The Ultimate Polar Express Analysis

Earlier this month, I attended a viewing of the Polar Express at an IMAX theater for a charity event. This is a movie that typically plays in my house every year, but due to the hustle and bustle of the season I've never really sat down and focused on it like this. As I watched, I realized this movie is loaded with symbolism and has a great message for both kids and adults without getting too preachy. Please note I'm assuming you gentle readers have seen the movie, otherwise this may be tough to follow.

The story centers around a boy who has doubts about Santa Claus. His parent's remark it is the "end of the magic" for their son. He has lost his faith, wants to believe but can't get over his doubts. Just as he is about to drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve, he is awakened by the Polar Express. The Conductor invites him onto a train which takes him on a journey to the north pole to meet Santa and rekindle his faith. During the story, the boy encounters various children on the train, as well as the Conductor, a Hobo (ghost), Engineers and later in the North Pole, the Big Man himself. Let's start with the kids and the Parable of the Sower (see Matt 13).

1. Boy / Know-it-all / Wayside - This kid is so proud of his intellect focused on showing others how smart he is that he can't appreciate the magic of the ride or help anyone else (2NE 9:28-29). The word just bounces off this guy. The only cure for this is to LEARN to be humble - as the Conductor rightfully put onto his ticket for the journey home. 
2. Boy / Poor & Dejected / Stony Places - This kid has had a hard life on the wrong side of the tracks. Christmas or faith just doesn't work out for him after many disappointing experiences. He has no hope due to all of the rocks in his life and the word cannot get into his heart. In fact, he will won't even sit with the other kids once on the train and enjoy the ride because he thinks his rocks make him less important.
3. Boy - Protagonist / Lost his Faith / Thorns - The central character is doubting the reality of Santa. The Hobo taunts him saying you don't want to be duped, bamboozled, taken for a fool. This boy has let the cares of the world and how he looks to others take over. The Conductor invites him to simply BELIEVE and not let what other think bother him. He follows this counsel through the rest of his life. 
4. Girl / Christmas Cheer / Good Ground - Isn't it interesting to note that it is the female gender that just naturally gets it? She cares about others: listens to them, helps them feel welcome, shares (hot chocolate), sings with the boy (fellowship) and help the Conductor with the train. Most of all, she can hear the bell even when its not in sight or seemingly far away. Everyone is better off due to the part she played in the story. The Conductor invites her to LEAD the way and let her light shine. 

Onto the next set of symbolic characters: Conductor, Hobo and Santa - or the Godhead.

1. Hobo / Holy Ghost - This guy initially seems scary and identifies himself as a ghost. He plays on the boy's doubts, "seeing is believing" but ultimately helps him along the way and saves his life. (I admit its not a perfect allegory, but close enough).
2. Conductor / Jesus Christ - He brings children to Santa's presence and acts as the Mediator. He is helped by the Ghost and teaches important lessons to the children and offers the only passageway into the kingdom.
3. Santa / God the Father - Represents the source of all good gifts and the spirit of Christmas. Other than the gifts he brings to us (unseen), the only way we can enjoy his presence is through  the Conductor.    

Interesting that all three of these characters are played by the same actor, by design and not to be cheap or to aggrandize Tom Hanks (well, maybe just a little bit). 

Finally, the key symbol in this film is the Bell. Throughout the movie, the boy cannot hear the bell because he has no faith. Despite everything the Ghost and the Conductor did for him in getting him to the heart of the North Pole, he still had trouble believing. I think we are often the same way with all of the gifts and blessings we have in our lives and yet because of the rocks in our garden or the cares and thorns of the world, we cannot hear or feel the music of the soul. After realizing he may not be able to see Santa due to the crowds, the boy picks up the bell (his faith) and musters his desire to believe, letting go of confirmation by sight. That act of faith invites the music into his life and Santa suddenly appears visible in the reflection of the bell. By exercising our faith, we can have God's presence not only near us, but within us, which is what makes great music so wonderful.

Many of us have had a great spiritual experience where our faith was rewarded. But once again as the cares of the world set in, we forget to hold on tight to our bell and hear the music. When it is gone, we are sad and may even despair that we can't get it back. But just when all hope seems lost, the gift returns to us by God's grace or a Divine Gift. Santa returning the bell shows how mindful God is of each of us individually. 

The boy learned his lesson well and retained the music in his heart for the rest of his life, even when others lost faith (Alma 5:26).

That may be the best message of all in this story. Being able to increase our childlike faith through the years. Taking the spirit and music of Christmas beyond the season and sharing it with others.