Family
“I am here to-night to warn you, that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping …”
(Marley, A Christmas Carol)
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
(Jeremiah 29.11-13)
Advent Day 3: Family
Family. That word can bring feelings of great joy to one person and feelings of tremendous pain for another. For some, family has been a place of love, security, and safety, while for others it has been a place of great hurt.
For Scrooge, family was not something of which he thought. He had only one family member, his dead sister’s son, Fred. But Scrooge had so isolated himself from his sole familial tie that he had no connection whether physically or emotionally. He had detached from his family altogether.
Whereas Scrooge gave no thought to Fred and his family, Fred gave considerable thought to Scrooge, endeavoring to reach out to his curmudgeonly uncle for the Christmas feast. But alas, Scrooge did not see family as something to embrace, but rather something to ignore, reject, and forget. Scrooge’s open hostility and rejection was hurtful and regretful for sweet Fred.
What Scrooge failed to acknowledge, and something the Bible affirms, is that family is a blessing! Or, it should be. Time and time again the Bible shows the blessings of a loving family that loves, provides for, and protects one another. Abraham rescued his nephew Lot. Ruth showed kindness to Naomi and Boaz showed kindness to Ruth. Joseph showed restraint, compassion, and forgiveness for his brothers.
Psalm 127.3-5 tells us that children are a blessing to their parents, yet Proverbs 15.20 tells us that a wise son brings joy to his parents, but a foolish one despises his parents. So, a family member can be either a blessing or a curse. In the case of the Scrooge family, Fred was a blessing and Scrooge was the curse. Fred saw the value in his family, longed for familial bonding with his uncle, and reached out to Scrooge. Scrooge, on the other hand, was the fool. He rejected Fred. Saw no value in familial bonding. One attempted to bring joy to the other. The other despised his family and brought hurt.
When the Ghost of Christmas Present conveyed Scrooge to observe the Cratchit household, Scrooge saw what family engage as it was designed. He saw husband and wife, parents and children – all interacting with great love and affection for one another. He observed genuine compassion and care.
Which are you? Do you see your family as a gift from the Lord? Do you see your family as something to cherish? to uphold?
How do we handle
Prayer
Almighty God, open my ears to hear from you today. Open my eyes to my own shortcomings . . . those parts of my life that are ill-prepared to hear from you; those parts that are hardened to the moving of Your Spirit. May I not put off Your Spirit as something inconsequential. May I have a Scrooge-Marley experience. A moment that is so clarifying in my life that I know I have encountered a Holy God who calls me to Him. Amen.
Artwork: Hoisting the Union Jack
Artist: Alfred William Hunt
Medium: Hand-colored etching
Date: 1876
Artistic and Interpretative Analysis
Medium and Technique:
This wood engraving uses fine black-and-white line work, achieved through careful hatching and cross-hatching. The technique allows for strong contrast and intricate detail, capturing both light and texture with precision typical of Victorian illustration.
Composition:
The scene centers on a family gathered around a glowing Christmas tree as the mother lifts her child to place the Union Jack atop it. The figures are closely arranged, emphasizing warmth, togetherness, and shared joy. The comfortable home and festive decorations reflect the security and harmony of middle-class domestic life.
Style and Themes:
The engraving combines realism with sentimental idealism, portraying Christmas as a time of unity, generosity, and love. The act of raising the flag suggests not only family pride but also the connection between home, heritage, and shared identity. At its heart, the image celebrates family bonds as the foundation of both personal and national strength.
Reflection: Family Love and Unity in A Christmas Carol
Like the family gathered around the Christmas tree in Hunt’s engraving, Dickens’ story shines with scenes of warmth, faith, and fellowship that stand in stark contrast to Scrooge’s early loneliness.
In Fred’s home, laughter and forgiveness flow freely. Fred welcomes others in, embodying joy that grows from love and belonging. His Christmas spirit mirrors the togetherness in the engraving — a home filled not by wealth, but by shared affection.
In the Cratchit household, love is expressed through gratitude and care. Though their means are small, their hearts are large. Their humble feast, Tiny Tim’s prayers, and their steadfast hope reveal a richness far greater than Scrooge’s fortune.
Both families illustrate the same truth the engraving celebrates: that the heart of Christmas is found in unity — in gathering around the light of love that binds generations together.
By the story’s end, Scrooge joins this circle of warmth. His transformation echoes the symbolism of the mother lifting the child toward the shining star — a gesture of hope, renewal, and the enduring power of family love.
Playlist Daily Highlight
We’ve provided multiple versions of this classic Christmas carol. Listen to your favorite style, but also try something new!
See if you find a new appreciation for this song or a different version than what you’re used to.
Take the time to listen . . . really listen to the words of this song and reflect on them. Let God speak to you in this moment.