I really do love it. And whenever I tell someone that, they look at me funny and then tell me how creepy they think the kids are in the movie...and the elves. And I can't really argue that because they are a little creepy - it's the animation - something weird going on there. But it's only December 1st and already I've watched it 4 times. I even tried to watch it on my ipod last night as I was flying back from family Thanksgiving, but the stupid thing locked up and wouldn't play. Made me want to scream...I didn't though because that just freaks people out on an airplane. So I've been thinking about the movie and why I love it so much, creepy elves and all, and here's what I've come up with:
First - When the movie starts, and the soundtrack begins to play and it's snowing on the screen and the narration begins, I feel like I'm seven again, snuggled up in bed waiting for morning and life is exciting and wonderful. I wish it could be like that always...and down in my soul I think it's supposed to be like that always and that Jesus is the key.
Second - There's truth all over the place in that movie. Like when the conductor says to the boy "Sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see." - gives me goosebumps. Even Santa says that he's only a symbol of Christmas but that "the true Spirit of Christmas lies in your heart" - that just SCREAMS Jesus to me. And at the end when he can hear the bell but his parents can't he ends with "though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me... as it does for all who truly believe." BRILLIANT!!
Most of all I think it's because it's about believing. And that's what it all comes down to. Either we choose to believe in the One worth believing in and this life is an adventure, or we give up and it's just one big disappointment. Like the conductor said at the end:
"One thing about trains, it doesn't matter where they're going. What matters is deciding to get on."
Because the point isn't that this life goes according to my plan, but that I choose to follow Him wherever He leads me. And THAT is why I love this movie.
What about you? What's your favorite Christmas movie and why?
Comments (15)
YES! You have described exactly how I feel about this movie! Every year I ask God to "show up" in a new way. The year the Polar Express came out was no different. We waited and waited for it to come to the cheap theater ($2). Can you believe it did on Christmas Eve?
I cried and cried as He showed up in so many ways in the movie. One of my favorite parts is when the main boy can't see Santa amidst all the distractions - until He believes. It's true - we can get tiny glimpses of God, but when we BELIEVE - we get the full view - and even conversation with Jesus. Oh yeah!
Thanks for bringing this up!
Posted by angela | December 1, 2008 1:50 PM
Awesome! That movie is pretty good (though I agree about the weird animation thing!) (and of course it helps that the theme song for the movie is amazing!!) Thank you for such a good blog about this. It shows that you can take something people may see as totally secular (like Santa Claus) and find stories and truths about God and His Word within it! Merry Christmas!
Posted by Elizabeth | December 1, 2008 2:47 PM
I totally agree with you.I love the movie and I've only seen it like, twice.I think the charecters and the elves are a little creepy too, but that doesn't take any enjoyment out of the movie! I am really glad that you brought this subject up too!
Posted by Christian | December 2, 2008 4:13 PM
I love love love this blog! I feel exactly the same way. My mom and I have actually made this movie one we watch every year around Christmas. (More than once, of course! :) ) The points you made were so true. Also, the creepy guy who's trying to get the boy to not believe in Santa, I think, is a representation of the devil slightly, in the way that he tries to tell him that "Seeing is believing.", when truly it ends up being exactly the opposite. Plus, the creepy guy ends up being like a ghost and not like "a real person", so I think that furthers the point of him being like Satan. (Not saying Satan isn't real, just saying he isn't human. You know what I mean?) Anyways, thank you for this article; I absolutely love it, as I've said before. :P
Posted by Brianna | December 5, 2008 1:17 PM
i soooooo never thought of the polar express that way!! this was such a good article because i have never looked at the movie that way. and, while the polar express is not my favorite holiday movie, i still enjoy watching it every year and this makes me look at it in a whole new light!
Posted by Anonymous | December 5, 2008 3:20 PM
Oh my goodness, I LOVE this movie so much! (Even though the elves are a bit creepy and talk weird...) And I'm so glad about what you said because I had never really thought about it that way before! Thank you so much!
Posted by Bailey | December 6, 2008 10:05 AM
I've watched this movie only once, the time it came out into theatres, way back in the day. I thought, meh, it was okay. But only now do I realize the story behind it! I'll hopefully watch it again this year! I love Christimas time, and me and my family usually watch the Nativity Story, which is what Christmas is all abouT-Jesus' birth! It seems as though our secular world is trying to rid the term of Christmas and it's assosiation with Christ. At some places, saying Merry Christmas is forbidden! Only Happy Holidays, or Seasons Greetings is allowed. But of course, saying Happpy Diwali or Ramadan is okay. It does not seem right that they are turning a religious Christian celebration into a secular family holiday! [Sorry for the off topic rant] Merry Christmas!
Posted by Naomi | December 8, 2008 7:40 PM
This movie is one of the greatest movies for christmas because eventhough this is very imaginary, it brings a whole new light to the myth of santa and ........ so it is great in a weird way i can understand how you would like to watch it soo much
Posted by Sherice | December 8, 2008 8:45 PM
You totally described exactly how i feel about that movie. Its so amazing.
im glad you feel the same way!
Posted by Anonymous | December 9, 2008 6:26 PM
I love the Polar Express because i love all Christmas movies. i love christmas.
Posted by katie | December 22, 2008 6:52 PM
My favorite Christmas movie is White Christmas because the people who I want to fall in love do, it's satisfying.
Posted by Linda | December 23, 2008 10:21 PM
I wrote a blog post last December when I saw Polar Express for the first time and I'm SO glad you brought up the same points about the overwhelming theme of belief throughout the movie. That scene where the bell rings at the end always gives me chills!!!
Aside from this one, I have tons of favorites, but Miracle on 34th Street (the original) is another of my favorites chock full of truths. "I believe, I believe...it's sill but I believe" I'm convinced that as a child, that movie helped me believe in Christ even though I couldn't touch Him or see Him physically.
Merry Merry Christmas!
Posted by Rose | December 24, 2008 2:23 PM
I really, really like the Polar Express, also. It's a great movie that's worth watching. The songs are incredible, also.
Happy New Year! (2009)
Posted by Gabi | December 30, 2008 6:21 PM
:) Iam so glad you came up with that.
I never thout of it that way. outher than the freeky elves part that was a great way to explain it.
Posted by sarah | October 10, 2009 1:10 PM
Ohh Myy Gosh! i also love love this movie. My brother still doesn't understand why but i still really like it. I had never thought of it in a Jesus sort of way but the quotes from the movie that you wrote are the same ones that say something to me. This movie is amazing, i like how it's clean and especially the MUSIC. Musicals draw me in. WEll thank you, i could really relate(:
Posted by Lena | January 3, 2010 8:16 PM