A Christmas Carol

 

Four years ago, I shared in my blog that I believe the WHY of Christmas is explained in the world’s best-selling book, The Holy Bible.  And I believe the HOW of Christmas is beautifully explained in A Christmas Carol  by Charles Dickens

While many of my opinions, tastes, and favorite songs change over time, I still get “That Christmas Morning Feelin” each year when I begin to see Christmas lights, hear the music, and feel the spirit that is part of the season. And I am still moved when reminded that not even Ebeneezer Scrooge is “Unredeemable.”

Every year, I read the classic Dickens’ book, listen to the audio version by Patrick Stewart, and watch several of the over 100 movies based on the story of Scrooge and Tiny Tim. 182 years after publication, I will assume spoilers are allowed when I share that in every rendering, Tiny Tim does not die. (That is for you, Pedro.)

For our Advent study this year, my Sunday School class is using The Redemption of Scrooge by Matt Rawles. The reason Martin selected this study was his desire to focus on how each of us has a responsibility to bring God’s Kingdom to our world here and now. Very Biblical and very Dickensian.

Raised in poverty in London, the references to the poor were not just stories for the author; they were his life experiences. And his portrayal of the need of others and our responsibility to meet those needs is timeless.   

My family and friends are aware that I have a favorite movie version of the Scrooge story. It is not one of the darker, dramatic presentations but is, instead, a musical version that is very close to the original story in many ways, with some notable exceptions. For example, Bob Cratchit is played by a frog. Yes, The Muppet Christmas Carol is still my favorite. How can I be untouched when Tiny Tim and his family sing “Bless us All?”

But I must confess that since my last blog about this, I have discovered a close second. In 2022, Spirited  was released. This musical stars Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell, and it has captured me. I sing the songs, I watch the amazing dance scenes, and I cry several times. Then I come to the end feeling satisfied that all can be right with the world if we each do our part to make it so. I was surprised that a Google search revealed some unflattering reviews of this recent PG-13 addition to the catalogue of movies, so I have written my own to share with you.

‘Great music and dancing. Fresh take on a traditional story.’

In the opening paragraphs, I sprinkled a couple of song titles to pique your interest in Spirited. As a final temptation, here are some lyrics from the closing song, “Do a Little Good.”

So can we do a little good?
Maybe give a little more?
Work a little harder than we did the day before
It only takes a little good
And some doin' what you can
Takin' every chance to make the choice to be a better man
So do a little good

  

God bless us every one.