25 Thoughts on “A Christmas Carol” – December 3rd

Happy Christmas Dear Readers,

“The door of Scrooge's counting-house was open that he might keep his eye upon his clerk, who in a dismal little cell beyond, a sort of tank was copying letters. Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk's fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal. But he couldn't replenish it, for Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room; and so surely as the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part. Wherefore the clerk put on his white comforter, and tried to warm himself at the candle; in which effort, not being a man of a strong imagination, he failed.”

How often do we see those in want or need every day but do not act? Scrooge’s actions are by design and with intent, but those done out of ignorance and want are no less harmful or wrong. It is not enough to say we did not know someone had a need. Should we not be constantly looking out for the needs of others? Should we not be aware of the things that trouble those around; wanting the opportunity to assist when we can?

Every day we are in proximity to need whether it is emotional, mental, or physical. We have the power every day to make others lives richer and we need only reach out our hearts to do it. What is the real cost to us to be cheerful to our coworkers? There are clerks we encounter daily or weekly who need a kind word and a smile. If we begin this Christmas season by developing the habit of kindness to others, perhaps it will endure long after the tree is taken down and Aunt Martha’s over sized sweater is buried deep in the closet.

Perhaps we can begin a habit of kindness to others today and hold fast throughout the year. Christmas by it very nature is a celebration of God being kind to us when we neither deserved it nor truly wanted it. If God would go so far to bring us so much should not at least attempt to be kind to other on his behalf?

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."

25 Thoughts on “A Christmas Carol” – December 2nd

Happy Christmas Dear Readers,

“Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge. A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shriveled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didn't thaw it one degree at Christmas”.

Miserly or not, we all know someone who is cold or dower. We all know someone who carries “his own low temperature always with him.” I would ask what we are doing to thaw him or her. Do we really see those soured on life as an opportunity to thaw a frozen heart? If for no other reason than to make our own world more pleasant, we can be the ones who reach into the flint hearts of others to help strike a generous fire in them.

We do, however, have many others reasons to soften the hearts of others. The primary reason should be the reclamation of that individual from his own pain and torment. No one so bent on keeping out the warmth of friendship and love can be at peace within himself. Secondary but no less important is the good it does us to be aware of the needs of others for it works within us to make us more aware of our own hard heartedness.

So far in our story, Marley is dead and Scrooge is at least greedy and antisocial in addition being cold. What we can always do is express kindness and warmth without expectation of return. If we always leave an open door then those who begin to thaw in their hearts will know that our door is open. An act of kindness is never wasted as it does us good to do it.

We also place great potential for Christ to work in the hearts of others when they see us showing loving-kindness in humility and grace. As we begin our walk with Dickens it is important to understand that this tale wishes for all of us to see the potential in the pre-ghost Scrooges of the world. We may never know the thawing impact of common kindness on a frozen flint heart. We can know though that we offered that kindness and did so with the fire of generous love in our hearts.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

25 Thoughts on “A Christmas Carol” – December 1st

Happy Christmas Dear Readers,

“Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to.”

I have often noticed that the thing that gets the most attention from this opening paragraph is that Marley is dead. Dickens makes it quite clear that the importance of Marley being dead is that if he is not then “nothing wonderful can come from” this tale. So the belaboring of the point that Marley is dead makes great sense. I would like, if I may, to point out that there is another thought in this paragraph that is very important.

Reread the paragraph, but especially the last sentence. Almost as a throw away comment, Dickens points out that our “covetous old sinner” is also an honest man. We will later see how greedy, miserly, mean, and hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge was. For now though I wish to ponder his honesty. If he truly is a man of his word then Mister Dickens gives us hope in the very first paragraph. We begin the tale knowing that there is hope.

What is Advent if not the Father calling down to us that there is hope? There is a chance that our reclamation is possible. We the covetous sinners are given hope through the incarnation of God in Christ. It is our redemption that is the purpose of the divine taking on the mortal. God made us and journeyed to us when we ran from him. All of this; the birth, the magi, the ghosts, and the story are centered on a single issue. If we honestly look at the world around us we realize that from the womb, we are dead to begin with, and that God has gone and is going to great lengths to bring us back to life.

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."

25 Thoughts on “A Christmas Carol” – Introduction

Happy Christmas Dear Readers,

For years I have been in love with the Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol.” As both a personal devotional and a writing exercise I will attempt to do some unpacking of the metaphors and lessons in the story. My purpose here is to delve into a deeper understanding of Mister Dickens’ understanding and view of redemption.

Advent is the appearance of Christ on earth for the purpose of our reclamation to himself. The God who made us took on our form to purchase us back from our self-imposed slavery and death. I do not know how long Dickens expected this story to endure but it has generated plays, variations on the tale, and over forty movies.

I will be drawing from the 1843 text and interacting only with Dickens’ own words. My hope is to discover new ways to make “mankind my business” in the light of my passion to follow Christ. The lesson of this dark, enlightening tale will hopefully lead me into a deeper love of both Christ and my fellow man. I invite you to journey with me as we look deeper into the images, themes, and metaphors of this timeless tale.

I think that we should begin with the end in mind. This is a story of redemption. Ebenezer Scrooge is reclaimed and finds that which is most precious about Christmas. We can all benefit from a deeper look into the heart of one of literature’s most remarkable Christmas stories. Hopefully as we do, God will bless us, every one.

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."

Ringing and Singing

Greetings Dear Readers,

Beginning this Friday, Black Friday, one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season will be upon us. After a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with my children, some of us will get up early on Friday and make our way to a local retail store. We will spend two hours outside ringing bells, singing Christmas carols, and collecting donations for the Salvation Army. It amazes me how much good this organization does for the homeless, the poor, and those who need spiritual shelter as well.

Those kettles and the bell ringers are the front line of an effort that goes on all year long to ensure that the neediest in our cities benefit from those who can afford to shop and buy and give. I know that I do not have as vast a pool of readers as I wish I had but I would ask all of you to consider volunteering for just one shift of bell ringing.

Each year there are shifts that are not filled. That means that the kettle is not out, people are not reminded to give, and there is less to help those who do not have. By making this a family event I get fun time with those I love and we get to live out what we believe for the sake of others. It is so simple to sign up on line at http://www.ringbells.org/ .

I am asking my readers this year to make an effort to find time to ring bells and make a difference in the lives of those who need help. It is easy, fun, and I promise you will be glad you did it. If you choose to I would love to hear of your adventure in bell ringing.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Missing the Moments

Greetings Dear Readers

I think that I have always had a problem with anger. When I was very young I was very angry. Most of my early adolescence is an angry blur. It is only recently I have begun to see my anger in its proper light. Moments where my sons needed gentleness were met with anger; not always but often enough that they struggle with the same thing. I always think I have a right to my anger, but I do not. That is selfish and hypocritical thinking.

Anger has a place but it is limited and bound by other mandates. I can be angry but I must not sin. I have no right to hold onto my anger. I must forgive and move on to what is next. I recently saw an ugly picture of how my anger steals moments that are opportunities to be humble and more Christ centered. I was cooking something new. I was failing and I allowed my pride and anger to ruin an opportunity to deal with the anger in a reassuring and kind way.

Very often my eldest Son thinks I am angry when I am not, but perhaps the years of not properly reining in my anger give me an angry face when I do not feel that way. Christ calls us to love, grace, gentleness, and peace. My indulgence of anger gets in the way of this. I find that if I am quieter I become less angry. I find that if I let things roll by me I do not get as emotionally invested in them. The point is that anger is not mine to keep and I must choose more closely when I will take it up as a cause.

I am becoming keenly aware that I have fewer moments each day. I want many more of them filled with focusing on Christ than I do filled with focusing on anger. I want to be kinder, gentler, humbler, and show my children the love I feel for them in the depth of my being. I want to be an example of patience and understanding to the young men who should be able to look to me for such things. I do not want to miss any more moments that could be beautiful because I choose to hold onto anger.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Broken but not Defeated

Greetings Dear Readers,

How often do we give up when things look grim? We imagine the worst outcomes and react to them instead of seeing the possibilities. Last Saturday, my daughter Christmas and I were driving home when we saw a hawk in the middle of the road eating a squirrel it had taken. It refused to move from its prey even in the face of cars zooming by on both sides.

Thinking this behavior unusual we turned around to see what the hawk would do. As we approached again, the large bird moved from the center of the road to the side. We pulled over and watched. The creature was injured. Its leg was broken. It waited on the curb, gathering its strength. Then as we moved closer it spread its wings and moved to the tree beside the road.

Two things were clear. The bird was obviously hurt and it was determined to go on. We captured several pictures of the bird and I was amazed at its tenacity in the face of moral danger. Though injured, the hawk was not leaving without its dinner.

So often I have faced things with this ferocity; determined to hang on to the wrong things. In the end I knew that the hawk was safe and it was obvious that though injured it could manage. I am not sure whether it is better to hang on or let go in some situations. Ultimately the choice becomes right or wrong by only one measure: Have I followed Christ in my choice?

If I let go of something to follow Christ then it was meant that I should let go. If I hang on because I am waiting on Christ then it was meant that I should hang on and wait. What matters is becoming so used to following Christ that I do not think about hanging on or letting go, I think about following Christ.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

I am NOT Holding On

Greetings Dear Readers,

Over the last couple of years many well meaning people have told me to:
“Keep going”
“Hang in there”
“Hold on”

Fortunately I do not have to hold on to the one thing that matters. He is holding on to me. I have developed a new curse word in the last couple of weeks:”Bob Dylan.” It is a vague reference to one of his songs. I am in that place where I am weary of the upheavals just when I feel I am getting my bearings.

None of this is a complaint because it keeps me focused on the core. Christ is the eye of the storm and as long as he has me in his hand I am safe. None of that holds out the barbs, pain, lurkers, and ghosts.

Too often I see tissue paper faith that has little substance and no style. The one thing that is a surity is that my faith has been tested. Every area of my life is in flux in some way. I took one of those depression inventories where a score of 100 is danger of clinical depression. I was an 850 heading toward 1100. I think the computer wanted to dispense haldol to me in large doses. I said no.

My point in all this semi-mad raving is that I am not holding on, as I have little left to hold on to at this time. So the next step in my journey toward a purer faith is the realization that grasping at anything is like trying to hold the wind. The bright spot is that Christ will hold me. No matter what the situation I am the one to be dependant not independent. So if you see me stomping my foot and crying at the heavens, do not think I have lost it.

You will find me where I have always been, between the world of men and make believe. I will take my old post at the door. I would rather be a door keep – more on that later.

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."

Flu Shots for Cats

Greetings Dear Readers,

Sometimes I hit the “I have had enough” button. Today is one of those times. People, humans, are dying from H1N1. People are starving. Soon homeless humans will freeze to death over the winter. Does any of that keep our public media from leading with a story about a cat that gets the swine flu? Not a bit.

How much money was spent to product this story? Who gets paid to do this story? Have we really gone that far around the bend when it comes to priorities? All over the country we have become a people who spend between $300 and $1000 yearly to feed a pet. Some people spend money on expensive surgeries, pet day care, and pet psychologists adding thousands of dollars to the yearly bill.

How can we in good conscience spend $34 BILLION dollars on pets when we allow a single person to die from lack of medical coverage? Pets are a luxury. People are our God given responsibility. “Every man’s death diminishes me.” Hunger, medical care, poverty, and social justice could truly benefit from the monies spent on pet play lands and doggie shows.

As we enter the Christmas season earlier than ever, I would remind everyone of the words penned by Dickens and spoken by the Ghost of Christmas Present, “Mankind was your business.”

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

The Boys of Summer

Greetings Dear Readers,

I am enjoying the World Series. I would enjoy it more if it were the Braves and the Red Sox. Can anyone tell me why? That is another tale though. It is important to me this game of baseball. It has been since I was a small boy. From games watched in Atlanta stadium with my Grandfather, to listening on my Sinclair Oil transistor radio on my lonely front porch, to watching with my sons when they are both boys and adults.

I cannot watch a baseball movie without crying. Deep within my soul is a place where the boy, the teen, and the man in me meet. By week’s end the hoopla of this World Series will end and the baseball season will move into a long silent winter. Other sports have found ways to stretch the season but baseball truly hibernates. This winter seems one of discontent. I move into it both more centered and lonelier than I have felt in many years.

I see fissures on the horizon that I do not know how to navigate. The holidays are more uncertain and I am more determined to celebrate them properly. Currently the Phillies trail the Yanks 3 games to 2. Game six will be played in New York. I will do as a I do every year and watch For Love of the Game when the series is over. Then, like baseball I will enter the long dark winter, waiting for the thaw that brings back the energy of boys and men.

Much will go by in the world before the infields are groomed. I will be half a century old before my pastor offers his public hope for the Cubs again. April will come and all over the country home plate umpires will point at pitchers and yell, “Play Ball.” Until then I must walk the winter and ponder what it is about men playing a boy’s game the reaches so deep into my soul. I will ponder why it forces so much emotion to the surface and see how I can better connect to Christ through this feeling.

Soon the snow flies and the winter oasis of Christmas will distract me from the absence of baseball. But today, on the cusp of change I feel impending loss. It is neither logical nor rational, but it is there and real. In my life it is the bottom of the fifth inning and the game is official.

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."