For the past few years, I have watched Miracle on 34th Street (the 1947 version) during the Christmas Season. And every year I tear up at the same moment.
Susan, the young girl played by Natalie Wood, is sceptical by anything make believe and what she considers "childish". Her mother, Doris (Maureen O'Hara), believes in telling her child the truth about fairy tales and how they are not real. Including Santa Claus. With the help of next door neighbor, Fred Gailey (John Payne), he tries to both flirt with the mother Doris and bring a sense of childlike joy and imagination into the family dynamic.
When Santa comes on the scene, played beautifully by Edmund Gwenn, he begins to help chip away at the hard heartedness of the families lack of imagination. Because of his attitude, actions, and relational compassion with others, Susan begins to crack open the door at the possibility of imagination and childlike play.
One scene in particular that gets me is when Susan is taken to see Santa by Fred at Macy's. Doris shows up unhappy to find her child there amongst as she called it, "vulnerable children" who believe he is Santa Claus. While Doris and Fred talk off to the side, Susan sneaks over to watch Santa interact with the other kids. This is when the tears start to well up.
A mother brings her adopted girl to Santa as the child stares with bunny like eyes. Santa begins to speak kindly with the little girl when the mother says that the child can't speak english. She only speaks Dutch. The child believed that he was the real Santa and that he could speak Dutch with her while the mother doubted. Very quickly after, Santa starts speaking Dutch to the Child and she lights up.
The scene carries on for a beat and the two begin singing in her native language. The mother stands there with watery eyes and a smile. All the while, Susan stands off to the side observing the whole interaction.
I believe this is such a powerful scene. It reminds me of the Gospel of Jesus each time I watch.
As humans, we all long for connection and to be seen by others. But even more than that, we long to be understood. A deep longing to know we are loved and capable of being loved.
Without Christ, we are orphans to our mistakes and shortcomings that bring guilt and shame to our name. No human can heal, no human to fully understand or speak our language. Until Christ comes on the scene.
Both fully God and Man, Jesus meets us in our helplessness to fix our struggle and speaks our language. And not only that, he sings over us and with us. All with joy in His heart.
"The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
This Christmas season, I encourage you to meditate upon the Christmas story of how Christ comes to meet us to mend the communication divide between us and God. I also recommend you watch the movie. Only the 1947 version. In my opinion, the other newer adaptations are not as good.
May it lead you to the truth that like the little orphan on Santa's lap, you are not only seen, but you are understood in your Creator's eyes and brought close to Him. He sees you with an immense amount of love and grace that when we meditate and reflect on it deeply, we see what a miracle the Christmas story really is.
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