Dickens' A Christmas Carol appropriately takes place on the night of Christmas Eve / morning of Christmas Day. The story begins on Christmas Eve, as Scrooge is forcing his worker, Bob Cratchit, to work on the holiday; Scrooge, meanwhile, is seated at a desk, counting his money.
Staging the story at this time helps Dickens to fully illustrate the difference in spirit between the Christmas season (kicked into high gear by Christmas Eve) and Scrooge's own, "Bah! Humbug," attitude. In his refusal of nephew Fred's invitation, we see how Scrooge seems removed from the convivial feel of the holiday.
When Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning, he is grateful that the holiday has not passed, and that he has the opportunity to engage in generous acts. Thus, he is able to embody the Christmas spirit, and does so from that point forward.
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