25 Thoughts on “A Christmas Carol” – December 6th

Happy Christmas Dear Readers,

“'At this festive season of the year, Mister Scrooge,' said the gentleman, taking up a pen, 'it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.'
'Are there no prisons?' asked Scrooge.
'Plenty of prisons,' said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
'And the Union workhouses.' demanded Scrooge. 'Are they still in operation?'
'They are. Still,' returned the gentleman,' I wish I could say they were not.'
'The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?' said Scrooge.
'Both very busy, sir.'
'Oh. I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,' said Scrooge. 'I'm very glad to hear it.'”

What would I give up to make others’ burdens less? I have stood on both sides of the giving; being giver and receiver. One of my foremost areas of pride can be in allowing others to give to me. I have been homeless briefly. I have been poor and rich. Both are very burdensome though I think that most of us would willingly suffer the later rather than the former.

In much of the world today is celebrated as Saint Nicholas Day. He was a bishop who gave to the extent that his giving became legendary and evolved into what is our modern day Santa Clause. His efforts were to bring sustenance and joy to children in need. He knew that those who follow Christ were responsible for the social welfare of those in their community. A friend of mine recently posited that counting on government to do the work commissioned to Christ followers is like giving the master work of craftsmen over to an apprentice.

I wonder if we count on the government welfare systems to provide for the poor to the extent that we avoid personal involvement in caring for the needs of our fellow man. Do we console the tugs of our conscience when we encounter those in need by reminding ourselves of the professional organizations that address want and need? Even when organizations devoted to social welfare do their work well, it does not relieve us of the burden to be personally involved.

I am responsible for my fellow man. I am my brother’s keeper. Every man’s death diminishes me. If a family is hungry and I turn my face away then I starve my own spirit. If I see the homeless and do nothing to help, then I am moving into my own unsheltered wilderness. You get my point. To turn away from the needs of others, believing that someone will help is to spurn the very Spirit of Christ that is to go abroad in all of us.

Scrooge used the existence of social welfare to justify his refusal to aide others and enhance his self containment. If we truly wish to make a difference we must avoid the same behavior. There are shelters and there are refuges. The Salvation Army is in full seasonal march serving up “salvation ala mode and a cup of tea.” I would they were not necessary. The only way that can ever be true is if everyone who claims to follow Christ did their best to infuse true help into the lives of those who need it.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a home owner. He brings new and old things out of his treasure store."