A Lesson from Bob Cratchit
Recently my wife decided to apply these verses from 1st Corinthians 13 to her life, specifically in how she responded towards a co-worker whom she thought had treated her unfairly. In doing so, not only did her attitude towards that coworker change, but the coworker responded back in a way that showed that they did care for my wife, and the veil of bitterness and resentment was removed. She demonstrated a deeper love, a love changed her corner of the world.
Love, as defined in Paul's writing to the Corinthians, does that. And as we approach Christmas, I offer no better proof than the famous character from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" than Bob Cratchit.
I think we can easily attest to love in Bob Cratchit's heart when we see how dearly he loved his family. He honored and raised up his wife in praise of her cooking. He adored all of his children, even feeling pain with the idea that his Martha might not be present on Christmas Day for dinner. And, when we witness his behavior at Tiny Tim's passing (presented so sorrowfully in the Disney animated version), we see that his love for that poor, sickly child, was even more deep than his heart could bear.
But the love that Paul writes of is a different love: it's a love that, as stated in verse 7, "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things". Bob Cratchit's endurance of the poor treatment he receives from Scrooge for all the years he worked for him does not result in grumbling or belittling his employer, even when his wife is doing so in front of the family. Bob Cratchit, in his act of love, will not dishonor his employer. He, neither recounted in Dickens' own writings or the countless film versions of the story, never says ill against his employer. He is a dutiful clerk.
Now, some may say he's spineless or a whimp for not standing up for himself. Some may chide him for not joining in the chorus of negative voices that we hear when Scrooge's name is spoken. But Bob Cratchit demonstrates something much higher: love for his fellow man. An understanding that, regardless of our station in life, we are called to Love, from the great Creator of Christmas Himself. It's the kind of Love that Christ, while on the cross, showed for those who crucified Him in praying "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34 ESV). It's the kind of Love that will not allow Bob Cratchit to dishonor Scrooge, especially in front of his children. While we may cheer on Mrs. Cratchit for calling out Scrooge, we must recognize that Bob Cratchit, in front of his family, is displaying a moral character and deep love that goes beyond his family and his personal situation. It is a deep Love that echoes God's Love for us, in that He sent His only Son.
As we now journey into Advent, and prepare for Christmas, let us take this deep Love, this "Love of Cratchit" into our lives. As the busyness of the Holiday surrounds us, let us practice this deep love among the shoppers we run into at Target or the grocery store. Let us spread charity to the Starbucks barista. Let us be kind to the Amazon delivery driver.
Let us be like Bob Cratchit. And God Bless Us, Everyone!
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