A Netflix ChristmasSample

Hope amid Hopelessness

In Netflix’s recent Christmas musical, Jingle Jangle, Jeronicus Jangle an inventor, is at the threshold of his success, when he is cheated by his apprentice and loses everything that he had worked hard for. Along with losing his book of inventions, he loses hope; this is compounded by the death of his wife and an estranged relationship with his daughter. Everything appears to have fallen apart.

With the loss of hope, he begins to live a substandard life. A life that isn’t fulfilling its ultimate purpose. Seeing his lack of interest, a friend tries to rekindle hope,

Just because you fell down
Don't believe you can't pick yourself up again
Just because it looks broke
Don't believe it won't turn around and mend again
Just because it's lost
Even if it's your fault, you can find its way home again
You gotta stay open, keep hopin'
'Cause I know

The tautology—without hope, it’s quite hopeless—has some truth to it. Hope is a crucial ingredient for us to keep going. Without hope, life becomes a series of meaningless activities. Our memory of the ideal self becomes a lost and distant dream; perhaps a burden. And as a result, some of us settle for something lesser. 

Eventually, for Jeronicus Jangle, the arrival of his grandchild helps him see the world in a new light. Every Christmas this memory is brought closer reminding humanity that there is hope and it can be renewed even when our circumstances seem skewed –“Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the Dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

That is why “You can pick yourself up again. You can turn around and be mend again. Even if it’s your fault, you can find your way back home.” The mistakes that we have made is not the end of our journey. Dukkha doesn’t have to be your default position. Because Christ represents, new life, forgiveness and, hope. 

nd so we sing, 

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight

Rejoice! Rejoice! 

Emmanuel shall come to thee…