The Nativity Story---a viewing of this lovely movie is one of our annual Christmas Eve traditions...it reminds us of the true reason we are celebrating Christmas. One of the things I like most about it is the fact that it revolves heavily around Joseph. Usually, Joseph is overlooked in the Christmas story, but as this movie accurately portrays, he was as much a part of the story as Mary, the baby Jesus, the shepherds, and the angels. This movie shows the humanness of both Joseph and Mary. Very moving!!
The Christmas Card---a mid 2000's Hallmark movie, this is sappy and sweet, but my daughter and I love it. It's the story of a caring woman, a deployed soldier, and the Christmas card that binds them together.
Christmas Child---this mid 2000's movie is based on the Max Lucado book of the same name. It's the story of a middle-aged man's search for his birth parents, entwined with the story of a missing baby Jesus from a local nativity scene.
A Charlie Brown Christmas---A dear friend gave a VHS copy of this as a gift to my kids when they were very young, and it has been a part of our Christmas viewing since then. (Since our VHS player is broken, we've had to track it down on DVD.) I totally love Linus's classic line towards the end!!! (Actually, this isn't all that current...it's mid 1960's.)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever---this 80's TV-movie, which stars MASH's Loretta Swit, is based on the book of the same name. It's the funny, but tender and heartwarming, story of what happens when the six rather wild and unruly Herdman children take part in the church's annual Christmas pageant.
Little House on the Prairie Christmas at Plum Creek---this precious episode always brings me to tears. Laura's sacrificial gift to her beloved Ma is so incredibly touching.
The Christmas Box--a 1995 movie starring Richard Thomas and the beautiful Maureen O'Hara, who aged fabulously. Based on the book of the same name, it's the story of a workaholic dad/husband, who, through a feisty elderly woman, comes to understand what is most important in life.
Since all these movies/shows are current, I feel sure they are all available on DVD and quite easy to track down, so if you're looking for something new and different this holiday season, give one of these movies a try.
Happy viewing, and, of course, Merry Christmas!!!