This is an inspiring video that gives us perspective this holiday season. In this clip, John Lewis’ Christmas Ad reminds us that little actions can mean the most.

At the start of the video, a man skateboards in a parking lot–badly. He falls off the board and gets up, looking very discouraged. Suddenly he comes in as his wife is on the phone talking about how she can’t wait. 

He grabs some frozen peas to put on his hurt knee and falls onto the couch, looking defeated. Then the man decorates the Christmas tree with his wife, but he’s grimacing. He’s obviously sore from all the skateboard falls and mishaps.

At the office, he sneaks and watches skateboard videos, and the camera pans down to reveal his feet on top of a board under his desk. He is determined to learn. We see some moments of success and excitement. 

Suddenly, the doorbell rings, and the man and his wife share a look of anticipation. A young girl stands in the doorway, looking at them nervously. The girl is in foster care and is coming to live with them. 

She cradles a skateboard in her arms, and she nods to an arm brace the man wears. The man shares that he skates, too, but that her board is cooler. They invite the girl in, with the two of them bonding. (And me choking up with tears welling as I watch!) 

The commercial ends by sharing that more than 108,000 children in the UK are in foster care. 

This emotional video teaches us the kindness and outpouring of love that we can show to others if we make the effort. Jesus loved us so well, and we can love others through the power of His love in us.

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” Luke 9:47-48