Alone (adjective) from the dictionary means “separated from other”. Another definition would be “exclusive of anyone or anything else: only”. The third definition is “considered without reference to any other.”
In “The Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens a character is painted in our imagination that to my mind thoroughly describes the idea of alone. That character of course is “Scrooge”. What an amazing tale Mr. Dickens weaves with his pen. Note his description of Mr, Scrooge from The Christmas Carol describing this mans loneliness:
Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome looks, `My dear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?’ No beggars implored him to bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was o’clock, no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired the way to such and such a place, of Scrooge. Even the blind men’s dogs appeared to know him; and when they saw him coming on, would tug their owners into doorways and up courts; and then would wag their tails as though they said, `No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master!’
But what did Scrooge care! It was the very thing he liked. To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance, was what the knowing ones call `nuts’ to Scrooge. (From “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens)
Mr. Dickens paints “alone” with shades of bitter, resentful, and even anger. As I write I remember a line from another story “Hook”. The little girl Maggie says to Hook, “you need a mommy very badly!” Two very different stories with a similar character. The character developed in these two stories are a pictures of humanity without God. Mr. Dickens pictured such loneliness void of any love and kindness as a mean old man who had no positive relationships in his life – alone! It was a picture of a man without God!
In the scripture we find such a description of the whole human race. This description is God’s view of us:
Eph 2:11-12 Therefore, remember that at one time you were Gentiles (heathens) in the flesh, called Uncircumcision by those who called themselves Circumcision, [itself a mere mark] in the flesh made by human hands. [Remember] that you were at that time separated (living apart) from Christ [excluded from all part in Him], utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the [Messianic] promise [with no knowledge of or right in God’s agreements, His covenants]. And you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world without God. AMP
This is a picture of mankind without the love of God. Thankfully God did not leave us in this place. If we would continue to read from our verse we also see God’s remedy for “alone”.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near. AMP
In the Christmas Carol Charles Dickens pictured a man void of any love and kindness a man who had no positive relationships in his life he was alone! Yet by the end of this short story this man’s character completely changed :
“I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!” Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed. “The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. Oh Jacob Marley! Heaven, and the Christmas Time be praised for this! I say it on my knees, old Jacob; on my knees!”
He was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions, that his broken voice would scarcely answer to his call. He had been sobbing violently in his conflict with the Spirit, and his face was wet with tears (From “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens)
I hope this Christmas you will read this to your children and grandchildren. It paints a picture of a man alone whose life is redeemed by God’s love. It is a picture of the new birth. Charles Dickens named it “A Christmas Story” but it is about the redemption and reclamation of a man!
One last clip, I so love this story remember it is the story of a man alone without God who humbled himself and yields to God’s love, a picture of the new birth or (Christ mass, Christ – present)
“My dear sir,” said Scrooge, quickening his pace, and taking the old gentleman by both his hands. “How do you do? I hope you succeeded yesterday. It was very kind of you. A merry Christmas to you, sir!”
“Mr Scrooge?”
“Yes,” said Scrooge. “That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you. Allow me to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness –” here Scrooge whispered in his ear.
“Lord bless me!” cried the gentleman, as if his breath were gone. “My dear Mr Scrooge, are you serious?”
“If you please,” said Scrooge. “Not a farthing less. A great many back-payments are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me that favour?”
“My dear sir,” said the other, shaking hands with him. “I don’t know what to say to such munifi‐”
“don’t say anything, please,” retorted Scrooge. “Come and see me. Will you come and see me?”
“I will!” cried the old gentleman. And it was clear he meant to do it.
“Thank ‘ee,” said Scrooge. “I am much obliged to you. I thank you fifty times. Bless you!”
He went to church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of houses, and up to the windows: and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had never dreamed that any walk — that anything — could give him so much happiness.
Here Mr. Dickens pictures for us a man whose character is completely changed. Folks this story is the picture of redemption. It is a parable of how we were :
Eph 2:4-7 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:18-19 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, NKJV
We were alone, fearful, bitter, angry and we were without hope. Christ came our only hope of abundant life and redeemed us and made us a part of his household. Now we are never – alone and never without his help! Now His Spirit dwells in us! Christ Be Praised! Merry Christmas!