“Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they the shadows of things that May be, only?,” Scrooge asked. Still the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood. “Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead,” said Scrooge. “But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you will show me!”

Every Christmas, Dickens’ A Christmas Carol reminds us that even the most hardened among us can change. With the help of ghosts of the past, present, and future, Ebenezer Scrooge transforms his life and the lives of those around him.

How might the celebrated novelist write his parable today? What lessons would America’s ghosts have for us?

Dickens would likely be disturbed by the state of a nation divided, struggling with cultural and political shifts amid a mountain of misinformation and disinformation. The ghosts of past, present, and future America would be reflections of a nation at a crossroads.

The Ghost of America’s Past would take us back to the founding ideals of this country—the pursuit of liberty, equality, and justice. It would remind us of the moral heart that endured a long and difficult road to fulfill the promises of freedom for all. The Ghost would show the fight for independence, the abolition of slavery, and those who marched for civil rights. The lessons would be clear: America’s strength has always come from its ideals and the courage of its citizens to stand up for them over more than two centuries.

The Ghost of America’s Present would reveal today’s struggles—political polarization, social disconnection, and economic inequities. We would see a nation where misinformation spreads like wildfire and trust in institutions continues to erode. Cynicism has taken hold, leaving many Americans feeling isolated, their voices drowned out by the noise of conflict.

Yet, amidst this, the ghost would also highlight moments of resilience. It would show social movements striving for justice, communities uniting in the wake of disasters, and individuals refusing to let fear and division define their country. The ghost would ask: How did we stray so far from the principles that once united us?

The Ghost of America’s Future would reveal a darkness shaped by the choices we make today. In this vision, divisions have deepened, trust has all but vanished, compassion has been replaced by self-interest, and fear has overtaken understanding. It’s a future where America’s promise of overcoming any challenge feels like a distant memory, lost to the past.

But the ghost would also reveal an alternate future—one where America rises to meet its challenges, with citizens setting aside differences to restore unity and compassion. In this vision, democracy thrives, people are engaged, and the nation’s core values—justice, equality, and opportunity—are upheld by a renewed shared commitment. The ghost would remind us that the responsibility to protect and preserve these values rests with us.

Dickens’ tale of America would serve as a wake-up call. The past has much to teach us if we are willing to listen. The present demands that we face uncomfortable truths about how far we have drifted from our ideals. And the future will be determined by the choices we make now, not with fear, but with the belief that unity and courage can restore the nation’s greatness.

America’s ghosts are not just memories of what was, but warnings and reminders of what could be. As Scrooge himself learned: Men’s choices will foreshadow certain outcomes, and if those choices are not changed, those outcomes are inevitable. But if the course is altered, the future can be different.

Please . . . say it is thus.

Filled with the joy of Christmas, I have granted the entire staff leave until the arrival of the New Year, that they may enjoy a well-deserved respite and refreshment—until the first day of January, or perhaps the second, or even the third! “God bless us, Every One.”