Session 1

Bah! Humbug!

Session Goals

Through this session's discussion and activities, participants will be encouraged to:

• Familiarize themselves with A Christmas Carol.

• Examine how Advent is a season in which past, present, and future come together. (During this season we recall the events leading up to Jesus' birth two thousand years ago; we anticipate the ways in which Christ enters our lives today; and we look forward to Christ's promised return.)

• Explore the tension and relationship between God's grace and personal accountability.

• Look at the role that hope plays during the Advent season — particularly the hope that we have amid darkness and despair.

• Reflect on the witness of our spiritual ancestors.

Preparation

• Read Chapter 1, "Bah! Humbug!" in Matt Rawle's The Redemption of Scrooge.

• Read through this Leader Guide session in its entirety to familiarize yourself with the material being covered.

• Read and reflect on the following Scriptures:

* Matthew 1:1-17

* Matthew 20:1-16

* Mark 1:1-13

* Luke 1:1-38

* Luke 1:46-55

* John 1:1-18

* Galatians 6:7

* Colossians 2:13-14

• You will want to have your DVD player or computer ready to watch the video segment. You might also want to have a markerboard or large sheet of paper available for recording group members' ideas.

• Have a Bible, paper for taking notes, and a pen or pencil available for every participant.

• If you will be doing the activity, "Merry Gentlemen and Gentlewomen," under "Additional Options for Study and Discussion," try to have a few hymnals or songbooks available that contain the hymn "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen."

Getting Started

Opening Activity and Prayer (5 minutes)

Begin by gauging your group's familiarity with Charles Dickens's novel A Christmas Carol.

• First, ask members of the group who've read the novel, A Christmas Carol, to stand (or raise their hands).

• While the novel readers remain standing, ask those who have seen a film or stage version of Dickens's A Christmas Carol to stand.

• Next, ask those who have seen a popular Hollywood take on the story, such as Scrooged or A Muppet Christmas Carol, to stand.

• Then, ask those to stand who — despite not having read the book or seen a movie adaptation — understand that there exists a story called A Christmas Carol about an old miser who has some run-ins with ghosts.

• Finally, ask those to stand who are familiar with the name "Scrooge" and associate that name with someone who is grumpy and cynical about Christmas.

If there are members of your group who have very limited knowledge of the story, give a brief summary (or read "A Quick Refresher," found at the beginning of The Redemption of Scrooge). Then discuss:

• How have you seen the name or image of Scrooge used in popular culture and advertising?

• Why do you think A Christmas Carol and the story of Ebenezer Scrooge resonates so much with our culture? Why do so many people relate to this story?

God of our past, present, and future, bless our time together over the next few weeks. Guide us as we draw inspiration from a great work of literature during this time of preparation when we anticipate all the ways you have, do, and will enter our world. May we benefit from the wisdom of your people and your word. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Learning Together

Watch DVD Segment (10 minutes)

Study and Discussion of Book and DVD (35–40 minutes)

The Advent Time Warp

Read aloud or summarize for the group:

In A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts — the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. This idea of three ghosts is appropriate for the Christian season of Advent, which also brings together the past, present, and future.

Divide a markerboard or large sheet of paper into three columns, labeled "Past," "Present," and "Future."

Ask participants to brainstorm ways that Advent connects us with the past. List their ideas in the "Past" column on the markerboard or paper. Examples would include:

• During Advent, we remember the events leading up to Jesus' birth two millennia ago.

• We also look back further, to the ways in which God's people anticipated the coming of a Messiah.

• Advent also brings to mind the more recent past, such as memories from one's childhood or memories of loved ones who have died or moved away.

Then have participants brainstorm ways that Advent connects us to the present. List these ideas in the "Present" column. Examples would include:

• We actively participate in Advent through the ways we worship, the music we listen to, and the ways we decorate our homes and churches.

• Advent is an occasion to turn our hearts and minds toward Christ amid the busyness of Christmas shopping, work, exams (for those who are students or who have children who are), and other responsibilities.

Finally, ask participants to brainstorm ways that Advent connects us to the future. List these ideas in the "Future" column. Examples would include:

• Advent is a season of preparation. Most immediately, we prepare for our Christmas celebration.

• Advent looks ahead to Christ's return.

• During the Advent season, we often create memories that we will keep with us for many years.

Once you have a good list in all three columns, explain that Advent is a season that brings together the past, present, and future. Be sure to emphasize the following:

• Advent is the season when we remember the events leading up to Jesus' birth and prepare to celebrate Christmas.

• Advent is a season when we are especially mindful of how Jesus is present in our world today and when we prepare to encounter Jesus in our lives.

• Advent is the season when we look ahead to Jesus' promised return.

Read aloud or summarize for the group:

As Rawle writes, Advent helps us remember that, "Jesus came to save us from counting our past as our only reality. ... Advent is like living in the wilderness between what was and what will be. Living into this tension, remembering God's promises, and depending on faith become spiritual disciplines that keep us from becoming Scrooges ourselves. Even though the Promised Land may seem far off, we hold tightly to the promises of our God, for 'he who promised is faithful' (Hebrews 10:23 NIV)" (The Redemption of Scrooge, pages 23-24).

Just Deserts

Read aloud Galatians 6:7 — if possible from a variety of translations. Ask:

• What do you think this verse means by, "A person will harvest what they plant" (CEB) or "You reap whatever you sow." (NRSV)?

• How might this verse be used to justify someone's misfortune (or taking delight in...