Time to Make a Positive Difference

There are several reasons why this Christmas Season may not be as “Merry” as past holiday seasons. In the recent months societies foundation has been shaken by a series of tragic events. The culmination of man-made travesties, natural disasters, and financial crisis may cause one to wonder if civilization is in a state of decline. Pondering whether or not humanity is “salvageable” may beg the second question of whether people can actually change to make a positive difference.

Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” is a wonderful novel to help answer these questions during this holiday season. The two major themes that relate to “New Stories/Old Book” revolve around Scrooges own transformation and the need for mankind to be generous and kind to one another.

Now, more than ever, people need to see conscious, charitable, and caring deeds instead of greedy, insensitive, and self-serving actions. “A Christmas Carol” tells the story of Scrooges development as a shy, adventurous, and good soul into a stingy, bitter, and apathetic old man. Through his old partner Jacob Marley and the three ghosts, Scrooge is shown how even though he may be financially rich, he is in reality morally poor. Another message that is conveyed at the end of the novel is that no matter how old one is, they can still change. And why is it important for old Scrooge to change…for one simple reason

“For what is a man advantaged, ifhe gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Luke 9:25)

Scrooge’s fear of poverty caused him to care only for money and disregard everything else in life. The cautionary tale is that too many “Scrooges” can have a negative impact on mankind. From Scrooges harsh observation of “If they would rather die, . . . they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population” to Marley’s declaration “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!” the message is clear – societal welfare is everyone’s business.

So, while this Christmas season has been marred by tragedy, try and remember, it is never too late to change and society is depending on us all to keep striving to be charitable, giving, and compassionate people.

Merry Christmas!

“God bless us all, everyone!”