The Christmas CarolThe Christmas Carol as Christian Truthas Christian Truth

““If These Shadows Remain Unaltered”If These Shadows Remain Unaltered”

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).

..

The Word to Live ByThe Word to Live By

The Final Warning:  Grace Ignored The Final Warning:  Grace Ignored

Equals Death!Equals Death!

Session Truth:Session Truth:

Grace Grace Received Received equals life.equals life.

Exodus 15:26 (KJV)Exodus 15:26 (KJV) And said, And said, IfIf thou wilt thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, keep all his statutes, I willI will put none of these put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.thee.II Chronicles 7:14 KJV II Chronicles 7:14 KJV IfIf my people, which are my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Scripture:Scripture:

Chapter Overview:Chapter Overview: Death is always present at Christmas.Death is always present at Christmas. The Ghost of “Christmas Yet to Come” was The Ghost of “Christmas Yet to Come” was

and still is overtly recognizable; it is the Grim and still is overtly recognizable; it is the Grim Reaper; it is Death.Reaper; it is Death.

Tests Scrooge’s system and finds it wanting:Tests Scrooge’s system and finds it wanting: Dead he is a source for moneyDead he is a source for money Dead he is a source for possessions.Dead he is a source for possessions. Dead he is a source for foodDead he is a source for food

In contrast The Ghost of “Christmas Yet to In contrast The Ghost of “Christmas Yet to Come” tests a self-less system.Come” tests a self-less system.

““Is that a DEATH ?”Is that a DEATH ?”Rime of the Ancient Mariner Rime of the Ancient Mariner

One of the aspects of One of the aspects of The Christmas CarolThe Christmas Carol which which surprises readers is that in the midst of a story which surprises readers is that in the midst of a story which celebrates the “Carol Philosophy” there should walk celebrates the “Carol Philosophy” there should walk into the midst of it Death Himself. into the midst of it Death Himself.

However, think of this. Did the shadow of death cross However, think of this. Did the shadow of death cross your own Christmas celebrations even this year? Some your own Christmas celebrations even this year? Some would answer with a would answer with a resounding yesresounding yes, because Death , because Death never “Takes a Holiday.” When Hamlet’s mother and never “Takes a Holiday.” When Hamlet’s mother and stepfather try to change his mood of grief they correctly stepfather try to change his mood of grief they correctly point out that death is a common reality for humans:point out that death is a common reality for humans:

QUEEN GERTRUDEQUEEN GERTRUDE

Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die,Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die,

Passing through nature to eternity. Passing through nature to eternity. 

HAMLETHAMLET

Ay, madam, it is common. Ay, madam, it is common. 

QUEEN GERTRUDEQUEEN GERTRUDE

If it be, Why seems it so particular with thee?If it be, Why seems it so particular with thee?

HAMLETHAMLET

Seems, madam! nay it is; I know not 'seems. . .Seems, madam! nay it is; I know not 'seems. . .

KING CLAUDIUSKING CLAUDIUS

. . .Fie! 'tis a fault to heaven,. . .Fie! 'tis a fault to heaven,

A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,

To reason most absurd: whose common themeTo reason most absurd: whose common theme

Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,

From the first corse till he that died to-day, /'This must be so.'From the first corse till he that died to-day, /'This must be so.'

So this year, as in all years, Death has visited homes So this year, as in all years, Death has visited homes decked out for Christmas. The Unfairness of the fact decked out for Christmas. The Unfairness of the fact that we are “born to die” resounds especially when it that we are “born to die” resounds especially when it occurs during the holidays.occurs during the holidays.

However, for all adults—even for those of us who have come However, for all adults—even for those of us who have come through our allotted Christmases without such an overt intrusionthrough our allotted Christmases without such an overt intrusion—Death visits. Christmas is such a time of memory being as it —Death visits. Christmas is such a time of memory being as it is such a marker of the rolling year, that it is impossible to go is such a marker of the rolling year, that it is impossible to go through the Christmas season and not think of those who were through the Christmas season and not think of those who were once part of our world but are no longer with us. once part of our world but are no longer with us.

For some, in fact, this reality of life has made celebrating For some, in fact, this reality of life has made celebrating Christmas too much for them. “Christmas is for children,” they Christmas too much for them. “Christmas is for children,” they say, “but it holds too many memories for me.” Such people say, “but it holds too many memories for me.” Such people don’t usually mean that they have suffered terrible losses at don’t usually mean that they have suffered terrible losses at Christmas time but that they remember their losses at Christmas Christmas time but that they remember their losses at Christmas time.time.

In his “A Christmas Tree,” Dickens describes himself In his “A Christmas Tree,” Dickens describes himself contemplating a Christmas tree with all its contemplating a Christmas tree with all its ornaments. In the midst of it he finds the shrouded ornaments. In the midst of it he finds the shrouded figure of deathfigure of death..

O vanishing tree, of which the lower boughs are O vanishing tree, of which the lower boughs are dark to me as yet, and let me look once more! I dark to me as yet, and let me look once more! I know there are blank spaces on thy branches, where know there are blank spaces on thy branches, where eyes that I have loved have shone and smiled; from eyes that I have loved have shone and smiled; from which they are departed. But, far above, I see the which they are departed. But, far above, I see the raiser of the dead girl, and the Widow’s Son; and raiser of the dead girl, and the Widow’s Son; and God is good! If Age be hiding for me in the unseen God is good! If Age be hiding for me in the unseen portion of thy downward growth, O may I, with a portion of thy downward growth, O may I, with a grey head, turn a child’s heart to that figure yet, and grey head, turn a child’s heart to that figure yet, and a child’s trustfulness and confidence!a child’s trustfulness and confidence!

The Ghost of Christmas Future was and The Ghost of Christmas Future was and still is overtly recognizable, it is the Grim still is overtly recognizable, it is the Grim Reaper; it is Death:Reaper; it is Death: "The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently "The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently

approached. When it came, Scrooge bent down upon approached. When it came, Scrooge bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery. It was moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery. It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand. But for this it would have save one outstretched hand. But for this it would have been difficult to detach its figure from the night, and been difficult to detach its figure from the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was separate it from the darkness by which it was surrounded.surrounded.

He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that its mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more, its mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more, for the Spirit neither spoke nor moved.for the Spirit neither spoke nor moved.

'I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come.' said 'I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come.' said Scrooge.Scrooge.

The Spirit answered not, but pointed onward with its hand.The Spirit answered not, but pointed onward with its hand.

'You are about to show me shadows of the things that have not happened, but 'You are about to show me shadows of the things that have not happened, but will happen in the time before us,‘ Scrooge pursued. 'Is that so, Spirit.‘will happen in the time before us,‘ Scrooge pursued. 'Is that so, Spirit.‘

The upper portion of the garment was contracted for an instant in its The upper portion of the garment was contracted for an instant in its folds, as if the Spirit had inclined its head. That was the only answer he folds, as if the Spirit had inclined its head. That was the only answer he received."received."

`Ghost of the Future.' he exclaimed,' I fear you more `Ghost of the Future.' he exclaimed,' I fear you more than any spectre I have seen. But as I know your purpose is than any spectre I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear you company, and do it what I was, I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me.‘with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me.‘

It gave him no reply. The hand was pointed straight It gave him no reply. The hand was pointed straight before them.before them.

`Lead on.' said Scrooge. `Lead on. The night is `Lead on.' said Scrooge. `Lead on. The night is waning fast, and it is precious time to me, I know. Lead on, waning fast, and it is precious time to me, I know. Lead on, Spirit.'. Spirit.'.

Notice that Scrooge has come a long way from the Curmudgeon who had Notice that Scrooge has come a long way from the Curmudgeon who had snarled at Marley’s fear apparition with “How now? What do you want snarled at Marley’s fear apparition with “How now? What do you want with me?” One wonders why he still needed to go through this part of the with me?” One wonders why he still needed to go through this part of the journey; his heart already having been so profoundly touched. Why didn’t journey; his heart already having been so profoundly touched. Why didn’t Dickens just stop with the Ghost of Christmas Present?Dickens just stop with the Ghost of Christmas Present?

Death is the Ultimate Test of the World Death is the Ultimate Test of the World System Chosen:System Chosen:

The reason Death The reason Death must be a part of the must be a part of the pattern that Scrooge is pattern that Scrooge is following is because he following is because he must see how the must see how the assumptions of his world assumptions of his world view, being a man of the view, being a man of the worldly mind, fares when worldly mind, fares when facing death. facing death.

Scrooge is shown that if he follows Scrooge is shown that if he follows the way of the world, the world will the way of the world, the world will treat him as a resource to be used. treat him as a resource to be used.

`What has he done with his `What has he done with his money.' asked a red-facedmoney.' asked a red-faced

gentleman with a pendulous gentleman with a pendulous excrescence on the end of hisexcrescence on the end of his

nose, that shook like the gills of nose, that shook like the gills of a turkey-cock.a turkey-cock.

`I haven't heard,' said the man with the large chin,`I haven't heard,' said the man with the large chin,yawning again. `Left it to his company, perhaps. He yawning again. `Left it to his company, perhaps. He hasn't left it to me. That's all I know.'hasn't left it to me. That's all I know.'

It is notable that these are the men Scrooge in his It is notable that these are the men Scrooge in his worldly mind-set had attempted to impress:worldly mind-set had attempted to impress:

He knew these men, also, perfectly. They were men He knew these men, also, perfectly. They were men of aye business: very wealthy, and of great importance. He of aye business: very wealthy, and of great importance. He had made a point always of standing well in their esteem: in had made a point always of standing well in their esteem: in a business point of view, that is; strictly in a business point a business point of view, that is; strictly in a business point of view.of view.

So self centered are these gentlemen of So self centered are these gentlemen of business that one insists that he at least be fed with a business that one insists that he at least be fed with a provided lunch at the funeral for the time he might provided lunch at the funeral for the time he might waste and another complains that wearing black waste and another complains that wearing black gloves, as in mourning, do not become him.gloves, as in mourning, do not become him.

Thus the passing of a human means nothing more Thus the passing of a human means nothing more to these men then how they may (or may not gain) to these men then how they may (or may not gain) from it. The terrible thing is that these are the from it. The terrible thing is that these are the closest people to whom Scrooge would have closest people to whom Scrooge would have called, in his role as a worldly wise businessman, called, in his role as a worldly wise businessman, as “friends.” One of the group comments on thisas “friends.” One of the group comments on this

::

When I come to think of it, I’m not at all sure that When I come to think of it, I’m not at all sure that I wasn't his most particular friend; for we used to I wasn't his most particular friend; for we used to stop and speak whenever we met.stop and speak whenever we met.

Thus the passing of a human means nothing more Thus the passing of a human means nothing more to these men then how they may (or may not gain) to these men then how they may (or may not gain) from it. The terrible thing is that these are the from it. The terrible thing is that these are the closest people to whom Scrooge would have closest people to whom Scrooge would have called, in his role as a worldly wise businessman, called, in his role as a worldly wise businessman, as “friends.” One of the group comments on thisas “friends.” One of the group comments on this

::

When I come to think of it, I’m not at all sure that When I come to think of it, I’m not at all sure that I wasn't his most particular friend; for we used to I wasn't his most particular friend; for we used to stop and speak whenever we met.stop and speak whenever we met.

Scrooge and the Phantom came into the presence of thisScrooge and the Phantom came into the presence of thisman, just as a woman with a heavy bundle slunk into the man, just as a woman with a heavy bundle slunk into the shop. But she had scarcely entered, when another woman, shop. But she had scarcely entered, when another woman, similarly laden, came in too; and she was closely followed similarly laden, came in too; and she was closely followed by a man in faded black, who was no less startled by the by a man in faded black, who was no less startled by the sight of them, than they had been upon the recognition of sight of them, than they had been upon the recognition of each other. After a short period of blank astonishment, in each other. After a short period of blank astonishment, in which the old man with the pipe had joined them, they all which the old man with the pipe had joined them, they all three burst into a laugh. three burst into a laugh.

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 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 cares for God. He cares for God.

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

"Heaven and the Christmas Time be "Heaven and the Christmas Time be praised! I say this on my knees Old Jacob, praised! I say this on my knees Old Jacob, on my knees!"on my knees!" (71).  Scrooge goes directly (71).  Scrooge goes directly to church when he walks out on Christmas to church when he walks out on Christmas morning.morning.

He re-affirms his connection not only with He re-affirms his connection not only with his own family but with the family of the his own family but with the family of the human race. human race.

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 fro, and patted children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of houses, and up to the into the kitchens of houses, and up to the windows and found that everything could windows and found that everything could yield him pleasure (74).yield him pleasure (74).

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 nigh and who will probably has a terrible scare one nigh and who will probably revert to his old ways as soon as the scare wears revert to his old ways as soon as the scare wears off. 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

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 Autumn 1999—Vol 12:23 http://www.faithalone.org/journal/1999ii/J23-99d.htm 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 2007.2007.