The most haunting moments of Christmas carols and the most inspirational

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Around the world, dictators seem to be regaining their strength and courage. in the united states A political coalition—one that includes the people my colleague Adam Server memorably wrote about. “Cruelty is the issue” is returning to power. It has been a difficult year for those who believe in liberal democracy. But during the Christmas season Let me give you a small example of how faith can restore goodness and justice—and how we can learn something from Charles Dickens and one of his most famous works. christmas songs–

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You don’t have to be a Christian to be comforted. christmas songs– Because it’s not really a story about Christianity. It’s a story about one man’s bitterness, his regret, and his repentance. More broadly, it’s about the joy that anyone can find by deciding to be a better person in a world that can sometimes feel cold. Numb and overwhelmed

The main character of the story is Ebenezer Scrooge, a legendary character from Dickens. A despicable miser who delights in mockingly hating humans. (Many great actors have played Scrooge in various adaptations. (But I especially respect George C. Scott in the 1984 TV movie.) Scrooge is a moss-filled cistern of cold, sour inhumanity. His stinginess was not just about hoarding wealth for himself. It’s about the petty revenge he admits for refusing money to others. Once two men came to his office asking for donations to alleviate the suffering of the poor. One of them tells Scrooge that poor people would rather die than go to sanatoriums and other nightmarish institutions to which they are sent. Scrooge responds with calm and disdain: “If they’re willing to die,” he says, “they’d better do it that way. and reduce the surplus population.”

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I don’t want to compare it too much to our current politics. But when political leaders are talking about creating mass concentration camp in America, and voters—even those who are. One time Undocumented immigrants – approve of the idea despite its dangers to them. own familyThis kind of Victorian evil feels uncomfortably relevant.

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Back to Scrooge: And what about the man who doesn’t want his money? What about happy souls who just live life and soak up the joy of the season? He hates them too, when Scrooge’s grandson Fred. A nice and gentle young man Ask Uncle Scrooge why he is so sad about Christmas. ridicule–

“If I could do my will,” said Scrooge indignantly. “Every fool who says ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips It should be boiled with its own pudding. And buried with a holly stake through his heart, he should!”

Surely Scrooge would soon see the error of his ways. He will realize that despite receiving wealth and privilege, But he is angry and unhappy because of self-loathing, which is mostly the result of his own choices. He would eventually ask for forgiveness. Every year I cry when Scott plays Scrooge in the 1984 film. Cleaning wipes Snow from unloved rocks in a barren cemetery saw his own name And pleading with the specter of Christmas yet to come for a chance to change.

The real hero of christmas songs– However, it’s not Scrooge, but his long-dead business partner, Jacob Marley, whose appearance in the story is brief. But it’s important. (After all, He is mentioned in the famous first line: “Marley is dead: to begin with”). Marley in his reclusive life is sarcastic, like Scrooge. Died seven years before the tale begins. When he comes to Scrooge as a terrifying apparition on Christmas Eve. He was bound with restraint chains attached to a ledger and a cash box that was now useless. He laments to Scrooge that he is destined to wander the world among the humans he has so willfully neglected while making money.

Scrooge at first resists believing his own eyes. But he eventually admits that he is talking to a cursed soul. For Marley It’s too late But he hopes to help Scrooge:

“I am here tonight to remind you that you still have a chance and hope to escape my fate. The opportunity and hope of my provision, Ebenezer.”

“You have always been a good friend to me,” said Scrooge.

However, Scrooge didn’t do it. receive It. He was confused by Marley’s curse. Because for him Material success is evidence of a virtuous life. (This is not a Victorian idea. Imagine how many people believe this now?) When Scrooge tried to console the ghost, Marley would have nothing:

“But you have always been a good businessman, Jacob,” hesitated Scrooge, who was now beginning to apply this to himself.

“Business!” The ghost cried out and squeezed his hand again. “Humanity is my business. The public welfare is my business, charity, kindness, tolerance and benevolence. It is all my business. My trade is just a drop in the ocean of my business!”

These last three lines chilled me but also encouraged me.

Scrooge’s repentance comes after years of wasted life. Including nights of trauma and embarrassment. However, the rest of us don’t have to wait. Each of us, every day and in our own small way, can fix that problem right now. Humanity is our business– at Public welfare is our job.– and that Charity, kindness, tolerance, and benevolence. It’s all our business.– No matter what we do to fill our day or put food on the table—and no matter who we vote for.

Americans don’t have much control over what’s going to happen in their national politics. Some of the people who will govern the United States may intend to be conscientious public servants, but others seem to trust that their fellow citizens will take the president-elect’s word for it. “Beast” and “lid– These people will bring division into our public life. Responding in kind, surrendering, or withdrawing completely and believing in nothing. They are all powerful temptations. Giving in to anger or despair is easierOf course, but such feelings are just empty calories that ultimately make people spiritually starved. We may hope that other people will change their minds. But the only sustainable path is to control what’s in our own hearts.

Graveyard scene in the 1984 production of christmas songs Filmed in Shrewsbury, England, the stone marker that Scott’s Scrooge discovered in the snow was left in place, and for 40 years it has been a tourist attraction.

Last month, someone destroyed It smashed into pieces.

As far as I know The culprit might be a local kid who got into trouble messing with beer for the first time. (and since then The stone became repaired), But I find this news disheartening: It seems like the perfect commentary on our modern era of cynicism and greed that someone would leave trash in the place where Scrooge found his redemption. Learning about this vandalism is part of the reason I decided to write about it. christmas songs today. and thinking of Scrooge’s happy repentance. But it reminds me that heeding Marley’s words will serve us all the better. So that we never find ourselves in the snow. Staring at our own graves And I wonder if we still have time left. the right thing

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