Every night I put Natalie to bed I either read her a story or tell her a story. For the past week she has wanted a Christmas story each night. We have already done Rudolph, Santa, Frosty, the Grinch, and a bunch of made up stories about elves and stuff. I am quickly running out of material. Tonight I told her the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. As I was telling it I couldn't help but ponder on the story myself. I even got a little choked up in the end.
I have read a lot of books, seen a lot of movies, and heard many more. I am not sure if there is a better story than A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. My dad would argue and say perhaps A Tale of Two Cities (also Dickens--his favorite story). This tale is such a marvelous story for so many reasons. In my opinion I would say perhaps CS Lewis and his Lion the Witch and Wardrobe or The Last Battle would rival this story.
Is there a better tale than that of an old man-a scrooge if you will, who has become so cold and selfish that he is unfeeling--who then is visited by three ghosts who let him see the past, present, and future and this makes him change. Here is someone who is horrible to be around, downright mean and heartless who gets a glimpse of life from snother perspective and then changes. And not just a little change mind you, I mean a full on change. There is nothing better than in the Albert Finney version when he takes the gifts to the Cratchet's and is dressed like Santa and the family is trying to figure out who he is so he pulls down his beard and the mother nearly passes out from shock. Truly one of the great storys, and there is nothing better than the 1970 Albert Finney version. The dancing on the coffin scene is one of the greatest scenes ever. This story is a great reminder to us all that life isn't about bank accounts or wealth accumulation, but who we are and how we treat others.
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