The Gospel According to Scrooge
A "Dickens" of a tale
by
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Scrooge owned and ran a counting house and made his living by making small loans to people who tended to skirt the edges of poverty and who occasionally made actual forays into that barren and cheerless territory.
His life consisted of little else than his work. His partner, a man of similar temperament named Jacob Marley, was dead and had been in that condition for seven years. As a business associate, Marley had served Scrooge well. He was not much missed, however, since Scrooge was no longer obligated to share any profits. His money was his and his alone and that was exactly the way he wanted it.
Our story begins on a cold day in December in the city of London. The sky was its usual gray and a hint of snow was in the air. The streets were filled with people greeting one another as they went from shop to shop. Smiles and happy shouts were all around and children ran and played among the bustle. It was the day before Christmas.
Scrooge was at home getting ready for the day. For him, the approaching holiday was nothing more than a nuisance. Mrs. Cobbler, his housekeeper, was doing her best to look busy and, at the same time, attempting to avoid notice.
Mrs. Cobbler was an industrious woman of middle age and was slightly overweight. She was plump enough to show no wrinkles and her bright blue eyes missed nothing. Her hair was red, with gray beginning to show through. Her husband worked in the butcher shop near their home and her children were grown and gone. Her employment as Scrooge’s housekeeper was necessary to her household income so she did her best to keep the old man happy; a task that was not, in any way, easy. Her efforts in that direction did not extend to liking him, but she tried to tolerate his foul humor as best she could. She did, however, maintain an air of independence that kept her from allowing him to abuse her out of hand.
Scrooge stumped around the room in his usual bad temper. “Bah!” he growled. “Humbug! That wretched season has arrived once more. ‘Peace on earth, good will towards men;’ detestable, puerile nonsense!” He peered into the mirror and tied his scarf. “There’s nothing for it but to grit one’s teeth and suffer through it,” he mused. “It’ll be over and done in good time and then a new year in which to do one’s business unmolested!” he grated, a grim look of satisfaction on his pinched features. “But why must I put up with it at all?” he whined waspishly. “Who needs Christmas?” He turned and focused his unwanted attention on his housekeeper. “If I had my way,” he said, “every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own plum pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart!” He turned away dismissively and said again, “Bah! ... Humbug!”
Mrs. Cobbler stood, stiff and disapproving by the door; his coat in her hands. “And a Merry Christmas to you too, sir,” she said sarcastically.
Scrooge cocked his head and squinted appraisingly in her direction, noting her tone of voice. “Mrs. Cobbler,” he asked, “is your position with me of value to you?”
She
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About the Book
Charles Dickens wrote a great story…, a story that resonated with his readers over a century ago and has continued to do so over the years.
The story's power to touch people's hearts is undeniable and this version is offered for two reasons.
First, the original version is, for today's readers, difficult to read and understand. Its verbiage and style were entirely appropriate for the day, but now are cumbersome at best. This version is written to be more reader-friendly while holding to the soul and integrity of the original. Our story also has been abridged to some degree to make the story line a bit simpler.
Second, we take the liberty of reading between the lines of what Dickens wrote and making, we believe, the logical assumption that Scrooge's final transformation is a true spiritual rebirth. Many who have studied his life and work are convinced of his own Christianity as his work not only includes a beautifully written story about Jesus, but his other writings always told a story of redemption.
About the Author
John Worre has been involved in the writing, producing and performing of a number of well-known works. His efforts include a musical called "The Golgotha Conspiracy" and one called "The Wind is Alive." A number of worship songs written by him have been published and are sung in churches around the world. John began a series of Christmas books written for his grandchildren a number of years ago and that prompted the writing of this book. He has published other books as well.