One of my favourite Christmas movies is ‘The Christmas Carol,’ inspired by a novella written by Charles Dickens. The story revolves around Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser, who dislikes Christmas. Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his business partner, who tells Scrooge to give up his mean ways, to avoid the agony of the afterlife. Scrooge is also visited by the three spirts of the ghost of Christmas past, present, and yet to come. After these apparitions, Scrooge becomes a converted man.

This story is remarkable and relates to the conversion of most people. The story highlights the essence of conversion, a pivotal moment in life, which brings about conversion; a grace given to live differently. This story also connects with scriptures, the story of the rich man and Lazarus, in Luke 16:19-31.

There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.” But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”

I find the story of ‘The Christmas Carol’ very convincing. It helps us to examine ourselves, repent, and convert. It highlights the spirit of Christmas, which is our conversion. “There are two births of Christ, one unto the world in Bethlehem; the other in the soul, when it is spiritually reborn. Men think of the former much more than the later, and celebrate it every year; but the spiritual Bethlehem is equally momentous. . . . It was the second birth that Saint Paul insisted on when he wrote from prison to his beloved people, the Ephesians, asking that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith and that they be rooted and grounded in love. This is the second Bethlehem, or the personal relationship of the individual heart to the Lord Christ.” – Ven. Fulton Sheen

Christ is our Saviour, who was born on Christmas day, and He died for us so we may have everlasting life. Christmas is grace given to us to live differently, to make a difference, to be like Christ, a light that shines in the darkness. “It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta

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