“The Most Wonderful Time”

Uncle Scrooge is the main character of the classic play ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens. He is a very rude and money oriented man with very less or even no compassion. He would never help the poor, will not give anything for charity, and is concerned only about the money he has and about saving it. He will not even do any favors for his employee. The play continues with a series of events occurring in a couple of dreams of Uncle Scrooge, showing different events from his past, transforming him to a better man with a selfless and helping mind. Characters of this extreme behavior are often not seen in our societies. But I doubt that all of us, at least once in a while, become an Uncle Scrooge. It is good to rethink at this Christmas season.

"The Son of God became the Son of Man, so that the sons of men can become the sons of God" said St. Athanasius. Christ came down from the heaven in to the world to suffer so that he can have the humans reach God. It is the ultimate purpose of human life too. Therefore, to reach the oneness with God expected from humans, one shall suffer in God’s name, as Christ came down to earth and suffered. “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Pet 2: 20, 21).  It is through this suffering that God expects that we partake in the divine nature. “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Pet 1: 4).

It is our duty to see the concerns and suffering in the world while we celebrate ‘the most wonderful time of the year’. It is also our duty to partake in those sufferings so that those who suffer may be blessed by the Christian love we emit following His words. While a hungry is fed and a naked is clothed, comes the real meaning of Christmas, and it makes it the most wonderful time of the year.