A Dickens of an Advent Blog

"Old Marley was as dead as a doornail."
And so has this blog been.

So in an attempt to resurrect it (wait, different seasonal theme) - no, to get into the spirit of the season - I am going to undertake a synthesis of my favorite Christmas story not coming from a Gospel and whatever else is going on around me.

Certainly, there will be references to Dickens' themes that touch on Christian ideals and theology. Additionally, I hope to connect this most classic of holiday tales to events of today, for that was part of Dickens' aim in publishing the novella in the first place: as Ebenezer Scrooge looks back on his life that was (and how it led him to his present), is now in all its loneliness, and will be (could be?) in a barren grave, he is able to find a new "today" on Christmas morning. I hope that perhaps, through this journey together, we can likewise kindle some of that hope into a flame that will light a new day for us and for the communities that we inhabit.

This first entry continues from the story's opening line, quoted above. Establishing Marley's death as a fact is required to set up the subsequent events (spoilers! - more later) as believable and even necessary. Scrooge's lessons about his life must come from those who are in some way beyond life, to allow him the perspective of one who is outside of his life's events, knowing full well that he had, or will at one time, witness them as a participant. 

The set up reminds me of the story of Lazarus (John 11: 14-17; 38-44). Lazarus is first identified as sick and then sleeping. Jesus states that Lazarus is in fact dead, but that his death was necessary for others to believe. Several times, it is established that Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days, to the point that there would be a great stench. Yet Jesus is unbowed; reminding those gathered that what is about to transpire is done so that they may believe, Jesus prays that Lazarus might have life, so that this witnesses can see that Jesus Is life, holding power even over the grave. 

Dickens' story is much the same. Scrooge must be presented with the truth of Marley's death - and a whole host of dead with whom Marley must rejoin - and he must go through the nights with the Spirits so that he can see for himself and believe and be brought into life as the true Christmas dawns. 

Peace to you as we wait together through Advent in anticipation of Christmas morn ...