Charles Dickens’ great story of Ebenezer Scrooge has been depicted in numerous cartoons and movies, but long before this significant story became a commercial success, it was enjoyed by English-speaking families around the world. We learned from Ebenezer Scrooge, a man who personified stinginess, that it is better to give than to receive, especially since the giver reaps the benefits of giving, having made a difference in the lives of others. Dickens taught readers that the Christmas season was a holiday for giving, sharing a meal, and showing kindness to those who are lonely and who could use some help. This timeless story enriched the minds of young and old alike, as Dicken’s storytelling was a means of teaching society how to behave ethically, rather than selfishly.
Christmas stories are insightful teachers that allow readers and listeners to make informed decisions based on intense internal analysis. Also, it is through group reading that these great stories improve our English speaking skills. Sharing a story is one of the oldest human traditions, a means of intergenerational and multicultural connectivity that evokes all the senses. These great stories fill hearts with enchanted dreams.
The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future teach Scrooge the negative results of stinginess and greed. No doubt these concepts arise when a group of readers discuss the motivations of Scrooge’s greed. Did Scrooge become so greedy because of his beloved girlfriend whom he lost, or was it his fault that his girlfriend left him when he was young? Did such stinginess make him a bad man? Did the observation of another individual ultimately turn Scrooge into a caring individual, setting him on the right path? Readers might wonder if it was really necessary for Scrooge to have a terrifying visit from a ghost in order for him, no matter how tight-fisted, to change his attitude. One might wonder if people should do good things with heavenly rewards in mind. Was it finally Scrooge’s fault for a little boy’s illness that made Ebenezer Scrooge see the light? This thought-provoking debate has continued for decades and will hopefully keep readers pondering these questions for decades to come.
The Gift of the Magi (1905), by the American author O Henry, describes the difficulties faced by young married couples at the beginning of the 20th century. The main character, Della, a poor housewife, makes great sacrifices, showing parsimony, to save one dollar and eighty-seven cents to buy a meaningful Christmas present for her husband Jim. Similarly, Jim also makes a great sacrifice to provide Della with a fitting gift. The two equate Christmas with gift-giving and consumerism, but learn that Christmas means more than just a shopping holiday. Rather, your sacrifices made for the benefit of others count more than anything else. It is not only the sacrifice of Christ but also the personal offerings that people make to those around them that make Christmas an enchanted and magical holiday. The Gift of the Wizards is often read in American public schools, but this story deserves an in-depth discussion by adults and scholars of all ages. It ends with a surprising twist that pleases and disappoints readers depending on their own personal philosophies. The Gift of the Magi is not very long so it is a perfect reading on Christmas Eve.
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957) is always a hit with children during the holiday season. It not only teaches about feelings of love, but also helps readers develop a sense of rhyme and rhythm. The Grinch is a greedy creature who steals all the presents from the inhabitants of Whoville. He discovers that material goods stolen from others do not represent happiness, so he decides to return them. In an attempt to teach young readers that there is more to the holiday season than receiving gifts from others, Dr. Seuss used imaginative rhyming verses. Readers of all ages will enjoy reading this story over and over again.
The famous poem entitled The Night Before Christmas (1837), possibly written by Clement Clarke Moore, has done much to shape the modern view of Santa Claus. Santa is depicted as a magical person who delivers gifts to children on Christmas Eve. In this poem, Christmas focuses more on children than adults. The father tells a story of how he catches a glimpse of Santa while his children are sleeping. The sound of the poem, which is in the form of a limerick, delights readers who enjoy the natural rhythm of the limerick.
In The Three Kings, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow portrays the plight of those who searched for Jesus at the moment of his birth. The kings contemplate a star that represents the birth predicted in a prophecy. The new King would be greater than Herod himself. Such a child would be the son of God, a child born to save mankind. Longfellow paints a portrait of Mary, the mother of Christ who, though troubled, has absolute faith in the promise of an angel. Such a vivid poem reminds readers and listeners of the true origins of Christmas that force us to believe in the child who also represents the possibilities, potentialities and capacities of childhood in general.
The stories of our lives are born from the stories we share at Christmas, many of which are put on paper to be further explored. May Christmas become the stimulus for growth as a result of such a rich narrative tradition. After all, telling the Christmas story has been passed down to all of us by previous generations who are still our ancestors to be cherished.
