Thursday, December 1, 2011

The 'Reel' Side of Christmas


No matter how old I get, I always look forward to watching all the classic Christmas movies as soon as December rolls around. If a new Christmas movie is hitting the theatres, I am the first one to buy tickets.

I always get a twinge of excitement about plopping onto the couch, popping popcorn, grabbing some hot cocoa, and snuggling with the kids, as we fall back in time and watch the same Christmas movies that we have watched dozens, if not hundreds, of times before.

Whether the movies include real people or animated characters - I love them. Whether they are in black and white, or fully colorized, I love them. Whether they are old or new - I love them! My husband finds that strange and does not really share my enthusiasm for holiday flicks, but to each her own, right?

As a result of my movie-loving self, I thought it would be so fun to reminisce about some of my favorite Christmas classics, and yours, and talk about the life lessons we can pull from them. So often we enjoy a good holiday movie, but neglect to dig into the real meaning, and miss out on a teachable moment for our kids, or for ourselves.

So for the next few weeks, I am going to focus on the REEL (as in movie reel) side of Christmas, so that we can gleam some REAL spiritual truths.

Believe it or not, from Rudolph's red nose to the Grinch's green puckered face to Its a Wonderful Life - there are some important and reel truths that line up with Gods Word and hold biblical significance.

I have a few ideas about which movies I want to highlight this month, but before we kick off this holiday movie series on Friday, I would love to know what some of your favorite classic movies are, and if you have any suggestions of movies for me to dig for truths in.

Will you consider these questions and share your thoughts and ideas?

(Email subscribers, please be sure to click back to my blog and leave your comment in the comment section, instead of replying to this email, so that we can all see the ideas!)

Here are the questions:

** Which holiday movies or cartoons bring back the fondest memories for you?

** Do you have a favorite holiday movie?

** Which movies have you been able to pull nuggets of truth out of?

** Were there any movies that impacted your heart over time or as a child?

** Which movies have impacted your family in years gone by, or changed your perspective about Christmas?

** Which movies help foster a family night over the holidays?


Come on now, be reel!   Smiles.





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13 comments:

Leigh F. said...

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is my favorite!

Monica said...

For me the one that is the most important is The Bishop's Wife. I remember as a child watching this with my mom. We still watch it to this day and like you my husband doesn't get it. He didn't have a nice childhood so those things are foreign to him. The Bishop's Wife is so amazing because its also got a big Christian message about not being selfish and how we should give of ourselves. In the movie the bishop is raising money for a huge cathedral, but as the movie gets near the ending he realizes that he has lost the meaning of the church and well I will let you watch it if you haven't seen it. There is one scene that stands out to me over all the others. The wife goes to the old church to hear the boys choir, Dudley the angel starts directing one of the boys to sing and as he does all the other boys start walking in to sing with him. This scene brings me to tears every time. Thank you for this post. I, like you , LOVE Christmas movies and love to watch them over and over during the holidays.

Anonymous said...

My favorite movie is, of course, A Christmas Story!
I love that they are a real family with real problems. They are not perfect. Our family watches it every year. This year we will watch it with our two boys and share why we need Jesus. Why, although we are not perfect, like the movie characters, Jesus came to die for our sins. That we can have fun in life and do silly things, but the reason we celebrate this season, is not for the chinese dinner on Christmas, or the Red Rider BB Gun, it is because of Jesus and God's Great Love for us!

Sandie said...

I have two very favorite Christmas movies I watch faithfully each year. As this is not an especially good time of the year for me I find that "White Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life" help bring me joy and ignite the holiday spirit within me. Both movies show what an impact we can have on others lives without ever realizing it until it is pointed out to us. How many of us at one point or another think things would be better off if we in fact had not been born. God has a purpose for each and every one of us and ALL things work together for good we simply have to be willing to see it.

Anonymous said...

My fondest memories of holiday movies/cartoons would have to be Rudolph. We would all watch it together every year as a family. Now that I have kids of my own, we have continued the tradition. I look forward to it every year!

My favorite holiday movie probably has to be Polar Express. I love the message, the animation, and the music.

Charlie Brown's Christmas, Rudolph, and the Polar Express all have wonderful messages and truths to be shared with my kids.

Besides the classics mentioned, we always watch The Christmas Story with Ralphie. We usually watch the movie right around Thanksgiving to set off the Christmas season and then watch it again several times before Christmas is over. A new tradition for our family that allows cozy, family time! :-)

jane said...

I love Little Women with Susan Sarandon and cast. It's not particularly a Christmas movie but shows many scenes from their snowy Christmas celebration and homecoming with their father in the quaint, early century New England town. 

I love it because it shows the bond of sisterhood so beautifully and a simplicity of life and values that is appealing and fleeting in our busy culture. It's simply a beautiful move and inspiring for women with its many strong characters and the heroine especially. It upholds the values of integrity, humility, hard work, creativity, familial love, and the noble pursuit of your dreams. 
I love it! Great acting also and a beautiful set! 

Blessings, 
Jane Duell 
stlduell@gmail.com

Tracie Miles said...

Those are great suggestions from everyone! A couple of these movies I have not watched, but Im going to so I can do a review on them too! And enjoy a new holiday movie! Thanks ladies!

Michelle said...

One of my favorite movies of all time is "Miracle on 34th Street". I have watched it in years. Maybe something I can watch with my daughters this year! I love the classic one and not the one that was made in the 1990s.

Anonymous said...

I enjoy Charlie Brown's Christmas. I especially like the telling of the Christmas story during the show!
Martha T. from Cedar Rapids,Iowa

Carla said...

Who can choose ? Rudolph, Santa Claus coming to town, Frosty the Snow man, Little drummer boy, White Christmas, Santa Claus with Tim Allen, Polar Express, Charlie Brown Christmas, there's more but these are the ones I can think of. There is a Christmas song that gets me every time I hear it- Christmas shoes. I am looking forward to this series.

apple blossom said...

so glad I found out about this reel side of Christmas series. It sounds wonderful.

Love Charlie Brown Christmas

Carol said...

I love Charlie Brown's Christmas.I love that little tree that is made beautiful with the right attitude and Linus reading Luke's gospel. My other favorite Christman move is White Christmas. I'm a sucker for anything that shows doing right for someone served in the military. When the General sees all the men who come to help him out and then when it snows on Christmas Eve, well grab the tissues! :-)

Carol said...

I love Charlie Brown's Christmas.I love that little tree that is made beautiful with the right attitude and Linus reading Luke's gospel. My other favorite Christman move is White Christmas. I'm a sucker for anything that shows doing right for someone served in the military. When the General sees all the men who come to help him out and then when it snows on Christmas Eve, well grab the tissues! :-)