The Ghost of Christmas Past is a fictional character in Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol. The Ghost is one of three spirits who appears to miser Ebenezer Scrooge to offer him a chance of redemption.
Appearing to be young and old at the same time, the Spirit has a bright light streaming from the top of its head and carries a large cap in the shape of a candle extinguisher under its arm. The Ghost of Christmas Past arrives in Scrooge's bedchamber as the clock chimes one. Each of the Ghosts of Christmas represents a different time in Scrooge's life, and the Ghost of Christmas Past is concerned with the Christmases from Scrooge's past - near and distant.The events of the past "are but shadows" and the bright light the Spirit emits illuminates Scrooge's memories.
