworthy.
A Christmas Carol may be Charles Dickens's most well-known work. He released the ‘little ghost story’ 10 days before Christmas in 1843. Though Dickens' focus at first was more secular and political than religious, Gospel themes are found throughout. In popular culture, “A Christmas Carol” has been reproduced in hundreds of adaptations from center stage to film. Whether you are fond of the 1951 dramatization of Scrooge or drawn to the Mickey Mouse or Jim Carry portrayal, the central message is the same, redemption and salvation. The story has resonated so strongly with generations of readers that Charles Dickens is often described as “The Man who invented Christmas” because no individual has had more influence on how we celebrate Christmas except Jesus Christ. A few interesting facts about Dickens and A Christmas Carol are below:
Dickens' own life provided (autobiographical) source material for his writing.
The most central Dickensian theme in his writings is “the death of the heart.”
He wrote A Christmas Carol in 6 weeks and sold 6,000 copies in one day. It is considered his most mature writing as an author.
Dickens self-published “A Christmas Carol” insisting on lavish designs, including hand-colored etchings and a gold-stamped cover.
He priced the book at 5 shillings so it was affordable to everyone.
He is an important figure in Victorian literature, credited with inventing or popularizing countless words and phrases.
A Christmas Carol was written for several reasons, one being a direct protest to child labor laws in London.
Since 1908 over 45 different actors have portrayed Scrooge in TV and Film.
Biblically, A Christmas Carol is thick with themes. A few are below:
Redemption and Salvation: The draw to audiences over the years has been the change they witness with the character of Ebenezer Scrooge and how it resonates with them individually. Scrooge is both unique and relatable simultaneously. For a person of faith, his transformation is familiar. “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”- Scrooge
Charity: “Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone. Scrooge! A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner, “ writes Dickens. In the words of his nephew Fred, “His wealth is of no use to him. He doesn't do any good with it. . . . I am sorry for him; I couldn’t be angry with him if I tried. Who suffers by his ill whims! Himself, always.” "Due to these contrasting depictions of greed and gift-giving, the concept of charity to those in need took hold. "A Christmas Carol" is a clear representation of a very formidable biblical theme.
Faith and Work: The message to care for one another is prominent in “A Christmas Carol.” Most poignantly spoken by Scrooge’s partner Jacob Marley. ″‘Business!’ cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. ‘Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!‘”- Marley’s ghost.
Death to Life: The most powerful testimony to God’s existence is a transformed life, and Charles Dickens knew that. From the outset, he referenced this tension. “Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that.” Dickens continues, “This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate.” This story is an observation of Scrooge's transformed perspective and heart, similar to when someone embraces faith.
What’s in a Name: Dickens was a wordsmith with a love for unique and descriptive names. For instance, “Scrooge” means to grasp or squeeze, describing his miserly demeanor. “Cratchit” means creche or manger. Finally, “Ebenezer” is not just the main character, it is a stone set up as a reminding monument—making “A Christmas Carol” a cautionary tale.
Resurrection: Tiny Tim’s illness and perceived dependency on Scrooge’s transformation, highlights one of the key moments in the play. His life and survival depend prominently on Scrooge changing his selfish ways.
Parable: “A Christmas Carol” is a literary parable, highlighting moral and spiritual truths. Historically, there are countless anecdotes of people changing their lives after reading this story.
Miracles: In "A Christmas Carol," Tiny Tim says, "He hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see," explaining his desire to be noticed as a reminder of the Christmas miracle of the birth of Christ.
Truth: The three ghostly visits force Ebenezer Scrooge to confront the painful truths about his life. The ghosts mock him with their words, dazzle with light, and hint at the result of a misspent life. Ultimately, they provide a path for reclamation.
Social Commentary: Dickens provides social criticism as he challenges poverty and child labor laws through the allegory of twins- Ignorance and Want introduced by the Ghost of Christmas Present.
The role of artists, writers, and ministers is to ask profound questions. Dickens' question? “Can people change?” Scrooge is initially the symbol of the pursuit of material gain and indifference to human welfare. During the time that Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol” (1843), the observance of the Christmas holiday was in decline. The singing of carols had dwindled, and the Industrial Revolution was in full force. Culturally, Victorian society was dealing with the growing plight of the poor. Scrooge's conversion is a symbol of the change of heart in society on which Dickens had set his own heart.
It is easy to move quickly to the Christmas morning scene in “A Christmas Carol.” “I am as light as a feather,” he exclaimed. “I am as happy as an angel. I am as merry as a schoolboy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A Merry Christmas to everybody! Happy New Year to all the world!” For most, “A Christmas Carol” is a positive and uplifting parable, although Dickens hoped it would disrupt as much as it comforted. The genius in the story is that it prevents you from being callous and indifferent, and forces the reader to embrace the disruption. “Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; …His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.”
The Gospel is big. Bigger than a season, bigger than a 5-stave novella written over 180 years ago, and big enough to still be transforming lives. If we are open, “A Christmas Carol” will leave you convicted, touched, humbled, and inspired. Like Scrooge you may be motivated to laugh, cry, dance, and give too! If kept well, it can’t help but change your life and change others.
″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 so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!” Merry Christmas!