The Christmas CarolThe Christmas Carol as Christian Truthas Christian Truth

““The End of It”The End of It”

Session Seven: Jan. 4, 2015

For the wages of sin are death For the wages of sin are death butbut the gift the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our lord.our lord. ( ( 1 John 3:17 KJV).1 John 3:17 KJV).

For since by man came death, by man For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. came also the resurrection of the dead.   For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15: 21-22 ).

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The Word to Live ByThe Word to Live By

To say with Scrooge: "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! !" (163) “. . . he knew what path lay straight before him, and he took it” (167).

Session Truth:Session Truth:

For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6: 20- 22 KJV).

Scripture:Scripture:

Chapter Overview:Chapter Overview: Scrooge is given his second chance only after Scrooge is given his second chance only after

a struggle which reminds one of the struggle of a struggle which reminds one of the struggle of Jacob with the God’s spirit.Jacob with the God’s spirit.

His return is marked byHis return is marked by Acute sensory awarenessAcute sensory awareness Returning to being a childReturning to being a child Returning to the fellowship of humanityReturning to the fellowship of humanity

What Did What Did NotNot Happen: Happen:

Scrooge does not skip and dance about the streets of London (he does that in the private of his own chambers).

He does not lead a parade of Christmastime revelers to the Cratchet home for a huge celebratory dinner.

He does not cancel all his debts He does not make Bob Cratchet his partner.

Why is this important?Why is this important?

All of this has been dramatized in one version of The Carol or another because the dramatist is in shorthand trying to illustrate the complete new life imbued with joy which has come to Ebenezer Scrooge.

The fact is, however, that these extreme and in some ways insane acts undermine one of Dickens’ most potent points

Thus, Scrooge is brought through the Thus, Scrooge is brought through the Salvation experience. Now a changed man, a Salvation experience. Now a changed man, a reborn man, he begins a new life.reborn man, he begins a new life.

He cares for God.He cares for God. He cares for others He cares for others He sends a turkey to the Cratchet family. He sends a turkey to the Cratchet family.

He gives funds to the charity. He gives funds to the charity. He reconnects with his own familyHe reconnects with his own family He becomes as good a man, a Godly man.He becomes as good a man, a Godly man. A man with a spiritual mind rather than a A man with a spiritual mind rather than a

worldly one. worldly one.

Notice there is no longer any Notice there is no longer any doubt that what he experienced doubt that what he experienced was real:was real:

"There's the saucepan that the gruel was in!" "There's the saucepan that the gruel was in!" cried Scrooge, starting off again, and going cried Scrooge, starting off again, and going round the fireplace. "There's the door, by which round the fireplace. "There's the door, by which the Ghost of Jacob Marley entered! There's the the Ghost of Jacob Marley entered! There's the corner where the Ghost of Christmas Present, corner where the Ghost of Christmas Present, sat! There's the window where I saw the sat! There's the window where I saw the wandering Spirits! It's all right, it's all true, it wandering Spirits! It's all right, it's all true, it all happened. Ha ha ha!"all happened. Ha ha ha!"

Just as Scrooge was not as much a villain as many have portrayed him, neither was he a mad philanthropist. His behavior is as sane and as plausible as his conversion. When depicted in the mad way it often is, the modern world is

allowed to scoff The Carol’s lesson off as “seasonal sentimentality.”

For Dickens’ work to have its true potency, this can now be allowed.

We are all Scrooge in our loss and potential rescue..

Some overt Scriptural and Some overt Scriptural and Christian References:Christian References: The name The name Ebenezer:Ebenezer: After the Israelite victory, the Bible records: “Then

Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us’ ” (1 Samuel 7:12).

The word Ebenezer comes from the Hebrew words ’Eben hà-ezer (eh’-benhaw-e’-zer), which simply mean “stone of help” ( Enhancened).

When Robert Robinson wrote his lyrics in in 1758 “he followed the word Ebenezer with the phrase, “Here by Thy great help I’ve come.”

An Ebenezer, then, is simply a monumental stone set up to signify the great help that God granted the one raising the stone.

In Robinson’s poem, it figuratively meant that the writer—and all who subsequently sing the song—acknowledge God’s bountiful blessings and help in their lives” (Butt, “Here I Raise. . .”).

The name Ebenezer reminds the The name Ebenezer reminds the knowledgeable reader that this conversion knowledgeable reader that this conversion came with a terrible struggle:came with a terrible struggle:

““He had been sobbing violently in his He had been sobbing violently in his conflict with the Spirit, and his face was wet conflict with the Spirit, and his face was wet with tears” (163).with tears” (163).

Many of Dickens’ readers would have thought of Jacob and his struggles in Genesis 32:22-32.

"Heaven and the Christmas Time be praised! I say this on my knees Old Jacob, on my knees!" (163). (163). 

Dickens places ScroogeDickens places Scrooge

physically in the rolephysically in the role

of a penitentof a penitent..

Even Scrooge’s exclamation at the beginning Even Scrooge’s exclamation at the beginning of the last section reveals an awareness of from of the last section reveals an awareness of from where his restoration comes.where his restoration comes.

A so comes a new birth:A so comes a new birth:

"In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no "In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.'" (John 3:3, NIV)born again.'" (John 3:3, NIV)

"In his great mercy he (God the Father) has "In his great mercy he (God the Father) has given us new birth into a living hope through the given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you ..." (1 Peter 1:3-4, fade—kept in heaven for you ..." (1 Peter 1:3-4, NIV)NIV)

References to being a babyReferences to being a baby

"I don't know what day of the "I don't know what day of the month it is!" said Scrooge. "I month it is!" said Scrooge. "I don't know how long I've been don't know how long I've been among the Spirits. I don't among the Spirits. I don't know anything. know anything. I'm quite a I'm quite a baby. Never mind. I don't baby. Never mind. I don't care. I'd rather be a babycare. I'd rather be a baby. . Hallo! Whoop! Hallo here!"Hallo! Whoop! Hallo here!"

As a baby he begins with the raw As a baby he begins with the raw joy of the senses:joy of the senses: He was checked in his transports by the churches He was checked in his transports by the churches

ringing out the lustiest peals he had ever heard. Clash, ringing out the lustiest peals he had ever heard. Clash, clang, hammer; ding, dong, bell. Bell, dong, ding; clang, hammer; ding, dong, bell. Bell, dong, ding; hammer, clang, clash! Oh, glorious, glorious!hammer, clang, clash! Oh, glorious, glorious!

Running to the window, he opened it, and put out his Running to the window, he opened it, and put out his head. No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, head. No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; cold, piping for the blood to dance to; Golden cold; cold, piping for the blood to dance to; Golden sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells. sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells. Oh, glorious! Glorious!Oh, glorious! Glorious!

It is notable that Scrooge, a he It is notable that Scrooge, a he shares, follows the Christian shares, follows the Christian principle of anonymity.principle of anonymity.Jesus' own words: Jesus' own words: “Take heed that ye “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. . .”may have glory of men. . .”

Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:1-4reward thee openly. Matthew 6:1-4

"I'll send it to Bob Cratchit's!" whispered Scrooge, "I'll send it to Bob Cratchit's!" whispered Scrooge, rubbing his hands, and splitting with a laugh. "He rubbing his hands, and splitting with a laugh. "He sha'n't know who sends it. It's twice the size of Tiny sha'n't know who sends it. It's twice the size of Tiny Tim.”Tim.”

He had not gone far, when coming on towards him he beheld the portly gentleman, who had walked into his counting-house the day before, and said, "Scrooge and Marley's, I believe?" It sent a pang across his heart to think how this old gentleman would look upon him when they met; but he knew what path lay straight before him, and he took it.

"My dear sir," said Scrooge, quickening his pace, and taking the old gentleman by both his hands. "How do you do? I hope you succeeded yesterday. It was very kind of you. A merry Christmas to you, sir!"

"Mr. Scrooge?"

"Yes," said Scrooge. "That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you. Allow me to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness"--here Scrooge whispered in his ear.

"Lord bless me!" cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away. "My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious?"

"If you please," said Scrooge. "Not a farthing less. A great many back-payments are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me that favour?"

"My dear sir," said the other, shaking hands with him. "I don't know what to say to such munifi--"

"Don't say anything, please," retorted Scrooge. "Come and see me. Will you come and see me?"

He went to church, and walked about the He went to church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to streets, and watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted children on the head, and and fro, and patted children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of houses, and up to the windows the kitchens of houses, and up to the windows and found that everything could yield him and found that everything could yield him pleasure (168).pleasure (168).

Beginning anew the first place Beginning anew the first place Scrooge goes to is God’s house and Scrooge goes to is God’s house and then he connects with his fellow then he connects with his fellow men:men:

He connects with his family:He connects with his family:"Why bless my soul!" cried Fred, "Why bless my soul!" cried Fred, "who's that?""who's that?"

"It's I. Your uncle Scrooge. I "It's I. Your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let have come to dinner. Will you let me in, Fred?"me in, Fred?"

Let him in! It is a mercy he didn't Let him in! It is a mercy he didn't shake his arm off. He was at shake his arm off. He was at home in five minutes. Nothing home in five minutes. Nothing could be heartier. could be heartier.

He connects with his vocation:He connects with his vocation:

Scrooge was better than his word. Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. He die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. borough, in the good old world.

Thus Scrooge's conversion is not just of one who Thus Scrooge's conversion is not just of one who has a terrible scare one night and who will has a terrible scare one night and who will probably revert to his old ways as soon as the scare probably revert to his old ways as soon as the scare wears off. wears off.

His experience is recognizable to any Christian as His experience is recognizable to any Christian as the process which God goes through while the process which God goes through while redeeming a soul.redeeming a soul.

Scrooge's redemption is not a cartoon Scrooge's redemption is not a cartoon exaggeration; it is a challenge to us all to follow. exaggeration; it is a challenge to us all to follow. 

As the narrator says As the narrator says "it was always said of him, "it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly aid of us, and all of us!" be truly aid of us, and all of us!" (76). (76).

But the narrator also knows that this is not a goal But the narrator also knows that this is not a goal which can be reached only by human means, and which can be reached only by human means, and concludes with the final truth that concludes with the final truth that "as Tiny Tim "as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us Every One!"observed, God bless Us Every One!" (76).   (76).  

Indeed, God Bless all of Us this Christmas time Indeed, God Bless all of Us this Christmas time and through the whole year.and through the whole year.

Works and Cites CitedWorks and Cites Cited

Butt, Kyle. “Here I Raise My Ebenezer” Butt, Kyle. “Here I Raise My Ebenezer” Apologetics Press Apologetics Press 2003 Web 2003 Web http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=909

Enhanced Strong’s LexiconEnhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos . Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. Print 1995.Research Systems, Inc. Print 1995.

Townsend, James. “Charles Dickens Cheshire Cat Townsend, James. “Charles Dickens Cheshire Cat ‘Christianity.’” ‘Christianity.’” Journal of the Grace Evangelical SocietyJournal of the Grace Evangelical Society, , Autumn 1999—Vol 12:23 2007 8 Jan..Web Autumn 1999—Vol 12:23 2007 8 Jan..Web http://www.faithalone.org/jo urnal/1999ii/J23-99d.htm