Viewpoint: Hope is a gift that keeps on giving, one that speaks life into despair
“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” — Christopher Reeve, actor, aka Superman
“Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back.” “It’s a one-year membership in the jelly-of-the-month club.” “OWWW! Son of a nutcracker!” “Who would use Baby Wet Wet for Jesus?” These are quotes from some great Christmas movies. The time-old trope of protagonist-antagonist conflict is present in each one. Rather than some materialistic focus for the protagonist, there is an intangible goal of great importance in these storylines: Hope!
In "Home Alone," young Kevin McCallister is accidentally left at home by himself when his family goes on vacation. Throughout the movie, the characters and even we viewers are caught up in the hope this family is reunited by Christmas. Edge-of-your-seat cinema, right?
The character Clark Griswold in "National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation" hopes for a lucrative year-end bonus check from his employer. Why? Clark has his sights on an in-ground pool for the entire family to enjoy. But, when he receives the certificate for 12 months of jelly, as Cousin Eddie adds, “the gift that keeps on giving,” his pool hopes are dashed. Have no fear, though. Clark does realize what Christmas is really about before the credits roll.
What about Buddy from the movie, "Elf"? He desperately hopes to find his biological father. And, guess what? It is not Santa Claus!
The late Whitney Houston played Julia in "The Preacher’s Wife." Julia is married to a workaholic preacher who pays little to no attention to his family until a stranger comes to town — an angel in disguise. Julia hopes her husband soon acknowledges her and their child by spending more time together as a family. Of course, as in most Christmas movies, miracles always happen.
The characters in these make-believe holiday plots have hope. Hope just like you and me. Hope that at least during this raved-about, most wonderful time of the year, relationships are reconciled, love overflows, people are more generous, joy abounds and food just makes everything better. Is that really all there is, though?
Beyond the twinkling lights and inflatable yard snowmen, time with loved ones and deep-fried turkey, surely there is more. How about an end to this global pandemic; countries study war no more; greater care of the planet we all call home; justice reigns over injustice all day, every day; mental health taken seriously; poverty becomes a thing of the past; no one goes to bed hungry; systems are designed to yield equitable results for all; and, peace flows like a river with no end. This is hoping against hope itself because anything is possible when we hope.
Hope. It is free. It is abundant, a gift that speaks life into the dark chasm of despair. Hope is an exercise in building one’s faith. Always, choose hope.
The Rev. Valerie Steele is the lead pastor at Quail Springs United Methodist Church.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Viewpoint: Hope is a gift that keeps on giving
