On a cold Christmas Eve in Victorian London, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his late business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him that his greed and selfishness will lead to a doomed afterlife unless he reforms. Scrooge is haunted by three more spirits, who show him the joys and sorrows of Christmases past, present, and future. As these visions unfold, he is forced to confront the consequences of his actions, sparking a profound moment of self-reflection and realization of his need for change.
Published in 1843, A Christmas Carol not only revitalized fading Christmas traditions but also helped shape the holiday into the family-centered celebration we recognize today. Dickens' tale resonated with a society grappling with the hardships of industrialization, emphasizing the values of generosity, compassion, and human connection. Its influence extended beyond literature, deeply impacting how Christmas is celebrated, with its themes of charity and goodwill becoming central to the holiday spirit, leaving a lasting legacy on Western culture.
Enjoy A Christmas Carol and two bonus Christmas stories by Charles Dickens: A Christmas Tree and What Christmas is as We Grow Older
Here at Thriftbooks, we spend a lot of time thinking about the kinds of books our customers will enjoy. During the holidays, that extends to the books our customers would most like to give (and receive) as gifts. Our newest poll looks at book gifting trends. Here are some of the compelling stories we unwrapped.
What is Fixation Friday? In this new blog series, we'll spotlight a trending topic to explore. This week, it's Holiday Traditions, of course. If this is something you've been thinking about, read on as we drill down into the forms this theme might take in our lives.
One of my most favorite blogs to write is this one, my Christmas message to our ThriftBooks community. Each year I give careful thought to what theme and message to impart, and this year inspiration struck at one (of several) performances of A Christmas Carol, when this classic brought to the surface for me how happiness is really shared.
Be it revelry in the commercial consumerism so railed against by Charlie Brown, or a feast of seven fishes, or further still the quiet solemnity, incense, and psaltery organ of a midnight mass service, many different traditions are upheld as we approach Christmas.