Valentine Davies’ Miracle on 34th Street has become a treasured holiday classic, with thousands of families gathering around the set each year to watch the miracle unfold. Debuting in 1947 and featuring a star-studded cast of actors, including Natalie Wood, Maureen O’Hara and John Payne, Miracle on 34th street is set in Manhattan just after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Susan Walker doesn’t believe in Santa Claus, but her mother’s involvement in the Macy’s parade exposes Susan to an unlikely suspect. Kris Kringle lands himself the job as the Macy’s Santa after complaining about the drunkards in red suits spoiling the event for the children.  The role of the Macy’s Santa is to not only please the children, according to the store, but to steer parents toward Macy’s products.

Kringle begins telling shoppers where they can get better deals, actually pleasing R.H. Macy.

When Susan first meets Mr. Kringle, she begins to question whether he is the real deal, even though her mother insists that silly fantasies like Santa Claus are unnecessary. Doris Walker wants to fire Kringle, believing that the illusion he is placing in the children’s heads could be harmful, but Macy convinces her to keep him on. They have him evaluated by a psychiatrist, but Kringle fails his evaluation on purpose, landing him in an institution.

In order to get released from the institution, Kringle must endure a formal hearing, which puts his lawyer in the position of proving that Kringle really is Santa Claus.

One of the most striking lessons in this story is that often parents withhold allowing their children to fantasize about the magical wonder of Christmas. Some even fret that playing to this fantasy will in turn corrupt children’s minds, possibly turning them against parents when they discover that Santa Claus is not a real person. Teaching children about Santa Claus not only inspires them to believe in magical possibilities, but teaches an excellent lesson in the joy of selfless giving to others.

I hope you find time to share the miracle of giving this holiday season with your family.