A Christmas Carol

 

I am a fan of the Christmas season because it is a time of hope in a hurting and divided world. I love the gifts, the lights, the trees, the parties, the smiles and the kindness.

 As a Christian, I believe the WHY of Christmas is explained in the world’s best-selling book, The Holy Bible.

And the HOW of Christmas is beautifully explained in A Christmas Carol  by Charles Dickens.

Dickens wrote this social commentary in a time when many children suffered from poverty. The depictions in his novel are pulled from his own experiences after his father was sent to debtor’s prison. Dickens’ biographer, Michael Slater, shares that the author thought of A Christmas Carol as a way to, “help open the hearts of the prosperous and powerful towards the poor and powerless." Although poorly named, The Man Who Invented Christmas is an interesting, if fictionalized, movie version of how the book came to be. Martin and I have added it to our annual favorites.

A non-verified but quick search on the internet tells that the Dickens novel was published on December 19, 1843 and sold out by Christmas Eve. The Internet Movie Database lists more than 100 movie versions. More than 20 television shows (including Flintstones, Bugs Bunny, Black Addar and even Dr. Who) have used the classic as the basis for Christmas episodes. There have been two ballets and four operas.

MsMojo (whose name I do not recognize) offers a list of her recommended versions.

 MsMojo's Movie Recommendations

And below you will find Nana’s own list of favorites for your annual Dickens experience.

•  A part of our family’s enjoyment of independent productions of Christmas videos, I recommend the 1994 version with Joseph Arthur Vidal as a Square Dance-hating Scrooge.
• Second favorite  from the family vault is a Star Trek-themed production with Martin as Captain Scrooge.
• Each year, while running errands in December, I use the magic of blue tooth and turn my car radio to my favorite audio version featuring Patrick Stewart.
• An American Christmas Carol stars Henry Winkler and is set during the great depression. Joe and I share a love of this one and I always text to let him know when I watch it.
• I am a big fan of Mickey Mouse, so Mickey’s Christmas Carol is on my list. Already watched it this year with Jennette and Geordan.
• My favorite is still The Muppet Christmas Carol starring Michael Caine and Kermit the Frog. It is a musical version that never fails to move me. Pedro was not familiar with the story details and this version was his first exposure. He cried when Tiny Tim died and cried again when he heard the word “Tiny Tim, who didn’t die!...”

178 years after publication, I will assume that spoilers are not an issue when I share that in all versions The Christmas Carol is a redemption story. We watch Scrooge’s journey from a greedy loner in Stave I to caring benefactor of fellow humans in Stave V. We learn that people can change and can transform society through generosity and compassion.

 And we are reminded to take another look at ourselves.

 God bless us every one.

 

PS-Today’s  title photo is a facsimile of the original 1843 edition. And the closing photo is from our extended family party who happened to use this theme! Thanks Christy and the Cooper Family.