Christmas Viewing 2009

On television:

You know what’s on TV every night during the holidays, and all of these will find their way to the TV during November and December, but...

Here are a few choices, in no particular order:

The Bishop’s Wife.  (1947) A member of my church mentioned this title when I shared your request with her.  The film involves an angel who comes to assist a clergyman who is beginning to lose his faith.  This was remade into the 1996 film The Preacher’s Wife, which is also a good movie.  It just depends on whether your tastes favor Cary Grant and David Niven or Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston.

Christmas with the Kranks. (2004) This Tim Allen comedy is fairly silly as it tells the story of a family that gets involved with the holidays for all of the wrong commercial reasons.  But it’s not as offensive as National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and John Grisham’s source material tries to say something positive.

Home Alone.  (1990) Nothing says “family night” like a popular movie that everyone has seen dozens of times filled with gratuitous cartoon violence.  But the relationship between Kevin and the mysterious neighbor that unfolds throughout the film ends with a sweet and substantial message of forgiveness.

The Nativity Story.  (2006)  I know you didn’t ask for the Nativity, but this is a really entertaining and heartfelt depiction of Mary and Joseph’s love for each other and the sacrifice required to bring Christ into the world.

The old standbys:

It’s a Wonderful Life is wonderful, but too long (almost 2 1/4 hours) and involved for children.  

A Christmas Carol is in several kid-friendly versions, including Mickey Mouse, The Muppets and Mr. Magoo.  Even if kids don’t know who Mr. Magoo is, that version is still pretty entertaining.

And, finally, not a Christmas film at all, but a recent DVD release:

Up.  This 2009 Pixar film is funny, exciting, fanciful and poignant as it shares an adventure that a boy and a widower share as they travel to South America in a flying house.  Something for all ages, and an encouragement to enjoy the age diversity in our churches. Read Bruce's original review.

Lady and the Tramp (1955) is a great Disney film that begins and ends at Christmas, and may be one that a lot of children haven’t watched recently.