Bah Humbug: Four Lessons we can learn from A Christmas Carol

Bah Humbug : Four lessons we can learn from A Christmas Carol 

By this point, we’ve all watched or heard the Christmas Carol story many times so I won’t belabor the points.  I will admit, out of all the various renditions, my favorite version is the Muppets Christmas Carol. Maybe it’s the fun, child-like humor, the magical songs, or maybe it’s just the sweet capturing of the Christmas spirit.  I recently snuggled up for my yearly viewing and found that the lessons of this classic story still apply today.  Here are four life lessons we can learn from A Christmas Carol’s Ebenezer Scrooge.   

1.) Don’t put off life waiting for more. 

During the ghost of Christmas past’s visit, we see that young Scrooge’s fiance, Belle, is recounting how they’ve put their wedding off for yet another year due to Scrooge’s insistence that he needs more before they can exchange vows.  Ultimately, Belle realizes that for Scrooge, she is not enough and leaves him.  His desire to accumulate things trumps his ability to share his already good life with Belle. It’s easy to think Scrooge is an extreme person but I find that it’s easy to do the same thing: put off joy because we could always have more.  More is not the goal and the desire robs us of the joy of now. 

2.) Don’t be stingy 

I know this one is pretty obvious but it’s worth exploring. At the top of the story, we see two gentlemen from the homeless shelter calling to ask for a donation.  Scrooge harshly turns them away saying that the poor “should go ahead and die...and decrease the surplus population.”  I’m sure you don’t think that way but it can be easier to let an opportunity of generosity pass us by than we realize.  Sometimes those opportunities are an organization openly asking for money or it can be as little as buying someone a much-needed cup of coffee.  Scrooge was so convinced that he could not part with his money but we know where our financial blessings come from. Use your money and time wisely but be generous nonetheless. 

3.) Enjoy your friends and family now  

Towards the end of the story, we see the ghost of Christmas yet to come showing Scrooge the ominous future that awaits him and his town should he not change his ways.  We peek inside a frosty window into the home of Bob Cratchet (Kermit the Frog in the Muppets version) and see the family sitting down to a meager Christmas meal.  Unfortunately, there is a crutch in place of Tiny Tim who has passed away.   As the small family eats, the children begin to cry.  Bob comforts them and says “It’s alright children. Life is made up of meetings and partings. That is the way of it.”  

Christmas is a wonderful season that reminds us to spend time enjoying our loved ones.  You never know what tomorrow will bring so enjoy your friends and family today.  

4.) Invest in people

We also see right before Scrooge’s great turnaround his impending funeral, attended by people only to mock and guess at where his large fortune would end up now that he’s dead.  Not a kind word was spoken, only snide comments.  At the end of our lives, people will not really remember us for the things we had or the money we stored up but how we invested in others and God’s kingdom.  

At the end of the story, we see Ebenezer Scrooge generously giving to the charity he gruffly turned away, buying a Christmas feast for the Cratchit family, and merrily singing and dancing with the joyful townspeople.  Everything is right in the world and Scrooge has turned his life into a happy one that will be remembered for his kindness and generosity.  

I hope that we learn these lessons and that we also remember the true reason for the season: Jesus.  

Merry Christmas, church family and as Tiny Tim would say, “God bless us, every one.” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6oZ8rEnO_w 

Make Rock Springs YOUR home for Christmas 2020 and join us for our Christmas Eve services at 1, 3, and 5 PM at our Milner campus and 3 PM at both our Branch and Macon campuses.  As always, we will be live streaming our services as well. 

Creative Ways to Help Your Neighbor

Alongside every crisis comes heroes who are dedicated to bridging the gap and meeting their neighbors needs.  Over the past few weeks, our members have been searching for creative ways to lend a helping hand to fellow church members and their individual communities.   

Here are seven easy ways to make a difference:

1.) Prepare and deliver a meal

Nothing says ‘love’ quiet like a fresh cooked meal, especially one that’s delivered straight to your doorstep.  If you have a penchant for cooking, (and even if you don’t!) now’s the time to share the love. You can make a large pot of soup or a lasagna and take it to a family in need.  You could even order food from a local restaurant and have it delivered if take-out is more your style.    

Even though we’re all keeping our distance, you can leave it on their doorstep or back porch for them to enjoy later.  

2.) Send a virtual gift card 

Who couldn’t use another pack of toilet paper?!  By sending even a $5 online gift card, this allows people to shop for their most used items.  This way, they get exactly what they need without having to make a trip to the store. 

3.) Write letters 

If you’re an avid letter writer, congrats!  Now’s your time to shine. If not, all this extra time is perfect to practice your penmanship.  Everyone loves getting handwritten letters that provide hope and encouragement. In any crisis, the postal service will be the last service to stop so you’re safe to continue sending snail mail.  If you don’t have colorful cards, you can always have your kids color folded pieces of paper for instant (not to mention free) art!

4.) Put together a basket!

This doesn’t have to be Edible Arrangements level but it can be meaningful.  If you know your neighbor likes a certain type of granola bar or hand soap, you can make a basket with all their favorite goodies.  

5.) Pick up groceries

For those neighbors who are higher risk or who can’t make it to the grocery store or pharmacy, offer to pick up essentials, prescriptions, or food and drop it back at their homes.  You can also reach out to nursing homes and volunteer to make a run for several residents or health care providers.  

6.) Remember Healthcare providers 

It’s easy to forget those on the front lines but let’s not forget that our healthcare professionals work tirelessly every day.  You can make them a meal, deliver groceries, prepare a basket full of goodies and pick-me-ups and deliver to their homes or places of work.  

7.) Involve your kids 

With many kids back at home for the remainder of the school year, now is a great time to involve them in meaningful projects.  With any of these activities, enlist your children to help cook, prepare, write, or make and deliver treats to those who need it.  

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