Cold-hearted, penny-pinching, dark-spirited Ebenezer Scrooge, the surviving partner of the London firm of Scrooge and Marley, was working at his desk on Christmas Eve. His clerk Bob Cratchit shivered in the next room, for Scrooge wouldn’t even purchase coal enough to warm the offices.

When Fred, Ebenezer’s good-hearted nephew, came by to wish his uncle a Merry Christmas, the old miser could only reply “Bah! Humbug.”

That night in his cold quarters, Scrooge’s mood grew darker. Suddenly the image of his late partner stood before him, wearing the long chain he had forged himself in life.

Presently, the Ghost of Christmas Past appeared and took Scrooge on an introspective tour of his past. Scrooge, the son of a neglectful father, saw himself as he was on earlier Christmases, including one in which his girlfriend, Belle, had broken their engagement. Scrooge, Belle claimed, loved money more than he loved her. Ebenezer burst into tears under the weight of his regrets.

Later Scrooge, awakened by another spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Present, was swept up in an eerie Christmastide tour of London’s merry crowds, worshipers, and homes filled with holiday happiness. Finally he paid a visit to Bob Cratchit’s dwelling and was moved by the plight of the youngest son, a crippled little boy named called Tiny Tim who would die if things did not change soon.

Confused and contemplative, Scrooge was guided back to his own bed. But soon the Ghost of Christmas Future appeared. This spirit led Scrooge to the scene of someone’s death where he observed the apathy of onlookers.

Not until Ebenezer saw his own name on the tombstone did he realize he himself was the obituary.

“Spirit!” he cried, tight clutching at its robe, “hear me! I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse. Why show me this, if I am past all hope…? Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life!”

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the 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.”

Awakening from his nightmares, Scrooge rushed into the street, eager to share his newfound Christmas spirit. He sent a giant turkey to Bob Cratchit’s house and showed up for Christmas dinner at Fred’s. He became as good a man as London knew, and a second father for Tiny Tim. He was a changed soul.

There’s a lot of truth to this story. We’re all miserable sinners who forge our own chains in life, but the message of Christmas has the power to transform us, breaking our chains. Because of Christmas, we can be giving, caring, decent souls.

Contemplate the past, present, and future—and live accordingly. Never give up on others, even as Fred never gave up on his uncle. Remember the potential of changed lives, especially during the holiday season.

There is, however, a fatal flaw in A Christmas Carol.

The person of Jesus Christ is strangely absent. Dickens himself believed in a benevolent God and felt the Bible contained good maxims. But he had no creed and didn’t profess evangelical beliefs. Like our modern holiday celebrations, he managed to capture the mood of Christmas while forgetting the manger.

Ebenezer Scrooge had a change of heart—but not by Christ. He was transformed from a miserable miser into a warm, kindhearted philanthropist by the power of imagination alone. The Christmas spirit—not the Holy Spirit—got hold of him.

As we think about Dickens’ tale, let’s remember that as wonderful as it is, it’s no match for the Gospel. A Christmas Carol warms the heart, but only Christ can change the soul. It isn’t just realization we need, but redemption. Not just sentiment, but a Savior.

This world simply cannot spell CHRISTmas without Christ, though it keeps trying.

Jesus alone can change our lives this Christmas. He alone can bless us every one!

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