“CHRISTMAS? BAH HUMBUG,” so exclaims Ebenezer Scrooge, the stingy, odious, mean, hard, unfeeling title character in the classic Charles Dickens novella A Christmas Carol. First published in 1843, the story follows an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, and three more apparitions throughout one fateful Christmas Eve night. In the process, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.

Ever since I could remember, I have been enthralled by this story. Growing up, I would seek out different tellings on television or movie theaters. My favorites include the 1984 George C. Scott TV movie and of course, The Muppet Christmas Carol. Honorable mentions go to Spirited with Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell, Scrooged with Bill Murray and Ebbie the Lifetime TV movie starring Emmy Award winner Susan Lucci in the title role. 

There is no single definitive number for the total number of adaptations. According to Google AI overview, “some sources cite over 135 adaptations, while others mention more than 100 film and TV versions, over 60 remakes since 1935, and one source claims there are 347 total adaptations.”

Why the enduring popularity of a story written almost 200 years ago? The themes explored through the lives of characters such as Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim are just as relevant now as they were then, if not more so today. Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol partly in response to British social attitudes towards poverty, more so child poverty. In a particular heartbreaking scene, two impoverished children named Want and Ignorance were meant to arouse sympathy with readers.

I couldn’t help noticing striking resemblances between Ebenezer Scrooge and the current corrupt occupant of the White House. Scrooge might take that as an insult. Truth be told, Ebenezer is not a convicted felon who was impeached twice during his first term as POTUS. But is an obvious disdain and hatred of the poor where the two men are alike. 

Since taking office for his 2nd term, Trump has waged a nonstop war on the most vulnerable and marginalized people in the country. The MAGA Republican Party of today revels in seeing the pain and suffering of others. As many political pundits have shouted from the rooftops when it comes to this Administration, the cruelty is the point. 

The year 2025 saw MAGA cheering on the unhinged, unelected, and really weird Elon Musk literally taking a chainsaw and gutting our federal workforce. It is estimated that by the end of the year, the reduction will reach around 300,000 people. That number is the result of factors including voluntary early retirement, resignations, and layoffs. These are individuals who have dedicated their lives to public service and to this country. The Big, Beautiful, Bill (BBB) is going to leave millions uninsured and millions more going into medical debt just to stay alive. The BBB is also responsible for the single largest transfer of wealth from the working class to the ultra-wealthy through tax cuts and spending cuts.

All while DJT is building a $300 million ballroom to entertain his wealthy donors. They literally had a Gatsby-themed million-dollar-per-plate gala titled “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” at the Mar-A-Lago…THE NIGHT BEFORE 40 MILLION PEOPLE LOST THEIR SNAP BENEFITS. The cruelty is the point. The pre-reformed miser Scrooge would be in hog heaven.

The post-reformed Scrooge would probably be more like Bernie Sanders and Tim Walz. The other major theme of A Christmas Carol is that of redemption. Redemption is a powerful tool. It is the redemption part of the story that gives me the most hope. Dickens wanted to show through Scrooge that even the worst of sinners can repent and become a good man. At the end of the story, Ebenezer grows into someone with emotional depth and has regret for lost opportunities. (Honestly, I don’t even think a visit from three ghosts would work for the likes of Trump, Hegseth, Bondi, Patel, Noem, RFK, Jr, and many MAGA morons. But ya never know, stranger things have happened lol)

Regrets sometimes surface around the holidays in December as the end of the year approaches. We look back on the months behind us and wish next year will be better than the last. Lord knows I have made mistakes this year. Everyone makes mistakes; that’s why pencils have erasers. But I do know that after each stumble, each misstep, I vow to do better and be better. I wake up each day saying I will try to do better and be better than the day before. 

I see the world and the holidays most like Fred, Scrooge’s nephew. We share the same feelings about the Christmas season. Fred tells his uncle that he has “always thought of Christmastime, when it comes round, as a good time, a kindlier, forgiving, charitable time, a time when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely to their fellow creatures.” 

These words stick with me throughout the Holiday season, and as the reformed Ebenezer proclaims in gratitude for the second chance he has been given – I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.

Until next time readers, have a wonderful Holiday and best wishes for 2026!