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“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its  mighty Founder was a child himself.” — Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol.

I’ve been reveling once again in the powerful words and sentiments of Dickens’ 1843  novella as the Lafayette Theatre Company brings its radio play rendition of the classic to  life this week.

There have been so many adaptations (over the last century and a half) of the story of  Ebenezer Scrooge being visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve that it would be nigh  impossible to find a Brit or American who’s had zero exposure to it, even if only via Disney’s  Scrooge McDuck.

It’s been retold in film (live action and animated), on stage, on television, in recordings and  radio, and through graphic novels, opera, and ballet. The finest actors have portrayed  Scrooge, including Derek Jacobi, Patrick Stewart, George C. Scott, and Michael Caine. 

My favorite movie versions would include the iconic 1951 Alastair Sim film, 1992’s The  Muppet Christmas Carol, and the not-as-widely-known musical version (Scrooge) starring  Albert Finney that came out when I was ten. As a child I had several favorite movie  soundtracks, including The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, and, yes, Scrooge. I can still halfway sing some of the songs: “Father Christmas,” “Happiness,” “December the 25th,” “I  Like Life,” and the Academy Award nominated “Thank You Very Much.” (I’ve just  discovered that the movie’s available on Paramount Plus, if you’re interested!)

Dickens is said to have feverishly churned out what became this most widely adapted of  his works in just a few weeks before Christmas1843. His most recent novel had not sold  well, and his finances were strained. The first edition was published on December 19 and  reprintings began almost immediately due to spectacular sales. A Christmas Carol has  been in print continuously since then. Dickens also made good money by doing scores of  public readings.

What people may not realize is that Dickens, through this little book, solidified trends taking shape in Victorian England: the Christmas traditions of family, feasting, lights,  music, parties, and the spirit of giving. A Christmas Carol also popularized the “Merry 

Christmas!” greeting. Although the novella didn’t become popular in the United States  until the 1860s, American writer Washington Irving was a valuable counterpart here,  sharing the belief that the “better angels” of Christmastide could positively influence human behavior throughout the year.

Fans of Dickens know that he used his works not only to entertain but as stark social  commentary on the living conditions and treatment of the poor and marginalized. As a  child, he endured poverty as do the Cratchit family in the book. The creepy representations  of “Ignorance” and “Want” as displayed by the second Spirit are a gut punch. The third  Spirit’s ghoulish revelation of what it means to die an unmourned death after a  meaningless life is chilling. The first Spirit’s demonstration of regret is also heart-rending. 

However, despite its many dark elements, the story’s message is ultimately one of  redemption and hope. If a man such as Ebenezer Scrooge can change his life for the better  of the common good, then anyone can. As Dickens wrote, “Reflect upon your present  blessings – of which every man has many – not on your past misfortunes, of which all men  have some.” These are timeless ideas worth clinging to.

If you want to immerse yourself in the world of A Christmas Carol this Thursday or Friday  evening, go to lsparts.org to find out how. Enjoy “keeping Christmas” in the ways most  precious to you. And in the immortal words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us every one!”