Why We Return to "A Christmas Carol"
Ghosts of Christmas, Time, and Change
This season has been a bustling whirlwind full of energy and tradition. Amid the chaos, I found myself returning to rituals—both cherished and new—and reflecting on their power to bring connection and meaning, especially after years of quieter, more isolated celebrations.
Every December, A Christmas Carol resurfaces as a cultural touchstone, transcending its Victorian roots to remain relevant. The novella, first published in 1843, continues to resonate through its countless adaptations. But why do we tell this story over and over again? Why does this tale of ghosts, redemption, and morality persist as a universal narrative?
Charles Dickens Museum
This isn't just nostalgia or tradition — it's a testament to the universal themes embedded in Dickens' tale. The story addresses questions that have preoccupied humans across centuries:
- How do we spend our time?
- What legacy will we leave behind?
- How do we navigate the tension between materialism and connection?
These questions stretch far beyond Christmas, making A Christmas Carol a touchstone for moral reflection. It remains strikingly relevant in our modern, consumer-driven world.
Embracing the Story in New Ways
Among my winter rituals is a Harry Potter movie marathon. I used to share this tradition with my brother and friends, but attempting it alone made me feel more lonely. So, this year, I turned to a broader cultural ritual: watching A Christmas Carol. With seasonal themes highlighted across streaming services, Dickens' timeless story and its endless adaptations — were an easy choice.
I started with the animated version on Disney+, but I was bored, as usual. The story's simplicity can feel overly sentimental. When we looked at the story, it sounds pretty basic:
Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly old man who despises Christmas and human connection. One Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, and three spirits: the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Through these visits, Scrooge is forced to confront his life choices, his treatment of others, and the grim fate that awaits him if he does not change. Ultimately, he learns to embrace compassion, generosity, and the spirit of Christmas.
However, its importance lies in its simplicity—its ability to distill profound moral truths into a narrative that is universally accessible and emotionally resonant. With that in mind, I decided to watch it again, but this time with fresh eyes, focusing on one question: Why does this story remain relevant, consumed in both its original and adapted forms?
Later that evening, my partner suggested we watch Spirited (2022), a Christmas-themed movie inspired by Dickens' work. Initially, I was skeptical. The idea of revisiting Scrooge's archetype, played by Ryan Reynolds, felt overdone — banal, even. Besides, the movie was in a tedious musical format. However, the film surprised me by presenting a fresh perspective and challenging the audience to consider the labor and emotional toll of enacting change, both personally and societally. It reimagines the Ghost of Christmas Present (played by Will Ferrell) as a deeply nuanced character with his own desires, dilemmas, and personal journey. Instead of focusing solely on Scrooge, the movie expands the narrative to explore the lives and motivations of the ghosts themselves, adding depth to their roles as agents of change.
After watching the second A Christmas Carol movie, I realized I had spent the whole day with Dickens. My enjoyment of Spirited prompted me to finish my day with the novella itself, which I devoured in one sitting. My mind swirled with questions, analyses, and reflections as I fell asleep.
A Christmas Carol as a Ritual
Like other winter rituals—decorating a tree, exchanging gifts, or gathering for a festive meal—engaging with A Christmas Carol taps into a deeper tradition of storytelling and collective experience. This shared experience brings families and communities together, making it not just a personal tradition but a communal one—a cultural ritual passed down through generations.
Rituals often involve repetitive actions, symbols, and communal participation, and A Christmas Carol checks all these boxes. The repetition of the story — whether reading the novella, watching one of its many adaptations, or attending a live performance — creates a sense of continuity. Each retelling reinforces the timeless themes of compassion, generosity, and human connection. Revisiting the story year after year reminds us of these values, becoming a cornerstone of our cultural rituals that celebrate the holiday season.
As Scrooge's transformation unfolds on screen or stage, viewers often feel a collective sense of joy, empathy, and renewal. The story becomes more than a tale; it creates a collective moment of reflection, asking us to consider how time shapes our lives.
A Closer Look into Time Through the Ghosts
One of the central concerns of A Christmas Carol is time. Dickens dramatizes Ebenezer Scrooge's moral reckoning as a journey through time — past, present, and future. Each ghost compels Scrooge to confront his choices.
Scrooge is an easy-to-empathize character. He is deeply human, relatable, and authentic, I'm keeping his Malthusian-like thoughts out of the frame. His discomfort with others, his judgment of them, and his loneliness—which we all feel from time to time—allowed me to connect deeply with him.
Even the fact that the ghosts visit him on a night when he may already be acutely aware of his loneliness feels "real." Like Scrooge, I, too, wrestle with the anxious thoughts that echo from the past, present, and future, mostly right before sleep. Who among us doesn't make internal calculations? Especially as the year draws to a close, don't we all find ourselves reflecting on what we've accomplished, what we've left undone, and set new intentions for the year ahead?
"Marley was dead: to begin with."
One Christmas Eve Night, a visit from his late friend Marley's Ghost starts Scrooge's journey. Draped in heavy chains forged from cash boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, and money purses, Marley's spectral form is a haunting symbol of his earthly greed, urging Scrooge to escape a similar fate by confronting the consequences of his choices.
The journey continues, with the Ghost of Christmas Past traveling to past Christmas moments. This evokes memories of comfort, safety, and happiness, reminding Scrooge of a time when he was more open, compassionate, and connected to those around him.
Similarly, I turn to my childhood memories when I feel self-critical, lost in thought, or overwhelmed. These early moments of innocence and joy help ground me, offering a sense of clarity and calm. Just as Scrooge's transformation is rooted in revisiting these lost connections, personal change often begins with a return to what is good, simple, and human. In these reflections, we find the foundation for eventual emotional growth.
The journey through time doesn't stop with the past. Scrooge is next guided by the Ghost of Christmas Present, who makes Scrooge — and by extension us, the reader or viewer — confront the consequences of his greed and detachment and also provides a profound glimpse into the here and now.
Dickens' critique of materialism comes to life as Scrooge witnesses the struggles of those who value connection over possessions. This revelation also mirrors our own consumer culture, where the relentless pursuit of material success often obscures the more profound importance of relationships and community. By gaining awareness, Scrooge begins to understand the transformative power of the present moment and the need to prioritize human connection over material gain.
And then comes the final ghost — the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. An ominous and silent figure, it embodies mortality, presenting Scrooge with his unmarked grave and the absence of mourners. This stark vision universalizes the fear of insignificance and unfulfilled potential, making Scrooge's transformation relatable for many. The final ghost urges Scrooge to change before it's too late and forces us to confront the harsh truth of our mortality.
Why A Christmas Carol Resonates Across Eras?
At its core, A Christmas Carol is a universal redemption story. Scrooge's transformation from miser to benefactor resonates with the universal human desire for second chances. This moral imperative — the belief that people can change — is rooted in many cultural and philosophical traditions, such as Christian forgiveness and Stoic introspection. This redemption story acts as a moral guide, teaching or reflecting societies their values.
The theme of redemption is so timeless that even playful adaptations, like The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) or the irreverent Scrooged (1988), preserve it. The comedic elements may differ, but the emotional weight of Scrooge's transformation — his newfound generosity, joy, and connection — remains deeply resonant.
Another aspect that makes the story timeless is Dickens critiques Victorian inequality and social responsibility, which has a counterpart in the social problems we experience today. At the same time, this allows new dimensions to be added to the narrative, as in Spirited (2022). These innovations ensure that A Christmas Carol remains not just a relic of the past but a living, evolving story that speaks to modern sensibilities.
Beyond films and television, A Christmas Carol has expanded into immersive theater, interactive games, and even digital experiences. Productions like A Christmas Carol Experience in London invite audiences to step into Scrooge's world, making the story's moral and emotional themes more immediate. Interactive apps and escape rooms inspired by the novella engage participants in Scrooge's journey, demonstrating how the story can evolve with new technologies while retaining its core messages.
From Scrooge to Self: A Farewell to 2024
The enduring power of A Christmas Carol lies in its universality. By grappling with timeless themes—time, mortality, redemption, and connection—it transcends its historical context to remain profoundly relevant. Each retelling celebrates the story's legacy and is a ritual of reflection.
Scrooge's journey through time reveals how revisiting the past, embracing the present, and acknowledging the consequences of his future made me face my own ghosts one last time this year.
Looking back on 2024, I found myself revisiting the vivid memories of my childhood — days spent playing games outdoors, picking fruits straight from the trees, and the excitement of family trips to the beach. My university years came alive, too, filled with emotionally intense moments. I recalled walking countless times through the historic streets of Istanbul on my way to Istanbul University, attending classes in the old, wooden, "traditional" lecture halls, and sharing countless cups of tea and coffee in the garden, surrounded by laughter and deep discussions.
And now, here we are in the final days of 2024 — my thoughts turned toward future plans and uncertainties — career goals, personal growth, and dreams I still hope to achieve. Ultimately, I was reminded of the profound importance of grounding myself in the present, cherishing small moments of joy, and striving to make the most of each day.
I hope 2025 brings us all good things. I wish you all a happy new year!
