Book Review: A Christmas Carol Devotional: 25 Advent Reflections from Charles Dickens's Beloved Classic by Rachel Dodge

 

A Christmas Carol Devotional: 25 Advent Reflections from Charles Dickens's Beloved Classic by Rachel Dodge is a unique and insightful devotional. Whether you have read A Christmas Carol by Dickens or not, you will find much to enjoy. However, fans of the classic Christmas story are certain to find wandering through favorite moments from the book in a new way just as touching and wonderful as their first read-through of A Christmas Carol. 

Cleverly, Dodge uses the five-stave format that Dickens used to pen his well-known tale of Scrooge's transformation in her devotional. Each day opens with Scripture and a quote from Dickens's story. Then readers find a "Prepare Him Room" section for reflection, followed by "A Christmas Prayer." 

The book's format has pages of stunning artwork that remind us of the story and the season. The author dives deeply into A Christmas Carol, providing insights and helping the reader uncover even more treasures from the beloved classic along the way. What is most beautifully done, however, is how Dodge connects Scrooge's tale with Scripture and God's love for us, helping the reader to focus on the true meaning of the season. In her Introduction, the author says, "When seen through the lens of Scripture, his story reminds us that each day is a gift, that the hardest hearts can soften, and that God can redeem and restore even the most broken parts of our lives." This made me love A Christmas Carol even more than I did before and encouraged me to see Dickens's beloved classic in a new way. 

This is one of the most beautiful and touching Advent devotionals I've had the pleasure to read. A perfect gift for you or someone you love, A Christmas Carol Devotional is a wonderful way to reclaim your focus and intention this holiday season.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zondervan
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 8, 2026
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0310468035
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0310468035

I downloaded this book from NetGalley. This review contains my honest opinions, and I have not been compensated in any way.

Audible Novella Review: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Narrated by Hugh Grant

 

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens tells the story of miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge, a wealthy partner at Scrooge & Marley. Set during the Christmas season, years after the death of Marley, Scrooge believes all the joy and gift giving of the season to be a humbug. This year, like in years past, he declines his nephew's invitation to Christmas dinner. Once he returns home for the evening, he is visited by Marley's ghost, who encourages him to change his stingy ways. Marley warns him he will be visited by three spirits. As Scrooge joins the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, he comes face to face with what he life was, is, and could be. He also learns more about his clerk Bob Cratchit and his young son, Tiny Tim. 

This seasonal historical tale has been a holiday classic for generations. The Audible version, narrated by Hugh Grant, is a superb performance of the story of the stingy Scrooge, who is transformed by three spirits who visit him. Grant captured all the characters so well. I would recommend listening to this any time of year.

• Unabridged Audiobook
• Release date: 12-21-20
• Language: English
• Publisher: Audible Studios

This was a free Audible selection. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. 

On Audible: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

 

Audible Studios presents a brand new recording (Dec 2020) of Charles Dickens’ timeless seasonal story A Christmas Carol, performed by Hugh Grant.

First published in 1843, it tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a mean and unpleasant man who dislikes people generally and Christmas especially. One Christmas Eve he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come and given a glimpse of the many homes and lives which Scrooge has touched in his wretched life to date. After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.

I’ve always loved this story. Having been introduced to it in movie format first, when my daughters were in school, they each had to read this novella leading up to Dickens Day. That rekindled my interest in the story of the old miser who was transformed by the spirits. Of all the movie versions, A Christmas Carol with Patrick Stewart as Scrooge remains my favorite.

Have you seen or read A Christmas Carol?

Book Review: A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge by Robert J. Elisberg

It would be hard to keep me away from a seasonal title, but when I saw this one, I knew I had to read it. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens has long been a favorite of mine. I was thrilled to learn my daughter is reading it this year for English Language Arts.

A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge by Robert J. Elisberg opens five years after the actual death of Ebenezer Scrooge. Bob Cratchit, patriarch of the Cratchit family and Scrooge's former clerk, now owns Scrooge and Marley. In the years since Scrooge's death, Bob's generosity has run amok; not only leaving him the unwitting victim of shysters and the Cratchit family distanced from each other, but Bob's poor management skills have left Scrooge and Marley teetering on the verge of ruin. Scrooge makes a ghostly appearance to Cratchit, warning him he will be visited by three spirits.

In as much as A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is an indictment on capitalism, A Christmas Carol 2 is a humorous commentary on what happens when money is handed over to people or causes without first applying good judgment and common sense. The three spirits aim to show Cratchit the error of his ways and how even though his intentions are admirable, his actions often create more problems than real help. Readers find sprinkled throughout this tale, characters from other Dickens books and numerous footnotes about these characters or supposed conversations between Dickens and his publisher.

A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge by Robert J. Elisberg is a real treat. While many retellings of Scrooge's transformation have come to us over the years, this is perhaps the most unique twist of the story I've seen, and it certainly is one of the funniest. I'm hoping I might be able to sneak in another reading of it before the year ends. Some of the text will be familiar to readers of A Christmas Carol, and though the style has a modern feel to it, it also captures the essence of Dickens. This reader feels that while this is a light and humorous story, it highlights an issue that plays itself out in political and social circles today. If you enjoy tales of the season, you won't want to miss this one.

Paperback: 156 pages
Publisher: Third Road Press (November 28, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0615727573
ISBN-13: 978-0615727578


I received a paperback copy of this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book Virtual Book Tours. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

December Special Feature: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The beloved Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol, is the first of many Christmas themed books we will feature during the month of December.

First published in December 1843, this is the story of an old and bitter miser named Ebenezer Scrooge who undergoes an amazing and profound transformation after being visited by three spirits.

A Christmas Carol deals with two themes commonly found in Dickens's work: social injustice and poverty. Bob Crachit, who works for Mr. Scrooge, is paid a meager salary working long hours to support his large family. His youngest boy, known as Tiny Tim, is crippled, and is sure to die without proper medical attention. Contrast the Crachits' life versus Scrooge's wealth, and one would be sure that Scrooge is better off. But the Crachit family is thankful for what they have and the love and support they offer each other puts them way ahead of Scrooge in the happiness and contentment category.

The appearance of Marley's ghost is perhaps the most disturbing scene--especially when it is captured on film. Jacob Marley was Scrooge's business partner who has just died when the book opens. He has come to help his friend change his ways, for now he knows the cost of sins against humanity. Marley's warning, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come turn Scrooge into a new man, and the reader rejoices in his miraculous transformation.

A Christmas Carol has been brought to film many times with John Carradine, George C. Scott, and many other fine actors playing the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in various versions. The book has also been adapted for animated television using Mr. Magoo, The Muppets, and even The Flintstones, to name a few. And it looks like there might be a 2009 animated version staring Jim Carrey as the voice of Scrooge and all three Ghosts.

My favorite version remains the 1999 TNT production staring Patrick Stewart (Star Trek the Next Generation).

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this Christmas classic.