I grew up watching the 1984 TV special version of “A Christmas Carol.” Starring George C. Scott, this rendition sometimes gets unfair hate because Scott is American. To that I say, bah humbug! He did a good job. Maybe not as good as his Best Actor-winning performance in “Patton,” but nevertheless – I like it.
So anyway, we had a cassette of that special to pop in the VCR when I was a kid. Last week, I decided that I might as well see what streaming service it is on today. I watched it every year when I was kid, I hadn't watched it in several years, Christmastime is when you start getting sentimental and miss when you were an innocent child, so on and so forth... You get where I'm going with this.
I watched it, and it still holds up. I quite enjoyed it, actually. It also brought back some memories from when I would act in my grandmother's productions as a child. My grandmother on my father's side ran a theater and would direct several plays throughout the year. When I was old enough, around the age of 4, I could finally be trusted to say some lines and play a part. I think the first part I played was Bob Cratchit's wholesome son, affectionally called Tiny Tim.
My grandma on my mother's side made my costume, and I did what I was supposed to do: say a few lines and be a cute little bundle of joy while doing it.
While I was reflecting on my childhood during the film, I also reflected on my own actions as an adult. Can I sometimes be a Scrooge? Do I keep the spirit of Christmas with me throughout the year? Am I as giving with my time and money as I should be? These ruminations can lead one down a rabbit hole, but I believe they are good to have from time to time.
The answer is always: “Yes, I can be a Scrooge, no, I don't keep the spirit of Christmas with me throughout the year and I certainly could be more giving with my time and money.”
I'm not big on New Year's resolutions, as they often don't stick, and there's no reason to hold off on these things until “next year.” I hope to get better at those things now, as good ol' Ebenezer did. A change of heart can come in an instant, and who knows what tomorrow brings?
I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And in the immortal words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us, everyone!”
