Christmas Bah Hum Bug

Many years ago I established a Christmas Eve tradition of watching the classic 1951 version of A Christmas Carol or Scrooge. While other versions are truer to Dickens’ novel, the 1951 version captures its spirit perfectly. It being in black and white only adds to it and takes me back to the early 19^th century. Alastair Sim portrays the character of Scrooge beautifully. The supporting cast is also great making the whole flow like a beautiful symphony.

                  In recent years, however, I’ve come to appreciate the unreformed side of Scrooge. I tend to agree with Scrooge’s response to Bob Cratchit’s comment that taking the day off with pay, “Tis only once a year sir.” To which Scrooge replied, “That’s a poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every 25^th of December.”

                  Don’t get me wrong. I agree with giving the day off and paying for it on statutory holidays and for death or illness. And I agree with giving gifts and being kind to strangers. What I say Bah Hum Bug to is the idea that we MUST give gifts on or around the 25^th of December.

                  Too many people become obsessed with gift giving and go into debt for it. Too many people buy, what amounts to glorified junk. Santa Claus was created to promote gift giving. Yes I admit to being caught up in it. When I come downstairs on Christmas Day I half expect/hope to see presents under the tree (Yes I do decorate – it’s fun.) instead of decorative empty boxes.

Then there’s the wrapping of gifts in paper to put them under a Christmas Tree waiting for the “big day”. Once the paper is unwrapped it is too frequently thrown away, a symbol of our throw-away society, which throws not only things away, but plants, animals and people.

                  Speaking of people, how many children and adults end up feeling sad because they either did not receive a gift or were unable to give gifts? For too many people, who spend it alone, not by choice, Christmas is a sad time as instead of it being a time filled with friends and family, it is a time to reflect on how poor and lonely they are.

                  Are people any less lonelier or any less needier on the other days of the year besides Christmas and Thanksgiving? Is anyone any less happy or excited to receive a gift at any other time of the year? I know I’m not. As the Ghost Of Christmas Present said, “Mortal, we spirits of Christmas do not live only one day of our year. We live the whole 365.”

                  So let us resolve to celebrate the whole year and to give gifts, whether it be of things or life (Among my very favorite gifts I’ve received over the years have been my four cats.) or time or a service or a hug, to family, friends and those in need throughout the year. As I’ve discovered, it is truly more uplifting to give than to receive.