Christmas at the Movies: Miracle on 34th Street
Faith is recognizing that there is more than can be seen, felt, or touched. Using the original 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street as an illustration, we’ll explore what it means to live a life of faith and how, even when we don’t always understand it, faith can lead to deeper truths. We’ll also explore what it means for us to be servants — to be the Kris Kringle or “Christ Child” in our daily lives.
Sermon Reflections:
- How does the portrayal of Doris and Fred in “Miracle on 34th Street” reflect the tension between viewing the world through logic and reason versus embracing a deeper, less tangible truth? How does this mirror our approaches to faith and understanding the Christmas story?
- In what ways does Kris Kringle challenge the commercialism of Christmas by emphasizing putting others’ needs before profit and self-interest? How does this align with Jesus’ teachings about serving others?
- The movie depicts the struggle between rationality and faith, paralleling the skepticism towards Kris Kringle’s belief in being Santa Claus with the skepticism surrounding the Christmas story itself. How does this comparison highlight the challenge of accepting a truth that surpasses logical understanding?
- Reflecting on the portrayal of Kris Kringle as the embodiment of Saint Nicholas and later as the representation of the Christ child, how does this challenge us to embody the spirit of generosity, compassion, and Christ’s love during the Christmas season?
- The sermon points out that Kris Kringle, as a representative of the Christ child, stands for love, hope, and compassion in a broken world. How can we, as individuals, emulate this spirit of Christlike compassion and bring tangible hope to those in need during the holiday season?
- The call to action in the sermon encourages us not to be consumed by materialism but to embrace the deeper meaning of Christmas by being instruments of healing, joy, and hope. What practical steps can we take to shift our focus from materialism and actively spread the love and hope of Christ during this Christmas season?