Before we get too far beyond Christmas and have forgotten the very best movie of that season, let’s reflect on some of what it teaches us.
I am, of course, referring to The Muppet Christmas Carol. If you have not seen it AND do not know all of the words to, minimally, “Scrooge”, then you should stop right here. Go watch it three or four dozen times and then come on back.
The Muppet Christmas Carol is the Muppet version of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story. So it contains the three Ghosts of Christmas: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the really kinda heart-chilling Ghost of Christmas Future. All three Ghosts extend invitations for self-reflection to Scrooge.
I cannot claim that the reflection I’m writing here is in any way, Mr. Dickens’ motive for writing the story. So don’t even go there. It might be. But I didn’t research that before I wrote this.
I think sometimes we tend to view God as either the Ghost of Christmas Past or the Ghost of Christmas Future. The Ghost of Christmas Past focuses on what has already happened in our lives, specifically what we have done and the choices we have made. If God’s view of us and our lives is based on our past, and specifically our past poor choices and errors and just plain flat out sins, then we will live on shame and regret.
Alternatively if we view God as the Ghost of Christmas Future, and let’s be honest, this is the scariest, most haunting ghost of all, then we will spend our lives in fear of a wrathful, noncommunicative, kinda judge-y God. One who just points us towards our death.
HOWEVER! There is still another view we could take. The Ghost of Christmas Present is a ghost of plentiful bounty. A ghost whose favorite invitation is, “Come in and know me better, man!”. Who finds joy and delight in being with us.
“Come in and know Me better!” What a glorious invitation. An invitation consistent with a deepening walk with our Father.
Just Sayin' 