Have You Ever Met A Scrooge?

We may have understandable reasons to have a scrooge attitude this holiday, but to embrace that mindset we must ignore the reason Jesus came to save us. Karlton shares.

“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again'” (John 3:3).

I love Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” It is a story of transformation, redemption, of being reborn with the Christmas Spirit.

When I was a boy my grandmother had a good friend that we frequently visited. While she was an “angel”–one of the nicest people I ever met–her husband was unkind, grouchy, and one of the most unfriendly people I had come across in my boyhood.

Not too many years later my grandmother’s dear friend died. That sweet lady was mourned, a great loss to all who knew her. We figured no one would ever go around that house again since the only occupant was a grouchy, unfriendly old man.

Yet to our surprise, like Scrooge on Christmas morning, one day while walking by the house of the grouchy man, I found him sitting on the front porch, smiling. He greeted me, talked about the weather in a friendly manner, leaving me in complete shock. Each time I walked by his house afterward he greeted me in just the same kind, friendly manner.

He was transformed, being kind to everyone who passed by his house.

It is easy for us to become bitter, frustrated, angered by the continual challenges life throws at us. We may have good reason to be grouchy and unfriendly because of all that we have been through. Yet though it takes an effort, how we relate to the world and those around us bears witness to who we are and whose we are as Children of God.

There is a time for tears and mourning, and perhaps we all have the right to a grouchy, unfriendly day. Yet despite how we may feel, as Christians we have the light of Christ within us, and we need to let it shine, not just at Christmas, but throughout our life.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we can find many reasons to be upset, angry, and grouchy about our condition, but help us to let Your light shine through in kindness and friendliness toward those around us. Amen.

Do you find that keeping the Spirit of Christ is difficult in your affliction? Consider how you want others to think of you, and to remember you when your time here is over.

About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He does not want to be remembered as a grouchy old man yelling at the kids to get off of his lawn.

If you have had a hard time putting the scrooge side of your thoughts aside, take a moment to be inspired by this Flash Mob that makes holiday shoppers stop and recall the real reason for the season. -Lisa