December 19 - Timeless Magic: How Dickens Created a Christmas Classic
Confronting Self-Deception Through God's Truth
This is the day Charles Dickens' timeless tale "A Christmas Carol" was first published in 1843.
In today's lesson, we will discover how Charles Dickens' beloved Christmas tale mirrors our own journey of self-discovery and transformation. What happens when we're forced to confront the uncomfortable truths about ourselves? How do we respond when God's Spirit reveals our carefully hidden blind spots?
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" - 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
This Date in History
The winter darkness had settled early over London when John Forster, Charles Dickens' closest friend, hurried through the gas-lit streets clutching a small, cloth-bound book. Inside its crimson cover lay what Dickens believed could be his financial salvation – a ghostly tale of redemption that had possessed him day and night for the past six weeks. With mounting debts, a growing family to support, and his latest novel "Martin Chuzzlewit" selling poorly, Dickens had poured his hopes into this Christmas story, investing his own money to ensure its publication would be perfect down to the last detail.
Charles Dickens had established himself as one of England's premier authors by 1843. His first novel, "The Pickwick Papers" (1836), had catapulted him to fame, followed by the successful serialization of "Oliver Twist" (1837-39), "Nicholas Nickleby" (1838-39), and "The Old Curiosity Shop" (1840-41). Each work showcased his masterful blend of humor, social commentary, and unforgettable characters, earning him both critical acclaim and a devoted readership. Despite this success, Dickens found himself facing financial difficulties due to supporting his large extended family and maintaining a lifestyle befitting his literary status.
The tale had come to Dickens in October while walking the streets of Manchester, where he had gone to give a speech about educational reform. The plight of child laborers and the grinding poverty he witnessed there stirred memories of his own childhood trauma working in a blacking factory. These experiences, combined with his outrage at a government report about child labor that callously suggested poor children should die to "decrease the surplus population," sparked the creation of Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim.
Working at a feverish pace through October and November, Dickens wrote the manuscript while simultaneously editing installments of Martin Chuzzlewit. He personally supervised every aspect of the book's production, insisting on a salmon-colored cover, hand-colored plates by John Leech, gilt edges, and high-quality paper – all at his own expense. The first printing of 6,000 copies was modest, but Dickens believed the story's message about charity, redemption and the true spirit of Christmas would resonate with readers.
By the morning of December 19, 1843, the books were ready for sale. Priced at five shillings – equivalent to about 30 pounds today – Dickens hoped it would be affordable enough for middle-class readers while still generating much-needed profit. The novella sold out by Christmas Eve and went through 13 editions in its first year alone. Within weeks of its publication, theatrical adaptations were already being performed in London theaters.
The tale's immediate success transcended mere literary achievement. Its pointed criticism of industrial society's treatment of the poor, coupled with its message of personal and social transformation, struck a deep chord. While the initial sales didn't immediately resolve Dickens' financial concerns, the long-term impact was substantial. By 1844, more than 15,000 copies had been sold, and within a decade, the book had gone through numerous editions and reprintings.
Following "A Christmas Carol," Dickens continued his prolific career, producing masterworks including "David Copperfield" (1849-50), "Bleak House" (1852-53), "Great Expectations" (1860-61), and "Our Mutual Friend" (1864-65). The Christmas story's success also established a pattern – Dickens would write four more Christmas books: "The Chimes" (1844), "The Cricket on the Hearth" (1845), "The Battle of Life" (1846), and "The Haunted Man" (1848). None achieved the enduring popularity of "A Christmas Carol," which remained a reliable source of income throughout his life through book sales and his famous public readings of the work.
Historical Context
Victorian London in the 1840s existed in a state of stark contrasts. The Industrial Revolution had transformed Britain into the world's leading economic power, yet this prosperity was concentrated in the hands of a few. A skilled worker might earn around twenty-five shillings per week, making Dickens' five-shilling book a significant purchase equivalent to nearly a day's wages for many of his middle-class readers.
Britain's rapid industrialization had created unprecedented social challenges. Cities swelled with workers seeking employment in factories, leading to overcrowded housing conditions and widespread poverty. The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 had established workhouses as the primary means of poor relief, institutions that Dickens despised for their cruel treatment of the destitute. The working conditions for children were particularly harsh, with many laboring in factories for twelve to fourteen hours daily.
Christmas in 1843 bore little resemblance to the holiday we know today. Many businesses remained open on December 25th, and for the working class, it was often just another day of labor. The holiday had been in decline since the Puritan era, when Christmas celebrations were actually banned for their pagan associations and revelry. While rural communities maintained some old customs like carol singing and feast gatherings, urban industrial society had largely abandoned such traditions. The holiday was primarily a religious observance, lacking many of the secular customs and commercial aspects that would later define it.
The timing of "A Christmas Carol" coincided with a nascent Christmas revival. Prince Albert had recently introduced the German custom of the Christmas tree to the royal household, a practice that the British middle class eagerly adopted. The first commercial Christmas card had appeared in 1840, but the exchange of gifts and cards was not yet widespread. Dickens' story would help transform Christmas into a secular celebration of family, feasting, and philanthropy. His depiction of the Cratchits' humble but joyous Christmas celebration and Scrooge's transformation would provide a template for the Victorian ideal of Christmas as a time of goodwill, generosity, and social reconciliation.
The literary marketplace of 1843 was experiencing significant changes. The rise of steam-powered printing presses and improved paper production methods had made books more affordable and accessible than ever before. Serial publication of novels in monthly installments had become popular, allowing middle-class readers to purchase literature in smaller, more affordable portions. This democratization of reading was accompanied by growing literacy rates and an expanding middle class eager for both entertainment and moral instruction.
Did You Know?
The phrase "Merry Christmas" was relatively uncommon before "A Christmas Carol" popularized it through Scrooge's nephew Fred's passionate defense of the holiday.
Today’s Reflection
The enduring appeal of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol lies not merely in its ghostly visitors or Victorian charm, but in its stark portrayal of human self-deception. Ebenezer Scrooge, confronted by Marley's ghost, initially dismisses the supernatural warning as "more of gravy than of grave." He blames a bad meal instead of facing the truth. His reaction might seem absurd to us, but isn't this what we often do when confronted with uncomfortable truths about ourselves?
It's easy to think of Scrooge as just a miser, someone whose love of money blinded him. However, the deeper issue isn't his wealth. It's his refusal to see himself honestly. Scrooge believed he was self-sufficient, justified in his choices, and unaffected by the world's expectations. How often do we create similar narratives to avoid facing our own shortcomings? Perhaps it's not greed for you. Maybe it's a critical spirit, a hidden resentment, or a tendency to prioritize personal comfort over God's calling. The truth is, we're all prone to rationalizing sins that we'd rather not acknowledge.
The ghosts in Scrooge's journey act much like the Holy Spirit. They convict us of sin and reveal the areas we'd rather not see. Through the Ghost of Christmas Past, Scrooge was forced to confront how his life choices, small compromises made over time, gradually hardened his heart. How often do we tell ourselves, "It's just one little thing," only to find that our hearts have drifted far from God? This echoes the warning in Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) which warns us of "sin's deceitfulness." Hardened hearts don't form overnight. They are the result of daily choices we justify to ourselves.
The Ghost of Christmas Present reminded Scrooge of the impact of his self-deception on others. His refusal to pay Bob Cratchit a fair wage or to join his nephew Fred's celebrations was justified in his mind. However, it caused real harm. In the same way, our spiritual blind spots don't just affect us. They often ripple outward, damaging relationships, communities, and our witness for Christ. What blind spots might you be rationalizing right now? Who might be feeling the impact?
Finally, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come revealed the ultimate outcome of Scrooge's choices. It showed him a lonely, unremembered death. This forced him to acknowledge the truth he had been avoiding. His life needed radical transformation. As 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) says, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves." This isn't just a call for surface-level reflection. It's an invitation to ask God to illuminate the areas of our lives where we've been deceiving ourselves.
Self-deception might look different for each of us. It could be convincing yourself that busyness is faithfulness. It could be believing that avoiding conflict is peacemaking, or that your private habits aren't affecting anyone else. But like Scrooge, we can't experience transformation until we stop defending our choices and allow God's truth to shine in. The Holy Spirit may reveal things we'd rather not see. That light, however, leads to freedom and redemption.
Just as Scrooge's chains were forged link by link, our patterns of self-deception build barriers between us and God's grace. The good news is that God's Spirit doesn't just convict us. He also empowers us to change. Are you willing to listen to His voice today? Are you willing to let go of the comfortable illusions that keep you stuck? Scrooge's story reminds us that transformation is always possible. It begins with the courage to see ourselves as we really are.
Practical Application
Take time this week to identify one area where you might be rationalizing behavior or attitudes that don't align with God's Word. Write it down, along with the justifications you typically use. Then, consider the impact this has on your relationship with God and others. Choose one specific action step toward change, whether it's making amends, establishing accountability, or creating new habits that align with truth.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts that long for truth. Like David, we ask You to search us and know our hearts, to test our thoughts and reveal any ways in us that need transformation. We confess our tendency to rationalize our actions and hide from Your light. Give us the courage to face the truth about ourselves and the wisdom to respond to Your conviction with repentance and faith. Help us to embrace Your refining work in our lives, knowing that Your correction comes from Your deep love for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Supplementary Study
"All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord."
This verse reminds us that our own assessment of our motives can be clouded by self-deception, while God sees the true intentions of our hearts.
"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
This prayer of David exemplifies the humble attitude we need when confronting self-deception, asking God to reveal our true spiritual condition.
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
This verse challenges us to move beyond mere knowledge to actual obedience, warning against the self-deception of being hearers only.
Final Thoughts
Like Scrooge's transformative night with the three spirits, God's truth has the power to pierce through our carefully constructed illusions and lead us to authentic change. When we humble ourselves to see the reality of our spiritual condition, we open the door to genuine transformation that impacts not only our lives but the lives of those around us.
Community Engagement
Share your thoughts or use these questions to get the conversation started.
What aspects of Scrooge's initial self-deception do you find most relatable?
How do you typically respond when the Holy Spirit reveals uncomfortable truths about your spiritual condition?
What role does community play in helping us recognize and overcome our blind spots?
In what ways might self-deception be affecting your relationship with God and others?
Bonus - Did You Know?
Charles Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol" while suffering from what he called "a hideous cold" and took long nighttime walks through London streets to help develop the story's plot.
The book's illustrations by John Leech included the first known artistic depiction of a "Ghost of Christmas Present" - an image that would influence holiday imagery for generations.
Dickens performed over 127 public readings of "A Christmas Carol" during his lifetime, developing different voices for each character and often bringing audiences to tears with his portrayal of Tiny Tim.
The author insisted on a lavish binding for the book with a red cover, gilt-edged pages, and hand-colored illustrations - costly choices that significantly reduced his profit despite the book's popularity.
Dickens based the character of Tiny Tim on his sister's son, Henry Burnett Jr., who was disabled and died young - adding personal poignancy to the character's potential fate.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert received one of the first copies of "A Christmas Carol," and its themes of family celebration aligned perfectly with their ongoing efforts to remake Christmas into a family-centered holiday.
Additional Resources
The Man Who Invented Christmas: How Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits - Les Standiford
Charles Dickens and the Spirit of Christmas - Samantha Silva
Becoming Dickens: The Invention of a Novelist - Robert Douglas-Fairhurst
The Life of Charles Dickens - John Forster
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In tomorrow's lesson, we'll explore how life's greatest disappointments can become the foundation for God's most beautiful work. Through the story of an American classic, we'll discover how surrendering our plans to God's purpose reveals the true worth of a life well-lived.
A favorite holiday movie in our household. Now I feel compelled to read the story again. Thank you for pointing out Mr. Dickens motivation for writing this story, it was most interesting.
I loved this so much. My favorite of all your essays so far!