Who likes Christmas movies? What are your favourites? To what extent do we think about the messages behind these movies?
For example: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (1964) – what is this movie about? Donner (lead reindeer) and his wife have Rudolph and try to hide his difference (blind to his gift). At the reindeer games, other reindeers tease and bully him (blind to his gifts). Coach Comet expels him (blind to his gifts).
Rudolph meets Hermey an elf who wants to be a dentist and Yukon Cornelius. Island of Misfit toys abandoned by Santa because they are different. Santa is deaf to their longing to be included.
When the group returns, they need to save Rudolph’s parents and Clarise from the Abominable snowman. Those who are different help the blind see and the deaf hear and Christmas is transformed – with Rudolph leading the sleigh and the misfit toys finally getting homes at Christmas and all is joyful!
Notice how easy it is to take many of our Christmas favourites and identify moments of transformation. There are themes woven in these stories, these modern parables that remind us that there are still opportunities for growth and change. We still have spaces and places where the blind can see, deaf can hear, and good news is proclaimed, metaphorically speaking. Really and truly, what is happening is that people, and that can include us, are challenged to look and listen with compassion and empathy, to recognise the wonder and gifts of diverse individuals, and respect the dignity of every single one. In these stories, when the characters make these changes that is what brings about the joy of Christmas.
Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me."
When John’s disciples ask Jesus if he is the Messiah on John’s behalf, Jesus points to these same kind of transformations to affirm his life-giving presence in the world. At a fundamental level, Jesus responds by saying, look at what I am doing, look at how I am making a difference in the lives of those who need it most, look at how I lead with love, this should tell you all you need to know.
The story of Jesus has a compelling plot too. It is filled with metaphorical individuals who are blind and deaf who Jesus challenges to see and hear in new and transformative ways. His love still challenges people to look with eyes of compassion and listen with ears of empathy. We still have a lot to learn to fully embrace the message of his life, death, and resurrection on the way to embodying the joy of Christmas. It is up to us to continually be open to the lessons offered by Jesus and Christmas movies that help us see and hear anew.
As we perpetually seek to keep Christ in Christmas, may compassion and empathy be our constant guides. This we pray as we sing: God Rest Ye Merry