Christmas Past

Matthew 1:21

Introduction: A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech. A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.

Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol during a period when the British were exploring and re-evaluating past Christmas traditions, including carols, and newer customs such as Christmas cards and Christmas trees. He was influenced by the experiences of his own youth and by the Christmas stories of other authors

After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.

For the next three weeks I want to use this Novela or Novel and make some practical applications as it relates to us today. Our spiritual standing, understanding and pursuits.

Transition: Stave Two – Christmas Past

Context – Happy, cheerful!

‘I was a boy here.’

• He tears up and tries to act like it wasn’t really a tear.
• He sees his school.

Context: The Ghost of Christmas Past appears modeled like a candle to symbolize the light that people shine on their past, in order to know themselves better. In this version, the ghost has a light Irish accent. He takes Scrooge on a journey throughout his past in order to show Scrooge how he became the miserly moneylender he is. During this journey, Scrooge discovered the following things:

• His father neglected him as a child.
• His kind sister Fan brought him back home from boarding school only to die giving birth to Fred.
• Fezziwig was a kind Christmas loving boss to him.
• Scrooge started a successful business in money-lending and finances.
• He first met Belle during Fezziwig’s Christmas party.
• He then broke up with Belle by the time Scrooge started his obsession with finances.

After which, Scrooge wants to leave but the ghost uses then his face to show all the people the old man knew in his kindness.

Scared, Scrooge quickly extinguishes the ghost with his own extinguisher. However, Scrooge is then shot up into the sky, toward the moon, and falls about 50,000 feet toward the ground back to his house.

Application: Want to look at it as a faith that was challenged and then spoiled.

Revelation 2:1-4,”To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,`These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: ² “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; ³ “and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. ⁴ “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Mark 4:19 ‘and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful’.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (NKJ)

Question: How to get our ‘fresh’ back?

1. Confession and Repentace
2. Diet & Exercise – Word and disciplines.
3. Honest assessment of Kryptonite(s).
4. Fellowship and Accountability.

Conclusion: When we think back (to our Christmas past) do we remember or have a thought about how, when and how come days in the past may have been better times.

We need to turn back to God.

• Be intentional.
• Work through disappointments.
• Move on in hopes of restoration/renewal.