A Christmas Carol (part one)

My soul finds rest in God alone…He alone is my rock and my salvation (Psalm 62:1-2).

One of the favorite stories about Christmas is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.  This book, written in 1843, has never been out of print.  It has been adapted for the stage and screen, radio and television, comics and opera.  When you add in the number of ways the basic plot has been copied or satirized, A Christmas Carol has appeared in about 150 variations since its first publication.  

Charles Dickens was raised in the Protestant faith, but religion was not his reason for writing this story.  As a youngster Dickens was exposed to the plight of the working poor, especially children.  As an adult the author wanted to push the people of England to recognize the suffering of the downtrodden and do something about it.  He used A Christmas Carol to make his point. 

Nostalgia for the good old days was sweeping Britain.  For some time, Christmas had been a solemn religious occasion.  Christmas Trees and Christmas Cards were fresh additions to the holiday celebration, and people were showing renewed interest in singing Christmas carols.  Dickens wove these elements into his story, putting the bright and cheery side by side with the dark and grim.  The result was an instant hit with the public.

The story was divided into five sections.  Part one introduced Ebenezer Scrooge and the world that he lived in.  The name Ebenezer comes from the Old Testament of the Bible—it means ‘stone of help’.  In Psalm 62 David writes, My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.  God is the strong, dependable stone where we can find security and help—an ironic name for Scrooge, who is anything but helpful to those around him.  He has no sympathy for the poor, the orphans, the disadvantaged.  He has no use for frivolous things like family gatherings or festive meals.  He eats a poor man’s supper in a dark and chilly house, pinching pennies even though he has no plans for ever treating himself in the future.  Scrooge is the polar opposite of everything God intends for the Christian life.  The LORD loves us so we might share His love with others and enjoy being members together in His family.  He shows us mercy so we might realize our faults and seek His forgiveness.  He blesses us with good things so we might rejoice in His care and thank Him for His generosity.  Scrooge shows us what life is like when there is no Ebenezer to give it meaning.