I am never more grateful than this time of year. Having worked my first career in the bookstore biz, the hellish milestone of Black Friday still fills me impending dread. Although our bookstore wasn't THE destination for Black Friday sales, people waited to bust through the doors at 6am, and within an hour or two, the store spiraled into utter chaos. To make it worse, my typical schedule was to close the Wednesday before Thanksgiving followed by a super early start on Black Friday to complete the immense merchandising requirements. This carved into Turkey Day time with my awesome family, and it sucked the joy of the holiday season right out of my soul.
I desperately needed to remind myself that life was better, could be better, should be better. And so I made a point to read A Christmas Carol to remind myself -- as Scrooge desperately promises the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come -- to "honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." And of course I watch A Muppet Christmas Carol without fail to reinforce the message because their film adaptation is my favorite.
My second career is soooo much better, but I still need the reminder. Here are my takeaways from A Christmas Carol:
Bah! Humbug!
"Oh! but he was a tight-fisted hand at the grind-stone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and as solitary as an oyster."
The old miser Scrooge "Bah humbugs!" Christmas and everything it stands for. He hoards his money, despises the less fortunate, and prefers melancholy, cold solitude. Don't be like Scrooge.
Heed Marley
"Marley was dead, to begin with." (What a fantastic opening line.) Marley wears a "ponderous chain" clasped about his middle like a tail, and it was made of "cashboxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel." As a businessman, he forged the chain in life, making it link by link by his own greed when he should have made Mankind his business. Now he is doomed to wander the earth, dragging his chains behind him. If we don't change our ways, and focus on the betterment of humankind, we are doomed to Marley's fate.
Shadows of the Past
The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge through a journey of his memories, revealing the choices that turned him into the heartless creature we know and love. As a boy, Scrooge was neglected, yet he was full of joy, hope, and wonder. He fell in love with a young woman named Belle, but they grew apart when Scrooge focused on business rather than love. Remember to focus on what matters. Cherish your loved ones. You are lucky to be surrounded by people you love and who love you. Don't forget it.
A Delighted Smile
Through the Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge sees people celebrating the day in their own ways, particularly his nephew Fred and the Cratchits and their sickly son, Tiny Tim. Dickens tells us that Christmas should be about selflessness, compassion, and celebrating with loved ones. It is a "kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time." In the modern world, the holiday season is stressful with endless shopping, crowds, traffic, and meal prep, but you have the power to deliver happiness to others -- a kind word, a simple text message to let someone know you're thinking about them, a thoughtful gift, a donation, a generous tip, paying it forward, a thank you, a smile.
A Neglected Grave
Scrooge "beheld a solemn Phantom, draped and hooded, coming, like a mist along the ground, towards him." The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is the spookiest of the ghosts, silent and foreboding. With its outstretched hand, it shows Scrooge that he will be unmourned in death - men of business speak ill of him, his laundress sells his belongings right away -- and the Spectre shows him his lonely grave. It is one last reminder to change his ways before it's too late.
True Meaning of Christmas
Scrooge takes the Ghosts' lessons to heart. In a complete reversal of what was established in the beginning of the tale, he is joyful, he buys the most expensive turkey for the Cratchits, has dinner with Fred, rewards Bob for his loyal service ("and therefore I am about to raise your salary"), and becomes a "second father" to Tiny Tim. We should strive to cherish our loved ones, to have compassion, to bring kindness and joy to others. Use your powers for good.
I hope all is well with you. Thanks for reading this. Happy holidays!
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