But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.

Psalm 77:11

Tis the season for Christmas movies, and while most are not about Jesus’ birth, at least a few of them are about redemption and transformation. They reveal what happens when love breaks through our hearts and redirects our focus and our lives. In 1943, Charles Dickens published his book, “A Christmas Carol.” Since then, many movies have told his original story. They tell of a grumpy, greedy Ebenezer Scrooge who, when given the opportunity to see his past, present, and future, comes to understand how deeply his selfishness and bitterness had damaged his own life and the lives of those around him. After the truth is revealed to him, almost supernaturally, his heart is transformed from selfish to grateful, from greedy to generous. 

The name “Ebenezer” is a biblical name that means “stone of help”. The prophet Samuel named a large stone “Ebenezer” to remind the Israelites what God had done—how God had always been faithful and helped them in battle. Because humans tend to forget God’s presence and activity in our lives, the Israelites needed to remember their Helper and to view their circumstances from a heavenly perspective. Perhaps Ebenezer Scrooge needed an Ebenezer stone himself. He certainly needed to be reminded that God’s great plan for us is anything but a self-focused, greedy one.

It’s easy to forget the goodness and faithfulness of Jesus when you’re struggling with shame, depression, fear, or disappointment after disappointment. But when your heart is burdened, it isn’t your ever-changing circumstances that need your focus; it is your perfect, sovereign, never-changing God! Like Ebenezer Scrooge, perhaps you simply need to be reminded to view your life, not from an earthly perspective, but from a heavenly one. Ebenezer Scrooge was led to repentance by the fictitious spirits of Christmas past, present, and future. But Jesus gives someone infinitely better and very, very real—the Holy Spirit, His true Helper (John 14:16). True repentance and heart transformation are only possible through the grace and love of Jesus. So speak God’s truth into your own heart and into the lives of those around you. Never forget the beautiful, transformational, eternal hope your Savior gives. Only the hope of Jesus gives LIFE! And to that, Tiny Tim would say, “God bless us every one!” You are loved!