Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol"

With it's universal message of treating friends, employees, and family with respect and kindness, "A Christmas Carol" is one of the most well known Christmas stories of all time. The entertaining story masterfully weaves the message of keeping the Christmas spirit alive all year with a readily identifiable lead character. That there are hundreds of movie and stage adaptations of this story only serve to bolster the reputation of "A Christmas Carol" as a holiday classic.

"A Christmas Carol" - History

Charles Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol" in 1843 and it soon became the most popular book of that holiday season. Dickens sold 6000 copies of "A Christmas Carol" by Christmas, and the book was such a success that eight adaptations for the stage were being created within two months of publication. To this day, "A Christmas Carol" is one of the most widely known and popular stories about the Christmas season. There are more than 200 film versions and a countless number of stage productions. You would be hard pressed to find anyone not familiar with "A Christmas Carol" in some form or the other.

"A Christmas Carol" is the story of a man named Ebeneezer Scrooge, who was a lonely old miser with more money than he knew what to do with - primarily because he refused to spend or share a single penny of it. Throughout the course of the story, after visits from three spirits, Scrooge realizes that charity and generosity are a much more attractive way of life than hoarding money, and he learns that he can keep the true spirit of Christmas alive all year long through following these principles.

Dickens wrote this book during a time when social classes, unfair working conditions and impoverished children were a way of life. He was very involved in social issues throughout his life, and found ways to make a social and moral statement in his writing. "A Christmas Carol" addresses these issues in a beautifully written and tale that is as entertaining as it is concerned with social justice. The lessons learned in this story have been significant for generations, and the moral of the story is just as relevant today as it was in Dickens' time.

If you have never had the pleasure of making "A Christmas Carol" an annual tradition for your family, this is the year to start. For the younger members of your family, try the Muppets or Disney versions. The classic film starring George C. Scott might be the movie of choice for some. And for those who prefer a non-traditional approach with a touch of humor, "Scrooged" starring Bill Murray, will present a unique twist to this well known tale. Whatever version of this story you choose, "A Christmas Carol" will continue to entertain generations for years to come.