The Poor and the Marginalized:
Love Looks for Christ Among “the Least of These”
“Are there no prisons?” he had sneered. “And the Union workhouses — are they still in operation?”
(Scrooge, A Christmas Carol, Stave 1)
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Advent Day 20 — The Poor and the Marginalized: Love Looks for Christ Among “the Least of These”
Theme: Love looks for Christ among “the least of these.“
In A Christmas Carol, Dickens directs our attention again and again toward those living on the margins — the Cratchits struggling to make ends meet, Tiny Tim frail yet full of faith, and the countless poor whose plight Scrooge once dismissed with cold contempt.
“Are there no prisons?” he had sneered. “And the Union workhouses — are they still in operation?”
But after his encounters with the three Spirits, the veil is lifted. Scrooge sees them — really sees them — not as statistics or inconveniences, but as fellow souls, beloved of God. His heart, once numb, now burns with compassion. He becomes, in Dickens’ words, “as good a man, as good a friend, as good a master, as the good old city knew.”
Dickens understood something profound about the gospel: true love is not abstract. It takes form in mercy, generosity, and justice. He may have criticized the church of his day for its lack of compassion, but his pen still pointed to Christ — the One who took on flesh and lived among the poor, the outcast, and the forgotten.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 remind us that love for Him is inseparable from love for others, especially the least and the lowly. To follow Christ is to find Him in unexpected places — in the cold and hungry, the overlooked and misunderstood.
This is the love Advent calls forth: not sentimental affection, but self-giving compassion. The love that drove God to enter our poverty and share our suffering is the same love that now sends us into the world as His hands and heart.
Take a moment today to look upon the artwork curated for this devotional — perhaps a scene of the Cratchit family gathered around their humble feast, or a painting of Christ serving the poor. Then, listen to today’s selections on the Advent Playlist — songs like “What Child Is This” or “When Love Came Down.” As you do, let your heart be stirred toward acts of mercy.
Ask the Spirit to show you someone in need — materially, emotionally, or spiritually — and consider how you might be Christ’s love to them this week.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You chose poverty so that we might inherit the riches of Your grace. Teach me to see You in every person — especially in those the world overlooks. Break my heart for what breaks Yours, and move my hands to acts of compassion. May my love be more than words; let it become a living witness of Your presence among “the least of these.” In Your holy name, 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.
What Child is This
Hymn, 1865
Written by William C. Dix (1837-1898)
Child of the Poor
Hymn, 1994
Written by Scott Soper
Tune: Greensleeves
English folk song, 16th century
Written by unknown
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.