I have my favorites. Some of the classics, like "It's a Wonderful Life" and the original "Miracle on 34th Street" are dear to my heart from childhood. The 90's brought "Borrowed Hearts" with Roma Downey and Eric McCormack will continue to be on my list of favorites. I have a couple of newer ones, too.
The Spirit of Christmas is a current favorite. It reminds me a little of the classic movie, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir". What's not to love about a handsome ghost who has a story to tell and a mystery to solve?
Randy never tires of Ralphie in "A Christmas Story". Christmas movies are diverse. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a classic, too. We can't forget "The Grinch" who always makes our hearts grow along with his as he finds Christmas once again.
It isn't only about the actual movies, it is who we watch them with and the time spent together.
Hallmark was smart. While many made fun of their predictable plots and the "20 minutes to go crisis to be solved", they embraced it. People love the happy endings. Life has enough twists and turns, Hallmark movies bring a unique comfort and joy. Add a fire in the fireplace, some cocoa and your favorite people and any night of the week a recorded movie can bring a bit of holiday warmth to even the most ordinary of days.
Comfort and joy! Repeating favorite lines and laughing again and again with our loved ones. In a world that feels as if it has gone almost completely mad, these Christmas movies remind us of less complicated times.
This scripture resonated with my soul today:
"The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing." -Jeremiah 31:13
The season is really about the King who came to turn our sorrow into joy. When the world was in crisis and hope seemed in short supply, a baby was born who changed everything. In the four hundred years between the Old and New Testaments, it seemed that God was silent. He wasn't. He was waiting for the perfect time. His timing, not ours. He came to exchange our sorrows for rejoicing as only He can do.
For those grieving this season, remember that Heaven knows the sorrow of separation. Jesus left heaven to take on human form. God chose not to judge us, until He lived our reality. He wore our skin and knew the trials, the tyranny of governments, temptations, hurts and hungers. While he lived here, heaven felt his absence. He relished the times he could slip away to pray. Kind of like phoning home.
Wherever you are and whoever you are missing, choose to find the sweetness in the holiday films. Embrace the memories and make some new ones, too.
Today, I am grateful for Christmas movies
No comments:
Post a Comment