Few if any writers have done more to define and idealize the warmth, joy and splendor of Christmas than Charles Dickens, the British author whose famous novel A Christmas Carol was published in 1843.

Customs and traditions have varied with time and locale, but in its ideal form, Christmas observance today universally reflects what Dickens called "the Carol philosophy — cheerful views . . . and a vein of glowing, hearty, generous, mirthful, beaming references in everything to Home and Fireside." (Quoted in Michael Patrick Hearn, Introduction, The Annotated Christmas Carol, New York: Avenel Books, 1989; p. 28.)

In the novel, the miser Ebenezer Scrooge is enabled through the agency of the Ghost of

Christmas Present to witness unseen the yuletide celebration of his clerk, Bob Cratchit, and family.

"There was nothing of high mark in this," Dickens as narrator remarks. "They were not a handsome family; they were not well dressed; their shoes were far from being waterproof; their clothes were scanty. . . . But they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time."

In an age when a tendency to excess threatens to rob Christmas of its joy and charm, we, like Scrooge, can learn much by observing the Cratchit family's simple celebration. Consider these lessons:

1. They lived within their means.

Of course, they were forced by circumstances to be frugal. That is not the case with many families today. Easy credit brings with it the temptation to live on borrowings, and this is especially true at Christmas time.

Inspired by the Lord, latter-day prophets have repeatedly warned of the misery and bondage that can result from consumer debt.

The scriptures counsel, "Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith" (Proverbs 15:16). The trouble that results from succumbing to the "buy-now-pay-later" temptation includes reduced means, stress on marriage and family life, possible lack of ability to pay tithes and offerings and, ultimately, the risk of foreclosure and bankruptcy.

If it has not already been done, now is the time as we enter the Christmas season to plan a strategy for avoiding the credit trap. Determine how much money is available for holiday spending, and formulate a budget for such items as gifts, food, decorations and charitable giving. Then, stay within the limits.

2. The Cratchits drew upon traditions and made memories.

They had their goose, their plum pudding, their fireside, their fruit and chestnuts, their general gaiety and song. As did Fezziwig earlier in the novel, the Cratchits generated happiness which "was quite as great as if it cost a fortune" though they had little to spend.

Here again, planning is essential. Family members can decide now what they want to have happen at Christmas. Devise ways to base yuletide happiness on elements other than materialism and acquisitiveness.

While the novelty of a toy, gadget or article of clothing received at Christmas will soon diminish, the memories of activities enjoyed together will last forever.

3. The Cratchits loved, enjoyed and gave themselves to one another.

Affection, mutual respect and consideration flowed freely in the family. Returning with his father from a Christmas church service, Tiny Tim, who could not walk, was carried off by his brother and sister "into the wash-house that he might hear the pudding singing in the copper." Bob Cratchit praised his wife, saying her pudding was "the greatest success achieved by Mrs. Cratchit since their marriage." And the family members generally reveled in one another's company, experiences and prospects.

Today, when the pressures of appointments and commitments pull family members in separate directions, it is more crucial than ever that they take time to strengthen the bonds of love for one another, at Christmas time especially. For, as the prophets and apostles have said, the family is indeed the basic unit in society and eternity. (See "The Family, a Proclamation to the World.")

4. The Cratchits venerated Him in Whose honor Christmas is observed.

Coming home from church, Bob Cratchit recounted in private to his wife what Tiny Tim had said, "that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk and blind men see."

Such a remembrance will sanctify our own Christmas observances. Invoking the blessings of the Almighty in prayer at the start of the season on our homes and families will help us incorporate the above elements in our celebration. In the words of Dickens at the close of his novel, "May that be truly said of us and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!"