Why We Keep Watching A Christmas Carol

Disney's "A Christmas Carol"

Every holiday season it seems like there is another twist on A Christmas Carol, and this season is no different with the motion capture version starring Jim Carrey. What is our fascination with the Charles Dickens' tale, and do we really need another incarnation of the story?

Our fascination stems from the overarching theme of the story, which is redemption. We all know someone who is a little Scrooge-like when it comes to faith, some of whom we've seen slowly come to know God. The change in those who were so resistant is remarkable, as is the change in Scrooge.

Yet the fascination with the story is really more of a belief that we ourselves can change. For Christians that change often comes from allowing God to work in our lives. God places people and things in our lives to tell us when it's time to change. It may not be as obvious as three ghosts, but often there are hints that we aren't living quite right in God's eyes - from the pull on our consciouses or the warning from our friends and family.

In the end, we all know at some point we will feel that redemption and freedom from the burdens we have carried. Yet in the meantime, we need to listen to our personal "three ghosts" so that we can rid ourselves of as many burdens as possible. That is why A Christmas Carol will always remain a popular holiday staple.