Christmas or Humbug


For many years I had very strange feeling when Christmas time was coming. I liked only some aspects of this very popular holiday and I had almost feeling of hatred connected to some sad events happened at my previous Christmas time and to some unfulfilled expectations. I would consider this time being "humbug" - as Charles Dickens´s Scrooge said in "Chrismas Carol".

I have read "Chrismas Carol" almost by chance - just only to have something to share with my more advanced students. Suprisingly I found out, that even being much more younger and warm-hearted then mean hero Scrooge, who hated Christmas, I have a kind of bitterness connected with X-mas!!!

"Merry Christmas, Uncle!" It was Scrooge´s nephew, Fred.
"Bah!" said Scrooge, "Humbug! What reason have you to be merry?"

What reason I had not to be so much happy as I could? I read the story almost without breathing and I was fascinated by three Spirits - The Spirit of Christmas Past, Present and The Spirit of Chrismas yet to come - who gave to Scrooge very poverful lessons WHY are reasons to be merry at Chrismas time.
The first evidence is given by Scrooge´s nephew Fred who carelessly invited his growling Uncle for Chrismas dinner and asked him, what reason he has to feel miserable, when is he rich. The Spirit of Christmas Present showed Scrooge how Fred and his company enjoyed Christmas while old rich miser Scrooge would love to ignore them totally.
Bob Cratchit, Scrooge´s employee, and his family, despite of being very poor and having one of their children disabled have given me next proves, why I should be happy and try to forget what has already passed.
After reading and listening the story several times I got suddenly a feeling of relief - all bad feelings released. I don´t know if the reason is the book or that all my Spirits decided that time is ripe to let me understand something. And I am thankful that I am expecting Christmas with peace in my heart and almost calm mind and that I can wish all of you Merry Christmas!



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