Monday, December 7, 2009

A Christmas Carol Special Edition Book Review and Giveaway

This giveaway ended on 12/18/09! Thanks for stopping by!

A Christmas Carol Special Edition:
The Charles Dickens Classic with Christian Insights and
Discussion Questions for Groups and Families
By Charles Dickens.
Edited by Stephen Skelton.
Published by Standard Publishing.

About the Book: This edition includes the complete text of the Charles Dickens classic and the following:

  • Annotations offering interesting insight into the story's biblical allusions, the author's faith, and compelling Christian themes throughout.

  • Discussion questions designed to engage and promote dialogue among readers of all ages on such subjects as regret, repentance, and redemption.

  • A list of related resources to enhance your study.

About the Author: Stephen Skelton is the producer of a best-selling video based Bible study series, which includes Mayberry Bible Study and the Beverly Hillbillies Bible Study. He lives with his family in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Review: A Christmas Carol was my favorite Christmas movie growing up. I watched every version. I would cry when Scrooge looked at his Christmas future, showing the Cratchit family grieving Tiny Tim’s death and then later would blink the tears away when Scrooge wakes up a renewed man, ready to celebrate Christmas. For me, a Christmas Carol is a timeless classic that I will enjoy for years to come!

As a Catholic who loves this story, this special edition reveals the spiritual depth of Dickens and was fascinating for me to read. The added footnotes explain the lessons of Christ that are woven among the Christmas scenes. Here are three interesting examples:

1. Dickens summarizes the core of Christian teaching in these few lines:

Jacob Marley visits Scrooge and yells: “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealing of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”

2. The ghost of Christmas past reflects elements of the holy trinity-Father Son and Holy Spirit in this line:

It was a strange figure-like a child: yet not so like a child as an old man, viewed through some supernatural medium….

3. Dickens strategically uses the biblically significant number three. Before his time with the spirit of Christmas past is done, Scrooge will regret his sins three times:

“No”, said Scrooge. “No, I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now! That’s all.”

Not just for teachers or book clubs, this edited version will interest anyone who loves this Christmas Classic. Thank you to FBS Associates for the opportunity to review this edition and to giveaway a copy to one of my readers.

But it: A Christmas Carol Special Edition is available on Amazon.com for $7.99.

Giveaway: Win your own copy of A Christmas Carol Special Edition. To enter is easy!

1. Mandatory entry – Add a comment indicating your favorite part of A Christmas Carol. Please be sure to include your email.

2. Follow my blog. (2 entries)
3. Grab my button and put it on your site and add a link in your comment telling me where it is. (3 entries)
4. Tweet about this giveaway and leave the Tweet URL in a comment. (2 entries)
5. Subscribe via email. (3 entries)
6. Sign up for Networked Blogs (Facebook - located on the right side) (2 entries)

This Giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada and will end on 12/18. Please include your email address in all comments. Thank you to all who enter and good luck!

80 comments:

Desiree said...

I love this book. We read it every year. My favorite part is near the end when Scrooge is trying to pretend he is still his greedy old self when he sees the Cratchits, but can't contain it with the love that is in his heart. It always makes me cry.

mommymilkies at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

well to be honest i dont have a favorite part yet i have never seen the movie nor read a book about it so im excited about this giveaway bc if i win then i can finally know what its all about

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Jonnie (JB) said...

As a child, the part that always fascinated me was that Marley had to carry around chains. I don't know why, but that's what always stuck with me about this story.

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carol said...

I love the whole story! How he learns how miserly he is and how The poor Cratchits are living. It turns him around from being a bitter, miserly old man to someone with a heart. It always tears at the heart strings when I watch Christmas Carol on t.v.

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Lara said...

I like the party sceen at the newphew Fred's home. I love holiday parties.

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bison61 said...

I like when the ghosts come to visit-second spirit, the ghost of Christmas present maybe the best-I think it is there that Scrooge decides he does not like his life the way it is

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

A. Drewes said...

I dont have a fav part yet since i haven't seen it, but if its like the older ones, I like how the ending is... when he goes from being an old scrooge to a giving person!
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Jackie said...

My favorite part of A Christmas Carol is when Scrooge stops being a scrooge at the end of the story and starts being generous on Christmas. :)

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casey aubut said...

I still cry at the end when Scrooge finally sees the light and is still trying to hide it!
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Anonymous said...

My favourite part is when Scrooge sees Tiny Tim's family grieving which is is the turning point of Scrooge's life. That's such a touching moment.
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Birdson said...

My fav part is how much love the Crachit's have for one another, no matter how dowergy their existence was !!!! birdson@roadrunner.com

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Jessica said...

Of course my favorite is the end where Scrooge's heart is finally softened!
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nfmgirl said...

Initially I was thinking "God Bless us everyone". But I think my favorite part might actually be when Scrooge has his revelation, and his heart is first turned. He runs through the streets wishing Merry Christmas, and he sends a young boy to buy the biggest goose he can get. Then surprises the family at their home.

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Coupon Teacher said...

My favorite part is when Scrooge realizes it is not too late for Christmas.

Sarah said...

My favorite part is when he goes back in time with the ghost of Christmas past!

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Heidi said...

I like how it shows the depths of the true Christmas spirit.

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Winning Readings said...

I love the ending with Tiny Tim.

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We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-carol_17.html

Winning Readings said...

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Wendy said...

I love how the Cratchits feel blessed even in their poor circumstances.

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Caren said...

I like the part Scrooge sees his future where the beggars are divvying up his stuff, and he realizes that he will die unloved and disrespected unless he changes.

Laura said...

I'm a big fan of the whole Ghost of Christmas Past part of the book.

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Cheryl B said...

My favorite part is near the end when Scrooge redeems himself and brings presents to the Crachits.

Anonymous said...

When Scrooge realizes he has another chance to make things right on Christmas Morning!
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plb8156 said...

The ending of course :)
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