Divine Appointments

7/20/2016

Their roles in the pageant were more perfect than you realize.

There's something absolutely magical about re-visiting different installments in the Signed, Sealed, Delivered canon and finding new angles from which to view the stories. From the international version to questions I hadn't thought to ask, For Christmas has definitely been the subject of rediscovery for me as of late.

Today we look at the roles the POstables played in the Christmas pageant, and how each one was a more perfect fit than we realize. It will have you watching this film from a whole different perspective.

The Virgin Mary

Pure of both heart and spirit, Rita was the perfect fit to play Mary, mother of Jesus. Looking at Rita from this perspective, her declaration of, "anything seems possible" at Christmas very much reminded me of Mary's response to Gabriel the angel in Luke 1:38, "I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done unto me according to your word." It took faith in the miraculous, the belief in "anything [being] possible" to receive this divine gift.

Besides, who else could play alongside Norman's Joseph but Rita?

Joseph

Speaking of Joseph, Norman's role has deep connections to his past and even his name. Remember that Joseph is the adoptive father of Jesus. Interesting that Norman, a former foster kid, had an apparently lifelong desire to play an adoptive father, he "always wanted to play Joseph," and eagerly jumps at the chance to do so in the pageant. Needless to say, he did so honorably---and somewhat hilariously (that "Joy To The World" pose gets me every time!).

The Angel

Shane's portrayal of the angel was not only a work in progress, but a direct callback to the definition and fulfillment of the attributes of her very being.

One of the definitions of Shane’s name is “gift from God.” By definition an angel is, “...a person who performs a mission of God or acts as if sent by God.” Through her interactions with Jordan (a real angel), Shane is gently prepared to assume her celestial role in the pageant, and Jordan only deems Shane “ready” once she openly reveals where “[her] joy went.” Notice it is right after this brief scene that Shane sees her wings and halo for the first time as she leaves the DLO to rehearse with Hannah. In full costume, and after “[receiving the] answer” to her letter, the first thing Oliver asks of Shane is if “[she’s] ready to be an angel.” She does so, halo and all---even considering packing it for vacation as if unready to let go of the role---or the evening---just yet.

The other definition of Shane's name is "God is gracious," which encompasses an element of compassion. Dressed as an angel, Shane exhibits deep love and compassion for Hannah as the little girl reveals her fears of being in the pageant without her mommy. Shane delivers a message of love and comfort, like a "messenger of God," another angelic attribute.

These key connections prove that Shane was practically born to play the angel.

The Fourth Wise Man/ Narrator

After listening to Jordan’s story, it is clear Oliver embodied the legendary fourth wise man through his deeds, "helping a lost [former Sunday school teacher]," and stopping to help "another man along the road," by manning "Santa's" post while he bought earrings for his wife. Like the fourth wise man, Oliver was always one step behind the ultimate objective of delivering that last letter, only to find out the person to whom it needed delivered was right in front of him the whole time, made “invisible” until each he and Shane were ready to fulfill their other, non-pageant related, roles in a new Christmas story.

Being the narrator is also deeply connected to Oliver’s childhood, as he loved the post. It is also the season during which he first met Jordan by the shore that Christmas Eve when he was 8. No role(s) could have suited him better.

Nothing is by accident or chance on this show---we know this. But seeing this perspective took it to a whole new level for me. How about you?

Still Floored,
~C

5 Comments

Amie

7/20/2016 11:15:58 am

I love Shane's reluctant embodiment of the angel. She is worth so much more than she believes, and this movie shows an enormous amount of growth for her character. I, personally, identify the most with Shane, so any story line that focuses on her journey/growth is especially meaningful.

Side note - I always crack up when she responds to Oliver asking if she feels more suited to play the Virgin Mary. His face when he's asking the question, and her reply (that doesn't directly answer said question), resigning to being the angel...it amuses me. :)

Jen

7/20/2016 03:26:56 pm

I love Shane's reluctance to play the Angel and equally I love the joy that she can bring to the part after her talk with Oliver. This series really speaks to people where they are and I find Shane's journey back to God, while not on my timeline, I find it believable and entirely hopeful. It so reminds me of Eugene in Adventures in Odyssey.

Dani

7/20/2016 01:16:10 pm

While the porch scene in FPWL is my favorite SSD scene, the hospital scene In which Oliver discusses God's perfect love for us with Shane has been the most impactful SSD scene for me. I literally played it over and over until I had memorized the dialogue. I still repeat it to myself when I need assurances of God's love for me.

Leora M. Kemp

12/21/2017 04:53:27 pm

This is my favorite SSD movie of all. There is so much growth for our characters and faith shared with those who need to hear it. Thanks so much to Martha and the other writers for the script and to our actors for their spot-on portrayals. Then there's our intrepid Chandel who has tremendous insights into this series. We are truly blessed.

Debs link

10/6/2021 10:58:53 pm

Once again, you nailed it, Chandel. Thank you. I will remember this.You are so right. There is much, much more of the unseen to see in SSD than at first or second, third, or more glance.

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