I have been called Mr. Scrooge a few times in my life. That’s not all bad. I like the way he ended up, and wouldn’t mind having a Christmas spirit like that. Charles Dickens was a master with words who first gave his story Advent and then climaxed it with Christmas.

Ebenezer Scrooge experienced Advent. He was not ready for Christmas, and it was reflected in his relationship with the rest of the world. Getting ready was not his idea, he was willing to remain the miserable person that he was. He wasn’t forced to change, but he was compelled to take a good hard look at himself and see what people around him saw every day.

He saw a past when love once ruled his life, and happiness was real. He saw a future that was a cold death if he continued the path he was walking. Best of all he saw his present world. It was a world where happiness could still be found, where he could once again make a difference in the lives of others if he would only let love live in his heart.

In today’s scripture, the Christians at Ephesus had been known for the way they loved one another (Christmas past – Ephesians 1:15). In the pressure of daily life they had lost that love (Christmas present). Now they had opportunity to do something about it; and what they did would determine their future. What about each one of us?

Advent compels us to look at our own life and calls us to repentance. Then Christmas is not just another hectic time of the year, but the reason that life has meaning. Happiness in a world like ours can still be found. Being ready for Christmas is not having the shopping done, but having our hearts prepared and free to receive Christ.

“What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart;
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart.”