Dear Friend,
Today, I put up my Christmas tree and began reading this month’s contemplative reading selection, Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.
A Christmas Carol
The editors at Chiltern, who publish my chosen copy of the book, write: “In 1843, Charles Dickens took up his pen to begin his ‘ghostly little book’ and so created A Christmas Carol and the mean-spirited Ebenezer Scrooge, one of the most memorable characters in literature. In weaving his enduring story of redemption, Dickens gave the world a tale of delights with every retelling and played a part in shaping the modern idea of Christmas.”
It’s that “delights with every retelling” that spoke to me when considering what our first December read would be together. Like many of you, I’ve read this one more than once. I had it read to me quite often as a child, and I always watch at least two adaptations of it each holiday season. But how deeply, really, have I thought about its subjects? I’m curious to dive in again for a more focused discovery.
Of his creation, Dickens prefaced, “I have endeavored in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humor with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it.”
I doubt even Dickens himself could have imagined just how in humor his little tale would put folks, nor just how dramatically it would change the way the world would celebrate Christmas and understand the Christmas season forever.
As Tiny Tim might exclaim, “God bless Dickens, everyone.”
Why Contemplative Reading?
Contemplative reading asks us not just what we’re learning about the book in our hands (or ears), but what we’re learning about ourselves through the experience of reading it. The aim is to create deeper awareness of ourselves and understanding of others. It is often described as “holistic,” but also as “heart-knowing.”
Heart-knowing. Doesn’t that sound nice?
The Plan
A Christmas Carol is a rather short tale, and it is conveniently structured into five staves. My plan is as follows:
- December 11: Reflect on Stave One
- December 18: Reflect on Stave Two and Stave Three
- December 25: Reflect on Stave Four and Stave Five
As I aim to be truly contemplative, taking time to think about and write about what I’m reading, my personal plan is to divide those pages further into daily meditative reading, which I’ll do each morning. Please feel welcome to follow my pace or to set one that works for you.
Reading & Responding
Each set of reading will guide my responses here on the blog and on social media. I might sometimes share the most provocative line or passage, and what it makes me think about. Other times, I might ask questions about the reading, things I’m wondering about or confused about. And still further, I might compare what I’m reading to what it reminds me of from other readings or experiences.
I don’t want to give too much guidance about how to read, except to say, read attentively, read slowly, and listen to yourself. What thoughts and feelings arise as you’re reading? Write them down and give yourself some moments to reflect on why you’re thinking what you’re thinking, or why you’re feeling what you’re feeling.
Conversations
I will also be interacting on social media, of course, and may share micro-thoughts and favorite quotes or reactions on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and Facebook. I encourage you to join these conversations or leave your thoughts in the blog comments. On social media, please use #theCRPblog so we can find one another.
Meditation: “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” -Charles Dickens
Love and warmth,
~Adam
Contemplative Reading Project 
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