The symbolism brought into A Christmas Carol
by the three Spirits is quite as relevant and significant today as it was
when the story was written.
The Spirit of Christmas Past
takes Scrooge back into his own history, where Scrooge recognizes the simple joys and
deep pleasures brought by people and relationships from his youth, and realizes that he
has not allowed those same gifts to be given to others in his present
life.
He has
the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a
pleasure or a toil...I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just
now.
In the same manner, the
Spirits of Christmas Present and of Christmas Yet to Come show Scrooge scenes
illustrating how his actions and attitudes impact himself and those around
him.
While the specifics have changed over the years, the
basic themes are the same now as when Dickens wrote the story. No one person has the
ability to judge the actions and worth of others; all should be involved in caring for
and supporting the people surrounding them.
It may be that in the sight of Heaven you are
more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man's child. O God! to
hear the Insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry brothers
in the dust!
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