It’s that time of the year again. A time for friends, family and of course more importantly…all those great TV shows and movies that really make you delve into the humanitarian spirit of Christmas with gusto!

As for me, there’s just one movie that I watch ritually every Christmas. It’s an old movie, based on a novel by Charles Dickens. “A Christmas Carol” has long been a favorite with holiday movie watchers over the years. In its many adaptations and versions it still manages to get across the yuletide message of goodwill towards man.

The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, who is grumpier than ever when Christmas comes around. “Bah humbug!” he yells angrily at those revelers around him. Only when three ghostly entities of the past, present and future visit him on Christmas Eve does his perspective on life change dramatically. Scrooge was a kind, loving man, who, because of life’s hardships and disappointments becomes a bitter, miserly old man. Even though there are people around him who still care for him or just need his help, he turns them all a blind eye. When the spirits open his eyes to the world around him, it is a new lease of life for the old Scrooge and he decides to enjoy the season, generously giving not only of his money, but also of his time and attention to other human beings.

This timeless tale reminds us all what the season is about. For many of us who may have had a bad year or bad relationships, it’s a time to forget about it all, put things in perspective and interact with those who are near and dear to us. It’s very easy to be a “Scrooge,” but this movie reminds us that there’s always hope and love around us if we only look around, and that is all we need.