The Mom Weekly Volume 71: December 17, 2024
You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the home page here.
“A Small Matter to Make These Silly Folks So Full of Gratitude,” or, Great Quotes from A Christmas Carol, Part II
With the Ghost of Christmas Past, who may be trying to help Scrooge see the value of small things:
“A small matter,” said the Ghost, “to make these silly folks so full of gratitude.”
“Small!” echoed Scrooge.
The Spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices, who were pouring out their hearts in praise of Fezziwig: and when he had done so, said,
“Why! Is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves this praise?”
“It isn’t that,” said Scrooge, heated by the remark, and speaking unconsciously like his former, not his latter, self. “It isn’t that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count ’em up: what then? The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.”
He felt the Spirit’s glance, and stopped.
“What is the matter?” asked the Ghost.
“Nothing particular,” said Scrooge.
“Something, I think?” the Ghost insisted.
“No,” said Scrooge, “No. I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now. That’s all.”
……..
“Mr. Scrooge!” said Bob; “I’ll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!”
“The Founder of the Feast indeed!” cried Mrs. Cratchit, reddening. “I wish I had him here. I’d give him a piece of my mind to feast upon, and I hope he’d have a good appetite for it.”
“My dear,” said Bob, “the children! Christmas Day.”
“It should be Christmas Day, I am sure,” said she, “on which one drinks the health of such an odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man as Mr. Scrooge. You know he is, Robert! Nobody knows it better than you do, poor fellow!”
“My dear,” was Bob’s mild answer, “Christmas Day.”
“I’ll drink his health for your sake and the Day’s,” said Mrs. Cratchit, “not for his. Long life to him! A merry Christmas and a happy new year! He’ll be very merry and very happy, I have no doubt!”
……..
There was nothing of high mark in this. They were not a handsome family; they were not well dressed; their shoes were far from being water-proof; their clothes were scanty; and Peter might have known, and very likely did, the inside of a pawnbroker’s. But, they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time; and when they faded, and looked happier yet in the bright sprinklings of the Spirit’s torch at parting, Scrooge had his eye upon them, and especially on Tiny Tim, until the last.
Interesting/Notable:
Martha Stewart Gives Netflix’s “Martha” a Scalding Review (gift link)
Dad & I watched this documentary several weeks ago, and it was interesting and great to watch, even after reading this article. I think her her criticism is absolutely valid. This quote in particular:
“That’s what I wanted the documentary to be. It shouldn’t be me boasting about inner strength and any of that crap. It should be about showing that you can get through life and still be yourself.”
Please do yourself a favor and read that article, even if you don’t see the documentary.
One thing that has been bothering me about the documentary, and continues to bother me, is that the filmmaker never shows current footage of anyone — anyone—that he interviews, except for Martha. At first as I was watching, I thought, well, that’s an interesting style choice.
But then it bothered, and then infuriated me, the more I thought about it. We don’t get to see what—in this year—-her daughter looks like, or her friends, or her fellow inmates in prison! What on earth? It’s maddening, absolutely maddening.
An Action Item: Consider Some Advent Giving
As I mentioned two weeks ago, this time of year is common for taking the time to donate to charity Remember, don’t be a scrooge!). It’s easy to let that get away from us since December can be so busy.
So take 15 minutes or so this week to thoughtfully and prayerfully consider ways you can support a local, national, or international charity. And then donate! It’s easy enough these days to do so. I promise you will be glad that you did.
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