A Christmas Carol is the most famous Christmas story of all time, written by Charles Dickens, the greatest author of the last 200 years. It’s no understatement that this is well-written, powerful, and sends a message for all ages to understand.

In its essence, I think A Christmas Carol is so popular and such a classic because it appeals to what this celebration really means. It appeals to the spirit of gratitude, being grateful, to the spirit of joy and sharing, and to the spirit of redemption.

The story follows a greedy businessman named Scrooge as his town sets in for the holiday season. Unlike everyone around him, Scrooge doesn’t like it, in fact, he rejects the very concept of celebrating Christmas.

Scrooge’s disdain for Christmas stems from his obsession with wealth and a hardened heart that has long forgotten the joys of human connection. He seems dead set on being grumpy as he rejects charity seekers and his nephew’s dinner invitation to celebrate.

However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he is visited by his dead old business partner, Marley. This is literally a ghost, wrapped in chains, a representation about how he was trapped by greed while being alive. Marley warns Scrooge that he is set on the same path.

In the next three days, another three ghosts visit Scrooge in the night, each showing him the joy of Christmas and the cruelty of his current lifestyle. As someone who grew up celebrating Christmas from birth, you wouldn’t believe how next episodes unfold, and which are Scrooge’s conclusions.

Ultimately, A Christmas Carol resonates so deeply because it speaks to the universal desire for connection, and the hope of a better tomorrow. It captures the true essence of the celebration—not in material gifts, but in the warmth of human kindness and the spirit of giving.

Dickens’s message is clear: we can all control our own fates, and the magic of Christmas lies in opening our hearts and sharing joy with those around us.

My rating: 9/10.

This review was written by Milo L. Quintana Senior 2, Godspell intern at KEL • Thank you always, Milo. Choosing to share about this so very special moment of the year was moving and heartening. Wish you a good season with your loved ones!