A Christmas Carol: Finding the Spirit Any Time of Year

"Scrooge was better than his word. ... He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old City knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough in the good old world.nn ... And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!"nn~ Charles Dickens Each year at Christmastime, my husband Jim and I watch the film, A Christmas Carol, with Alastair Sim as Scrooge. We love it so much that a few years ago we bought our own copy. My favorite scene bar none (and there are some GREAT scenes in this movie) is the one where Scrooge has awakened from the nightmare of the three spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and is so happy to be alive and capable of doing good in the world that he can barely contain himself. He runs to the window and calls to a small boy walking below. Scrooge asks the boy to go to the nearby butcher, buy the biggest turkey, and take it to his clerk, Bob Cratchit, and his family. The young boy responds with, "Wha' - the one as big as me?" and Scrooge, with a heart about to burst, laughs out loud with joy and gratitude, for the boy, for his new life, and for his good fortune to be able to make a positive difference in another's life. He says more to himself than to the world: "Ah, delightful boy! Enchanting boy!" and sends the youth off on his errand of goodwill. It's all I can do to remember that scene without weeping. Scrooge's transformation is miraculous and instantaneous. "Wake up!" the movie says. Extend joy and find it. Gain true wealth by giving it away. Light, laughter, peace and goodwill are right in front of us. Any moment may be a moment of transformation. We don't even need to look very far. The Spirit of Christmas is present throughout the year. We need only look. Let your heart laugh, choose happiness, and make this moment a present moment. n