Okay, it’s corny and schmaltzy, but once a year I like to watch Miracle on 34th Street (1994). It makes me smile and for just a few minutes push aside all of the ugliness of the world and believe in something that encourages faith and challenges me to believe in something more important than my selfish priorities.

Kris Kringle declares “I’m not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanor. I’m a symbol. I’m a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If… You can’t believe, if you can’t accept anything on faith, then you’re doomed for a life dominated by doubt.”

It is difficult to think of a time in human history when we have a greater need to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule a major part of our lives. We need a little Christmas to remind us of peace on earth to persons of good will. More important we need to be those persons of goodwill who, don’t merely proclaim to be Christian, but actually dare to live into the teachings of Christ. There are a lot of phonies running around claiming to be Christian who are nothing more than self-serving hypocrites.

The New Testament definition of a hypocrite is that of an actor under an assumed character. It does not take a lot of effort to discover that we are surrounded by actors proclaiming a commitment to the poor and disadvantaged while doing everything possible to keep them in their impoverished situation all the while proclaiming faith in Christ. Disciples of Jesus the Christ do not practice racism and misogyny. We do not take advantage of those who have not had the same opportunities we have enjoyed.

Genuine Christian faith takes seriously the plight of “the least of these.” Genuine Christian faith puts the needs of others above the desires of personal aggrandizement. Christian faith holds to truth that we cannot see with our eyes but live into each day as we struggle to live our lives as if Jesus were living them.

The title “We Need a Little Christmas” is from a popular Christmas song originating from the Broadway musical Mame. In the musical the song is performed after Mame lost her fortune and decides that she, her nephew Patrick, and her household staff, “need a little Christmas now” to lift their spirits.

I suggest that as people of faith we need more than a “little Christmas.” We need to embrace the Word that became flesh (John 1:14) and showed us the heart of God. As people of faith, it is a moment in our national milieu to rethink and refocus our priorities. It is a moment to reflect on the values we proclaim as opposed to the lives we live.

Disciples of Jesus, act like Jesus. Disciples of Jesus live the fruits of the Spirit. Disciples of Jesus love God and love their neighbors as much as they do themselves.

This Advent/Christmas season can be a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. God knows we need it! God can transform our lives and our circumstances.