On this day in 1843, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was published.

Since we’re moving quickly toward Christmas, it won’t be long till you’ll see a version of A Christmas Carol. You probably know the story well. Featuring Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley’s Ghost, Tiny Tim, and the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future, through whom Scrooge learns the real meaning of Christmas.

Do you remember Scrooge’s famous phrase? That’s right—”Bah! Humbug!” he would say whenever someone tried to get him in the Christmas spirit.

Have you ever felt like Scrooge? Have you grown tired of all the carols and crowds, or run short of money with presents still to buy? Are you afraid you won’t be getting what you really want for Christmas? Are you stressed with the added activities and responsibilities? Are you tempted to say, “Humbug”?

That’s when we need to remember Christmas past. No, we don’t need a visit from a fictional ghost; we just need to remember the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate.

Our verse for today says it all: “God with us.” Christmas celebrates the greatest gift ever given—God himself in human flesh.The wise men presented gifts to baby Jesus. And for centuries Christians have exchanged gifts in his honor.

Christmas is all about the giving, not the getting. And when we give to family, friends, and others, we should expect nothing in return. Our giving should be a response, not a habit or a way to get.

So get through those humbug feelings and find the truth in this season. And don’t forget to “Thank God for his Son—a gift too wonderful for words!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us) Matthew 1:23.

To Do

Buy an extra gift for someone who really needs it. Give it anonymously (without putting your name on it), and don’t ever let him or her know that you were the giver.

Also on this day

This is Bicycle Built for Two Day.

1759—The first music store in America opened.

2000—U.S. Vice President Al Gore conceded the 2000 Presidential election to Texas Governor George W. Bush.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.