It's hard to live down a bad reputation. Just ask Scrooge. True, he lived a lot of life hating Christmas. He was a miserly old man who could hardly find the heart to give a day off to his employee. He wouldn't give to the poor, claiming his taxes already went to things like the debtor's prison. He even coined a phrase to express disgust with all things Christmas. Bah humbug!
But do you remember the joy Scrooge felt when he awoke and found that he hadn't missed Christmas? The first thing he did was buy the biggest Christmas goose for Cratchit's family. In short, there was a total transformation. He did not go into work that Christmas day. Instead, he got dressed up and attended his nephew's Christmas party. He even made donations to the poor, much to the surprise of the philanthropists. In fact, "Many laughed to see this alteration in him, but he let them laugh and little heeded them. His own heart laughed and that was quite enough for him. And it was always said of him that he knew how to keep Christmas well if any man alive possessed the knowledge."
So why do we still use "Scrooge" derisively? I say "Scrooge" is compliment, and a very fine one at that. May we all get to spend Christmas like Ebenezer Scrooge, giving gifts, helping the poor, celebrating with family and friends, and laughing in our hearts. It won't get better than that. God bless us all, everyone!
Just goes to show you, if you live 99% of your life like a jerk, don't expect people to spend years celebrating your deathbed transformation.
ReplyDeleteReading your account of Scrooge's transformation made me start to think about the transformation when becoming a Christian. When many become Christians, it is a complete transformation. They may go out and buy the biggest Bible, tithe their first paycheck and give to the poor. Their old friends may laugh at them, but they little heed those friends because his heart is laughing and that is quite enough for him.
ReplyDeleteBut how long does it last. For some, a lifetime. For others, maybe a week. How long do you think Scrooge kept his transformation before he reverted to his old ways? Has anyone seen the sequel?
Well, I know it's just a book, but I think Dickens makes it clear that Scrooge lived the rest of his life loving Christmas, hence the quote.
ReplyDeleteAs for Christians, it's great when they retain their fervor, but I don't think their salvation is based on it.