Once or twice a year (and usually at Christmas) instead of having a ‘normal’ church service we do a film review*. We sit everyone around tables, watch three 5-10min clips of the film, and reflect on its themes. I (as the host of the evening) retell the basic plot between the clips. Last Sunday we reflected on the film Elf (released 2003, starring Will Farrell) and how this helps us understand Christmas.
Here were the three themes we drew out yesterday:
(1) Where do I belong?
We reflected on how Buddy the Elf did not belong with the Elves (he was 6ft3) and didn’t belong in New York City (he didn’t understand the customs and etiquette). However we also saw that one of the reasons he didn’t fit in to New York was because he was so enthusiastic and kind. There was an innocence about him that had not yet been ‘beaten’ out of him. He didn’t feel any pressure to conform. He was genuine. He was himself.
We thought about what it meant to ‘belong’ to a community but also what it means to feel like an alien. And we remember at Christmas that we celebrate Jesus coming from his home in heaven to be born into a world where for most of his life he would not belong. And it was his love and his lack of desire to ‘fit in’ that made him so offensive to so many.
(2) Broken & Restored Relationships
We looked at how Buddy the Elf acted towards his brother (Michael), the girl he fancied (Jovie) and his father (Walter).
His brother initially thinks he is a freak, but when he wins a snowball fight to protect his brother he wins him over and they become best friends.
The girl at Gimbals (who has clearly had a tough life, one imagines being abused by men) thinks he is weird but finds that he desires her for herself (not her body or looks alone). He is genuine and caring, considerate and kind. He is real. And she falls for him.
The dad however will not be won over. He is lost in his work and the pressures of delivering the quarterly sales numbers. Whilst Michael and Jovie allow Buddy in and allow his love in, the dad has too much on his agenda, too much to do and has lost sight of what is important. He doesn’t want to give or receive love, he wants to succeed at work.
Overall our reflection about Buddy was that his love was without distinctions. He loved each of them equally and impartially even though they call initially rejected him. We saw that this is the message of Christmas – Jesus loves all impartially and equally, but to be ‘won over’ by his love, you have to allow him in and he has to interrupt your schedule and agenda. You have to surrender to that love.
(3) Believing is Seeing
The film ends with Santa crashing in Central Park because the engine of his sleigh has broken off and there is not enough Christmas Cheer to run the sleigh (like there was many years ago). People have become more and more sceptical of his existence as they are lost in the rush and worldview of New York City. People would not believe in Santa unless they saw him, unless they had evidence.
We noticed three ways in which people started to believe, and as they believed they saw.
- There was a book that contained evidence (a list of Santa’s presents for people) and the book connected to people’s lives. The evidence could have an alternative interpretation, but it was sufficient to break the worldview and cause faith (starting with Michael the child… a child-like faith!).
- As one person believed it led to others believing. As one life was transformed by faith, so others saw and were transformed and came to see for themselves.
- Believing the evidence only took you so far; you have to commit yourself (the father has seen Santa but still won’t sing!). As you believe and as you commit you see.
Today we live in a very sceptical age and unless people ‘see God’ they will not believe. But there is evidence contained in a book that can cause faith (John 20:30-32). And what convinces most people that Jesus is alive is when they witness their friends lives being changed by him. However at some point you must commit.
Buddy the Elf & Jesus
Finally, we reflected on how Buddy helps us understand Jesus:
- Jesus was a rejected man who loved all without distinctions.
- There is enough evidence for belief, but ultimately it takes commitment and surrendering your life.
- Jesus came to restore broken relationships, ultimately our relationship with God but also with each other.
- Jesus’ love is very wonderful (as the children’s song goes) but it will interrupt us and disturb us and challenge our allegiances (the father has to let go of his worship of work).
I hope this helps bring fresh insight into the real meaning of Christmas this year.
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!
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* For more details on why we watch films and reflect on them as a church see my personal blog Why Christians Should Watch Films.