The Day after Christmas at the Movies

We watch movies as a family.  We did so when the girls were small; we still do now that they are tall.  We talk the story, the acting, the cinematography, the music, the message. With our eldest daughter involved in the movie post-production industry, we watch the credits to the end as an homage to all those behind the scenes and listen to her commentary.

The day after Christmas we started at home with Snow White and the Huntsman.  “Mom, you’ll love the costumes!”  In the afternoon, we picked up a friend and met another at the theater for Les Miserables.  Later in the evening, The Lorax, went into the Blue-ray player for something fun.

Snow White is full of battle between good and evil, light and dark, matters of the heart.  Les Mis is full of tension between oppression and freedom, the law and mercy, the individual and society.  To love another is to see the face of God.  Dr. Suess’, The Lorax is again our intrinsic relationship with nature and our capacity to destroy.

All of these vividly portray the human condition.  And, in all of them, it is a child who brings hope and redemption.

These came to mind:  “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. (Isa 11:6 KJV,)”

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” (Luk 2:12 KJV)

And, then, “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life,… and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Rev 22:2 KJV)

-Mary Slenski