Think about Such Things

When I first watched the Christmas movie The Polar Express, I was struck by the fantastic moment when Santa appears to the crowd amidst great awe and adulation by the people below. I couldn’t help but imagine how much greater the moment will be when we see Jesus and the angels proclaim, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). Like The Polar Express, so many of our family favorites have a moral, a takeaway truth that can be appreciated and discussed after watching.

Annabelle’s Wish tells a tale of a boy named Billy who lost his voice after witnessing a tragedy. His grandfather gave him a calf named Annabelle, born on Christmas Eve, a day when Santa has gifted all the animals with the ability to talk. Annabelle’s secret wish is to fly like a reindeer, and so she determines to ask Santa to grant her that wish. But when Christmas Eve arrives, instead she sacrifices her ability to talk, and her wish to fly so that Billy has the gift of speech.

Another holiday favorite with a spiritual takeaway is Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge encourages me. Once he repents, he wastes not a minute wallowing in guilt over his PAST. He doesn’t focus on his prior cruelty, regretting where his choices have taken him, and feeling depressed over his age and circumstances in the PRESENT. Instead, he is able to forgive himself and make a change for the FUTURE. He is a fictional example of Psalm 32:1: “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”

Scrooge determines to spend the rest of his days doing good. He generously bestows his love, finances, and attention on all those he meets. And how does that make him feel?

“I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy!” And he shouts, “MERRY CHRISTMAS!” to the world.

He reminds me of what the Lord offers, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” Isaiah 1:18.

Family classics bring us together, and if they’re worth enjoying together, they’re worth taking the time to discuss together.

How are God’s truths illustrated?

Is there a moral to this story?

What can I learn about what is true, noble, and right?

We are encouraged by Paul to do just that.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

WHATEVER! is a word we sometimes use in desperation, but it can also be used to remind us to think about WHATEVER is….

True

Noble

Right

Pure

Lovely

Admirable

Excellent

Praiseworthy

That list, or even the word WHATEVER! is a great visual reminder to put near your TV to prompt discussion.

Prayer

Lord, this Christmas season, may I focus on what is true and lovely. May I look for forgiveness, reconciliation, and redemption in the stories I see and remember the greatest story of all eternity is about you. Prompt me to remember WHATEVER to think and talk about.