The Funeral of Ebenezer Scrooge

What happens after Ebenezer Scrooge changes? What becomes of the relationships he begins to repair, the generosity he discovers, and the Christmas promise he makes? And what might his story help us see about the lives we are living?

In The Funeral of Ebenezer Scrooge: Experiencing Change and Finding Meaning at Christmas, pastor and author David Anderson invites readers into a 31-day Christmas devotional inspired by Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The journey concludes with an original novella imagining Scrooge's funeral and the people whose lives were touched by his transformation. Together, the devotional and story explore how change takes root and how a life of faith can bless others long after it ends.

Beginning December 1 and continuing through the end of the month, the daily readings follow Scrooge's encounters with the past, present, and future. Scripture and reflection bring his familiar story into conversation with our own experiences. We carry memories that shape us and live with decisions we wish we could revisit. We have relationships that need attention and opportunities to practice kindness that can pass unnoticed. Scrooge's journey invites us to consider what we might do with the time still available to us.

Along the way, Anderson explores the Christian themes woven through Dickens' beloved story. Readers reflect on the grace that makes a new beginning possible and the generosity that grows as we become more attentive to others. Questions of regret and forgiveness lead into conversations about reconciliation and hope. What does it mean to receive another chance and carry that gift into our homes, our work, and our communities?

The journey continues beyond Christmas morning. Once the celebration has passed, we still have choices to make and habits to practice. How does a moment of awakening become a different way of living? How do we keep a promise to change when familiar pressures return? The closing readings encourage faithful steps toward a renewed sense of purpose in the coming year.

The concluding novella returns readers to Victorian London to imagine the legacy of a man who learned to keep Christmas well. Bob Cratchit and other familiar figures gather to remember Scrooge, revealing the effects of his kindness over time. His funeral becomes an occasion to remember what his generosity made possible and to give thanks for the man he became.

That gathering brings the devotional's questions close to home. Who is being shaped by the way we live? What will people carry with them because they knew us? Scrooge's legacy invites readers to consider their own, beginning with the people and opportunities already within reach.

Featuring original illustrations, this book offers a thoughtful companion for readers seeking an Advent devotional, a meaningful December reading practice, or a fresh encounter with A Christmas Carol. Its blend of biblical reflection and imaginative storytelling invites spiritual growth and offers churches, book clubs, and small groups a starting point for conversations about lasting change.