The ghost of christmas past

• Like a child: yet not so like a child as an old man.


  Dickens makes the ghost something that could apply to anyone, to scare everyone reading into thinking whether they ought to change their ways too.
• It held a branch of green holly in its hand; and in singular contradiction to that wintry emblem, had its dress trimmed with summer flowers.


  Dickens makes the ghost so that it is not fixed in any particular time of the year, and thus makes its message apply always.
• Would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?


  Criticising the way that many people decide to be opposed to an idea before even hearing what the idea is.
• "Bear but a touch of my hand there" said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart


  This is contrast to the second spirit, showing the spirits become more distant to Scrooge, and harsher.
• "A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still."


  This shows that often there is a reason for people becoming selfish, and excuses Scrooge somewhat.
• The Ghost stopped at a certain warehouse door, and asked Scrooge if he knew it.


  The Ghost is making Scrooge feel as though he has some control, and thus that any change that comes from this is his own doing. It suggests that anyone can change their personality if they put their mind to it.