As a huge fan of Charles Dickens, I found it curious that Cal Thomas, in his column Dec. 16, used “A Christmas Carol” to convey his point that Christian conversion was the “original intent” of Christmas. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth.

Christmas is merely a spin on the Romans’ and Greeks’ ancient celebration of the Roman sun-god, Mythras, and the winter solstice. For nearly its first 1,000 years, the Christian church declared it heresy to practice that pagan celebration. Instead, the Resurrection was considered the significant holiday of the Christian religion. But after unsuccessfully trying to eliminate the pagan sun-god worship by its followers, the church ultimately capitulated by modifying it (sun-god becomes son-god) to assimilate it into Christian culture. It truly was an example of the axiom: If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. (A bit like Halloween, another pagan celebration that the church worked diligently to eradicate amongst its flock, but simply could not – thus, All Saints Day, Nov. 1.)

But back to Dickens and “A Christmas Carol.” While Scrooge is indeed converted, it is not in a true Christian sense. He does not actually declare Jesus as his savior. (The story’s text and time-period intimate that Scrooge was a Christian to begin with.)

In essence, Scrooge comes to understand – after visits from three rather secular ghosts – the true spirit and joy of Christmas is derived from giving.

Kris Kucera, Lisbon

Copy the Story Link