25 Thoughts on “A Christmas Carol” – December 15th

Happy Christmas Dear Reader

“'Why! Is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves this praise?'
'It isn't that,' said Scrooge, heated by the remark, and speaking unconsciously like his former, not his latter, self. 'It isn't that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count them up: what then? The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.'”

We immediately see here that Scrooge has understanding. He comprehends that those with means have power over others. Notice that Scrooge, who makes Bob Cratchet’s work not only burdensome but painful and uncomfortable, remembers who kindly he was treated by the man who had this same power over him.

Notice that Scrooge also understands how little it takes to give good will and happiness to others. It is so easy to be kind when we get outside or our own world and look at the world from a new perspective. We focus so closely on our own wants and needs that we do not see how rich we can make others by simply being kind to them. We can share a kindness small and warm and kindle a great bonfire of good in another. We can lift a finger to ease another’s burden and to them it is as if we have moved a great boulder.

Something in the power to care for others becomes so redeeming to us. When we show kindness to another it increases our own sense of worth and value to the universe in general. When we do it out of love and a humility born of our own sense of understanding our need for grace the effect increases dramatically.

We are almost done with Christmas past. And we are over half way through our current day journey. So I ask what you are gaining from out travel together. Do you know yourself and Scrooge any better? Ponder these things as we move toward Christmas present.


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."