Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 95 – The Dickens you say

[Mahler]

Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 95 – The Dickens you say

Good morning, guys.

There has been a lot of discussion in the news and on the forums about this particular and most amazing time of year called Christmas. It is the subject of stories, reports, polls and protests.

Each year at this time, I defer to one of my favorite authors and pull out a copy of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and upon each reading I am surprised to find something new and different. I have about 15 or more copies of the novelette in a variety of formats and select a different copy to enjoy annually. Dickens himself was often a critic of organized religion and religious dogma, but he loved to celebrate Christmas and can, if fact, be cited for reviving many of the traditions that had fallen into decline.

Regardless of the many readings, there are certain passages that, throughout the years, have lodged themselves firmly in my consciousness. I am still slapped in the face each time I read the words of Ebeneezer Scrooge to his nephew, Fred:

“What’s Christmastime to you but a time for paying bills without money? A time for finding yourself a year older and not an hour richer? If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with “Merry Christmas” on his lips should be boiled in his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.”

Fred’s reply, in its gentleness, stands out in sharp relief to the tirade of his unfeeling uncle:
“I have always thought of Christmas as a good time—a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time. The only time I know when men and women seem to open their shut-up hearts freely. And therefore, Uncle, though it has never put a scrap of silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good and will do me good! And I say, God bless it!”

These two extremes are laid out very early in the piece and become the yin and yang that is the crux of the story.

The words of the ghost of Jacob Marley are another eye opener:
“In his lifetime, it is required of every mortal that he walk abroad and help his fellowman. And if he goes not forth in life, his spirit is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through this world—oh woe is me! And witness what it might have shared on earth and turned to happiness. I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link and yard by yard, and of my own free will I wore it.”

If, like Marley, our deeds, our actions could be shown in a visible way, as his chain is, what would they look like?

A minor character utters a phrase that has stuck with me these many years as well. One of two gentlemen who come to Scrooge’s place of business to collect for the poor tells him:
“Christmas is a time when want is keenly felt and abundance rejoices.”

I am reminded by this, each year, to keep in mind, those less fortunate.

One of the most telling moments in the story is when the ghost of Christmas present reveals two children hiding beneath his cloak. This is so disturbing, that it is often left out of film versions of the story. When asked who the children are, the ghost replies:

“They are man’s, but they cling to me because you reject them. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both and all of their degree, but most of all beware
this boy who is Ignorance, for on his brow I see that which is written doom unless the writing be erased.”

This rings so true with me as I have always felt that the road out of poverty is education and that feeding the body must be coupled with developing the mind.

There are so many, but a final quote that I love to read is this:

“For it is good to be like children, and never better than at Christmas.”

Look through the eyes of a child, if you want to enjoy the season.

I wrote this in response to a thread about Christmas, and it summarizes my own thoughts and expectations for this season.

Christmas is a miraculous meld of faith and fantasy; of the sacred and the profane.

Each heart puts into it what it desires and takes from it what it needs.

It can be a time of wonder and awe or of cynicism and loneliness.

It can manifest itself in warmth and giving and sharing with friends and family or with a coldness that rivals the season in which it finds itself.

Believe in Him or not, those who heralded its founder wished for all, peace on earth, good will toward men.

Can I wish for less?

Merry Christmas

= = = = = = = = = =

In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler

[hard_rox]

Thanks for the wonderful post, Mahler. A Merry Christmas to you too.

[FlyinM]

Thank you John for another thought provoking MMMM. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[rem1956]

John,

You have, over the years, given so much to us in the form of MMMM's, as well as your wit, humor, charm and insight. Thank you!

May God Bless You, and your family, and have a safe and happy holiday season.

Merry Christmas.

Ray

[Terry Monk]

Thank you yet again, my friend, for making me stop and think on Monday morning.

You are so well worded, have you ever considered a book of your MMMM's?

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[Ogedei]

John,

Merry Christmas.

Keith.

[Kevin T.]

Thanks Mahler for that awesome post. Merry Christmas

[K-Court]

Thanks, John. Dickens' A Christmas Carol is one of my favourites as well. I have read it many times and even to my children. Its message is both universal and profound. It is funny I'm reading this today, the day my brand new copy of the DVD of Alistair Sims' version of the movie (IMHO, by far the best) arrived in my mail box from amazon. As on so many a past Christmas, my Dad and I will sit in the living room after the presents are opened, and watch it together, and recall what Christmas is really all about.

In the words of Tiny Tim, "God bless us, everyone."

A very merry Christmas to you and Ruth, John. May it be filled with peace and good will. Thanks for all you do here.

Rob

[Mahler]

Rob,
I watched the Alistair Sims "Scrooge" just the other day. It is, indeed, as classic. Richard Addinsell's shocking opening music intertwined with "Hark the Herald" is unique to this version and immediately sets the tone.

I highly recommend, also, the George C. Scott portrayal of Scrooge in the 1984 version directed by Clive Doner.

Mahler

[Mahler]

Mid-week bump.
Seems a little slow this week.
Wonder why?
LOL

Mahler

[K-Court]

I've never seen the Scott version, John. I feel like I'd be two-timing Alistair!