Friday, December 04, 2009

Poor Old Ebenezer Scrooge


“Scrooge”. Isn’t that what we call people who don’t seem to have the Christmas spirit? Of course with all the activities this time of year it is difficult to be cheerful all the time but why “Scrooge”? Why do we call people “Scrooge” when they don’t enjoy Christmas?

I am not asking where the name originated. I am familiar with Ebenezer Scrooge. He was the Dickens’s character who wanted to make as much money as he could while spending as little as he could. He didn’t even want to let his workers off on Christmas Day. At Christmas season he wandered around his shop mumbling “Bah, Humbug.”

However, the story doesn’t end there. Do you remember what happened? After being visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future he became a changed man. He got up early on Christmas Day to buy turkeys and gifts. He became a gracious old man. Charles Dickens wrote “He knew how to keep Christmas well”.

So why do we call people “Scrooge” when they don’t have the Christmas spirit? Why don’t we use that name for people who enjoy Christmas?

Let’s try that this year. When you see someone who is really enjoying this wonderful time of year walk up and say, “Hello, Scrooge.” Try it with your spouse or your boss. (If they get angry blame it on me.)

Even though I think that name is appropriate I don’t think it will go over too well. You will be misunderstood. Take a few minutes to explain. Remind your boss or spouse of the happy ending and how Scrooge turned out to be a wonderful old man. It probably won’t help. Why?

For one thing traditions die slowly. For over 165 years the name Scrooge has suggested a miserable person. It would be difficult to change the meaning now. Although according to the OED the first use of the word Scrooge as a miserable person appeared in the 1940's it is still firmly planted in our minds and will not be quickly changed to a positive concept.

More significantly though we tend to judge a person by the way he lives most of his life rather than on the basis of one act of kindness. A person can’t be a grinch 364 days of the year and expect to change all that on Christmas Day with a few gifts.

And aren’t most of us skeptical about the possibility of change? “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” “Once a Scrooge always a Scrooge.”

But the true message of Christmas is that change is possible. That baby born in a manger 2000 years ago came to change the world and he does— one Scrooge at a time.

If you walk up to a friend and call him or her a Scrooge it probably won’t be appreciated. Maybe you shouldn’t try it this year. Or you can practice on me. I will know what you mean.

Not only do I enjoy Christmas but I believe people can change. I have seen it. I have seen drunks become deacons. I have seen losers become leaders. I have seen grinches become givers. That is what Christmas is all about.

For the Son of man came to find and restore the lost.

Luke 19:10 The Message

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Organ Donation
I was visiting with a veteran who had lost a leg in Vietnam and I asked if there anything I could help him with? He said “Yes, you can answer a question. Will I have another leg in heaven?”

My answer provides some rationale for my support of organ donation. Without hesitation I replied, “Yes, you will have another leg.” Neither amputation not organ donation has any effect on the resurrected body because in the resurrection all things are made new.
Those who worry about organ donation somehow affecting them in the afterlife do not understand the biblical view of resurrection. The teaching of Scripture is that those who know Christ will have a new body, not only will we be healed but whole.

In light of the resurrection the Christian should not hesitate to sign up as an organ donor. The mortal will put on immortality. The Christian should not take to the grave that which can give life to those who remain behind.

Nearly 100,000 people across the US are currently waiting for organ transplants. At least 18 will die today without one. Perhaps if some clear biblical principles were presented in support or organ donation more Christians would give so more would live.

Five years ago I signed a donor card without hesitation because it seemed the right thing to do. Recently though I was asked to present the Protestant view of organ donation at a seminar at Nason Hospital. I was not comfortable with the grocery list of verses proposed in other papers. I wanted to present something of substance. These thoughts were proposed as a protestant view.

I began by taking a trip back to the Garden of Eden. Although God had created man and women, Adam was alone for some period of time. Then God caused a deep sleep to come on Adam and taking a rib God brought Eve to life

This is certainly not an illustration of organ donation but it does show that Eve was given life by a gift from Adam. Life came from his life.

Secondly, Jesus told his followers to do unto others as they would have others do unto them. We should ask ourselves if we would accept an organ if we were dying? Sadly, many people who have reservations about donating organs have no such reservation about receiving. If the Golden Rule applies in this situation shouldn’t we be willing give what we want to receive?

I believe, however, that the best foundation for organ donation is found in the New Testament emphasis on love. The Greek word agapao implies a concern for others over oneself. I appreciate the definition given by Van Harvey “the selfless commitment of the lover to the one loved, to the enrichment and enhancement of the beloved’s being.”

In light of these consideration I support and promote the donation of organs for the enrichment and enhancement” of the other’s being.