This past Sunday evening I watched again the animated movie Polar Express (another one of my Christmas traditions).    I have had to watch it a time or two to really grasp some of the meaning.  In case you haven’t seen it, here is a recap: a young boy struggles with his belief in Santa Claus (please no hate mail).  He lies in bed on Christmas Even growing more cynical as the night wears on, especially after seeing a hat in his father’s back pocket.  Suddenly, and unexpectedly, a train arrives at his home and when he goes outside the conductor asks him, “Well, are you coming?”  He hesitates and as the train pulls away he finally decides to get on board.   He soon finds out it is the most important decision he makes.  Along with many other children he is traveling to the North Pole, where Santa will present the first gift of Christmas.  During the trip, and through the various people he meets, he still struggles with doubt.  I don’t want to give the rest of the movie away but as I watched it Sunday night I heard two very important lessons:

1. As the conductor interacts with the boy, he says something profound: “It doesn’t matter where you’re going; what matters is deciding to get on.”  He made that initial decision to get on board.  Isn’t that how the Christian life starts?  Someone has to decide to get on board.  It is a conscious decision one makes.  It is not one we are forced into.  We have to decide to act.
2. The conductor also said, “The most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.”  Oh man, is this true!  Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.“ Jesus Himself talked about having the faith of a child.  I know I am going backwards here but don’t you wish sometimes that you had the simple faith of a child, to trust implicitly without all the baggage?  I think sometimes we just make things too complicated and therefore lose the faith of children.

I am not going to spoil the ending.  I would recommend that you rent this movie and watch it with your children.  It will afford a great time to talk about things.  And yes, Santa Claus is in it.  But don’t let your undies get all in a bunch about that.   I once believed in SC and the magic and wonder of the Christmas season.  First, I turned out okay and never thought about my parents lying to me (as some will say happens).  Second, and maybe even deeper…maybe I need to return to that magic and wonder once again.  In fact, I think I will.  After all, I have a grandson to take me there now (and I can take him). 

Your thoughts?  I would like to hear them.