It’s a Wonderful Life
Matthew 11:16-19
16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
Isaiah 48:17
This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
Advent means that on top of the hustle and bustle of shopping, planning, and decorating, we are inundated with movies, Christmas movies. I am a sucker for the Hallmark Christmas Channel. I even have a shirt that proudly states, “This is my Hallmark Christmas Movie Watching Shirt.” True. Christmas movies all have one commonality, a happy ending. This is most likely why they are so beloved by so many. We know how this story ends, the stress and anxiety of “where is this going”, is removed and we can sit back, relax, and wait for the kiss (or whatever happy ending they contain). Many people would call this an escape from reality. I would like to propose that they are a blessed escape to reality. Christmas movies hold within them His truth as well. They hold the truth that when we are believers in our Redeemer, our story has a guaranteed happy ending no matter the plot twists, turns, ups, and downs that are thrown in our way. Jesus was born so that He could take all of our unhappy endings upon the cross and redeem them. There are many who will sit in this season unhappy and unable to enter fully into its promise. they resemble those to whom Jesus was referring in the above Gospel. They are the ones who are never happy, never satisfied, often because the movie of their lives does not go the way they think it should. It is not perfectly decorated, with perfect families, and perfect meals, and perfect presents. The lie that we have come to believe is that such a thing exists this side of heaven. This Advent as we watch our favorite movies let us thank the Lord for the kernel of truth He has provided. Our stories can indeed have a happy ending. This Advent season if we ourselves reflect the unsatisfied crowd, let us turn to the Wisdom of Isaiah. Our satisfaction comes not from the construct of what we imagine to be the perfect life. Our satisfaction comes from Him, our Redeemer, who will show us the way to go. We can bring a piece of heaven to earth in our own lives if we stop and listen to the Lord. Maybe cut back on the movie binging, curl up in your Christmas pajamas next to the tree, and let our Redeemer show you the way to what truly satisfies. No matter where Christmas finds you, remember that with Emmanuel, we are never left Home Alone.
