We recently took our daughter to see A Muppet Christmas Carol at The Belcourt. It is a personal favorite, and a lot of folks highlight that it is one of the most faithful adaptations of the Charles Dickens original text. The redemption story of Ebenezer Scrooge from a cold, tight-fisted miser to the most generous host is built into the fabric of the holiday season.
There is a line in the movie spoken by Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, which takes a bit of creative license as it does not appear in the original text and is often misattributed to Dickens:
Life is made up of meetings and partings; that is the way of it. I am sure that we shall never forget Tiny Tim, or this first parting that there was among us.
It is said as a reminder to those assembled that we're only around for a little while, and to cherish both the memories as well as the opportunities to make the world a little brighter. In that scene, Scrooge shares in their loss in a way he was seemingly incapable of before that evening's events.
The true meaning of Christmas: Haunting the wealthy until they discover altruism.
Samantha lost her dad to pancreatic cancer last month. This has been hard on both her and our daughter, who at five and a half has a solid grasp of the finality of death, but still has a lot of questions. This is one of those first partings we will never forget.
Illustrator Everett Patterson has a piece from 2014 with subtle and not-so-subtle references to the Christmas story through a modern lens. In addition to the various amusing easter eggs in it, it has a central message of hope in spite of the odds, symbolized by the small glowing plant that spouts through a crack in the sidewalk.
There is a lot of darkness in the world, and far too many Scrooges that are regrettably yet to be haunted. Our selfish and consumer-driven society makes despair and cynicism the default. Still, we can choose to find joy in the season and extend love to our family, friends, and everyone we meet -- with grateful prayer and a thankful heart.
From our home to yours, Merry Christmas!