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The redemptive quality of a christmas carol

 

I dare say most of us feel overly familiar with Charles Dickens' little story A Christmas Carol. After Scrooge encounters Marley's face on his doorknocker, it seems a long interim until the Phantom, the last of the spirits, comes "like a mist along the ground" toward Scrooge, ushering in the climax of the story when he sees his own name on the neglected grave of that "wretched man" of whom everyone had spoken. But something moves me to continue reading it or to watch one of the almost ubiquitous movie variations. It is one of the most faithfully rendered stories ever transformed into film; and there really isn't a reason why it should not be, given the simplicity of the narrative. 

 

At its heart A Christmas Carol is, of course, a story of redemption. One night a man goes to his dark, cold bed--symbolic of a tomb. He arises following three visitations--as though after three days in his grave--and stands in the bright light of morning, as the light of Christ's resurrection shone across that garden when Mary Magdelene encountered Jesus.

 

Know ye not, that so many of us were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.

Romans 6:3-5

 

Ebenezer Scrooge was more than visited that fateful night: he effectually was put to bed by the Divine Hand to be buried beneath graveclothes. He was put to sleep in the darkness of his soul-death so that he could be raised to life through the glory light of the Father.

 

We are often tempted to qualify the redemptive transformation in those near to us, telling ourselves time will tell whether the change was real. But somehow Scrooge's alteration is always real. For as short and simple is his story--usually not nearly enough words to create a narrative progression of believable change--his awakening from darkness to light is (to me) always sincere and forever long-term. But then, Paul was not finished at verse five--

 

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Romans 6:6-7

 

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Romans 6:18

 

We saw for ourselves how Scrooge went down into his grave. We saw for ourselves how he encountered the Spirit of Christ once there--first in the childlike one (Luke 9:48); then in the large, generous one who invites us to speak with Him freely (Rev. 3:20 & 22:17); and finally in the one who requires us to look upon our just end (John 8:21). To those disposed to be saved, the Phantom is as much a servant of our transformation as he is the Reaper with his scythe. Wonder if Scrooge had truly become a new man? How can any soul help being changed, for good or for hardened-heart worse, when it finds itself before the Gate between Heaven and hell? 

 

 

 

And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in My name receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me receiveth Him that sent Me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

Luke 9:48

 

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:20

 

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:17

 

Then said Jesus again unto them, I go My way, and ye shall seek Me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

John 8:21

 

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 10:7