Tag: Christmas

Sharing the Heart of Christmas

In this post I send holiday wishes while reflecting on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” It summarizes the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser who embraces the spirit of Christmas. The tale highlights themes of love, family, and redemption, and I wish the same to you.

Merry Christmas and welcome to Watercress Words, where we explore the HEART of Health.

My family and I attended a stage presentation of Charles Dickens’ story, A Christmas Carol, where this photo was taken

Dr. Aletha and Raymond Oglesby

The story was written by the English author Charles Dickens in the mid-19th century, but it continues to touch hearts almost 200 years later.

Spoiler alert-here’s the story, skip if you don’t want to know

Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly man who despises Christmas. Scrooge started a business with Jacob Marley, who was very similar to Scrooge, but since Marley died Scrooge runs the business alone, treating one of his staff members, Bob Cratchit, very poorly.  

One night Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge that if he does not become kinder he will have an awful fate after death. Marley tells Scrooge that in the coming nights he will be visited by three more ghosts. Initially Scrooge fails to take the warning seriously but as the ghostly visits become more terrifying, Scrooge begins to realise that he must change his ways.  

By the end of the story Scrooge has completely transformed, having learnt the importance of charity, friendship and generosity. Christmas is now his favourite time of the year and he does all he can to help Bob Cratchit and his family.  

Watch A Christmas Carol

There have been multiple screen versions of the story, including some animated adaptations. Do a search and find one, probably for free.

Read A Christmas Carol

And you can read the story, also for free. Here is a link to one version online at the Library of Congress.

Cover of the original publication

My wish for you and your family

Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is about loneliness, greed, selfishness, anger, fear, regret, and death.

But it also teaches us the value of family, friends, caring, giving, receiving, charity, and forgiveness. It is about second chances and starting over. Ultimately, in this timeless classic, love wins.

However you spend Christmas and whoever you spend it with, I wish you peace, joy, hope, and love.

Warmest wishes, Dr. Aletha

I will honor Christmas in my heart. Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens, English author, Lightstock.com, affiliate link

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Still Looking for Peace on Earth

I have updated my first Christmas post for the ten-year anniversary of this blog, My late friend Bill provided the cover image. I share the special bond he had with my husband, their shared experiences of war, and how art served as therapy for Bill. I invite you to reflect on loss and legacy during the holiday season.

This is an updated version of the first Christmas post I wrote for this blog ten years ago, 2015. I had no plans to write a blog for any length of time, much less ten years.

The same cover photo depicts a Biblical scene from the Christmas story. Some shepherds tending their flocks were visited by angels.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 

 And the angel said to them,

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!

Luke 2:11–14, ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Christmas manger display
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end. (Isa. 9:6–7)
Photo by Dr. Aletha

Shepherds, Angels, and Two Soldiers

The cover image was on a Christmas card my husband, Raymond, and I received from our dear friends Bill and Greta Hart, whom we met at our church.

Like my husband, Bill was an Army veteran. Raymond served three years, including a tour in Vietnam. Bill was sent to Europe during World War II and was among the men who stormed Normandy on June 6 to liberate France.

Though they served in two very different wars, with different outcomes, Bill and Raymond bonded over their shared experience. They both carried invisible wounds of the mind and heart that others couldn’t see.

Bill was a professional artist, but art was not just his job. It was his therapy, a balm for his pain, a source for the peace he had fought for but did not feel himself.

So he drew this picture of the shepherds hearing the joyful message of peace coming to earth, put it on Christmas cards, and sent the message to his friends.

Both Bill and Greta have passed away after living into their 90s. They remained faithful members of our church. He continued drawing and painting until the day he died. With her sister, Greta taught Bible lessons after school in local elementary schools. With her passing, other women have continued her mission.

Thoughts

Who is missing in your life this holiday season? What thoughts come to your mind as you remember them? What feelings stir in you?

What do you want others to remember about you? What will you do now to make that happen?

Exploring the HEART of Health

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

an evergreen wreath with holly

Dr. Aletha

Read more about Bill Hart here.

Remembering D-Day through Art

In 1943, as a 20 year old, Bill joined the Army, deployed to England, and prepared for the invasion. What he thought would be a grand adventure turned into a nightmare which he vividly captured in his book.

Keep reading

How to Dwell on Advent

Many people find using their phones a convenient way to read and meditate on the Bible. And it’s easy to do so with the Dwell Bible App. With Dwell you can listen to and read the Bible and special devotional offerings for Advent, Lent, and throughout the year.

Screenshot of the Advent offerings on the Dwell app