Possibly the only thing Scrooge dislikes more than Christmas is the poor. When charity workers approach him asking for a donation, he asks, "Are there no prisons? No workhouses?" and indicates that those who are badly off belong in these institutions. Although Ebenezer Scrooge has a change of heart which forms the pinnacle of the story's plot, his callous, close-minded and unsympathetic view of poverty is still widely prevalent today. I know good people, and indeed Christians, who show no love for the impoverished. I remain convinced that it is largely due to the rhetoric whipped up by the rich and powerful 1%, aimed at pitting the middle class against the poor. Instead of questioning the inequities that exist in the wealth disparity gap, we pick on the poor who are just trying to get by. If only we could all have the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet To Come visit us in our sleep, then perhaps there would be more empathy and love for those living in more difficult situations than ourselves.
A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite stories and I get excited to revisit it this time of year. No matter how many times I witness Scrooge's transformation, I always get choked up. It's a beautiful thing to witness human beings pouring out love for one another, particularly in serving those who really need it. I think we can all learn from this story. In case the pervading good news from Jesus' life and teachings isn't enough to convince us to put the outcasted and disenfranchised first and love one another, Scrooge is always there to reinforce this message.
Happy holidays,
Sean Patrick Coady
Associate Director