A Changed Man: The Miracle of Christmas Morning
“Best and happiest of all, the Time before him was his own, to make amends in! ‘I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future,’ Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed. ‘The Spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.’”
(Scrooge, A Christmas Carol, Stave 5)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Advent Day 24 — A Changed Man: The Miracle of Christmas Morning
Theme: Love made visible — living redeemed in the light of Christ.
Few moments in literature capture the sheer wonder of rebirth like Ebenezer Scrooge’s awakening on Christmas morning. Dickens paints the scene with contagious joy:
“Best and happiest of all, the Time before him was his own, to make amends in! ‘I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future,’ Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed. ‘The Spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.’”
The cold-hearted miser, once a prisoner to greed and fear, leaps out of bed with laughter and tears. He is no longer who he was. The old Scrooge is gone — the new Scrooge is here. His heart, long frozen, now beats with warmth and love.
This is not merely a moral reform. It is transformation. And in that, Dickens’ story mirrors the Gospel truth at the heart of Christmas: when Christ enters a life, everything changes.
The Incarnation — God with us — becomes God in us.
The same divine love that entered a manger now enters human hearts. The same Spirit that brought life to the world now breathes life into our souls.
Scrooge’s laughter that morning is a glimpse of resurrection joy — the joy of one who has passed from death to life. It is the joy of new creation. What Dickens imagined in fiction, Christ accomplishes in truth.
To be “in Christ” is to awaken as Scrooge did — blinking in the light of grace, overwhelmed by the mercy that gives us not what we deserve, but what we could never earn. Like Scrooge, we are given “the Time before us… to make amends in,” not as penance, but as participation in redemption’s work.
And so, on this final day of Advent — on the threshold of Christmas — we celebrate not only that Christ has come, but that He has made us new. The miracle of Christmas morning is not confined to Bethlehem or to Scrooge’s London; it happens wherever a heart opens to receive Him.
As you take in today’s artwork, perhaps of a radiant sunrise over the city or an image of Scrooge embracing the Cratchits, see in it a reflection of your own renewal. Listen to the Advent Playlist, letting carols like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” or “Joy to the World” fill your heart with gratitude and praise.
The story ends — and begins — with joy. Love has come. Peace has been made. Hope fulfilled. Christ is born — and because He lives, we are made new.
Prayer
Redeeming Savior, thank You for the miracle of new life. You have taken my past and given me a future filled with grace. You have turned my mourning into laughter, my selfishness into love. As Scrooge awoke to a new morning, may I awaken each day to Your mercy. Let my life shine with the joy of one made new in You. Make me an instrument of Your hope, peace, joy, and love — this Christmas morning and always. Amen.
Artwork: “It’s I, your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let me in, Fred?”
Artist: Arthur Rackham
Medium: Hand-drawn with watercolor washing
Date: 1915
Published in: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Artistic Analysis
1. Artistic Style
Arthur Rackham’s unmistakable style is central to the image:
Loose yet expressive ink lines define the figures and objects with a slightly whimsical irregularity.
Soft, translucent watercolor washes create mood rather than strict realism.
Muted, earthy tones are characteristic of Rackham’s palette—warm browns, grays, and golds dominate, creating a gentle and nostalgic atmosphere.
Rackham’s work often blends the fantastical with the human, and here he softens Dickens’s world with a touch of fairytale warmth.
2. Narrative Moment
The illustration captures a pivotal emotional moment from A Christmas Carol:
Scrooge, newly transformed, arrives at his nephew Fred’s home for Christmas dinner.
The image conveys:
Scrooge’s hesitant humility—a man unused to warmth and welcome.
Fred and his young wife’s open, heartfelt invitation, signaling forgiveness, joy, and family connection.
This is the moment when Scrooge first steps into genuine human fellowship after years of isolation.
3. Composition
Rackham arranges the scene to emphasize Scrooge’s transition:
The Doorway
Scrooge stands framed in an open door, still partly in shadow.
Symbolically, he is at a threshold, moving from his cold, lonely world into a warm, loving family space.
The Gesture of Welcome
Fred’s arms are extended toward Scrooge, bridging the space between them.
His wife stands just behind, adding depth and human warmth.
Their posture literally draws Scrooge into the circle of light.
The Table
The bright white tablecloth and the piled fruit suggest abundance, festivity, and generosity.
The table anchors the right side of the image, representing the joy Scrooge is being invited into.
Rackham’s composition guides the viewer’s eye from the dark doorway → to Fred’s gesture → to the glowing celebration.
4. Color, Light, and Mood
Rackham uses light and color symbolically:
Warm golden light fills the dining room, highlighting abundant food and decorations.
Scrooge, in contrast, is painted in cooler, grayer hues, conveying the remnants of his old life.
The holly, ribbons, and soft red accents connect the moment to Christmas symbolism and renewal.
The overall mood is gentle, hopeful, and emotionally restorative.
5. Symbolic Elements
This scene is rich in Dickensian and Rackham-esque symbolism:
The Door: A moment of transformation; Scrooge crosses from his past into redemption.
Outstretched Hands: Forgiveness, acceptance, family, and unconditional welcome.
Holly Decorations: Tradition, festivity, and the promise of renewal.
Fruit and Tableware: Material signs of generosity, hospitality, and fellowship.
Rackham uses these elements to emphasize that Scrooge’s redemption is not only spiritual but relational.
Joy to the World
Poem, 1719
Written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Hymn, 1839, 1848 (revised)
Tune written by Lowell Mason (1792-1872)
O Come, O Come Immanuel
Latin Hymn, 12th century
Translated by John M. Neale (1818-1866)
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.