A Christmas Carol is a classic Christmas story by Charles Dickens, originally published in 1843. It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who is visited by the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley, on Christmas Eve. The ghost warns Scrooge that he will be visited by three more spirits: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The ghosts take Scrooge on a journey through his past, present, and future, showing him the consequences of his selfish actions and the joy of a generous heart.