Christmas Blessings

          

           I’ve read the story, “A Christmas Carol,” before but had never seen the movie.  Today, that changed.  I watched the classic tale with excitement, fear (somehow the ghosts managed to scare me with all their antics), and anticipation of a change in Ebenezer Scrooge.  I completely knew what to expect given I’ve read the book and knew the story plot.  Still, I found myself completely drawn in by the special effects of the movie which will, no doubt, leave a lasting impression!

            What I take away most from the story is how much like Scrooge we can be, even if unintentional.  Scrooge was “owned” by his money.  While there may be people who are possessed by the funds they’ve accumulated, it doesn’t have to be specific cold hard cash that claims us. 

            Our society has fostered the ideals of “work” so you can buy anything and everything you’ve ever wanted and accumulate wealth greater than your neighbor.  Our possessions bought with the funds we’ve worked so hard for can occupy a greater place in our lives than anything else.  Careers and the need to work so much has created the tag “work-aholic” that is not an uncommon term in our world.

            Aside from material goods, there are other “things” in our world that can be all consuming.  Sports or Hollywood stardom has claimed many victims who’ve fallen prey to the call of worldwide fame.  Food, oddly enough, can be a culprit that overshadows all else in our world as can substance abuse in a variety of forms.

            Scrooge found his Christmas Spirit at the end of the movie because he was finally able to see the cold, bitter man he had become.  While this is certainly important, there is a greater reason to find the “Christmas Spirit” and a better way than having to be visited by ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

            The Messiah came over 2000 years ago to give us the “Christmas Spirit” of love, goodness, understanding, kindness and everything good!  Christmas is all this and more!  The Messiah brought salvation to the world!  He is the Christmas story! 

            As you celebrate this year, I encourage you to reflect on your Christmas’s Past, Present and maybe even Future.  Remember everything you do today has a ripple effect on everyone around you, even those people you pass by and do not know.  Be someone’s Christmas gift today and show a kindness, love, and gratitude as you recall your Christmas Blessings!

The message of Christmas may be best said by Charles Dickens through Ebenezer Scrooge, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year.”  We do this best when we remember Jesus, the Child born in a manger, who is the Savior of the World.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!