A Christmas Carol and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are my all-time favorites. C.S. Lewis has a Christmas poem, "The Turn of the Tide," which is just as mythic and awe-inspiring as his Narnia or Ransom books.
I've also been meaning to rewatch the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie . . . people reference The Island of Misfit Toys quite a lot in a variety of contexts.
I love A Christmas Story. My mom played Ralphie’s mother in a theatrical adaptation years ago, and they retained the retrospective narration by having grown-up Ralphie onstage commenting on the action as it unfolded. The movie is a bit of a cult phenomenon where I live (Northeast Ohio), as it was filmed in Cleveland, so for me, it’s gotten really old. The play gave a fresh look at the story, which made it really enjoyable.
Our family always loved a short film called “Small One” on VHS tape, recorded from television with commercials included, like we all used to do. Then we stopped owning a functioning VHS player, so it became only a memory for my sister and I. Now, with the amazing power of YouTube, we can watch it whenever we want and share it with our kids. It’s the story of a special donkey and that’s all I’m going to say because your readers should go watch it and find out the rest for themselves!
I remember this too! I played it for my kids and still can hear the sweet music! My husband forbid us to do Christmas for years but when he left I celebrated in every way I could and Small One was like a balm of joy to my shaky soul! Thank you for reminding me!!!
For another favorite: I've always been partial to the movie "A Christmas Story" (and the book it was based off of, "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash," by Jean Shepherd). It's not about the true meaning of Christmas, but:
A) The setting is based off of the area around where my mom grew up.
Many years back our family started the habit of watching the 25th anniversary of Les Mis every December. They are fully costumed with scenes from the production playing up on the screen. Amazing voices and the whole story is such a picture of the gospel.
A new discovery for me is perhaps the early version of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. It is told by one of the characters in The Pickwick Papers and centers around, not a heartless capitalist, but a gravedigger. And it is more of a spiritual commentary on the Incarnation than a social commentary on hard times.
Walking through town to the church yard to dig a grave for tomorrow's funeral, the man is disgusted by the frivolity and merriment of his neighbors. As he digs into the dark, he experiences three dreams or visions that convince him of the goodness of the good news.
All those Rankin Bass, stop-motion Christmas shows are 👌🏻 Also, I’m going to embarrass myself here, but Ernest Saves Christmas has been my favorite Christmas movie since kindergarten (which is probably the appropriate target audience.)
Oh geez. I forgot about Ernest. My dad raised us on Ernest. Am thinking I may need to revisit him.
I love Elf. My kids are embarrassed for the character and can’t stand it. But I love his unflinching innocence and how it makes him so awkward and believable.
I always want to reread A Christmas Carol. We always listen to Dave Cooks the Turkey (Stuart McLean -The Vinyl Cafe)... and you should too! I love our children's storybook version of the tale of Good King Wenceslas and often I tune in for the CBC radio's annual broadcast of 'The Shepherd', a ghost story about a fighter pilot. The story of Simeon has always been a Christmas story for me.
I love Simeon so very much, too! His old hands holding that tiny smooth skinned wriggling baby boy! And poetry, as in Adam greeting Eve! Wendy and Mary sang a song of his lullaby that knit me even more tightly to him. I love him so much...his name makes me cry with love!
My children read “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” every December. Our copy is taped together because it was so well loved. I am a fan of Gloria Houston’s “The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree” with illustrations by Barbara Cooney. And of course “A Christmas Carol”, the original version.
If you haven’t already seen it, ‘Klaus’ on Netflix instantly became my favorite Christmas movie. As far as the Christmas aspect, they focus on a little-touched-on bit of lore, namely the mailing of letters to Santa and how that came about. But it’s really a movie you could watch any time of the year with its main ideas being more about compassion, kindness, selflessness, and unity than about the “Christmas spirit”. It’s also just absolutely hilarious- if the writers of The Emperor’s New Groove made a Christmas movie, it would be this.
I’m so glad you brought up Labor of Love. I was in college when the original album came out and I recall being so drawn to that song. Going to the Ryman for the show and crying every time Jill sang. Just astonished, year after year, by the visceral humanity of such a divine scene I’d never heard in that way.
Somewhere along the way, the album fell out of rotation for me, but not for any particular reason. Just life. But it’s been at least twelve years, since today is the first time I’ve listened to that song since laboring with my own children. It hits in a whole new way. ♥️
I had never heard of The Best Christian Pageant Ever, it sounds so intriguing! I might have to check it out! My favorite Christmas story growing up was The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg. The story has a sweet little town where everyone is gossiping about a man who is opening a shop. A little girl decides to go meet the man and learns the legend of the candy cane, tying in Jesus's death and resurrection to Christmas which is so cool! The art in the book by James Bernardin is absolutely stunning and pulls you into the story. I was delighted to find the book last year so I can pass on the story to my kids!
The Three Trees always makes me cry! I so link with the third tree. Silver Packages is also so beautiful story to me set in Appalachia . A way to see our whole life, I believe. And Christmas Day in the Morning Elisabeth Eliot used to read every year. To me, it's the key of all love to Jesus is realizing we ARE so loved. But it needs to be understood in ways without cloud words, sentimental jargon and martyr guilt. I long to know it more. This year, The Christmas Carol was absolutely gorgeous to me,reread because I heard Dwight Lindley's class on it from Hillsdale. So much spoken of in the Habit was given sensory physical words to me by his teaching. May we all be like Scrooge released to generosity and joy!! God bless us everyone!
It’s hard to beat the Herdmans!
“I don’t think it’s very nice to burp the baby Jesus,” [Alice] whispered, “as if he had colic.”
A Christmas Carol and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are my all-time favorites. C.S. Lewis has a Christmas poem, "The Turn of the Tide," which is just as mythic and awe-inspiring as his Narnia or Ransom books.
I've also been meaning to rewatch the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie . . . people reference The Island of Misfit Toys quite a lot in a variety of contexts.
I love A Christmas Story. My mom played Ralphie’s mother in a theatrical adaptation years ago, and they retained the retrospective narration by having grown-up Ralphie onstage commenting on the action as it unfolded. The movie is a bit of a cult phenomenon where I live (Northeast Ohio), as it was filmed in Cleveland, so for me, it’s gotten really old. The play gave a fresh look at the story, which made it really enjoyable.
Our family always loved a short film called “Small One” on VHS tape, recorded from television with commercials included, like we all used to do. Then we stopped owning a functioning VHS player, so it became only a memory for my sister and I. Now, with the amazing power of YouTube, we can watch it whenever we want and share it with our kids. It’s the story of a special donkey and that’s all I’m going to say because your readers should go watch it and find out the rest for themselves!
I’ll check it out!
I remember this too! I played it for my kids and still can hear the sweet music! My husband forbid us to do Christmas for years but when he left I celebrated in every way I could and Small One was like a balm of joy to my shaky soul! Thank you for reminding me!!!
I enjoy "The Best Christmas Pagent Ever" too.
For another favorite: I've always been partial to the movie "A Christmas Story" (and the book it was based off of, "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash," by Jean Shepherd). It's not about the true meaning of Christmas, but:
A) The setting is based off of the area around where my mom grew up.
B) It's funny.
Many years back our family started the habit of watching the 25th anniversary of Les Mis every December. They are fully costumed with scenes from the production playing up on the screen. Amazing voices and the whole story is such a picture of the gospel.
A new discovery for me is perhaps the early version of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. It is told by one of the characters in The Pickwick Papers and centers around, not a heartless capitalist, but a gravedigger. And it is more of a spiritual commentary on the Incarnation than a social commentary on hard times.
Walking through town to the church yard to dig a grave for tomorrow's funeral, the man is disgusted by the frivolity and merriment of his neighbors. As he digs into the dark, he experiences three dreams or visions that convince him of the goodness of the good news.
I don’t know about this story, Jerry! It’s in the Pickwick Papers?
I read it last summer and did not make a good citation reference. I need to go back to the library and get more specific info.
The sexton's name was Gabriel Grub. During the night he was kidnapped--or dreamed he was--and taught a lesson about Christmas by goblins.
It is not part of the Christmas at the Wardles early in the book. It comes later.
All those Rankin Bass, stop-motion Christmas shows are 👌🏻 Also, I’m going to embarrass myself here, but Ernest Saves Christmas has been my favorite Christmas movie since kindergarten (which is probably the appropriate target audience.)
I have a soft spot for Ernest too.
Oh geez. I forgot about Ernest. My dad raised us on Ernest. Am thinking I may need to revisit him.
I love Elf. My kids are embarrassed for the character and can’t stand it. But I love his unflinching innocence and how it makes him so awkward and believable.
I always want to reread A Christmas Carol. We always listen to Dave Cooks the Turkey (Stuart McLean -The Vinyl Cafe)... and you should too! I love our children's storybook version of the tale of Good King Wenceslas and often I tune in for the CBC radio's annual broadcast of 'The Shepherd', a ghost story about a fighter pilot. The story of Simeon has always been a Christmas story for me.
Here's a link for Dave Cooks the Turkey
https://youtu.be/c3U-ezmjWXs?si=ru5kY8wUS7SDODmP
I love Simeon so very much, too! His old hands holding that tiny smooth skinned wriggling baby boy! And poetry, as in Adam greeting Eve! Wendy and Mary sang a song of his lullaby that knit me even more tightly to him. I love him so much...his name makes me cry with love!
One of my favorite Christmas songs is Jason Gray’s innkeeper’s song, Rest. The final stanza makes me stop and think every time:
“Tonight I can’t get any sleep
With shepherds shouting in the streets.
A star is shining much too bright,
Somewhere I hear a baby cry,
And all I want is a little peace.”
Another Christmas favorite is John Rutter’s “Brother Heinrich’s Christmas” with Lois Marshall as the narrator (on YouTube!).
My children read “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” every December. Our copy is taped together because it was so well loved. I am a fan of Gloria Houston’s “The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree” with illustrations by Barbara Cooney. And of course “A Christmas Carol”, the original version.
If you haven’t already seen it, ‘Klaus’ on Netflix instantly became my favorite Christmas movie. As far as the Christmas aspect, they focus on a little-touched-on bit of lore, namely the mailing of letters to Santa and how that came about. But it’s really a movie you could watch any time of the year with its main ideas being more about compassion, kindness, selflessness, and unity than about the “Christmas spirit”. It’s also just absolutely hilarious- if the writers of The Emperor’s New Groove made a Christmas movie, it would be this.
I love Klaus! Such a good one.
“...if the writers of The Emperor’s New Groove made a Christmas movie, it would be this.” That is the perfect way to put it.
I’m so glad you brought up Labor of Love. I was in college when the original album came out and I recall being so drawn to that song. Going to the Ryman for the show and crying every time Jill sang. Just astonished, year after year, by the visceral humanity of such a divine scene I’d never heard in that way.
Somewhere along the way, the album fell out of rotation for me, but not for any particular reason. Just life. But it’s been at least twelve years, since today is the first time I’ve listened to that song since laboring with my own children. It hits in a whole new way. ♥️
Hurraw!
Miracle on 34th Street has always been a favorite of mine. (I wrote about this a couple of weeks ago https://psaltered.com/p/dank-u-sinterklaasje.)
Also, Christmas always makes me want to read/watch Harry Potter because some of my favorite parts of those books center around Christmas.
I’ve never seen Miracle on 34th St. maybe this is the year?
Well, if you do decide to watch it, I recommend the 1947 version (in either the original black and white or colorized).
Jonathan Rogers - I thought I was the only one who hasn't seen this movie yet. I guess maybe by next year I will be.
Me either!
I had never heard of The Best Christian Pageant Ever, it sounds so intriguing! I might have to check it out! My favorite Christmas story growing up was The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg. The story has a sweet little town where everyone is gossiping about a man who is opening a shop. A little girl decides to go meet the man and learns the legend of the candy cane, tying in Jesus's death and resurrection to Christmas which is so cool! The art in the book by James Bernardin is absolutely stunning and pulls you into the story. I was delighted to find the book last year so I can pass on the story to my kids!
The Three Trees always makes me cry! I so link with the third tree. Silver Packages is also so beautiful story to me set in Appalachia . A way to see our whole life, I believe. And Christmas Day in the Morning Elisabeth Eliot used to read every year. To me, it's the key of all love to Jesus is realizing we ARE so loved. But it needs to be understood in ways without cloud words, sentimental jargon and martyr guilt. I long to know it more. This year, The Christmas Carol was absolutely gorgeous to me,reread because I heard Dwight Lindley's class on it from Hillsdale. So much spoken of in the Habit was given sensory physical words to me by his teaching. May we all be like Scrooge released to generosity and joy!! God bless us everyone!