C A R L B. G A R N E R

SCROOGE!

The Charles Dickens story, A Christmas Carol, has been a classic for many years, and many movies and plays have come from that original material. Other spinoffs have taken the original thought and used it for modern applications. Many a child has cringed at the crass materialism of Ebenezer Scrooge, and also grieved at the plight of Bob Cratchet and his crippled son, Tiny Tim.

The character of Ebenezer Scrooge is the personification of all who are stingy, insensitive, selfish and cruel. Seldom does one have to explain what is meant by calling someone ³Scrooge,² and equally seldom does anyone appreciate being referred to in that way.

Recent years have seen legal wars rage between those who want public places kept free from religious or semi-religious symbols. ³Keep the courthouse out of the religion business² is the cry of one segment of this argument, while the other side characterizes all phases of Christmas to be ³traditional, a part of our heritage, but not necessarily a religious celebration.² In my opinion there is merit to both arguments, but neither solves the problem to the satisfaction of all. In fact, if you oppose anything the public has ³decided² is good, the term ³Scrooge² is likely to be attached to you, deserved or not.

This time of the year is a very pleasant one to me. People are thinking of others instead of just themselves. Many are looking for ways to help those who are less fortunate than they. Families are communicating with each other in ways that are not common during the rest of the year. Smiles are more likely to be seen than frowns. The beauty and joy of giving is being discovered by children. Memories of our childhood, parents, brothers and sisters are refreshed. Some are learning for the first time what Jesus meant when He said, ³It is more blessed to give than to receive,² Acts 20:35. Friends get together, write letters, review old memories even though separated by many miles. We are even hearing the name ³Jesus² used in sentences without the common profanities of the day. There is some good in all of these, and they can create an atmosphere that is positive and uplifting for our self, our neighbors and our culture.

There are some things about this season that are not so positive. This is the time of year in which loneliness is most keenly felt. The animosity entrenched within some families is even more apparent. The incidence of suicide is more pronounced at this time of the year. Some charge that for merchants this is merely a ³profit-making² experience, or the so-called ³Green Christmas² phenomenon. Sadly, drunkenness is as characteristic of this time of the year as is giving and family. (The idea of giving a bottle of whiskey in the name of Jesus is amazingly absurd.) Family squabbles arise more frequently. Yes, there are some negatives about this pleasant time of the year.

There is another matter that needs to be discussed concerning this time of the year. The world is confused by those who claim that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus¹ birth. It¹s common knowledge that the origin of this ³Christ-mass² is in the pagan rites of Mithraism, which celebrates the birth of the sun. Other facets of the origin of Christmas are rooted in traditions of Catholicism more than in the Bible. Even a casual reading of the Bible reveals that there is not even the tiniest bit of information that would lead anyone to ³celebrate the birthday of Jesus.²

Now I know these words may cause some to level the charge that I am a ³Scrooge,² but we can be generous, kind, friendly and grateful without participating in a religious practice for which there is no Bible authority. In fact, kindness, gratitude, etc., are the very qualities that should personify every Christian. Not just in December, but every day of every month of every year! It has always puzzled me that our religious neighbors feel free to deny the virgin birth of Jesus (which scripture clearly supports, see Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-35), yet insist on observing Jesus¹ birthday, for which there is no scriptural foundation at all. If I am a ³Scrooge² for pointing out that truth, then so be it. But I can still exchange gifts with family and friends. I can still decorate my house, not with manger scenes or ³Jesus is The Reason for The Season² signs, but with traditional, seasonal ornaments. I can still put lights on a tree (there is absolutely no paganism involved in having a Christmas tree). I can send cards wishing others a Happy Holiday without endorsing religious error. I can teach my children what the Bible says about Jesus¹ birth at any time of the year. I can and should teach my children and my grandchildren the joy of giving in June as well as in December. In fact, there is nothing for which true Christianity should be embarrassed. I¹m glad Jesus was born, but I¹m even more glad He died for my sins and yours. Scrooge? You know better than that. I¹ve probably been called much worse, and I may act like Scrooge sometimes, but respecting the authority of God does not make me a Scrooge. It puts me in pretty good company. Like Jesus, Moses, Paul, Peter, David, Luke, James and John.

By the way, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.