The Best Holiday Movies, Memories, and the True Meaning of Christmas
By Karen Kingsbury
Author of The Bridge
It was 1970 and we were a one-station-wagon Michigan family. I was the oldest of five kids, a kindergartener consumed with the sheer magic of snow and Santa Claus and Christmas. Times were tight, the cupboard rarely full. My dad worked three jobs to keep food on the table, and as December drew near he talked often of the meaning of Christmas.
The real meaning.
During Thanksgiving weekend he had an idea. A new movie musical was playing at the local theater. It was Scrooge, starring Albert Finney. "Let's all go," he announced. The chill of November air painted a pale red on his cheeks and his smile stretched across his face. "I have a feeling it'll be a classic." My mom mentioned something about the cost, but my dad waved off any worry. "This is Scrooge. Some things are worth the money."
And so it was. I remember partway through the movie catching a glimpse of my dad, quiet tears falling down his face. The depth of emotion from the movie mirrored that in my father, and the moment etched itself in the cement places of my soul.
When it became possible-with the advent of VHS-to own a copy of Scrooge, I bought it for my dad. It was one of his most special gifts ever. The whole family gathered to watch it at home that Christmas. After that, every December we watched Scrooge together, and it became part of our holiday tradition. And each time I would steal a look at my dad-much like when I was a little girl-and I would connect with him again, with his love for all that was good and right and true about Christmas.
As my dad grew older, his health declined. But still we watched Scrooge. I can see him still, his cane hooked to the edge of his favorite chair, tears in his eyes as Scrooge finally gets it. Five years ago this fall, my dad went home to heaven. We haven't missed seeing Scrooge once since then.
This year will be the same. We will pile into the living room and watch Albert Finney bring life and song to the meaning of Christmas, to the importance of kindness and love, faith and family. Halfway through the movie, my eyes will wander to the empty chair, the one my dad loved, and I will smile through my tears. This is where my father would want us at Christmastime.
This led to the possibility of other movies, film favorites that might help illustrate the Bible story of the Christ child and His importance here on earth. Even now, in 2012.
In that light, It's A Wonderful Life is another movie we can't miss. The clip below makes me cry every time I watch it. Can you see the famous last scene? Harry Bailey returning from war, making his way through the crowded living room and raising his glass, "To my big brother, George. The richest man in town." Any man is rich who has friends and family. Ahhh, dear Clarence. Thank you for that message.
It's a Wonderful Life - Every Time a Bell Rings an Angel Gets His Wings
It's A Wonderful Life holds a meaning that rings truer at Christmastime. When critics compare my new novel The Bridge to this all-time classic, I can only smile. That's what a lifetime of watching George Bailey will do to this writer's heart.
Of course there are other Christmas movies we watch every year. No one does a better job of summing up the meaning of Christmas than Linus in the famous cartoon classic Charlie Brown Christmas. If Charles Schultz were just starting out today, I wonder whether a network would allow such a Christian message on TV. Either way, we had it then.
And because of that we appreciate it more today.
Charlie Brown Christmas
Another decade-long favorite for our family is Whitney Houston's Preacher's Wife. Every time we watch it, our kids feel compelled to sit a little longer around the TV when it's over, talking about the mysterious ways of God and angels and miracles-especially in December. I wouldn't trade those moments for anything.
The Preacher's Wife - Whitney Houston
We also love Christmas movies that make us smile and laugh and feel good about being together. Movies like Home Alone and Home Alone 2, Elf, and the cartoon Grinch. But one of our all-time favorites in this category will always be While You Were Sleeping. We have always been close, which is maybe why we all tear up when we realize Lucy doesn't have family.
The way things work out for Sandra Bullock in this modern Christmas classic makes us hold hands a little longer during the prayer before dinner. Because the greatest gifts of all cannot be wrapped and placed beneath the tree. Faith and family, time together, moments that will light our way years from now-this is what matters.
These Christmas movies help us remember the fact year after year after year.
Karen Kingsbury is America's favorite inspirational novelist. Her last ten novels have all landed at the top of the New York Times bestseller list and there are nearly 20 million copies of her books in print. She is frequently on Twitter and Facebook, sharing faith, conversation, and encouragement with her reader friends. But she most enjoys spending time with family. Karen lives in Nashville with her husband, Don, and five sons. Their daughter Kelsey is an actress, married to Christian artist Kyle Kupecky. The couple lives close enough nearby to share Christmas movie moments like these again this holiday season.
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