The REAL Lesson of A Christmas Carol

The REAL Lesson of A Christmas Carol
#Shorts #AChristmasCarol #Scrooge #AndrewKlavan #DailyWire

[@richelliott9320]

The past isn’t changed but the future is

[@h0bgobl1n]

I thought Tiny Tim remains alive due to the fact that Scrooge had foreseen the childs death? Didn't this result in Ebenezer changing his attitude towards his wealth and cause him to pay his; up till then impoverished employee a better salary as Scrooge realises it hadn't been sufficient to feed Cratchits children, and resulted in the ill health of tim who was likely suffering from rickets resulting from malnutrition?

[@dbrjejdk3847]

Yes. You can change the future but not the past.

[@deleinedean7088]

Plus he now has a relationship with his nephew.

[@wallychampen1695]

You're right 👍

[@CM-wj2ow]

He also gave his maid a substantial raise that could only have changed the course of her life as well.

[@minhajnizam5090]

He helps Bob Cratchitt with finding good doctors for Tim and even pays for it so Bob could focus his finances on other things and that gives the Cratchitts a better life

[@victorsmith5206]

The literal translation of “repent”

[@titanstorage7104]

Yes as repent means to have a change of heart and to turn around.

[@beckyclaychristensen1127]

​@@titanstorage7104😊😊

[@MelanieNLee]

@@titanstorage7104 Nit-picking, but "repent" means "to think again"--a change of mind. (Of course, when the mind changes, the heart may change, too, and vice-versa.)

[@bvanderlaan13]

I love a Christmas Carol. I read it every year. My favorite message is that it's never too late to redeem yourself. There is always hope every time you breath in a new day if you choose it.

[@MrCjchamp2001]

It’s never too late as long as you’re alive. That was what Marley was trying to tell him. “ I come tonight to warn you that you have yet the chance and hope of escaping my fate. A chance and hope of my procuring, Ebenezer”

[@lizicadumitru9683]

He can make the change for others who he's harmed that's called reconciliation.

[@titanstorage7104]

The maid’s reaction is so beautifully done. Him dancing around is wonderful for bringing joy. Just a great movie.

[@matweb8195]

Alistair Sim was a fantastic actor!

[@StoryboardMindset]

The ONLY Scrooge as far as I'm concerned. What a fantastic performance.

[@CM-wj2ow]

I'm with you. This has always been my favorite version.

[@c.a.g.3130]

A comic actor can portray drama and tragedy infinitely better than a dramatic actor can portray comedy. Jackie Gleason could make you weep in Gigot, but Richard Burton could never make you laugh.

[@mrlopezsbrother4373]

My third graders love this movie...it's not about changing the past, nothing can do that...but you can change yourself and have a positive impact on those around you. The kids imagine Scrooge reconnecting with Alice, making Bob and Fred partners in busines, and Marleys ghost finding peace

[@lisab9541]

Smart kids.

[@macginther2484]

Love it!

[@nancythomas9589]

Best ever Scrooge movie.

[@LunchboxNobodies]

My favorite black and white version of a Christmas classic 😊😊😊

[@christiandpaul631]

Parts of it should be in color.

[@honeydroptheunicorn6557]

Who says he doesn't make amends after that moment, the end of the story is a start of a new story for him.

[@p34rl20]

That's essentially what Mr. Klavan is saying.

[@christiandpaul631]

Not really. He is saying all the suffering Scrooge caused can not be undone. ​@@p34rl20

[@johnrichey7494]

To say Scrooge is not punished seems to ignore that Scrooge’s whole life of greed and meanness was a self-punishment. That punishment ended when he changed and found redemption.

[@JohnRedshaw]

He doesn't see the world through a Christian perspective! He sees himself as an agent for good for the first time in his life. He never says that he has come to a religious perspective in any way! He's come to a reclamation on his own! He CAN help Bob Crachit, he CAN help Tiny Tim live, he CAN have the generous spirit of Christmas throughout the year! Most of all, a generous heart for all Mankind.

[@mm4894]

I can't change his past actions, but he can and does change his future actions.

[@johnmullenix1176]

The. “ BEST “REDEMPTION“ SCENE known in cinema History was Alastair George Bell Sim playing Ebinezer Scrooge in the Charles Dickens classic. “ A CHRISTMAS CAROL “

[@Nill757]

Greatly appreciate your commentary Mr Klavan

[@broskkuttub6543]

No he doesn't he sees it through a humanitarian perspective. Stop usurping morality like it's exclusively religious people who have it..

[@bmck-8400]

Yes that’s all anybody can do…he hadn’t broke any laws… he was operating under the laws of the day… He could only try and do better going forward…that’s what redemption is all about Charlie Brown.

[@kotkafer2292]

Never have i looked at scrooge and thought "Hey he changed to a *christian* view", because scrooges view is in no way religious or even caused by god. He didnt change because he saw the spirits, he changed because he saw what he himself did but from another perspective. How exactly is that specifically a "Christian view"?

[@cardiabardia439]

My thoughts exactly. I was very confused how anyone concluded learning valuable lessons in humility could be construed as a Christian value... Its something we all face, dogma or not.

[@GZQ9]

I mean I think his worldview is certainly not one that is unique to Christians, but I could see how someone (especially a Christian) would interpret it that way

[@GZQ9]

@@greymatter-TRTH haha well it sure didn’t start that way lol

[@LiMaking]

@@greymatter-TRTH yeah the christians took the festivities that was already in place when they christianized scandinavia.

[@pattygould8240]

"and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truely said of all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!" Sounds kind of Christian.

[@em333]

The best Christmas story

[@schrodingerssnufalufagus9292]

I think another fundamental lesson is that Scrooge would have never had his transformation without the fear caused by seeing what he was facing in the after life.

[@Cynnas]

I disagree, it's takes a significant change of heart to be a good person rather than just fear of an afterlife. I mean look at all the "good Christians" who aren't actually good people.

[@stadot1427]

@@Cynnas you're right in that it's not just fear that brings about "metanoia" or repentance. Scrooge had to have hope as well. When he wakes from his visions, he is joyful, hopeful, and generous because he knows there is hope for redemption. But still: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. - Proverbs 1:7

[@wonderwinder1]

Nope. It just sealed the deal. He was already seeing the consequences of his behaviour.

[@ThorMaximus]

@@wonderwinder1 Absolutely. Anyone who hasn’t read the book doesn’t get this. The first ghost revisits a Christmas at his boyhood school & initially recalls the joys and hopes once felt, until upon hearing friends making merry while young Scrooge remained behind, solitary & forgotten with only books for company. It was his first experience in bitterness towards Christmas & caused Scrooge to weep for the boy he was & momentarily regret the neglect he inflicted on a boy the night previous. The spirit takes him to a Christmas when his sister Fan, whom he truly loved, came to finally bring him home upon convincing his estranged father. It’s further reinforced how Fan is the only source of love he had known through a final interaction with the cruel Schoolmaster prior to departing. It is significant for he bears lasting impact from the contrast of cruelty and love. They immediately discuss Fan’s death & his nephew, which triggered an uneasy feeling in Scrooge, but the Spirit doesn’t give time for him to think upon it further as they visit Fezziwig, representing a time long forgotten by Scrooge as an apprentice experienced first hand the how small acts of kindness impacted him in such a large way. In that moment, Scrooge felt the Spirit’s gaze & knew the reason for this visit was about Bob Cratchet. The final visit was the to relive a Christmas of which Scrooge’s greatest regret would be relived, and would from that point send him on his path. In his accumulation of wealth & power, he “chose a gold idol”, and lost his true love; and in further torment was forced to bear witness to the what could have been the life he foolishly dismissed to his own anguish. In the journey with the second spirit, mostly told with visits to Chrachit & Fred, the story takes them to observe multiple other aspects of the lessons taught, of exploiting the day by those for greed, and Scrooge asking of many questions that showed where his lack of understanding what greatest. In witnessing the Crachit family, the lesson of his own lost family is felt closely as is the lesson of Fezziwig. It witnessing Fred, he finally begins to see the error of what it really means to resent his nephew, the very son of his beloved sister Fan. He sees that , in nature, Fred is his sister-especially in how he never gives up on having him home for Christmas. When he realizes that he has rejected Fred he has undone all the love his sister shown to him, perhaps the worst of all his misdeeds. For those just watching a movie version, the first two spirits don’t teach a lesson and Scrooge is scared into doing the right things in fear of punishment. But the story shows he’s taken great lessons from the first two spirits, and it’s not enough to use his wealth to atone for the cruelty he chose to show like his former schoolmaster; but instead to expound his wisdom and means to help others in making the right decisions to help themselves and shine as an example for others to follow. He’s greatly motivated to do so as if he dies, he’s lost the chance to help others in ways few can

[@michaelt3614]

This comment section made my day. It’s nice to see this kind of critical thinking.

[@chodeshadar18]

I never realized the human damage he'd done, but if I had, I woulda assumed he'd try to repair it but helping the people he's hurt. In Judaism that's necessary for teshuva, true repentance!

[@bernardokrolo2275]

In catholic's teaching is same..

[@mrzabie0138]

In the story, he does do that by giving Bob Cratchet a big raise sending them the prize turkey and taking care of Tiny Tim, becoming an uncle to him.

[@johnkane1800]

@@bernardokrolo2275no Catholicism doesn’t require rectifying any sins, only changing in heart St Dismis literally just died on the cross next to Jesus and did nothing to help the people he hurt

[@shananalexander9789]

This is actually the best “Scrooge” movie ever made.

[@billcox8870]

The 1951 version with Alastair Sims is also my favourite.

[@hoopthornseaweed]

It really was

[@jrowlet]

1984 version with George Scott (which was film version most true to the book).

[@havanafayre]

This is my biggest pet peeve during the holidays. Grumpy, mean people are called scrooge or grinch. People just completely miss the point! At the end of A Christmas Carol, the narrator says: it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. At the end of the Grinch, his heart grew 3 sizes and he got to carve the roast beast! It should be a major compliment to be called a scrooge or a grinch. But no, apparently society has decided that you are forever guilty of your past sins and are condemned for eternity. Doesn't matter what you do to repent, you don't get a second chance.

[@MrCjchamp2001]

That’s your view. Most people don’t take accountability.

[@debbiethomas2622]

There's always someone that is going to think and talk bad of you, whether you are always reasonably 'good' or make changes to be a better person. I think the comedian Kat Stevens said it best: "Haters (for legitimate reasons or made up ones like jealousy) are always going to hate on something, that's their job. Let them do their job as nothing you do will change that" - Kat Stevens. That's the fact of life. Can't please and love everyone, have to please and love yourself and treat others how you want to be treated.

[@TheLocoUnion]

Throughout most of the stories of Grinch and Scrooge, (95 percent of the films ) we see the dark side of the characters. So our minds automatically descend to the negative. The stories are not really about how great these persons were, but how bad they were and their personal journey to the light.

[@brendanl2580]

He sees the world with empathy, not a Christian perspective. Stop trying to shoe horn your religion into everything to get recognition it doesn't deserve.

[@ABW776]

Christmas is literally the birth of Christ

[@dougwilliams8602]

Wish Dickens would have added a return of Scrooge to visit Alice

[@leylayasar86]

i'd resent that ending. no amount of repent can repair what he has done to her. its better this way.

[@gmashello9010]

He's changed and in turn, he will make a change in the world. Just as we as Christians do.

[@edwardfindley8483]

George C Scott was the best Scooge.

[@jrowlet]

Agreed. The 1984 film version in which he performed was the film version most true to the Charles Dickens book.

[@NGMonocrom]

It is heavily implied that Scrooge will treat his assistant Bob much better from now on. With a raise, and paying off Tim's surgery so that he not only doesn't expire, but so that he can walk properly. No, he can't go back in time and fix his past misdeeds. But he can fix some of his more recent ones. And, he can make sure to be a better man going forwards into the future with how he treats people he WILL meet.

[@PoesRaven73]

At the end when Scrooge says “I don’t deserve to be so happy”, I always thought “that’s right; you don’t!”

[@FemiNelson-sb1em]

Nope, you're wrong. He changed for the better to save Tiny Tim's life, to help the Orphanage, to accept his nephew & lovely wife's love, Blessing the little boy with $ for obeying Scrooge in having the Butcher bring the humongous Turkey for his employee's family Christmas meal, opening the wife's heart to the miracle of how a person will grow given the chance & etc. You clearly dropped the ball & need to watch step by step the acts in this beautiful movie that does affect many today. Paz be with us all 🙏. "Isa"

[@miistiqxhana7873]

Jesus loves y’all:) share the gospel not forcing

[@bait3027]

No one else will go to prison, people he’s affected will change their opinion, nobody will suffer needlessly, etc. Classism, racism, sexism, will end

[@keenbaker-dias1137]

Exactly..the moral of the story is chuck money at the problem and things will be fine.

[@SuperVt100]

The man just got saved, so to speak. Give him a break. The proof is in the pudding. The hard stuff comes later. How does he fair long term? Anyway, the whole idea behind being saved or starting afresh is what does one does long term. Scrooge is about a man who sees the eternal consequences of what he's done and wakes up alive and full of joy. It is not a story of someone who wakes up and solves all the problems of the whole world instantly. No one does that. It is the story of someone who's been given a second chance, starting over. It is not a story of someone who rewrites his history. The basic tenet of Christianity is one leaves their past behind and gets a second chance at life.

[@crystalross2284]

Ultimately, you can't change the past but you can change the present and therefore the Future.

[@stefanielucu7365]

I always saw it a story of redemption. He sees his mistakes and see where and when he lost his way. He changes his ways and tries to help others. In the book, it mentions how he kind he became.

[@nicolab2075]

Religion is hardly mentioned. One of the things I like about Christmas Carol is you don't have to see the message as Christian at all.

[@kotkafer2292]

Yeah Scrooge doesnt change because of the spirits, hell he literally laughs at them, but because hes seen his own actions from another perspective

[@sandrablanchette2239]

Sometimes changing yourself is the biggest miracle of all.

[@yuvgotubekidding]

He gave Bob Cratchit a raise in salary and vowed to help him raise his family out of poverty.

[@ednajeanamos7224]

The best movie ever

[@stormhawk3319]

Scrooge is the classic example of “I cannot re-write what I did in the past but I can correct for the present and future”.

[@jamestiscareno4387]

In the end, all that really matters and the only things we can take with us when we leave this world, are the rememberances of the relationships we've had with those who were near and dear to us.

[@johnrichey7494]

Scrooge changes and he does make things better for others: he donates to charity which improves the lives of the poor, he gives Bob Cratchit a raise which improves the living conditions of the family, he helps fund Tiny Tim’s medical care which enables him to live, he rejoins his nephew and family and continued to live a kind and generous life. To suggest that only Scrooge changes is a mischaracterization of the novel.

[@angieolson1741]

Isn’t that the way it is for everyone? No one can go back and change anything. We just move forward with our repentance and do our best

[@eastonvonschist2283]

Changing how you look at the world does not necessarily have anything to do with religion

[@1moderntalking1]

Its more than Metanoia… since he can help a poor family.

[@sxceve25]

One of Best Christmas movies, plus he helped Tiny Tim...❤

[@UrsulaPainter]

Absolutely. Thank you!

[@genenco1]

The sad thing, it's built on pagan actions. The Catholics in trying to convert the pagans, decided to change the tree to a "Christmas Tree" which was spoken about in the bible. Jeremiah 10 1-5.

[@waltcarey7827]

Scrooge changed ONLY when he saw his grave headstone. If he REALLY was repentant, he'd have changed during the Ghost of Xmas Present as he saw the results of everything wrong he'd done.

[@ZombieGrandpa]

Well said brother, well said.

[@ungmd21]

One of my favorite stories. Hope that anyone can be forgiven and change

[@wtk6069]

Klavan is giving the lesson in "A Christmas Carol" that many of us learned in grammar school when we were made to read it. but that doesn't make it incorrect.

[@patriciocristobalgallardoz341]

One of the Best. The other: George C. Scott

[@jamesdrynan]

His reclamation? Dicken's tale has been filmed 16 times over the years. I have watched these efforts and for me, Alistair Sim's portrayal of Scrooge is the definitive version.

[@earthchansociety7769]

No, he fundamentally recognizes the necessity to act and live as a better person. Scrooge relearned empathy and atoned for his guilt. God would never have forgiven him otherwise

[@Voltaic_Fire]

Christian? I don't recall ever seeing an interpretation that even mentions religion, much less that brand. Even the name of Christmas barely has any link to the religion anymore, the most it has none at all.

[@MrFilmSmith]

A Scrooge is someone who changes to be good.

[@lewisjones4737]

It's nothing to do with Christianity he just realises being a good person is worthwhile

[@TheMaxer03]

Loved that! And loved your book, The Great Good Thing. Merry Christmas Mr. Klavan.

[@RedWhiteAndBlue4evr1]

And they're both fictional stories

[@christiandpaul631]

The story reflects the reality of that time. Workhouses were a real thing a tremendous move about that time is 'the man who invented Christmas. '. The biography of Charles Dickens

[@robinhuff1867]

Spiritual red pilling

[@matrix72961]

Yes, Tim lives due to his change

[@bluebellea3]

This has nothing to do with any religious beliefs. This has to do with someone finally seeing just how much of a degenerate he had become, how damaging he has been to others around him and then finding his conscience to finally start doing right for those others he had neglected.

[@brooklynpalmer3969]

Ok but Scrooge still needs to make things right!!! That doesn't mean that just cause your a Christian and God forgave you doesn't mean your off the hook. You still gotta make amends.

[@barryroode6409]

Lol...like Christians are good people? 🤣😂 They spend their lives judging others. Think of the harm missionaries have done and continue to do!

[@robinharwood5044]

A tragic tale of a decent man driven to insanity by ghosts.

[@nemui9654]

Debtor’s prison… that sounds like something the government will be bringing back soon.

[@joeverna5459]

Yes, and Trump will be at the front of the line. Lol

[@ozziecrosby2092]

@@joeverna5459 ... For what? President Trump is the most investigated man on the planet. Squeaky clean

[@joeverna5459]

@@ozziecrosby2092 lol

[@nemui9654]

@@joeverna5459 I was meaning for all the people with student loans who don’t want to pay them back.

[@jrowlet]

​@@joeverna5459 Actually, Scrooge was a socialist at the beginning. He said that the collectors for the poor should direct the poor to the poor houses provided by public taxes that he and other taxpayers pay. When they reaponded, that they would rather die than go there, Scrooge responded that perhaps they should die and decrease the surplus population. A leftist would tell someone to go to the government for help instead of helping someone directly with private charity, and many leftists share the belief of Thomas Malthus that we have too many people, which you can see exemplified in wealthy leftist elites such as the ones at the World Economic Forum (I find it interesting that leftists support abortion, euthanasia, allowing sterilization of kids who want to transition, and one-child policies in leftist countries like China). Before his tranformation, Scrooge also rejected celebrations of any kind, including Christnas (which fits in with the desire of leftists to take awat celebrations of most holidays including Christmas in favor of a perfectly secular leftist society). In his transformation, Scrooge comes to realize that it is his individual responsibility to help others directly instead of projecting that responsibility to public institutions that are largely ineffective at in actually helping people. In the process, Scrooge actually transforms from a liberal to a conservative, which is the opposite of the argument that I have heard you and others make. By the way, you can see my argument bore out in the data: surveys show that conservatives donate more to private charity than liberals, red states donate at higher rates to private charity than blue states, and some of our least charitable politicians are on the left (I remember reading a stat that said something to the effect that Joe Biden donated less than $600 of his multi-million-dollar fortune in his last 10 years before becoming President, which iw a joke esepcially since so many people argued that Biden is a unifying empathetic figure).

[@gregsonger7221]

Hopefully Scrooges new attitude causes him to stop creating harm and misery. This alone is an improvement in the world. Can't undo the past but can improve the future.

[@user-bk9lm5id1s]

He doesn't see it through Christian eyes he sees as a Humanitarian does as Marley told him .mankind was Mr Business.

[@71259mark]

Has anyone realized that Ebenezer Scrooge and Jacob Marley, money, changers, have two very Jewish names? This isn’t about accepting Christmas. This is about accepting Christianity. It’s well known that Charles Dickens was anti-Semitic. The publisher made him redo. Oliver twist because of his anti-Semitic portrayal of Fagan. It makes sense when you think about it.

[@Yamajti]

If only Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong would've been changed by the christian Christmas spirit, their past descretions could've also been disregarded too.

[@christiandpaul631]

A great movie is the man who invented Christmas it is the biography of Charles Dickens

[@Neethan3247]

Highly preferred the George C. Scott version.

[@brucedavis3816]

Who did he hurt???? If someone owes you money and doesnt pay thats their fault not yours???? His girlfriend initiated the breakup accusing him of loving only money while in his eyes he was trying to be a provider. Bob Craichet is able to support a housewife and five kids on Scrooges salary!!! And besides why have kids you cant support???? Dont blame scrooge for that!!!!

[@judithsixkiller5586]

He also changed not only the way that he sees his fellow man as human beings. Not as mere pluses or minuses on a cash or social status value ledger. He fundamentally change's how he TREAT'S THEM.

[@cookingwiththecripple]

I always got it's never too late for redemption not "oh you dun goofed... oh well" he redeems himself

[@mtelectrical8068]

It doesn’t have to be a Christian perspective.. he’s just changed as a person.

[@adrianpoesiat]

Best and only version for me. Alistair Sim, the ensemble cast Rocks👍

[@Verge63]

Jacob Marley never escaped purgatory.

[@debbiethomas2622]

Yes, scrooge changes. And in order to start effect change in things he CAN somewhat change, it has to start with yourself. "Help me change the things I CAN change, ACCEPT the things i CAN'T change, and help me to learn the difference!" Can't change the whole world but maybe a piece of it, and make a difference in at least 1 life!

[@williamdogan1149]

1938 MGM with Owen captures the tone and mood of Dickens. 1951 Sim is a great Scrooge, but the film is so bleak and stark!!

[@MrMatthewcropley]

absolutely love the movie, watch it every year.

[@douglascox9996]

What the story does not cover, but is part of the personal Christian transformation, is the attempt to undo the evil and harm that person has done. It is not always possible, of course, since death has often intervened and closed the book, but the effort must be made.

[@delljohnson7585]

Scrooge didn't become a Christian he did find know that it felt good to help people

[@rogerkelley8882]

Yes. Christmas would. Change his life

[@debbiep9338]

My favorite Christmas movie of all time my tradition is to watch it every Christmas Eve

[@Nunya_Bidness_53]

One assumes he makes amends for what he can, as he did with Cratchit and Fred.

[@geronimosrifle2913]

As a christian, you most certainly are punished for your sins but not like you think. The worst thing of all for a lover of God and his living word, is to be separated from him, which every time we sin we are seperated. When you become a christian, we feel that horrible sting of being separated from the father. everytime we hurt someone, deny forgiveness to those who deserve it, etc, etc, we get further and further away until one day, we are so far gone, we are too tired to make the journey back to him and soon 'die'. But the good news is, through baptism we have grace to come back if we really love God, we make the harrowing journey back and he is always there to recieve us. The punishment we recieveis the constant thought that since we are not perfect, we will most likely be separated again and again in the near future. The worst feeling is the loss of the life cord to the father and the Harding of our own heart that soon causes us to forget how to love, remember the little things that make the smallest things huge. Oh !! by the way, Scrooge does change his ways and tries his best to correct his wrong doings👍👍😁

[@rubenovalle2179]

Our presiding president he's Scrooge helper congratulations.

[@billtuqoise1343]

Charles Dickens himself said, "All my strongest illustrations are derived from the New Testament...". Dickens was a man of deep Christian faith so how can Scrooge's conversion not be rooted in a Christian perspective? Study the author to better understand his writings.

[@gunner678]

SBO Statement of the blindingly obvious

[@markfisher2201]

Christians need to claim Scrooge as Christianity is dying. There is nothing to suggest that Scrooge is a bonafide christian in the original novel.

[@rayvargas9383]

OMG i thought only my wife would make a comment like that at the end of a movie. Its a story you have no idea what he would have undone.

[@Navesblue]

He can absolutely make the poor rich(er at least) by sharing his wealth with them. Ya know, the Christian virtue of charity?

[@druu988]

I agree Scrooge is still a piece of junk regardless if he’s changed his attitude but the consequences and repercussions are already put in place for what happens next

[@goldilocks913]

Spoken like an accountant- not unlike Scrooge before his change 🙄

[@gregcox6066]

GOD does chastised when you return to him, and when you find him his hand is not lacks

[@lisab9541]

But he stops harming goung forth. He now can help.