Regeneration

Can you remember when Jimmy Carter caused a huge tempest in a teapot when he declared himself to be "Born Again Christian"? He may well have been the person primarily responsible for making that term immensely popular among media and political types.

This is the season when that term begins to really mean something. Jesus was born as a baby and wrapped in swaddling clothes. So, being born again is the theme of Christmas and the story of Scrooge is one of the most powerful examples of that genre in our history.

The description I posted last described a man who was, as Dickens says, Oh ! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, was Scrooge! A squeezing, wrenching grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!

If you ever wanted to describe a man hardened by sin all you need do is borrow this great description by Charles Dickens of a person whose name has become synonymous with sinners.

St. Paul says something similar in Galatians when he describes the "Fruit of the flesh" but Dickens makes if all come alive in Scrooge. We can just see Scrooge in his old, worn out, all black garb walking through the streets of London scowling at all who had the misfortune of meeting him.

Poets, politicians and pastors have longed for the "Peace on earth, goodwill to men" promised in the Christmas story. In order to get there, however, we will need to see a billion Scrooges come to the same fate as he and get born again. It is only with a new heart and a new mind will people choose peace over war. Peace in the heart must proceed peace in the world.

Read the last part of the Christmas Carol and see for yourself what happens when Scrooge is confronted by his sin and the eternal punishment that awaits him unless he repents. It is a very inspirational and exciting story.