Most know or have at least heard of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ 
novel, A Christmas Carol. In the story Scrooge learned through a night of nightmares, or time travel, and self-reflection that being greedy and miserly only brought him a life of loneliness and misery. When he awoke Christmas morning, he chose to begin living life by being kind, loving, and generous to those in his life and community. We could say that he embraced the meaning of Christmas, and that the main message in the story is one of Christian Love.
Embedded within this story, as with many great novels and literature, are other messages. Hidden under the robe of the ghost of Christmas present is a message that is taught across world religions and philosophies, though probably best known as a Buddhist teaching. Under his giant robe the ghost of Christmas present reveals to Scrooge “the banes of man”: Ignorance and Want. These banes of man, the things which cause and contribute to our suffering, are two of the three roots of disease and suffering in Tibetan Buddhist Medicine.
We can choose to live a life through ignorance: illusion, delusion, and lack of self-awareness and of compassion for others; and through want: desire, clinging, craving, possessing. Or, we can, like Ebenezer Scrooge, choose to awaken today free from the fetters that our own egos have put upon us, open our hearts, and live a life of kindness, love, and compassion. Like the Grinch, when he realized Christmas was not about the superficial decorations and feasting, nor about the shopping and the presents, so too can we expand from the fetters of ignorance and desire (and anger), and let our hearts grow more and more each and every day.
Through the Peacock's Eyes 
I never knew about that connection but it makes perfect sense. Christmas has become to many people a season of mega-shopping, overextending, and brawls over possessions, and it’s become very sad for me to see. We’ve lost the real meaning of the season – that of loving one another, being compassionate and giving of ourselves (not of material gifts), and spreading acceptance and gratitude around the world. I loved your post today, Julianne. It’s a reminder of what truly matters.
Thank you! Have a beautiful Christmas!
Beautifully said. May we all allow our hearts to grow 10x bigger, for not one of ours is ever big enough. Merry Christmas precious you. With warmth and gentleness, Sheri
Thank you Sheri and Happy Holidays!
Thank you for this. I’ve been looking for a way to say it, you expressed it just right.
Thank you!
always felt
the Buddha
hiding in
these holidays 🙂
😀
Reblogged this on Through the Peacock's Eyes.
Thank you!
Great message Julianne, thank you for linking one of the darkest scenes in the Christmas Carol with a message of love and hope.