The Grave: Remembering our mortality
“Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point,” said Scrooge, “answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they shadows of the things that may be, only?”
(Marley, A Christmas Carol, Stave 4)
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Advent Day 17 — The Grave: Remembering Our Mortality
Theme: Counting our days to find eternal joy
In the closing moments of A Christmas Carol’s haunting final vision, Scrooge stands trembling before the silent Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come. The shroud of night presses close as he gazes upon his own neglected tombstone.
“Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point,” said Scrooge, “answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they shadows of the things that may be, only?”
The weight of mortality falls heavy upon him. All his life’s striving, all his hoarded gold—none of it can follow him beyond that lonely grave. In that moment of terrible clarity, Scrooge begins to see his life as God sees it: fleeting, fragile, and in desperate need of grace.
The Spirit’s message echoes the wisdom of Scripture: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12). We are reminded that life is but a breath, a mist that vanishes, and yet infinitely precious because it is a gift from the Eternal One.
Remembering our mortality is not meant to breed despair—it is meant to awaken joy. When we reckon with our own finitude, we begin to live with gratitude. When we face death through the lens of faith, we find hope in the promise of resurrection.
Scrooge’s grave, though chilling, becomes the birthplace of his transformation. He realizes that while his days are limited, his choices are not. By God’s mercy, there is still time to change—to love, to give, to live for others.
This is the wisdom Advent invites us to embrace. The Child in the manger was born to conquer the grave. Death does not have the final word; Jesus does. Remembering that truth frees us to live joyfully, generously, and with eternity in view.
Today, as you read, pause to listen to selections from the Advent Playlist, such as “In the Bleak Midwinter” and “Because He Lives.” Let these songs quiet your soul and remind you that death is not the end—it is the doorway to life everlasting. Then, spend time with today’s curated artwork—a contemplative piece portraying light breaking over a dark graveyard, a visual echo of resurrection hope.
Let this day’s reflection move you to gratitude for each breath, each mercy, and each chance to live well before God.
Prayer
Eternal God, teach me to number my days and to live each one with wisdom and purpose. Remind me that this life is fleeting, yet sacred in Your sight. When I am tempted to despair, fix my eyes on Christ, who conquered the grave and gave me everlasting hope. May the awareness of my mortality fill me not with fear, but with the joy of redemption and the urgency to love well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Artwork: The Last of the Spirits
Artist: John Leech
Medium: Hand-colored etching
Date: 1843
Published in: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Artistic Analysis
This haunting illustration captures one of the most emotionally charged moments in A Christmas Carol: Scrooge confronted by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The artist uses contrast, composition, and symbolic imagery to convey the terror, inevitability, and moral weight of this encounter.
1. Composition and Figures
The scene is arranged with the Ghost dominating the left side of the frame. The Spirit looms as a towering, featureless silhouette, its form almost blending into the shadows. Its lack of visible features intensifies its eerie authority—it is not a being with a face but a force, a presence, an inevitability.
Opposite the Spirit is Scrooge, collapsed in horror on the ground. His posture reveals desperation: knees bent, hands covering his face, body twisted in anguish. His small, trembling figure emphasizes his vulnerability and the absolute helplessness he feels before the future that awaits him.
2. Light and Shadow
The artist makes powerful use of shadow to heighten dread. The Ghost is rendered in deep, impenetrable darkness, absorbing all light and hope. Scrooge, though illuminated, is bathed in a pale, sickly light that heightens his fear.
The gravestone—bearing his own name—is the brightest element in the composition. This stark illumination draws the viewer’s eye directly to Scrooge’s ultimate fate. The light here functions not as comfort but as revelation: the truth laid bare.
3. Setting and Atmosphere
The setting is a desolate churchyard. The twisted trees, uneven ground, and iron fence create a sense of cold abandonment. Every element underscores decay and finality. This is not simply a cemetery; it is a symbolic landscape of Scrooge’s moral and spiritual death.
4. Symbolism and Mood
The Spirit’s gesture—one long arm extended toward the grave—acts as a silent verdict. The entire image radiates inevitability: this is the future Scrooge has built for himself through selfishness, apathy, and isolation.
The mood is bleak, solemn, and chilling. There is no motion except the implied trembling of Scrooge and the unwavering pointing of the Spirit. The stillness communicates fate, judgment, and the narrowing of time.
5. Narrative Meaning
This moment marks the climax of Scrooge’s transformation. The artist captures the exact point when fear breaks his hardened heart. Facing the grave, he confronts not only death but the legacy of a life lived without love, generosity, or connection. The image becomes a visual sermon on the consequences of a life closed to compassion.
O Come, O Come Immanuel
Latin Hymn, 12th century
Translated by John M. Neale (1818-1866)
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.