November 29: Misery's Every Refuge, His Precepts, Toys for Tots Concert

In almshouse, hospital, and jail, in misery's every refuge, where vain man in his little brief authority had not made fast the door, and barred the Spirit out, he left his blessing, and taught Scrooge his precepts.

The Ghost of the Present teaches Scrooge about the precepts of Christmas.  He teaches Scrooge about compassion and laughter.  About misery and hope.  About family and friendship.  And about generosity and charity.  The Present is full of examples of people at their very best.

On this Blessing Thursday, I am going to do a commercial.  Tonight, I am participating in a Toys for Tots Benefit Concert at Mitchell United Methodist Church in Negaunee, Michigan.  There's quite the collection of musicians at this event.  Rock bands, pianists, Blues singers, church choirs, and violinists.  One thing connects each of us:  we want to help kids have a good holiday.  We are trying to do the work of the Ghost of Christmas Present.

It really doesn't take a whole lot to be a part of the blessings of Christmas.  Drop a few coins in a Salvation Army bucket.  Bring some canned corn or pumpkin to a local food pantry.  Visit an elderly neighbor.  All of these things contribute to the general air of yuletide kindness.  It's not really about money or presents or cookies.  It's about seeing a need and filling it.

Come join Saint Marty tonight at 7 p.m. in Negaunee.  The price of admission is one unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.  See the need.  Fill it.

All aboard this train!

November 27: Counting-House, Toys for Tots, Saint James of the March

Once upon a time--of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve--old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house.

As far as I can tell, Scrooge lends money for a living.  I would like to say he's a loan shark, but there's simply not enough information in the novel for me to get a good idea about Scrooge's business.  There's one scene near the end of the book in which a poor couple is stressing over a debt.  It's a horrible scene.  The woman, at one point, asks her husband, "We are quite ruined?"  Scrooge is obviously the source of his stress.

I understand the kind of desperation the woman is expressing.  Money has been tight for my family.  I have never had to go to someone like Scrooge for my finances.  Thank goodness.  I have always somehow been able to pay my bills.  It's been difficult at times, but God has always provided us exactly what we've needed.

November 26 is the feast day of Saint James the March.  Among the things James did in his life was establish pawnshops to help the poor borrow money at very low rates.  He cared about the Bob Cratchits and Tiny Tims of the world.  He did a lot of other things, as well.  One story tells of how he converted over 50,000 people to Christianity with a single sermon.  Scrooge could have learned a lot from James the March.

This Thursday, I'm participating in a benefit Toys for Tots concert.  It's the second year my wife's church has sponsored the event.  My praise band is going to be performing.  I'm not comparing myself to James.  That would be the height of hubris.  James was the ambassador for popes.  I play keyboard in a Christian rock band.  But, like James, I'm using one of my gifts to help my neighbors.  James tried to make a difference in the world.  Scrooge eventually makes a difference in his world.

Saint Marty is trying to make a difference, as well, one song at a time.



I'm trying...