any traditions accompany the Christmas season. Events – both religious and secular – bring joy, laughter, and much more to countless women, men, girls, and boys. Music is played. Carols are sung. It is the season to be jolly as each and everyone has their own story to tell. It is our tale – our story – just like the stories of Christmas. It is our Christmas Carol. When Sarah asked me to choose a favorite Christmas movie to write about, I have to admit my mind initially went blank. Then, like the Ghost of Christmas Past, the choice came to me – but with a twist. So, sit back and relax. Be prepared to enjoy my choice, A Christmas Carol. Yet, be warned and make no assumptions. This isn’t the typical Christmas Carol.
A Christmas Carol originated as a novella by Charles Dickens. Its publication in December 1843 resulted in the rejuvenation of the “Christmas Spirit” in both Great Britain and the United States after a period of Puritan somberness. The story describes a bitter old miser named Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation into a gentler, kindlier man after visitations by the ghost of his former business partner and the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Yet to Come. It has never been out of print since 1843. (Information courtesy of Wikipedia.org.) The story has been translated time and again into movie, animation, comic, television, and other media.

The story I tell you is about a character named Kazran Sardick. Kazran lived sometime in the future on a planet that was an Earth colony. Kazran, old in age and very bitter and alone, is first seen when a family comes to ask for one day – Christmas Day – with a family member. You see, Kazran’s family owns all the wealth on the planet and is the one-and-only bank.  A loan must be accompanied by “insurance” and that insurance was a family member – who is then frozen in suspended animation. Kazran refuses and, while doing so, receives a call from the President of Earth. A ship, carrying 4006 passengers, is headed for a crash landing on the planet and only Kazran can help. (The planet’s atmosphere could be adjusted to help buffer and ease the landing.) Kazran refuses saying “What’s in it for me? See if I care.”

The family is about to be escorted out when something – no, someone – comes down the chimney. Is it Santa?

No.  It’s The Doctor.

We see The Doctor change the present day Kazran by traveling back and meeting him as a young child. We see the doctor’s traveling companions – who are amongst those stranded on the crashing ship – take the role of Christmas Present. We see Kazran himself become the Ghost of Christmas Future. The story was ingenious, contemporary with a science fiction twist, and ultimately enjoyable. It is also a testament to the longevity of a story written over 100 years prior.

So, to all who may read this post, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a heartfelt Season’s Greetings. May your Christmases Past and Present be an inspiration to your Christmases of the Future!

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This post was written by Kyle Jones. Kyle has over 20 years of experience in a variety of roles including human resources, social media, customer service, and recruitment. He’s the current Social Media Director for the Pine Belt Human Resources Association and the Co-Social Media Director of the Mississippi SHRM State Council. Kyle has served in volunteer roles on both the local and state level since 2007. He was recipient of the 2012 Mississippi Spirit of Human Resources Award.

He has written posts for company, HR and social media blogs and shares his passion for HR and Social Media on his blog, HR to WHO. Follow him on Twitter @kylemj6977 or on LinkedIn.