Are You Aware? A Christmas Carol

This is part I in our “Echoes” Awareness Wednesday series.

“A Christmas Carol,” written by Charles Dickens, is a story of how our past shapes our present, and how past and present affect our future — both because of circumstances beyond our control and those of our own making. The story illustrates how the events and choices of one’s life send ripples throughout. Maturity can help us shake off our pasts to some degree, but sometimes — because of force of habit and personal equilibrium — we have a hard time changing. But perhaps most importantly, the ripples we make in the world can have negative or positive effects in the lives of others in our communities.

At the time “A Christmas Carol” was written, England was just emerging from the Industrial Revolution. Foremost in Dickens’ mind, and heightened by his own childhood experiences, was the problem of childhood poverty. The movement of the population to cities also led to a religious revival, of sorts, as new and different traditions were being adopted in the country.

In the story, Ebenezer Scrooge — a miserly man — is shown the past, the present, and the future by three spirits. In the past he is confronted with his lonely childhood at a boarding school, where he is left behind in a cold room for Christmas until his dear sister Fan comes to bring him home. We learn that Fan has since died. Scrooge is shown his beloved, who broke off their engagement because he would never love her as much as he loved money. She is now married and has a daughter. Scrooge sees the scene of the family and is bereaved of the family he has denied himself.

Alongside the sorrowful scenes, he is treated to the memory of a joyous night of Christmas dancing at a party hosted by his former employer, Fezziwig. Fezziwig, too, has died.

The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge happy people shopping for Christmas. He sees the Christmas party of Fan’s son, Fred. Scrooge, although he had been invited, refused to go. He witnesses the party guests singing, playing games, and laughing. Scrooge also overhears how they speak of him, and pity him, in his refusal to spend time with them.

Scrooge is also shown the family of his clerk, Bob Cratchit, whose meager home is made warmer by the bright spirit of his youngest child, Tiny Tim. Scrooge sees the small goose and pot of potatoes cooking for their supper. He hears the laughter of the children and develops affection for the family. He wonders about Tiny Tim’s health — he walks with a crutch — and is told Tim will die unless the future is changed.

Scrooge is then shown the future by the final ghost. He sees the funeral of a miserly man who has no one to mourn him. Those who show up are only willing to attend the service because lunch will be served afterward. Scrooge, who wants to see someone who is moved by the death of this man, is shown a young couple who rejoice that the death may provide them more time to pay off their debts.

Scrooge asks to be shown a scene of a death met with tenderness and is taken to the Cratchit home. Tiny Tim has died. He sees the grief of the family mourning their littlest child. The family vows to never forget Tim.

Scrooge is then shown an unkempt and uncared for grave. Scrooge, realizing what his future and legacy hold, is moved to change. Upon his awakening, he realizes he has not yet missed Christmas. He donates to a charity, he sends the butcher’s prize turkey to the Cratchit family, and he attends Fred’s party.

In the end, Dickens writes, “. . . and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. 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.”

Scrooge was shaped by the circumstances of his childhood and youth. The negative effects reached into his associations as well. His relationship with his nephew, Fred, was colored by his grief over his sister’s death and the neglect he felt from his father. His stinginess weighed heavy on the Cratchit family. His penury denied him the love of family. He also saw that when he died, his memory would not be cherished.

This may be a fictional story that is retold in the Christmas season, but it illustrates some profound, real-to-life scenarios that continue to be applicable and poignant today.

What do the lives of our neighbors and children in our communities look like? How will their lives affect their personalities, priorities, and outcomes? And what can we do on an individual level to help build healthy communities?

Recently, I read some articles about ACE interviews. These are interviews that are designed to detect adverse childhood experiences. The CDC’s principal deputy director, Dr. Anne Schuchat, states that “Preventing ACEs can help children and adults thrive and has the potential to substantially lower the risk for conditions like asthma, cancer, depressive disorder and diabetes.”

She also said, “ACEs also negatively affect life opportunities, like completing high school or future employment,” but positive childhood experiences and relationships are known to buffer against the stress of trauma and strengthen resilience. “It might be a parent, it might be a teacher, it might be a neighbor, but having a stable, reliable person in your life can help you at that individual level with resilience.”

ACEs are traumatic events that happen between birth and age 17. They include experiences of violence, abuse, or neglect; witnessing violence in the home; and having a family member attempt or die by suicide, or be arrested or imprisoned. Many of our lives have been affected by one or more of these things, whether personally or as an observer, but it is the accumulation of these traumatic experiences that make the difference.

Is there anything to be done to disrupt the cyclical chain reactions created by these traumatic events? Perhaps a neighbor is in a volatile relationship and you are not sure how to help the family. You can offer a refuge for their children. Being a constant and reliable resource of comfort and nurture can help mitigate the effects of the violence in the home on the children.

If a child in your community is neglected in some way, you can help by offering hand-me-downs or other clothing to the child as a special present. You might make a standing invitation to that child for Saturday lunches (with an extra snack to take home), which provides not only nutritional support to the child but a feeling of nurturing for an afternoon.

A parent’s incarceration or death is a serious trauma that may require the assistance of a professional. Because these types of traumas can happen to any child, and have long-lasting effects, it is important that health insurance be readily available, and affordable, and cover therapy costs for families and children. Mentoring and community programs can help fill some of the gaps, but friends, neighbors, and extended family can help as well. Consistent positive relationships with others can make all the difference.

Even Scrooge was able to become a force for good to others in his community. He became a second father to Tiny Tim. He became a true friend. He became a good employer. He became “as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.”

Hopefully it will not take a shock like seeing three ghosts to encourage us to create positive ripples in the lives of others, particularly children.

Christmas time is a season of giving. As we reflect on the good season we should give thanks to the Lord by finding ways to care for all of his children.

“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48).

During the month of December we will be hearing different voices speaking about the past, the present, and our futures. We will be writing about how our pasts shape our health and emotional well-being and how the past, even from generations before, can color our worldview. We will write about how our present can shape the future, and how we can resolve for the coming year to change the future for our families and communities.

Photo by Mads Schmidt Rasmussen on Unsplash.