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Michael Bond, says the inspiration for Paddington came from seeing Jewish evacuee children pass through Reading railway station from London during the Kindertransport of the late 1930s. “They all had a label round their neck with their name and address on, and a little case or package containing all their treasured possessions.So Paddington, in a sense, was a refugee, and I do think that there’s no sadder sight than refugees.”
While Paddington is very definitely for children, there is a message for grownups too. Nicole Kidman, who plays the evil taxidermist, out to stuff Paddington, says, “It’s about, [how] we embrace strangers and people with cultural differences – and that’s an important message right now, particularly for young people.”
One of the memorable sayings of Paddington is a challenge for grownups: “In London nobody’s alike, which means everyone fits in.” The sad thing is they don’t. Xenophobia and racism directed toward immigrants, and even refugees doesn’t stop at the English Channel. Which is why Paddington gives us an insight into the Christmas message. For you see, in God’s eyes, we are all a little like Paddington Bear. We all wear an invisible label that says “Please look after this bear. Thank you.” We were created with love to give love and receive love. But the Bible says, because of evil in the world, like Paddington, we are orphaned, refugees, foreigners, strangers, outsiders, lost, in need of a home. Read further
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