December 22
Muppet Christmas Carol
If Scroogedwas a comical remake of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, the Muppet Christmas Carolwins the prize for the most whimsical interpretation of the classic story. With Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, the film also features appearances from Miss Piggy (my favorite), Fozzie Bear, the Great Gonzo and Statler and Waldorf (my favorites too).
The actors tell the traditional story of Scrooge and the Cratchit family. As Scrooge plans to evict a number of poor families. Scrooge tells Cratchit, “Let us deal with the eviction notices for tomorrow, Mr. Cratchit.” In response, Cratchit (Kermit) reminds his employer, “Uh, tomorrow’s Christmas, sir,” to which Scrooge replied, “Very well. You may gift wrap them.”
In a recent social media post, a friend lamented the on-going level of judgement seen in so many ways, of the willingness of people to call others out, especially in a year when we have all struggled in so many different ways. Like Scrooge, at times we come close to cheering at the misfortune of others – “you may gift wrap them.” My friend asked, “What purpose does it serve?” Do we feel better when we point out or contribute to the misfortune of another? As the ghosts vividly exhibited to Scrooge, ultimately there is no good purpose to cruelty.
My friend suggests, “Maybe, just maybe if we are not so worried about condemning everyone else for dong things differently than we do, we may just be a whole lot more joyful.” As Scrooge struggled to understand, we do have the choice each day, to reach for compassion rather than judgement, and to deliberately choose joy rather than to wallow in miserable or mean feelings. Choose joy!
Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!
John 16:24 (The Message)
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