As the push to Christmas draws near, I would be remiss if I didn’t include the classic tale of greed and redemption .

Charles Dickens’ – A Christmas Carol.

(Marley’s Ghost”, original illustration from John Leech, 1843 edition)

I think it’s safe to say that pretty much everyone has heard references to Dicken’s classic “A Christmas Story” at least 10 or more times in their lives. Every Christmas season we are treated to multiple remakes and story’s based on the idea of the greedy man finding the fault in his ways after being visited by 3 ghosts: The ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. However, the themes and messages within the story are still relevant today.

Not to ruin the plot for anyone, but after seeing how his mistreatment of people affects so many others, he has a change of heart and runs out to right his wrongs.

The character of Scrooge appears to be based on an amalgamation of different miserly men who all showed a high amount of disdain for the working class and poor people. The combination of different characteristics that are widely understood by most people made many working class people see their greedy, upper class bosses in that character. Dicken’s had written a similar story before “A Christmas Carol”, but it wasn’t nearly as popular. Perhaps by making Scrooge more developed and multi-faceted, more of his readers could relate to that character and then cheer as Scrooge sees the light and reforms.

It’s hard to know if any miserly or greedy people who read the novel or watch the classic movie at Christmas time, see themselves in the Scrooge character and maybe, just maybe change a little. But, one can hope.

For this Christmas and Holiday season please consider the people that don’t have money, resources, family etc. and do what you can to help. There are so many good charities out there that are really helping and making a difference, and could use your support. For the rest of the week I’ll be highlighting as many as I can.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Christmas_Carol#CITEREFMoore2011

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Christmas_Carol#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMoore201118-72

https://parade.com/1137959/jessicasager/a-christmas-carol-quotes/