Die Hard is my favorite Christmas movie of all-time. Hands down. It also has to happen to be one of my favorite movies of all-time in general, but I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned that here before, and I digress. If you’re one of those SOBs who doesn’t think Die Hard counts as a Christmas movie…meet me outside after school and I’ll let my inner John McClane do all the talking.
However, as the child-at-heart, cliche-loving individual that I am, I pretty much love all Christmas movies. Favorites include Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Elf (duh), and above all of them – The Santa Clause.
Tradition when my siblings and I were younger was always to watch The Santa Clause while we decorated the Christmas tree, and being the most nostalgic person alive, these fond memories are a huge part of why the movie still holds such a firm spot in my heart. But it’s also a wonderful movie, and the underlying theme/message make my tear up every time I think about it. It can all be summed up in one scene between Santa Claus/Scott Calvin and Judy the Elf:
(Side note: shout out to my sister for having the most beautifully-decorated fireplace with the message proudly displayed)
SC: I’m talking to an Elf. And I stopped believing in Santa Claus a long time ago.
Judy: That’s not surprising, most grown ups can’t believe in magic. It just..sort of grows out of them.
SC: This is fabulous. Is that a polar bear directing traffic out there? I see it, but I don’t believe it.
Judy: You’re missing the point. Seeing isn’t believing, believing is seeing. Kids don’t have to see this place to know it’s here. They just…know.
First of all, I’m not crying, you’re crying.
JUDY YOU’RE SO WISE. And the funny thing is, as an actual kid I thought I understood what she meant, but her message has only really made sense to me in my adult years. Magic. Most grown-ups can’t believe in magic. How sad is even TYPING that sentence? Very sad. But isn’t it a little true?
Similar to losing our sense of curiosity as we age, our willingness and ability to fully believe in magic, or really fully believe in anything, also fades. Think about it. We’re conditioned to grow out of our sense of wonder, and grow into skepticism and second-guessing and eventually, a sense of complete jadedness. And if you aren’t skeptical, if you don’t second-guess everything, if you don’t come across as completely jaded – you’re the weird one. How does that make ANY sense?
Sure, as we grow up we realize that life isn’t all play time and naps and Disney movies, and the prize in the cereal box will probably always be smaller than what Kellogg’s lead you to believe. Life does come with hardships and dark times and loss. It does. But doesn’t that make it all the more important to hold onto some amount of hope and wonder? To keep just one small morsel of belief in magic?
I watched The Santa Clause Christmas Eve, and as I fell asleep that night, I felt a small amount of that magic you feel when you’re 5 years old on Christmas Eve – the tingling you feel in your toes and butterflies in your stomach – knowing Santa is coming. I’m 27 years old, I’m well aware my parents are Santa, and I knew I was waking up to one present to open, yet I still laid in bed giddy with anticipation. And Christmas morning found me in a similar state – eyes wide open, anxious to greet the day.
Now, it just so happened that my one gift was the GREATEST PAIR OF SHOES EVER, sneakers completely COVERED IN GLITTER. And if glitter doesn’t just scream “MAGIC,” I don’t know what does.
We could all use a little more magic in our lives. Next time you’re struggling to find it, just try to channel that feeling you had on Christmas Eve many years ago. The tingling toes, the butterfly-filled stomach. I think you’ll feel a grin on your face almost instantly. And if all else fails, you can always purchase some glitter-covered sneakers.
From my heart to yours, I hope this holiday season finds you full of love, warmth, and at least a little magic. Because remember: Seeing isn’t believing. Believing is seeing.
Curiously,
Tori
