Why You Shouldn't Read "A Christmas Carol" In December

ghostsofpompeii

 I knew that would get your attention.

Sure you should read Dickson's story "A Christmas Carol" in December, but it should also be read various times throughout the year as well - when street corner Santa's aren't stationed at the entrance and exit of every store with their red Salvation Army kettles collecting money for the less fortunate.

The less fortunate remain less fortunate throughout the year - and not just during the month of December.

We need to read "A Christmas Carol" sometime between February and October when we're not endowed with the charitable Spirit Of Christmas and food pantries are at the lowest levels.

And we need to read "A Christmas Carol" during those times of political turmoil in Washington D.C when talking heads dominates the nightly news and venom spews from both political parties.

We need to read "A Christmas Carol" when the utility bill comes in the mail and the rates have once again gone up. We need to read it when your car is on the fritz; your boss has once again proven himself to be a total ass; the dog ate the remote; you've discovered your son or daughter got a tattoo or pierced their tongue; and "A Christmas Carol" is a welcome companion when your troubles get the better of you and insomnia is keeping you from getting a good night's sleep.

And we need to read A Christmas Carol when a good portion of our country is either under water, forests are ablaze, and 185 MPH winds are bearing down on one of our States leaving a swatch of devestation in it's wake.

We need to read A Christmas Carol when lives have been shattered and strangers need our help to rebuild their lives to some semblance of normality.

I'm not suggesting "A Christmas Carol" is a cure-all for all the ills in the world, or reading it will end poverty as we know it. But wouldn't you agree that the positive message and feeling it gives us is something worth experiencing throughout the year and not just during the holiday season? And even though snowflakes are not yet falling and Street Conrner Santas with their red buckets are still months away ... I can't think of a better time to offer a helping hand to our citizens in need ... even if that helping hand does nothing more than reach into their wallet for a few bucks.

Londy3

Agreed @ghostsofpompeii. However, what you describe is not just providing an occasional warm holiday gesture to make ourselves feel better now and again. This requires changing how we think. Remove the narcissistic tendencies in order to have the warm human heart we should all have to want to help those less fortunate. Changing our minds in they way we think will change our behavior. We pass by people everyday in need, yet do nothing. I think deep down we all want to do these things. Let's unplug from our busy lives. Look around at life without the talking heads and media influencing how we should feel and think about things. Just help one person in need and let that speak to your heart. Stay unplugged for a bit and think about what just happened. Maybe this can change our hearts and minds to do good. God put us on this Earth not to live alone in a cave. We were made to work with each other. Let's get our minds off our own lives even once a week, and lend someone a hand when they don't expect it. 

mfresa

@Londy3, I think you put your finger on it.  Every day opportunities are presented to us to do something good for someone.  "small acts of kindness and love keep the darkness at bay" as Gandalf put it in the Hobbit.  Maybe the quote isn't exact but that is the thought.

motie2

“Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay.”    

~ Gandalf

pwkarch

Ghost

Spiritual thoughts for sure. I might also add "It's a Wonderful Life" should also be added in terms of "teachable" examples.

Interesting that Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol" as a ghost story in lieu of strictly a Christmas novel and a moral essay. Actually I love the story, and I have seen every version of the story in Movie form a million times. I remember the first time I was exposed to it, in early grade school over the course of a week or so read to us by the teacher each afternoon. It quickly became one of my very favorites not because it was a "ghost story" as I never really liked "ghost stories", but the altruistic lesson within made me think and helped to shape the person that I became.

Never a year goes by in which I do not reread the story from a collection of classics that I have. I usually start right after Thanksgiving and finish quickly. I absolutely love the story line as it entertains and sets an example for the reader. I also watch for what seems like a millionth time every film and TV version that is out there. I think my all time favorite is the George C. Scott TV movie version. The scene with him in the grave yard with the Spirit of Christmas Future showing him his headstone is one of the finest movie acting scenes of all time (along with Al Pacino in "Scent of a Woman"). Scott was a tremendous actor.

I know your reason for this post was not to praise the literary work, but to appreciate the lesson that can be taken from the story. I apologize for sort of hijacking your intent, but my comments are sincere for exactly the same reason. Crap, I may need to start reading it again very soon. This world can at times really get you down to the point where you need to reach for a dose of morality and reestablish your faith in humanity.

mseddon

If they were to open the canon of scripture for additions, I would add both A Christmas Carol and Its a Wonderful Life.

ghostsofpompeii

@pwkarch Neither you or @Londy3 hijacked my post but added much more to what I was trying to express. I'm a sucker for those people who sit by the side of the road with a "I will work for food" sign and give them a few bucks even though the possibility exists that he or she will turn around and use the money for drugs or booze. My brain isn't equipped with a bullsh*t sensor so I'll never know for sure if I'm being scammed. But when I see someone reduced to begging on the street I'll always err on the side of charity and wrestle with the notion later that I was being played for a chump. I remember one very hard time in my life when I found myself standing in line for Government cheese and a box of food from a pantry. It was very humbling and humiliating experience and not something I'd voluntarily do as part of a con. So when I see a person on the side of the street carrying one of those signs looking for a little help I remember that time in my life and rather than question his or her motives recall those dark days in my life and act accordingly.     

buflosab

The Gathering with Ed Anser is a great Xmas movie,however it is about reconciliation and trying to right wrongs.can be watched any time of the year.

Woodsman

Kindness and compassion  are good qualities we all should strive for.

motie2

Gandalf -- “Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay."