[Sunday] A Song of Christmas Light - Pointing to Greatness Stave 4

While the Ghost points to the grave our ambition digs, Jesus answers by becoming the humble Child who enters that grave to raise us to new life.

• Notable Quotes From Stave 4 (click + to see)

  • "Ghost of the Future! " he exclaimed, " I fear you more than any spectre I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?" pg 123

    • It's likely to be a very cheap funeral, " said the same speaker; " for upon my life I don't know of anybody to go to it . Suppose we make up a party and volunteer? " pg 125

    • for he had been revolving in his mind a change of life, and thought and hoped he saw his new-born resolutions carried out in this pg 128

    • He frightened every one away from him when he was alive, to profit us when he was dead! Ha, ha, ha! " pg 136

    • " Spirit ! " said Scrooge, shuddering from head to foot. " I see , I see. The case of this unhappy man might be my own. My life tends that way, now. Merciful Heaven, what is this! " pg 136

    • " Spirit! " he said, "this is a fearful place . In leaving it, I shall not leave its lesson, trust me. Let us go! " pg 138 

      • He is acting like david here

    • We may sleep to-night with light hearts, Caroline! " Yes. Soften it as they would, their hearts were lighter. The children's faces, hushed and clustered round to hear what they so little understood, were brighter; and it was a happier house for this man's death! The only emotion that the Ghost could show him, caused by the event, was one of pleasure. "Let me see some tenderness connected with a death, " said Scrooge; pg 141

    • They entered poor Bob Cratchit's house; the dwelling he had visited before; and found the mother and the children seated round the fire.
      Quiet. Very quiet. The noisy little Cratchits were as still as statues in one corner, and sat looking up at Peter, who had a book before him. The mother and her daughters were engaged in sewing. But surely they were very quiet ! pg 142

    • And He took a child and set him in the midst of them pg 142

      • Scrooge was not like this child but 

    • I am heartily sorry for it, Mr. Cratchit, ' he said, ' and heartily sorry for your good wife. ' By the bye, how he ever knew that, I don't know. " "Knew what, my dear?" "Why, that you were a good wife, " replied Bob. "Everybody knows that! " said Peter. "Very well observed, my boy! " cried Bob. “I hope they do. ' Heartily sorry, ' he said, ' for your good wife. If I can be of service to you in any way, ' he said, giving me his card , 'that's where I live. Pray come to me. ' Now, it wasn't, " cried Bob, " for the sake of anything he might be able to do for us, so much as for his kind way, that this was quite delight- ful. It really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim, and felt with us." pg 145

    • "Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point," said Scrooge, "answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of the things that May be, only?"

    • Spirit! " he cried, tight clutching at its robe, " hear me! I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse. Why show me this, if I am past all hope!" For the first time the hand appeared to shake.

    • "Good Spirit, " he pursued , as down upon the ground he fell before it: " Your nature intercedes for me, and pities me. Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life ?"
      The kind hand trembled.

    • "I will honour Christmas in my heart , and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone! "

---

Questions for the Week: A Story of Christmas Light -  Pointing to Greatness

1. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come and John the Baptist both point to the reality of death and sin. Why is it often necessary to face the harsh reality of where our actions are leading us (the "grave") before we can truly change?

2. Read Luke 3:1-10 We connected Scrooge's greed to the "brood of vipers" pursuit of greatness. In what ways does our modern culture's definition of "greatness" (success, power, wealth) lead to a spiritual "grave" or harm those around us (like Tiny Tim)?

3. Read Matthew 18:1-6. This was read in the Cratchit home at the death of Tiny Tim: "And He took a child and set him in the midst of them." Jesus showed greatness and humility by becoming a weak baby in a manger and later welcoming the weak. When are those times at your weakness when Jesus has welcomed you?

4. We are called to "bury our sinful desires" in the grave with Jesus and be raised to bear fruit. What are specific "fruits of repentance" (an act of love, mercy, or generosity) you hope to bear this coming week?

---

What Had happened at Grace this week.