Sometimes those of us called scrooges are not really like the Scrooge from the Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol. Dickens described Ebenezer Scrooge as tight-fisted and the story emphasizes his steadfast refusal to help the poor. Scrooge was filthy rich and he was proud of the fact that he would not share the tiniest portion of his wealth with those in need.

According to the dictionary a scrooge is any miserly selfish person, which is a definition in keeping with the conduct of Ebenezer Scrooge. However, the label scrooge in our culture often has an entirely different sense. At least it does in my personal experience.

I suppose I am a bit sensitive about this matter because, from time to time, I have been accused of being a scrooge at Christmas time. However, I have never been labelled in this way for being tight-fisted toward the poor. Rather, I have been called a scrooge for expressing dislike for the most popular features of a traditional Christmas in our society.

Most of the Christmas time, energy and money in this society are devoted to buying gifts that will be soon forgotten for people who didn't need them in the first place. Children get excited by the arrival of; Santa-Santa Claus-Saint Nicholas-Father Christmas [choose your own favourite]. The main Christmas tradition is one of consumerism and no spiritual content whatsoever. In this time of economic downturn I have to recognise and slightly admire their zeal - it is almost religious. In the bible Abraham was willing to sacrifice his precious son to prove his faith in his god. In today’s high street people seem willing to spend money they don’t have and to descend into further debt to worship their gods of consumerism and excess.
 
From time to time I have pointed out my dislike of our standard Christmas gift giving and receiving priorities. I try to make a point not to be a grump in so doing, nonetheless I have been called a scrooge because I do not embrace our Christmas consumerism and the trickery associated with a certain Christmas myth.

It is true that Scrooge despised the standard Christmas traditions of his day and I don't care for some of our modern Christmas practices. Yet this is where the comparison stops as far as I can tell. I will not walk around with forced jocularity on my lips merely because of the time of the year. If I want to wish someone a Happy Christmas – I will, but you can be damn sure it is sincere and not some idle words repeated ad nauseum.

Scrooge withheld his money from the needy at Christmas time and, for the most part, we do too. Very few will give a little to help the poor and that figure tends to pale in comparison to the amount that most spend on unneeded gifts for those who are not poor. Such a lack of generosity toward the poor is - I think - pretty doggone Scrooge-like.

So I guess my question to you all is - who are the scrooges among us?

Yes, the much anticipated and much dreaded festive period is once again upon our doorstep. It is traditionally a time when we tend to take a step back from the daily rituals and reflect on the year that has been and muse aspirations for the coming year. What I find different about celebrating overseas is that you get to experience how other expatriates as well as those from your host country celebrate the occasion. All will celebrate differently and yet all will spend it doing the same; talking, eating and drinking almost always in the company of those they care for most.

To finish I would like to add this – and it comes straight from the heart. As those of you who have met me will be aware I’m not one given to overt displays of affection. I do tend to keep my feelings under wraps. I like to feel in control of my emotions and for the most part I believe I am [with the possible exception of outburst of frustration and anger]. The downside of this is that it means I have probably never said to those of you I care about, the things I have often said about you to others. How much I appreciate your friendship and how much I rely upon your support and counsel. I would like to correct that omission right now and take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a fantastic festive season.

And with that thought in mind, my thoughts turn to you all out there. There are those of you who are very special to me and the passage of time and the distance between us cannot change that.

My wish for all of you is one of love and peace.

God Jul