Becoming Real | Biblical Truths From The Velveteen Rabbit
"Real isn’t how you are made. It’s a thing that happens to you.
When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you—then you become Real."
— The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
The Deeper Meaning Behind the Story
At first glance, The Velveteen Rabbit is a simple children’s tale about a stuffed toy. But beneath the soft fabric and stitched seams lies a timeless truth: love changes everything.
The Rabbit learns that being “real” isn’t about how he looks, but about being loved. That truth echoes what we see in Scripture—that our worth and identity aren’t defined by appearances, accomplishments, or the opinions of others. Instead, we are transformed by the love of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Biblical Lessons We Can Learn
1. Love Transforms Us
The Rabbit became “real” because he was loved. In the same way, God’s love reshapes us into something new. It gives us identity, purpose, and hope beyond what the world can offer.
1 John 4:19 – “We love because He first loved us.”
2. Sacrifice Is Part of Love
The Rabbit became worn and shabby, but he counted it as joy because it meant he was loved. Jesus showed us the ultimate picture of sacrificial love on the cross. Real love gives, even when it costs.
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
3. Being “Real” Is About the Inside, Not the Outside
The Rabbit discovered that being “real” had nothing to do with appearance. Similarly, God doesn’t look at outward beauty or achievements—He looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 – “The Lord does not see as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Living the Lesson
The Rabbit’s journey mirrors our own walk with God. Through His love, we are made new. Through sacrifice, we learn what love really means. And through faith, we discover that what is “real” is not temporary but eternal.
Romans 8:38–39 – “Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
A Family Invitation
As you reflect on this story, take time together to :
Share what makes each family member feel truly loved.
Read the scriptures above and talk about how they connect to the Rabbit’s journey.
Thank God for His love—the kind that makes us new, real, and forever His.
Because in the end, the Velveteen Rabbit’s lesson is really the gospel’s truth : it is love, especially God’s love, that makes us “real.”
If you’d like to go deeper, explore our Velveteen Rabbit Unit Study—filled with scripture connections, creative projects, and family activities that bring this timeless story and God’s Word to life.
