Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts. – Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol has to be one of the most beloved Christmas tales of all time. It was written as a novella by Charles Dickens in 1843. Although, the story is over 170 years old, there are many lessons of wisdom imparted within this story that still has relevance today.
It never gets old watching Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption at the hands of three ghosts and the spirit of his late business partner Jacob Marley.
A compelling story indeed.
It is set during the Victorian era of the 1800’s in England. Around 1860.
The story gave us the words and phrases Scrooge, Bah Humbug, and Merry Christmas.
In the 1940’s, Disney even created their own character in his image named Scrooge McDuck.
How did Scrooge go from an innocent young pupil to a crotchety miser?
One word: Life.
We all must go through it, but how we handle life’s ups and down is what really makes us who we are.
Scrooge hated people. However, those around him still chose to show him kindness.
I have learned that you cannot answer hate with anger. You can only show people who you are by how you live your life.
Remembering his story always reminds me to treat others the way I would want to be treated, and that is with dignity and respect.
WHO IS EBENEZER SCROOGE?
Ebenezer Scrooge is the protagonist of this tale. A miserly business owner who is a skinflint to the core. Though successful in business, he is angry and alone.
His only family is a single nephew from his late and only sister.
As a young boy, he spent all his time on his studies. His father was a very strict and harsh man. There was little time for play or fun for Ebenezer. It hardened his heart. Money was the answer that will give him meaning to his life.
He decided to close himself off to others so that he wouldn’t get hurt. But the thing is, when you open up to people, you let the good in with the bad. This adapted defense mechanism had a profoundly negative effect on adult Scrooge. He learned to place the pursuit of money above love.
He was later employed by a man named Fezziwig, who was kind and gentle. His employer was in the shipping business that was established in 1766.
Although, Scrooge had examples of charitable people and love around him, somehow he let greed take over his heart.
LOVE AND HAPPINESS ARE NOT ONE AND THE SAME
We need never be ashamed of our tears. – Charles Dickens
Money does not buy happiness only temporary satisfaction. It cannot buy friends, family, faith, loyalty, or love. Money is empty. People is what fills you up inside and your heart. Don’t let money control you like it did Scrooge. Money doesn’t control you, you control it.
The absolute saddest and most touching part of the story is when his betrothed has some very harsh words for Ebenezer.
At a young age, he made a promise to marry a girl of no fortune.
Over time he changes. He becomes cold and harsh. She tells him that one by one she has watched his nobler aspirations fall away.
His master passion of gain is now his only love. An Idol has displaced and replaced her in his heart. A golden one. He only cares now for gold. Money.
She asked him if he was a free man would he still want to marry a dowerless or penniless girl with nothing but myself to bring to a marriage. He stays silent. She has her answer.
In one of the absolute most heart wrenching and saddest rebuffs I have ever heard a woman say to a man, it almost brings tears to my eyes.
She tells Scrooge this; thus, ending their engagement:
Ebenezer, I release you;
You are a free man;
I let you go with a full heart;
May you be happier in the life you have chosen.
Her rejection of him was the final straw as he was never the same. He calls himself a fool for not going after her. I think it was his pride that let love slip away.
It seems that old fools used to be young fools.
This film version of he speech in 1984, in my opinion, is the best version I have heard. It makes me stop in my tracks every time to hear her say it just sends a sharp chill down my spine its so cold and sad.
This is my favorite version of the many film adaptions. I remember seeing it on reruns growing up during the holidays.
The 1951 version also has fine acting and strong dialogue including its delivery. The scene where the engagement ends is particularly well-spoken by the films star.
He says, “the world can be so brutally cruel to the poor. All the while professing to condemn the pursuit of wealth in the same breath.”
He asked his soon to be ex-fiance, “is it a terrible thing for a man to struggle to be something better than he is?”
She feels that is is if a man weighs everything only by gain.
A CHANCE TO GLIMPSE THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
A loving heart is the truest wisdom. – Charles Dickens
In the story he is visited by the spirits of Christmases Past, Present and Future.
He gets to relive the mistakes of the past and present and see what will come to pass in the future, if he doesn’t change his ways.
As hindsight is always 20/20, who wouldn’t like a chance to change right what once went wrong.
However, Scrooge was a tightwad. Ridiculously cheap and stingy. He ate a bowl of gruel for Christmas dinner in a room with one lit candle. Pathetic.
He didn’t even spend for his own comfort. So, he was miserable and made everyone around him the same. People like him only see the cost of visiting the eye doctor, not the benefits that could come with 20/20 vision.
From his story we learn this, you may not be able to change the past, but the future is not written yet. You can write the last few pages, if you have the courage to change. It is NEVER too late to change for the better.
THEY SAY CHARITY STARTS AT HOME
No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. – Charles Dickens
Your actions do impact others. For every cause there is an effect. Every action you take affects not only you, but the people around you and someone else in the long run. There is a reaction for every action.
When asked to give to charity, he asks, “Are there no prisons?” and “Are there no workhouses?” Then goes on to state that it would be better to decrease the “surplus population” than to help the needy.
Oh yea. He’s a real charmer.
Scrooge had a loyal and faithful employee named Cratchit. It was a shame he treated him so badly. He wouldn’t even allow the man to put more coal on the fire to keep warm while at work.
It was too bad he could not show the same kindness upon Bob Cratchit that his former employer did upon him. It would have been a great way to pay it forward. And to honor those that came before him.
They say when you want to be charitable, you do not have to look far. You can start at home. Why not start with your friends?
LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST AND OTHERS
A sad sight to see was his old deceased business partner. Jacob Marley, who is in purgatory for his sins. As punishment, forced to walk the earth in chains while seeing those he could have helped but didn’t and now being unable to do so. He tells Scrooge to change before it is too late.
Jacob says, “The common welfare should have been my business.” Helping people should have been more important than money.
I cannot tell you how many times I have watched others that are older than myself and said I do not want to make the same mistakes. I made different plans for my life and charted a different path.
When I get a chance to repay a kindness, I do it. Unlike Scrooge, it is rare in this life that you get a second chance. I try to do a good job the first time. Tell people the truth. Help them. Reach back and pull someone else up. They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. A true statement indeed.
I read history to see what has been done in the past to avoid making those same mistakes in the future.
No regrets.
Most people’s number one regret on their deathbed is that they focused too much on work and money and not enough on their relationships. Please don’t be one of those people.
The best and biggest change in Scrooge after his ghostly visits is his generosity. The spirit of Christmas Yet to Come foretold of a bad future. He saw a life of sadness and loneliness and that his deeds directed his future of misery. He says he will remember what the spirits tell him and says, “I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” Scrooge heeded the spirits words and mended his ways.
HAVE A FINANCIAL PLAN
Scrooge was the extreme version of frugality. He saved more than necessary and gave little. Scrooge hoarded every penny. His plan was to have as much money as possible, but that is only one piece of the puzzle. He planned for his money, but not his life. Life is complex. It requires money, yes, but also people because life is about building relationships.
Get a good education, then keep your head down and work. But don’t forget about developing your friendships and relationships.
The Cratchits were poor. Living off a miserable 15 shillings a week. They had a roof, food, and clothes, but no luxuries. They made use of everything they had. No wasteful spending. And were grateful for what they had: each other.
I try to only do what I’m passionate about. Will it get me closer to my goals? If not, I tend to not spend any money and instead find a way to economize. I spend on what is important, what I value, and what I need.
FORGIVENESS
To err is human, to forgive divine. – Alexander Pope
At the end of the story, Scrooge pledges a vow by saying, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” A wonderful promise to make and keep indeed.
Do not ever be afraid or ashamed to ask for forgiveness. It is a sign of strength and growing maturity.
Dickens once said, “No space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused.” I believe that people should do what they are good at, cultivate their gifts, and help people with that gift. Use your gifts to solve problems creatively. And not just once a year, but all the days of the year.
So, in the words of Dickens, Merry Christmas!
And Happy Holidays from Greenbacks Magnet