MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

Directed by: George Seaton
Written by: George Seaton
Studio: Warner Brothers
Starring: Maureen O’Hara, Natalie Wood, Edmund Gwenn
Rated: Approved for General Audiences

About the film:
A young girl, raised by her pragmatic mother, does not believe in Santa Claus. When she meets the nice man named Kris Kringle who has been hired to play Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, she finds herself believing in him despite what she has been taught. Kris takes it as a personal challenge to convince her and her mother that some things are worth believing. It is a challenge that ends up in a New York courtroom.

Movie Quote:
“Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to.”
Fred Gailey (John Payne) in Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Bible Quote:
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Commentary:
Faith is simply another word for believing and, contrary to the quote from Miracle on 34th Street, “common sense” will almost always line up with the Word of God (which we are commanded to believe.)

I have found that common sense and faith are not necessarily opposing viewpoints. However, there are times when spiritual realities make little sense in this world and thus will give us the impression of being illogical.

At such times, we have a choice. Who are we to believe? Do we believe God who gave us life and the instruction on how to best live it? Or are we to believe solely in the world in which we live and the limited perception we gain from our natural senses?

The key to the more abundant life which God promises us lies in the renewed mind. A renewed mind is a mind trained to think spiritual thoughts and to believe in the promises of God. It is a mind conditioned to discard unhealthy or sinful thoughts in order to focus upon healthy or righteous ones. Since our thinking is what makes us who we are (Proverbs 23:7), such a practice, to my way of thinking, makes for uncommonly good sense.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Is teaching a young child to believe in Santa Claus a healthy or harmful practice? Why?
2. In the context of this fantasy film, what qualities are needed to change a person from a skeptic to a believer?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com