If you read the original story, you'll notice that the wonderful "Christmas Spirit" the characters enjoyed had nothing to do with lavish decorations, presents under the tree, fashion, or materialism. Not at all.
The true Christmas Spirit that Dickens portrayed was social interaction. No, not online networking. It was about family and friends taking time to spend time together. What a concept. Imagine that. Scrooge discovered (in the end) that it was a time for making new friends who would travel with you throughout the New Year.
In his tale, people enjoyed being in each other's company. They played together, laughed together, talked about each other's lives. They cheered each other up, encouraged each other, and helped each other to survive. In other words, they loved each other. It was wonderful.
The love for others warmed their hearts even in the dead of winter when coal had to be used judiciously so that the inside of the buildings weren't much warmer than the outside. But, when they had each other, they were able to glory in the beauty of winter. They found fun in their winter wonderland. They slid on the ice as though it was the most thrilling experience ever.
Christmas wasn't about who got the best gift. It wasn't about whose house had the prettiest lights. It wasn't about shopping, selfies, food shots, or diving into debt for the next two years.
Christmas (according to this story) was a time for "making some slight provision for the poor". Please, open your eyes, Mr. Scrooge. "Some would rather die than go to the workhouse."
What does Christmas mean to you? Doe it make you sad?
I believe it was in "A Christmas Carol" that "Christmas Cheer" was first introduced. Most of the characters in the book seemed to have it in bucketfuls. They wore beaming smiles and shook hands with others enthusiastically. They seemed to walk on clouds, whistling as they went. Except, of course, for poor old, miserable old, grouchy old Scrooge. He spread misery wherever he went.
As the saying goes, "Some people spread joy wherever they go. Others whenever they go."
It doesn't have to be Christmas for you to be full of joy. It doesn't have to be only on Christmas Day after you've opened all your presents that you experience Christmas Cheer. You can have it now and forever.
You can have it now and forever and ever and ever and ever. The true Christmas joy is the very first syllable in the word: Christmas. That's right. You've got it. It's Christ. Christ gives you joy unspeakable and full of glory so that you can spread joy wherever you go every day of the year.
