Scrooge is finally confronted by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Shrouded in black it has neither face nor voice. Scrooge exclaims, ‘Ghost of the Future! I fear you more than any spectre I have seen.’
We had a great Christmas Day yesterday. There were eight of us. We enjoyed much laughter, food, conversation and presents. Games were played; memories created; family celebrated.
Scrooge is forced to face his future. He sees the Cratchit family mourning the death of Tiny Tim. He sees his own funeral with no mourners; no-one misses him. It’s a dark, cold future.
Many face a dark uncertain future with wards full of Covid-patients, and the fear of sickness, unemployment, economic insecurity and breaking relationships…
Whether we fear for what will be, or believe that all will be well, we all face the same Ghost of Christmas Future. He has no face – we can’t see what he looks like; he has no voice – he won’t tell us what will happen.
We don’t know when Covid restrictions will allow us to meet again as a family. We can’t be sure that future Christmases will be happy and healthy.
Yesterday the Queen gave her annual Christmas message. She spoke of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey:
‘…He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today. For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times…
The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus’s birth. Let the light of Christmas – the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope – guide us in the times ahead.’
The Queen presents would-be-Scrooges with the light of Christ, that shines on a faceless, wordless future, bringing love and hope.
malcolmsmusings.org 
Amen.
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