A Christmas Carol is a classic story written by Charles Dickens, first published on December 19, 1843. The story is about a miserly and greedy man named Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. Each ghost takes Scrooge on a journey through his past, present, and future, teaching him the importance of kindness, generosity, and compassion. The story has become a beloved holiday classic, with its message of redemption and the importance of family and friendship.