There’s an interesting contrast between the main characters in two classic Christmas stories: “A Christmas Carol” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Scrooge is hardened by the hardships of his life. He’s shown—by three spirits—the cost of his cruelty to himself and others if he continues down that path.
George Bailey, on the other hand chooses a different road. While George has experienced a lifetime of suffering and sacrifice, time and time again he chooses to do good for others. An angel shows him the quiet, lasting impact his life has made on his town.
The struggles of life leave scars on us all.
The question isn’t if we will suffer, but what we will do with our suffering.
Will we use our suffering to make others relive ours-or to help relieve theirs?
Jeff McClung 