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Keeping Christmas: 25 Advent Reflections on A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol is second only to the nativity story itself when it comes to public consciousness. Just as Jesus Christ changed the world on the night of his birth, so Ebenezer Scrooge changes during a single night of supernatural visitations.
In Keeping Christmas , novelist and Dickens enthusiast Allison Pittman offers 25 readings for advent, seamlessly bringing together the Word of God and the words of A Christmas Carol . This contemplative, entertaining read is the perfect companion for those dark winter nights as we eagerly anticipate the coming celebration of Christmas when, like Scrooge, we are given the gift of reflection, repentance, and life anew.
Beautifully packaged and highly designed throughout, Keeping Christmas is sure to become a treasured family tradition--much like the reading or viewing of A Christmas Carol .
In Keeping Christmas , novelist and Dickens enthusiast Allison Pittman offers 25 readings for advent, seamlessly bringing together the Word of God and the words of A Christmas Carol . This contemplative, entertaining read is the perfect companion for those dark winter nights as we eagerly anticipate the coming celebration of Christmas when, like Scrooge, we are given the gift of reflection, repentance, and life anew.
Beautifully packaged and highly designed throughout, Keeping Christmas is sure to become a treasured family tradition--much like the reading or viewing of A Christmas Carol .
128 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2020
12 people are currently reading
1774 people want to read
About the author
Allison Pittman
32 books657 followersAllison Pittman is the author of For Time and Eternity, Stealing Home, the Crossroads of Grace series, and her nonfiction debut, Saturdays With Stella. A high-school English teacher, she serves as director of the theater arts group at her church. She is also the co-president of a dynamic Christian writers group in the San Antonio, Texas area, where she makes her home with her husband and their three boys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 26, 2020
I really liked this book and it was the perfect read for Christmas. It combined the story of a Christmas Carol with spiritual reflection. It incorporated Biblical references with the story and gave extra meaning to the traditional story. It was also an excellent way to read the Christmas story from the Bible. I read one chapter every day and it meant a lot to me.
I won this in a contest from the Bookreporter, an excellent site to get up to date information on books.
I won this in a contest from the Bookreporter, an excellent site to get up to date information on books.
December 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this (which is the first of anything that I've read by this author). I really love how she drew out so many wonderful biblical parallels.
The ending really made it for me. I loved how she acknowledged this probably wasn't something Dicken's would have approved of, but that God has used his writing anyway.
I would love to use this right along side reading the book.
The ending really made it for me. I loved how she acknowledged this probably wasn't something Dicken's would have approved of, but that God has used his writing anyway.
I would love to use this right along side reading the book.
December 26, 2022
My favorite Advent read of the year!
Allison Pittman has done a delightful job of pulling out the best nuggets of A Christmas Carol and showing them through the light of Scripture. This deep dive into literature feels more like a treasure hunt than a cruel dissecting of someone's work (which many literary examinations become).
In the end, I'm anxious to reread A Christmas Carol through a more focused lens--one set to see Christ in the story.
Allison Pittman has done a delightful job of pulling out the best nuggets of A Christmas Carol and showing them through the light of Scripture. This deep dive into literature feels more like a treasure hunt than a cruel dissecting of someone's work (which many literary examinations become).
In the end, I'm anxious to reread A Christmas Carol through a more focused lens--one set to see Christ in the story.
December 27, 2021
I love to read Christmas/Advent devos in December. This one by Allison Pittman was different from anything I’ve read before. She draws spiritual applications and parallels from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Very unique and interesting as it made me see things I'd not noticed or thought about before concerning A Christmas Carol. You may not find tons of personal inspiration in this devo, but if you're looking for something a little different (analysis from a spiritual point of view on a literary work), give this one a try next Christmas season!
December 25, 2025
Pittman puts on her English teacher hat and takes readers through Dickens' A Christmas Carol, highlighting elements of Scrooge's redemption that can have spiritual parallels about a life being renewed and redeemed by the Holy Spirit and the implications thereof.
I found this a very thought-provoking read. I listened to the audio book, and the 25 devotionals are just 6-10 minutes long each. Pittman admits in the back that Dickens may not agree with her analysis, or the spiritual parallels she pulled out, but that doesn't make it any less of a good read. I found it a fantastic advent read, focusing on the powerful work of God in a life to transform and make you new, which points to the whole purpose of Christmas, as well as reminding readers how God can use redeemed people to powerfully work in others' lives too. An inspirational and re-centering read for advent. Highly recommended for Christian readers who are also A Christmas Carol fans.
Dec 2022 note: Just as good the 2nd time!
Dec 2023 note: And the 3rd! Going to make this an annual tradition.
Dec 2024 note: And the 4th! :)
Dec 2025 note: And the 5th!
I found this a very thought-provoking read. I listened to the audio book, and the 25 devotionals are just 6-10 minutes long each. Pittman admits in the back that Dickens may not agree with her analysis, or the spiritual parallels she pulled out, but that doesn't make it any less of a good read. I found it a fantastic advent read, focusing on the powerful work of God in a life to transform and make you new, which points to the whole purpose of Christmas, as well as reminding readers how God can use redeemed people to powerfully work in others' lives too. An inspirational and re-centering read for advent. Highly recommended for Christian readers who are also A Christmas Carol fans.
Dec 2022 note: Just as good the 2nd time!
Dec 2023 note: And the 3rd! Going to make this an annual tradition.
Dec 2024 note: And the 4th! :)
Dec 2025 note: And the 5th!
December 30, 2025
This year, my favorite reread was A Christmas Carol. I have read it most years. Sometimes a quick read, other times a dramatic performance read by Frank Muller. This year, I annotated Dickens’s Carol, and got more from the ghostly little book than I ever had before.
Alongside the Carol, I read this Advent Devotional to get even more out of it. To be honest, I am terrible at devotionals, and not very disciplined to read it every day. Not even for a 25 Day Advent Devotional!
Allison Pittman, the Christian Romance author, actually opened my eyes up to a lot in studying the Carol. From little things like The Ghost of Christmas Present having over 1800 brothers because 1843 was the publication date. Which was so obvious it flew over my head time and again! To more complex things like the symbolism of what the ghosts wear and how they look. Christmas Past is both young and old because history is both five seconds ago, and fifty years ago. And don’t even get me started on Fezziwig’s knees!
Although I slacked in reading this every single day, I was enamored with how engaging the writing was, and of course, it’s subject matter.
So please go and get Scrooged by adding this to next year’s Christmas TBR! Otherwise, “Good Afternoon!”
Alongside the Carol, I read this Advent Devotional to get even more out of it. To be honest, I am terrible at devotionals, and not very disciplined to read it every day. Not even for a 25 Day Advent Devotional!
Allison Pittman, the Christian Romance author, actually opened my eyes up to a lot in studying the Carol. From little things like The Ghost of Christmas Present having over 1800 brothers because 1843 was the publication date. Which was so obvious it flew over my head time and again! To more complex things like the symbolism of what the ghosts wear and how they look. Christmas Past is both young and old because history is both five seconds ago, and fifty years ago. And don’t even get me started on Fezziwig’s knees!
Although I slacked in reading this every single day, I was enamored with how engaging the writing was, and of course, it’s subject matter.
So please go and get Scrooged by adding this to next year’s Christmas TBR! Otherwise, “Good Afternoon!”
January 20, 2021
I have my MA in Literature with a focus in Victorian Lit and I really appreciated the way this book was written. That is not to say that you need a degree to understand it, that's just my way of saying I am very picky about literary interpretations, and this book did not commit any crimes in my view. I don't agree with all of Pittman's interpretations of A Christmas Carol, but I thought she did pretty good connecting the story with biblical passages and personal anecdotes. Sometimes the balance of those three things wasn't great, but I would say the majority of the chapters were very well done. I also really appreciate that Pittman addressed author intent at the end and made the case that even if Dickens didn't mean to put all of the Christian themes in the story, we can find them there nonetheless.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 24, 2020
I have to admit, I wasn’t quite sold on A Christmas Carol-themed Advent books. As the tradition of Advent as become more popular outside of liturgical denominations and contexts, Advent devotionals have become sought-after ways of maintaining structure is what is often a very chaotic time. Keeping Christmas rightfully refers to itself as being a book of Advent reflections, not devotions, which is important as it’s primarily looking back to A Christmas Carol and not Scripture. However, as Christmas is inherently—well—Christian, and Dickens incorporates a fair amount of Christian imagery, Keeping Christmas is thoroughly Christ-centered.
Pittman’s qualifications for this book are obvious: four-time Christy Award finalist, Carol Award winner, and part-time English teacher. She’s the perfect person to give us a qualified analysis and reflection on this most classic Christmas literature. Throughout the book, it is obvious that Pittman has done her research. The characters, events, and themes of A Christmas Carol aren’t jumping-off points for whatever it is Pittman wants to say. The book is steeped in the imagery of A Christmas Carol in all its iterations: the book, the theatrical releases, the made-for-TV specials, and even the Muppets version (perhaps the best version, in this reviewer’s humble opinion.) Pittman is just simply well-versed in the story and how it has been portrayed over the past hundred-plus years.
This knowledge means that Pittman isn’t just giving twenty-five high school English lectures. She captures the cultural ethos of A Christmas Carol, from film to TV to the book, and breaks down its symbolism, imagery, and religious backdrop in a way that’s insightful and accessible.
The reflections are meant to run from December 1 to 25, each running about four pages long. It’s a quick 5-10 minute read, a perfect addition to your morning routine, or while you’re waiting in the school pickup line, or anywhere else in the margins of your day. Pittman moves through the book chronologically, meaning that to begin with Marley was dead and to end with Scrooge is truly alive.
Pittman picks up on the obvious, as well as the not-so-obvious. The not-so-obvious (At least to me): Imagery in the ghost of Christmas Present and a very insightful reflection about the butcher whose prize turkey almost went unsold. If you’re a fan of A Christmas Carol or a fan of Dickens and classic literature in general, this is a must-read.
Pittman’s qualifications for this book are obvious: four-time Christy Award finalist, Carol Award winner, and part-time English teacher. She’s the perfect person to give us a qualified analysis and reflection on this most classic Christmas literature. Throughout the book, it is obvious that Pittman has done her research. The characters, events, and themes of A Christmas Carol aren’t jumping-off points for whatever it is Pittman wants to say. The book is steeped in the imagery of A Christmas Carol in all its iterations: the book, the theatrical releases, the made-for-TV specials, and even the Muppets version (perhaps the best version, in this reviewer’s humble opinion.) Pittman is just simply well-versed in the story and how it has been portrayed over the past hundred-plus years.
This knowledge means that Pittman isn’t just giving twenty-five high school English lectures. She captures the cultural ethos of A Christmas Carol, from film to TV to the book, and breaks down its symbolism, imagery, and religious backdrop in a way that’s insightful and accessible.
The reflections are meant to run from December 1 to 25, each running about four pages long. It’s a quick 5-10 minute read, a perfect addition to your morning routine, or while you’re waiting in the school pickup line, or anywhere else in the margins of your day. Pittman moves through the book chronologically, meaning that to begin with Marley was dead and to end with Scrooge is truly alive.
Pittman picks up on the obvious, as well as the not-so-obvious. The not-so-obvious (At least to me): Imagery in the ghost of Christmas Present and a very insightful reflection about the butcher whose prize turkey almost went unsold. If you’re a fan of A Christmas Carol or a fan of Dickens and classic literature in general, this is a must-read.
December 24, 2025
If you are a Christian you may find this book intriguing especially if you also read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The author does a very interesting take on breaking down A Christmas Carol in a Christian viewpoint. She also provides scripture verses that correlate with the book by Dickens. This is the second time I have used this book as part of my Advent celebration in preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ.
December 25, 2022
What a delightful, charming, and challenging way to prepare for Christmas.
December 1, 2020
An interesting take on A Christmas Carol and if you are a fan of the book (Carol), this gives you another way to interpret it as you reread it for the umpteenth time. I, however, knowing that Dickens was a realist and never intended to have Christian symbols evoked from his writing had a more difficult time reading this book. It is a nice book, however, and if you enjoy Christian literature, this may be the book for you. "In compliance with FTC guidelines, I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads."
November 26, 2023
I keep trying literary devotionals when they cross my path, always hoping that *this* one will be worth reading. But every time, the book falls flat. The connections the authors draw between the books and scripture are often trite (or tenuous), and readers would be much better served by reading and enjoying the book in question and (separately) studying their Bible, noting and appreciating when works of great literature speak to the truths of the Bible without trying to make them one and the same.
December 5, 2020
There’s so much more to “A Christmas Carol” than the movies we love to watch each Christmas season.
If you are a devoted reader of this classic book, you’ll enjoy reading these thoughts on the book by Allison Pittman. Although this book is marketed as a “devotional book”, these are not the usual “inspirational” type of devotions you read in a Christmas devotional book. This is a more detailed look at Charles Dickens’ classic story, and how elements of that book relate to Christ and the gospel. As I was reading it, I felt as if I were seated in Mrs. Pittman’s literature class hearing her discuss this book with her students. Her writing style has humor in it, and I wish that I could attend one of her classes in person. If she teaches like she writes, her students are blessed in be in her class.
Please note this: I would suggest having an unabridged copy of “A Christmas Carol” to read along with this book. There were thoughts that she had about one passage in the book and it helped me to reread that chapter.
These are not devotions that you’ll quickly read and then go on your way. Mrs. Pittman points out that even though there’s no indication that Charles Dickens had the intention of sharing the Gospel throughout his story, there are elements that reflect Christ’s character, forgiveness, love, and the hope we have in Him. This is a well-written, thoughtful book that gives us not only a few scholarly views of Dickens’ book, but a clear view of how Christ can transform a life.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
If you are a devoted reader of this classic book, you’ll enjoy reading these thoughts on the book by Allison Pittman. Although this book is marketed as a “devotional book”, these are not the usual “inspirational” type of devotions you read in a Christmas devotional book. This is a more detailed look at Charles Dickens’ classic story, and how elements of that book relate to Christ and the gospel. As I was reading it, I felt as if I were seated in Mrs. Pittman’s literature class hearing her discuss this book with her students. Her writing style has humor in it, and I wish that I could attend one of her classes in person. If she teaches like she writes, her students are blessed in be in her class.
Please note this: I would suggest having an unabridged copy of “A Christmas Carol” to read along with this book. There were thoughts that she had about one passage in the book and it helped me to reread that chapter.
These are not devotions that you’ll quickly read and then go on your way. Mrs. Pittman points out that even though there’s no indication that Charles Dickens had the intention of sharing the Gospel throughout his story, there are elements that reflect Christ’s character, forgiveness, love, and the hope we have in Him. This is a well-written, thoughtful book that gives us not only a few scholarly views of Dickens’ book, but a clear view of how Christ can transform a life.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
December 13, 2020
Keeping Christmas is an Advent book, with 25 Advent Reflections, by author Allison Pittman.
Wow, I will never look at A Christmas Carol and Charles Dickens in the same way after reading this book. I found it rather interesting to read the insights into how A Christmas Carol brings to light what a Christian Christmas is all about. Whether Dickens meant it that way, or not. To God goes all the glory.
A Christmas Carol portrays the life, burial, and resurrection of Christ. After reading this Advent reflection book I ordered one for a friend. I also watched an older version of A Christmas Carol. No longer being frightened by the ghosts but seeing them in how this book portrays them.
I hope to read more books by this author. The book in essence is a book on Salvation. It would make a great gift for Believers, Unbelievers, and Seekers of the Way.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Wow, I will never look at A Christmas Carol and Charles Dickens in the same way after reading this book. I found it rather interesting to read the insights into how A Christmas Carol brings to light what a Christian Christmas is all about. Whether Dickens meant it that way, or not. To God goes all the glory.
A Christmas Carol portrays the life, burial, and resurrection of Christ. After reading this Advent reflection book I ordered one for a friend. I also watched an older version of A Christmas Carol. No longer being frightened by the ghosts but seeing them in how this book portrays them.
I hope to read more books by this author. The book in essence is a book on Salvation. It would make a great gift for Believers, Unbelievers, and Seekers of the Way.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
November 6, 2023
Listened on Audible (Included).
The author of this book explores the Christian symbolism that can be found in Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. I must say, she does a good job of that. I found her analysis very interesting and enlightening. I enjoyed the book immensely. I think I might have given it five stars except for two things: (1) it’s intended to be a book of Advent readings but it’s too focused on Dickens’ book, NOT the advent (coming) of Christ or its impact on the world. I suppose I could make the leap in logic that the Advent occurs in Scrooge’s heart, after all…(2) that’s the leap the author takes when she attributes Dickens’ symbolism to Christian symbolism. Was Dickens a Christian? Did he pour over his Bible the way the author did to find a way to convey the Gospel in his story? I seriously doubt it. (And so does the author). But she made the leap anyway. I, for one, was edified by reading this book. It has given me a fresh perspective on a Christmas tradition (reading the book by Dickens and watching movie adaptations of it).
The author of this book explores the Christian symbolism that can be found in Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. I must say, she does a good job of that. I found her analysis very interesting and enlightening. I enjoyed the book immensely. I think I might have given it five stars except for two things: (1) it’s intended to be a book of Advent readings but it’s too focused on Dickens’ book, NOT the advent (coming) of Christ or its impact on the world. I suppose I could make the leap in logic that the Advent occurs in Scrooge’s heart, after all…(2) that’s the leap the author takes when she attributes Dickens’ symbolism to Christian symbolism. Was Dickens a Christian? Did he pour over his Bible the way the author did to find a way to convey the Gospel in his story? I seriously doubt it. (And so does the author). But she made the leap anyway. I, for one, was edified by reading this book. It has given me a fresh perspective on a Christmas tradition (reading the book by Dickens and watching movie adaptations of it).
December 17, 2023
A Christmas Carol is one of my most favorite stories of all after many rereadings, and so I enjoy anything written about it. Overall I enjoyed this devotional but also found it too much of a stretch sometimes. While I absolutely love watching a character reach full transformation and redemption, I’m just not sure that I agree that the three Christmas spirits who visited Scrooge represent Christ and thus provide us with a picture of what it means to be reborn in Christ. Yes, of course true rebirth is only possible through the Spirit of Christ, but I’m just not convinced that the gospel is shown as clearly in this novella as Pittman suggests. It seems to me that Dickens was emphasizing the necessity and goodness of charity and compassion, not so much bringing light to our need for a Savior. Still though, Keeping Christmas was enjoyable to read - especially since this was a Christmas gift from a member of my classics book club after we read A Christmas Carol.
December 23, 2023
I stopped reading in roughly the middle of this book.
I applaud the author for her good intentions, her obvious knowledge of both Dickens and the adaptions of his work, and her clear devotion to her Savior. However, her theology would greatly benefit from some systemic study, and I'm not sure that some of the parallels she draws do credit to Christ or Dickens. It was very difficult to keep turning pages when my brain was sifting through metaphors with the vague feeling that something wasn't quite fitting, and her heavy-handed insistence that the Ghost of Christmas Present is a Christ figure really ground me to a halt.
I applaud the author for her good intentions, her obvious knowledge of both Dickens and the adaptions of his work, and her clear devotion to her Savior. However, her theology would greatly benefit from some systemic study, and I'm not sure that some of the parallels she draws do credit to Christ or Dickens. It was very difficult to keep turning pages when my brain was sifting through metaphors with the vague feeling that something wasn't quite fitting, and her heavy-handed insistence that the Ghost of Christmas Present is a Christ figure really ground me to a halt.
December 28, 2020
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Baker books for my copy of Keeping Christmas by Allison Pittman. This published September 1, 2020.
This may very well be my absolute favorite read of Christmas 2020, or at least very close second to my annual reading of A Christmas Carol. Oh how I savored this book, how I highlighted so many gorgeous passages.
I've read ACC at least 6 times, and I've never noticed some of these things Pittman pointed out. And what a treasure. This book absolutely will become an yearly tradition for me, and I suspect I will be gifting it, and ACC to many of my friends.
This may very well be my absolute favorite read of Christmas 2020, or at least very close second to my annual reading of A Christmas Carol. Oh how I savored this book, how I highlighted so many gorgeous passages.
I've read ACC at least 6 times, and I've never noticed some of these things Pittman pointed out. And what a treasure. This book absolutely will become an yearly tradition for me, and I suspect I will be gifting it, and ACC to many of my friends.
December 10, 2021
I enjoyed this book a lot, even though I’ve never read “A Christmas Carol,” and I think the last time I watched a movie version was in middle school. I heard the author speak about her book on Focus on the Family and was intrigued by her assertion that if you can describe the plot of “A Christmas Carol,” then you’re able to describe the gospel. I liked the connections she made back to the Bible which I’ve never considered since I’m only vaguely familiar with Dickens’ work. Time to read “A Christmas Carol” next, I guess!
March 1, 2021
This devotional was wonderful. I appreciated the humor and the memorable illustrations. The connections that the author made to The Christmas Carol were insightful and things I hadn’t really thought about before although I felt somewhat familiar with the book and movie versions. This book is a must for Charles Dickens fans but it is actually for anyone who wants to prepare their heart for Christmas. I certainly will be using it again perhaps even for Christmas in July!
December 25, 2021
Keeping Christmas by Allison Pittman is an advent collection of readings that reflects on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The reflections make their way through the timeline of the entire book so the reader feels the growth of Scrooge and his holiday spirit. I usually reread A Christmas Carol every year but chose to read this book instead this year and don't feel that I missed out on my tradition by doing so.
December 25, 2024
Tremendously well written- a fantastic read for the Christmas season. Great for Christians, fans of literature; and those who love the writings of Charles Dickens. The author’s in depth analysis of the text makes the story more enjoyable and more meaningful. What a wonderful holiday read- I am so happy that this was the first thing I begun reading this holiday season and its pages are the last thing I read to close out this year. Kudos to the author!
December 31, 2024
A wonderful devotional for the holiday season that focuses on the true meaning of Christmas. On the reason Christ came to Earth. I have never looked at Dicken’s story and seen such a strong message of hope. One of the changed man, reflecting God’s glory through action. It focuses on ‘keeping’ Christmas, not ‘celebrating’ Christmas.
This book belong on the keeper shelf, to be revisited and shared every year.
This book belong on the keeper shelf, to be revisited and shared every year.
December 11, 2020
Keeping Christmas: 25 Advent Devotions on a Christmas Carol by Allison Pittman is a beautifully written and thought-provoking book. In it she shows how God can use an author such as Charles Dickens (who by his actions may not have been a Christian in the truest sense of the word) to relate the story of the supernatural transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge. Highly recommended.
December 26, 2020
Seasonal, quiet reflection and an interesting argument that the 3 spirits who visit Scrooge are the 3 incarnations of Christ. The author admits at the end that Dickens most likely did not have that in mind, nor would he have appreciated reading her theory, but that there is good in finding new ways to see something so well-known.
December 26, 2021
I studied English Literature and Creative Writing in college and now work as a Children's Minister. A 25 day devotional in which a book I love is compared in depth to the Bible is right up my alley. Beautifully written and thought provoking. Reminds us all for the reason to celebrate Christmas all year.
December 8, 2020
Between 3.5-4
December 17, 2020
Full review here: https://dickensblog.typepad.com/dicke...
December 11, 2021
Unexpectedly witty and humorous, this Christmas devotional highlights spiritual truths in a Christmas classic.
December 27, 2021
Very well-written. This author is quite talented, engaging. It's a one-and-done read, however. I will not be recycling this through other Advent seasons.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews