Elf has become a Christmas classic over the years and a movie that my family watches multiple times during December(and sometimes other parts of the year). There are so many things that make this movie great and appealing. Here are 5 lessons we can learn from Elf. Yes, there will be spoilers, but if you haven’t seen Elf by now then more than likely you’re a Scrooge.
- “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Who doesn’t like belting out Christmas carols? Is it possible to feel bad after singing “Jingle Bells”, “Silent Night”, or “Snow, Snow, Snow?” I think this also applies to faith in general. Even in the tough times of life, endured with faith, can bring joy and peace to others. The stories of God’s transforming power in our lives are meant to be shared and used to encouraged others.
- A job can be more easily replaced than family. James Caan, in the end makes the difficult choice to quit his job to go look for Buddy. It’s a job he had lost his passion for as the quality of his work had diminished along with his relationship with his boss. I know that in real life things don’t work out as nicely like they do in the movies with Walter starting his own publishing house and Buddy’s first book being a huge success. Sometimes the choices are hard and we have to count the cost, but relationships last longer than a paycheck.
- Everyone can do something. Buddy did not fit in with the Elves. He put them way behind on Etch-a-sketch construction. He could change the batteries in the smoke detector though. Sometimes we give up on people because they can’t do what we want them to do. Maybe they’re not good at that. Find something they’re good at. This philosophy works on things from assigning household chores to kids to building ministry teams in a local church. God made us all to do something, and there is great joy in helping people discover what their “something” is.
- Don’t believe all the hype. “World’s Best Cup of Coffee?” Slogans and pronouncements like that are all around us. We have to filter through what’s true and what’s not. Companies spend billions of dollars trying to convince us we can’t live without what they’re offering. Too many times our excitement is met with a mediocre cup of coffee.
- There is no Christmas without faith.
Michael: Hold it… if you’re really Santa Claus, Then we can just get some news cameras in here, And everyone will believe in you, Then your sleigh will fly, right?
Santa: Christmas spirit is about believing, not seeing. If the whole world saw me, all would be lost. The paparazzi have been trying to nail me for years.
John 20:29 says, “Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The angel’s message. The virgin birth. The magi. The inn. The entire Christmas story calls us to believe in what man would deem impossible. To hope that the improbable is fact. Whether you’re enjoying eggnog, Christmas movie traditions, exchanging gifts, or houses lit up for all to see you owe it all to faith. This entire season is built on faith. Sometimes, it feels like we spend 11 months out of the year losing our faith in humanity. Christmas reminds me that there was great faith even in the act of God sending Jesus to earth. Faith that Jesus would redeem his people. Faith that all was not lost. Faith that you and I would come to believe.
So, let’s sing a little louder, hold our families a little tighter, and believe that a little faith goes a long way. Especially in these days of uncertainty and division, may the Spirit of Christ, which is the Spirit of Christmas, give us all the hope we need to make a better tomorrow.