What A Christmas Carol Taught Me About Living in Light of Eternity
Every December I cozy up by the Christmas tree with a mug of hot chocolate and read the Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It is one of my favorite Christmas traditions. This year, with two mischievous one year-olds on the move, I settled for the audio version of the book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, nonetheless.
In this Christmas classic, Charles Dickens tells the story of the elderly miser Ebenezer Scrooge. Throughout the story, Mr. Scrooge is visited by a series of spirits: The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Throughout these chilling visitations Scrooge is transformed from the greedy, caustic, selfish man he is at the beginning of the story into the warm, generous, kind-hearted man he is by the end. The change of Ebenezer Scrooge is one of the most beloved stories in literature and there are valuable lessons that can be learned throughout this timeless tale. This is the inspiration I have gained from it in my own life.
A Look into the Past
When Mr. Scrooge is visited by The Spirit of Christmas Past, a strange, childlike spirit with a brightly glowing head, he is escorted on a journey into previous Christmases from his earlier years. Through this experience he is given a glimpse into his former life- his mistakes and his failures, and he is given the opportunity to learn something from them. By the end of this visitation, Scrooge sheds tears of remorse and regret.
Though we may not be guided through our past life by a strange phantom, we too should reflect on the history of our own lives and remember. We should remember God’s faithfulness and kindness to us in giving us the undeserved gift of salvation. We should remember the love He lavished on us that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:8-9 We should remember the sin that He rescued us from and remind ourselves that it came at a great cost to Himself: “You were bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body.” -2 Corinthians 6:20
When we reflect on what we have been saved from we are then in a better position to remember the purpose which we have been saved for, this leads me to the present…
A Glimpse into the Present
When Mr. Scrooge is visited by The Spirit of Christmas Present, a majestic giant clad in a green fur robe, he is given a glimpse into the present lives of those around him. He is shown their joys and their sorrows, their hurt and their needs. He is taken into the homes of the poor and destitute, the sick and the hungry. He is given the opportunity to see suffering up close, allowing it to become more personal to him. This journey gradually removes the self-centered lens he viewed the world through formerly, giving him instead an outlook that is centered on others and how he can be of help to them.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” This verse makes it clear that we are not saved by our good works, but we were saved for them. We were not saved from our sins to then sit back and live comfortably; we were saved for a greater purpose. Christ has called us to sacrificial living and giving, the pouring out of ourselves for those around us, availing ourselves to His service through meeting the present needs of those He has placed in our lives.
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone…” – Galatians 6:10
“And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” -Titus 3:14
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” -Romans 12:1
This is the lifestyle God has called us to. What needs can we give ourselves to? Who around us is suffering this holiday season and how can we give ourselves, our time, our energy, and our finances to bring relief? Who can we serve in the present?
A Glimpse into the Future
When Mr. Scrooge is visited by The Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come, an eerie, faceless, and voiceless phantom, a sequence of mysterious scenes is played out before his eyes relating to the death of an unnamed man. On this journey, Scrooge is given a glimpse into a future that could be- his own future. He is given the opportunity to see how his own greed impacted others and the consequences of his own selfishness. He is given the opportunity to see what legacy he left behind- how others viewed him and spoke of his character. He is given the opportunity to see what happened to his possessions following his death. At the end of this peculiar journey, he is even given a glimpse of his own deathbed and tombstone, learning that the nameless man he saw in the beginning was indeed himself. This visit reminds him of his own mortality and causes him to repent, he then begs for mercy and an opportunity to redeem the legacy he is leaving behind. After returning from this final journey he is overwhelmed with joy, he then rushes into the street generously greeting and giving to others.
We cannot catch a glimpse of our own futures the way that Scrooge did, however, we know this life is fleeting. James 4:14 says, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and afterwards it vanishes away.” Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” What in our lives would change if we kept this perspective? If we remembered our own mortality, if we put more thought into the legacy we are leaving behind? What do our current priorities this holiday season reveal about us? Are our thoughts on eternal things or have we become entirely consumed in the commercialization of our modern culture? Do our lives give the message that Christ is the true reason we celebrate this Christmas season, is he remaining at the center of all our festivities? Are the things we are living for and devoting so much of our time, money and energy to today worth Christ dying for? These are helpful questions to ask ourselves from time to time. It is all too easy to become distracted by the hustle and bustle that surrounds us during the holidays. This time of year, more than any other, we need to be reminded to live in light of eternity.
The Christmas Spirit, the Christian Spirit
The transformation that took place in the heart of Mr. Scrooge is truly astounding. The end of the story says, “It was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us.” From “Ba! Humbug” to “a splendid laugh”, Mr. Scrooge gained the true Christmas spirit by the end of the classic tale, but what is the Christmas spirit and how do we achieve it?
The Christmas Spirit is the Christian spirit. It’s looking back on God’s mercy towards us in saving us from our sin and granting us the gift of salvation. It’s being mindful of the present needs around us and availing ourselves to serve. It’s remembering that this life is temporary and living for things that are of eternal value. In the midst of the Christmas chaos that so often pulls our attention and distracts us this time of year, this is your invitation to stop and remember- to celebrate what truly matters. It isn’t the glittering presents underneath the Christmas tree, or the sparkle of the lights that gleam on the rooftops, or the tasty peppermint treats. These are fun, wonderful things to enjoy but in the fun and enjoyment of them, don’t forget to keep the true Christmas spirit and to live in light of eternity.