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God and the Art of Toy and Diecast Marketing
A Christmas Carol, Retold
By Lu Su
The other day I caught a few minutes of a sitcom.
I thought this scene was funny. The doorbell rings and one of
the main characters in the show walks toward the front door
and says, "Oh, that must be mom. " His cynical brother
then asks, "You invited MOM!? Why did you invite mom here
on Christmas eve?............. Shouldn't she be out stealing
presents from the children in Whoville?"
It's Christmas time and 'tis the season for tales
of nefarious characters like the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge.
Many of you know that these two unsavory characters are initially
cold-hearted, stingy, greedy, chairman of anti-Christmas committee,
and pretty much despises anything that provides happiness to
people. Charles Dickens' is an absolute master with words. In
his 1843 novel A Christmas Carol this is how he describes one
of the leading characters:
"The cold within him froze his old features,
nipped his pointed nose, made his eyes red, his thin lips
blue, and he spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice ..."
Both stories, The Grinch that stole Christmas and
A Christmas Carol, have a similar plot. The beauty
of both stories is that the main character undergoes a transformation.
It's not an exterior transformation. It's not one of those beauty
makeover, where only the outside appearance changes (e.g. lose
weight, get new vinyl siding). But it's about an interior makeover.
A transformation so deep it changes the main character's way
of thinking, attitude, and his behavior. What I'm talking about
is a transformation of the soul (heart). Interesting that the
Trinity (God) decided to make us triune in nature too: body,
soul, and spirit. So the internal makeover I'm talking about
one that transforms the soul (heart). You know, the essence
of you. The part that makes you, you (even if you live in Kalamazoo,
have flu oh boo hoo).
But how the heck do you go about transforming someone's heart?
An exterior transformation tend to be easier and faster -usually
just throw some money at it. As an unaggressive toy salesman,
I literally make hundred and hundreds of dollars each year.
So once in awhile, I'll splurge and get myself a new shirt.
But after putting it on, this exterior change doesn't change
my heart. I know this because I still think I'm way too sexy
for my shirts. Money doesn't seem to have the ability to transform
one's heart in a positive way. If you recall both the Grinch
and Ebenezer had a ton of money. So what can change a man's
heart? Here is a clue:
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit
in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and
give them a heart of flesh. -Ezekiel
11:19
Most Atheists' central argument for the non-existence
of God is a moral one. Many will say that they cannot believe
in a God, because of the amount of evil in the world. But think
about it. For God to stop evil in this world, wouldn't he have
to do something to man? Isn't man is the source of most heinous
acts of evil? The amount of evil a man is capable of committing
pales in comparison to an unhouse broken teething puppy. So
it seems to me that God would either have to physically restrain
man, get rid of him, or through force and coercion change man's
heart. Don't we have a name for people who force their will
and desire on others? Labels like rapist, brainwasher, slave
drivers, and jerk come to my mind. So Atheists want a God that
can commit evil in order to stop evil?
But there actually is another way. One way God
is able to change your heart, like the Dicken's story, is to
introduce you to people and events that might alter your heart.
And perhaps by using a scary ghost story too. The Most Wonderful
Time of the Year, which is played much to often has these
odd lyrics.
There'll be parties for
hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago
I've done the first three lines before, but I've
never tried the last three lines. I'm no Handel or Dickens,
but I actually would like to give telling "scary ghost
stores and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago"
a shot. Since the only Christmas ghost story I know is Dickens'
version, that the one I'll retell.
I'll be the story teller and you can have the
lead role as Ebenezer. I'll soon introduce the three ghosts:
The Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. But before
I do, I'd like to introduce another important character in the
story that escapes most people. This character is actually hidden
in the title of the story, A Christmas Carol. Christmas
is about a character named "Christ". So who is this
Christ? Well to many, "Christ" is just something you
exclaim when you feel outraged.
The term "Christ" isn't so much a proper
name but rather a title. The word "Christ" comes from
the Greek word Christos, which means "anointed one".
Several thousands of years ago, it was part of an inauguration
ceremony that Kings get anointed before they took office. Like
we have the ceremony of the President taking the oath of office
today, back then Kings (heads of State) got anointed. Back then
usually a priest or a prophet would pour a valuable liquid (usually
oil) onto your head. For those of you familiar with the Biblical
stories, you will recall that Jesus too was anointed. He was
anointed shortly before he rose to a position of leadership;
He did so by conquering one of our worst enemies ....death.
However Jesus was neither anointed by a priest nor a prophet
(as was the custom), but from one of God's better creations
....a woman. However that is a story for another time and back
to this one.
The word Christmas is actually a compound word
meaning Christ's mass (like in a a holy mass). Christos
and "mæsse" (Greek/Latin) became Cristes mæsse
(Old English) which became Christemasse (Middle English)
which became Christmas (Modern English). Wow, if words used
in the 1900 is considered Modern English, what do we call the
English in 2011? It's also interesting that churches and cathedrals
are most filled with the masses to attend mass this time of
year. A carol is a joyful religious song celebrating the birth
of Christ (according to worldnetweb.com). So together A Christmas
Carol is about a song about the King's birth. Okay, enough background;
let's get busy.
[Enter Apostle John (Ghost of Christmas
Past) stage left, setting: the island of Patmos near
Greece]
John is about 80 years old now. He is one of the
last surviving apostles. John is one of Jesus' original twelve
disciple. He is also the one that stood with Mary at the foot
of the cross. Because the government thinks John is a bad apple,
they have banished him to this desolate and remote island called
Patmos. It is here that God gives him a revelation about Christmas
Past. But what makes it interesting is the point of view is
not from a physical realm, which we are use to; but, the point
of view is from the spiritual realm. Here's how John tries best
to convey in words what was going on in the spiritual realm
during the birth of Christ.
A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed
with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of
twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in
pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared
in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten
horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third
of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The
dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth,
so that it might devour her child the moment he was born.
She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule
all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child
was snatched up to God and to his throne. The woman fled into
the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she
might be taken care of for 1,260 days. -Revelations
12:1-6
Many of us probably have this picture in the back
of our minds that during Christ's birth, all was calm, peaceful
and tranquil in this quaint and very rural town called Bethlehem.
Images of Mary holding the new born king, while a few animals
slept in the hay. Until Mary and Joseph arrived, nothing much
happened in this pastoral town (It reminds me of the week I
spent in Rome, New York one afternoon). Many of us have a picture
that Christmas is a time of joy, love and peace. But I dare
say that to most of the population, Christmas is Not a time
of joy, love and peace. We also learn through the ghost of Christmas
Past, that during the birth of Christ, it was far from peaceful
in the spiritual realm. I think because we are also spiritual
by our nature, God wanted us to know that the biggest war ever
in heaven erupted.
Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his
angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels
fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their
place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that
ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the
whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels
with him.
-Revelations 12:7-9
Lots of questions pop into my mind here. Why does
God want us to know about this spiritual event? What does Satan
know that most people do not know? Let's assume Satan is not
stupid; why would Satan throw up his entire arsenal in order
to prevent this single event: from occurring. Why is Satan so
bothered with one part of the Trinity to take physical form
as a human?
[Flashback to physical world, queue up Darth Vader
sound track, setting: The Imperial Roman Empire]
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree
that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This
was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor
of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee
to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged
to the house and line of David. He went there to register
with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting
a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby
to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She
wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because
there was no guest room available for them. -Luke
2:1-7
[Enter Frightening Angel of the Lord (Ghost of Christmas
Present), stage from spiritual realm, setting: Bethlehem
in Judea]
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the
Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause
great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a
Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in
cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with
the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his
favor rests.” -Luke
2: 8-14
[Enter prophet Isaiah (Ghost of Christmas
Future), stage right, setting: Jerusalem].
Isaiah is prophesying about 700 years before Christ
comes, hence he is the Ghost of Christmas Future. When Isaiah
gives this prophecy, it is a very dark time for the nation of
Israel. The great Kings David and Solomon that unified the nation
are gone. The kingdom is in the hands of inept and corrupt grand
children. Israel had gone through a civil war and ten tribes
to the North have succeed from the two tribes in the South.
The country is now divided and worshipping false gods. And to
top it off, the unfriendly Assyrians to Israel's north are moving
south to destroy, pillage, loot and enslave. During this dark
time, God gives Isaiah this ray of hope to share to all:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this. -Isaiah
9:6:7
Because God eternally exists, he cannot be born
or come into existence; he always IS. Isaiah is very accurate
with his words here: A child is born and the son is given. The
son cannot be born, because being born implies a beginning.
So Isaiah breaks it up and separates the two thoughts accurately.
I believe many Jews today and back then, have
great difficulties in understanding the above passage. Isaiah,
like many of his other prophecies, speaks in a way like it has
already happened. Although it hasn't happened yet in Isaiah's
time, he says, "A child is born." All would understand
this as a human child. But then look at the titles: Counselor,
God, Father, Prince, and a King to reign on David's throne for
a few years? No, but forever. How is that possible?
How could a human ever get the title God? How
could a human King reign forever? Jews back then certainly knew
the difference between a human King and God. Surrounding cultures
before and after merged the two titles together (e.g. Egypt
and Rome); but no Jew back then or even today would confuse
the two (who is man and who is God). I know many prophecies
involving Christ often try to get re-interpreted as the nation
Israel, but the titles are not fitting for a nation. The only
way the above prophecy could be true is if God were to incarnate
and become fully God and fully human.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will
call him Immanuel. -Isaiah
7:14
Immanuel means "God with Us". Oh yeah.....That
is what Christmas is all about Ebenezer.
