A Christmas Carol is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in 1843. It is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a cold-hearted, miserly businessman who is visited by three ghosts - the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Future. Through these visits, Scrooge is forced to confront the consequences of his actions and the impact they have on others. The story is a classic tale of redemption, reminding us that it is never too late to change our ways and to embrace the spirit of Christmas.