Having watched most of the films now (some of them
twice), I’m beginning to notice a certain pattern. At the start, a child is let
down by his or her parents and/or Santa and grows up to be a grumpy, workaholic
scrooge. He or she has no time for love or adventure and very often neglects
his/her own kids as a result.
But just when you’re starting to give up all hope, some
magical intervention occurs, Santa is proven to be real (as if we ever doubted
it) and, more often than not, a happy-ever-after love story ensues.
I’m not knocking this formula; it works a treat. In fact,
I can almost predict to the minute when I will be reduced to tears, the moments
where I will have to watch through my fingers because the cringe factor is so
high, and the moment when I will need to clear my throat for the final
carol-singing scene.
But in many ways, this repeated narrative reflects real
life. Many children are scarred by the actions of a parent or someone in
authority who has hurt them or let them down. They carry this pain through their
lives and into new relationships, eventually passing it onto their children.
Others embrace the idea of God during childhood, seeing
Him as a magical, Santa-like being who gives us all the things we want and
meets all of our needs. But by the time we reach double figures we have rejected
Him because – like Santa – we feel we have outgrown Him… and that He isn’t all
He’s cracked up to be anyway.
As we approach Christmas, I hope we’re all excited about
the parties, presents and delicious food. But I also hope it’s a time where we
can rebuild relationships that have broken down and spend quality time with the
people we love.
My greatest hope, though, is that we can focus on the
relationship we have with God. At this time of year we remember that He sent
His only Son to earth to live among us, and ultimately to die in order to bring
us back into relationship with Him.
Unlike Santa, who only pops up once a year, God will walk
with us every day of our lives if we are just prepared to take the first step. And,
unlike Santa, if you ask Him to prove that He’s real, He’ll actually do it.
He
is the very epitome of happily ever after love without the Hollywood cheese
factor.
Anyway, it’s almost time for Annie Claus is Coming to Town, so I’ll bid you adieu. Or perhaps
Merry Christmas would be more appropriate!
Read more from Joy in the next issue of Liberti magazine - out soon!
