So, what are my Christmas films worth watching?
I grew up in a secular home for which Christmas vacation was a time to watch movies.
For that reason, the busy two-week break often meant sitting back, taking a breather, and watching a film.
With my own family, we added an Advent calendar, Jesus-focused Christmas carols, and Handel’s Messiah running in the background.
We put together puzzles, laughed, baked Christmas cookies, went to church, and celebrated.
During some hard Christmas years, we traveled. Several years we attended family weddings.
But we always scribbled Christmas cards, inserted a letter, and watched movies.
Here’s a breakdown of what we particularly enjoyed in December.
Fun yet Poignant Christmas Films
While You Were Sleeping.
It’s the wit, mostly, and the poignant story of a lonely young woman who falls into a family.
My nuclear family spent too many Christmases far from my big Italian family. I know Lucy’s yearning to be enveloped into a warm, loving, ridiculous, and a sometimes silly, clever family.
And, of course, just like me, she has a happy ending.
I usually watch this movie while I’m writing Christmas cards.
Lucy: If you fit into my pants I will kill myself.
The Man Who Invented Christmas
This film came out a few years ago, but I loved it in the theater and have savored it yearly ever since.
I laugh and laugh.
My poor husband, after years of living with a sometimes absent-minded writer constantly inspired by things he cannot see, also enjoys it.
He cheers on Mrs. Dickens.
Mr. John Dickens (father): We must not disturb the poet when the divine frenzy is upon him.
It’s a Wonderful Life
I first saw this movie shortly after I became a Believer. We all love it in my family–preferably in black and white.
The angel earning wings when you hear a bell is nonsense, but loveable–especially whenever I catch the sound of a tinkling bell!
“Clarence: Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
Along with its remake In the Good Old Summertime.
An ensemble cast of store clerks overcomes challenges, resists falling in love, and sells out the shop just in time for Christmas.
The Judy Garland version with Van Johnson, In the Good Old Summertime ,includes singing.
(I don’t care for the updated You’ve Got Mail.)
“Veronica: Psychologically, I’m very confused, but personally I feel just wonderful.”
Musical Christmas Films
White Christmas
Can there be any other?
It’s glitz and pageantry, absurdity and poignancy. Some years I like it better than others.
My favorite song in the movie isn’t a Christmas song. It’s “Counting Your Blessings.”
I often sing that song during the non-Christmas season.
“When I’m worried and cannot sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep.
And I fall asleep counting my blessings.”
Meet Me in St. Louis
Technically, it’s not a Christmas film.
But Judy Garland’s famous rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas adds a poignant twist to the (same) group of us who weren’t always home for Christmas.
It also reminds us to love even the most illogical members of our family.
Rose Smith: Money. I hate, loathe, despise and abominate money.
Mr. Alonzo Smith(her father): You also spend it.
Kid Holiday Movies
They’re “holiday” movies and silly, so I have to be in the mood.
I usually cook while these movies play.
The Santa Clause
I don’t know why I think this movie is funny. I can only take it every other year or so.
But, the winsome boy and a dad who opens his heart to change are golden.
Watching Scott, literally, grow into Santa Claus is hilarious.
We’re your worst nightmare. Elves with attitude.
Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Story
Another variation on Dickens, this is the most-watched Christmas film from my childhood.
That ghost of Christmas past is the stuff of nightmares, which it caused, but it introduced me to a different version of Christmas than I knew from my family.
It was interesting when my then-four-year-old child had no problem with the ghost of Christmas past, even as I had to squelch horror in watching with him!
(This Strong Women podcast is worth listening to, in which they explain Dicken’s Christmas story’s Christian roots).
Baa, humbug!
NOT!
Christmas Films and Truth
Jesus of Nazareth
The 1977 Frank Zeffirelli mini-series, and only the beginning when Olivia Hussey depicts the annunciation so very well. Who can forget her face as she responds to an angel only she can see?
Mary: My soul magnifies the Lord.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
We don’t watch this every year, but it’s one of the few cartoon films that take Christmas, Advent, seriously.
We’ve shown it to kids at church, sung Christmas carols, eaten appropriate cookies, and left happy.
Linus, of course, gets the wonderful task of reading from the book of Luke.
It’s powerful.
Everyone: Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!
Why are these my favorites?
It’s interesting to look at them as a group.
I see wit, sentiment, good humor, Jimmy Stewart, Judy Garland, and Bing Crosby–among other great singers.
But there’s also poignancy, lonely souls, and a sense that Christmas should mean togetherness.
I’ve spent Christmases like that.
Because of too many sad Christmases, I usually focus on Advent this time of year.
The longing for a Messiah’s return touches all of us, no matter where we are.
That’s what Christmas really is–especially to me.
But, it’s also family gatherings, love, redemption, great music, and a chance to have Handel’s Messiah playing in the background.
Maybe they’ll make Christmas films about the great Christmas hymnology, someday?
Regardless–we’ll hear them in heaven.
A blessed Advent and Christmas to all.
May your hearts be filled with love–no matter where you are or who you are, or are not, with.
Jesus is the real reason for the season, anyway.
Tweetables
10 favorite Christmas films–watched most years. What are yours? Click to Tweet
What are the similarities in your favorite Christmas films? Name your favorites! Click to Tweet
I’ve seen eight of these, possibly nine. 🙂
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was sung during a tough time in the family’s life, as they faced an unwelcome move. I have heard that some Christian singers will change the line “Until then, we’ll have to muddle through somehow” because we Christians are not supposed to merely muddle through. Yet, to be honest, sometimes that is exactly how we feel, that we are muddling through. But we muddle through with God, the one who knows exactly what is going on and where we are going even as we muddle. 🙂
Amen.
Michelle, I love your list of Christmas movies. Haven’t seen them all but will follow up on a few of them. I like how you’ve pulled outtakes from each that show a key point in the film. And I love the Charlie Brown Christmas movies … because they focus on the meaning of Advent. Togetherness, family, and Jesus! Happy New Year to you and yours.