Fears and Tears

I have much joy when I watch “A Christmas Carol“, which is a yearly tradition in our home. This year, we watched it during the third week of Advent, known as “Gaudete Sunday”. Gaudete is Latin for gaudium, which means joy and gaudeo, which means rejoice. This week turns the focus to the nearness of the Lord.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has annointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. Isaiah 61:1

“A Christmas Carol” is a tale of an old, miserly man named Ebenezer Scrooge. He has grown to be a shrewd businessman, holding onto his wealth counting every last penny. He lives a secluded and lonely life and shows little compassion for those around him. His business partner, Jacob Marley, died seven years ago, and all Scrooge has left around him is Bob Cratchit, his faithful employee, and his nephew Fred, son of his dear departed sister Fran.

I love this story because I see Scrooge’s heart be touched a little at a time as he looks back at his past, is shown his present time, and has a glimpse of a dismal future by spirits that visit him Christmas Eve. Their visit is forewarned by Jacob Marley, who visits Scrooge as a ghost weighed downed by the heavy chains he forged in his lifetime.

Scrooge’s eyes are opened to those around him and he is filled with love and compassion. His whole persona changes, he seems to stand taller, and has a joy, laughter and happiness in his manner. He shares his heart and his wealth with others on Christmas Day. He is a changed man, and he has changed his future.

I can learn much from Ebenezer Scrooge. What do I hold onto, what do I close my heart to, and what do I not see? Scrooge teaches me to open my heart to those around me, to be generous with my gifts that God has given me, and that brings joy to me.

The Lord is near with compassion, the Lord is near with love, the Lord is near with joy. A most blessed Advent season to you.

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year. I will live in my past, the present and the future. The spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Charles Dickens