Embossed on the red leather cover in gold letters and ringed by a delicate holly wreath are the words A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It is a small book with gilt edges, ‘a book that can be easily held in the hand and carried to the fireside…’
I’d determined to reread
the book to enter the Christmas spirit in this pandemic year. I knew where to
find it. In the side cabinet of my grandmother’s desk. Years ago it was to be
found on a bookshelf in my family home. I hadn’t held the book in my hands in
many years.
It smells old. The
copyright is 1920. One hundred years. Because this is a purposeful rereading, I
start with the introduction by A. Edward Newton, an American author, publisher
and book collector. He tells the history of the book’s first publication and
its influences for good in a world seemingly dominated by evil forces, a book,
according to Dicken’s friend Lord Jeffrey that ‘had done more good than all the
pulpits in Christendom.’
It is a story of redemption.
Ghostly revelations spark Scrooge’s nostalgia for his younger, innocent self, a self-awareness of his mean character in the present, and a gloomy vision of his
future self. I can relate. The holiday season makes me nostalgic for Christmas
in the Northern Hemisphere with family, especially childhood Christmases. In
addition, long months of quarantine have induced me to much self-reflection
that I believe also comes with the aging process. Not much time left for
self-improvement!
I learn that the small book
in my hand is an exact copy of the first edition, following Dicken’s dictates,
including four color plates, the title page printed in red and blue, the end
papers inside the covers of a Paris green color and gilt edges. I am holding a
small treasure.
Our Christmas in this pandemic year will be a simple one in keeping with these times, focusing, as in A Christmas Carol, on extending cheer and love to our family, friends and neighbors.
May these be our gifts
throughout the year.
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