One of my favorite Christmas Stories is Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol.” It is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his visits from three ghosts, which were sent by his late business partner, Marley.
These ghosts show Scrooge truly what a “Covetous old sinner” he is, and how he has affected the lives of people he encounters, even though he doesn’t directly interact with them. These ghosts also show him how people think of him and how much his love for money has grown in to hate of all things good.
Why do I like this story so much? Because it tells our story as well. There is a saying out there that simply goes, “There is a little Scrooge in each of us.” I believe this. I believe we all can be hard-hearted, hateful, greedy, and sometimes not show love to others. This story also speaks of how Scrooge changed his life when he saw what his life truly was. At the end of the story he asks the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, if there is any way that the outcome of his story can be altered and if he can make amends for all the wrongs he has done.
The short answer is yes.
This is a Christmas story not because it takes place on Christmas Eve, but because it is the story of one man’ redemption. Scrooge changes from the “Covetous old sinner” into a person of generosity and love.
During Christmas we celebrate the birth of Emmanuel’God with us. God coming to be amongst us, born in a manger, to Mary and Joseph. To give us a message of hope for all people, to let us know that God loves us some much that he came to be amongst us. Whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. God also gives us the hope that we can be transformed or changed into the people God calls us to be. To be forgiven, to be redeemed, to be a child of God.
During this season I invite you to look in the mirror and see the Scrooge that is in you. And to see that you are important to God, even though we have our faults. To take the time to reflect on your lives and see how you can be more loving, giving, caring, and be full of the joy that is Christmas.
If Scrooge can be redeemed by the grace of God so can all of us.
Merry Christmas
-Burstall is pastor of Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church in Grayling.
