Christmas a humbug, uncle!” said Scrooge’s nephew. “You don’t mean that, I am sure?”

“I do,” said Scrooge. “Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.”

“Come, then,” returned the nephew gaily. “What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You’re rich enough.”

Scrooge having no better answer ready on the spur of the moment, said, “Bah!” again; and followed it up with “Humbug.”

“Don’t be cross, uncle!” said the nephew.

“What else can I be,” returned the uncle, “when I live in such a world of fools as this? Merry Christmas! Out upon merry Christmas! What’s Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in ’em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?”

From “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens

I feature Charles Dickens’ magic writing to celebrate this special occasion. There have always been detractors of Christmas.  In December 19, 1843, when this tale was first published, severe criticisms abounded. These misgivings still persist. Nowadays, the incessant advertisements represent the major challenge this holiday faces. The bombardment of images with overt and hidden messages threatens to turn it into a gigantic farce.  But let’s not forget this holiday primarily celebrates our family ties and our love for each other. Of course, it also has a substantial religious connotation for the believers, but this aspect continues to decline. I take advantage of this opportunity to wish a Merry Christmas to all my friends and readers.