Christmas movies worth revisiting as an adult…
We’ve seen them all. Each year it’s the same, between the hustle and bustle of Christmas, we are lucky if we get to sit a moment and do anything, let alone watch a movie with our families. Besides we’ve seen ‘em all. Year after year the TV blares in the background as we are frantically baking cookies for the exchange at work the next day, and we hear Zuzu proclaim “Every time a bell rings, an angle gets his wings.” We smile, or roll our eyes. But we get on with our agenda. I suggest something different this year. DO yourself a favor and pick one. Just one, sit down with your family and really revisit the reason these films were made. Let the feeling wash over you and renew your Christmas energy. Whatever your religious beliefs, Christmas is about love. And these are my 5 favorite Christmas films because they showcase that love in so many ways…
1) “Fred Clause” – When Santa realizes how wrong he was about children being naughty, and he gives the Auditor the superman cape he didn’t give him as a child I swear it makes me want to cry. This movie is simply funny, while at same time clever in its exploration of sibling rivalry. Who could grow up being Saint Nick’s brother and not have an issue or two?
2) “It’s A Wonderful Life”- And not because Clarence gets his wings. If you sit down and watch this film, really watch George Bailey and how life piles another scoop of crap on him at every turn. Well, we’ve all had those weeks where there is just nothing left to loose. A disaster at work, a sick kid, a house in need of repair but not able to afford it. It may be a black and white movie but we face those issues today. Being reminded of what is important is never a bad thing. I love it when he kisses the knob on the stair case as he is running up the stairs. It’s the little things in life that seem so terrible, with a little perspective sometimes aren’t as bad as we thought.
3) “Christmas Vacation”- I love this film. Every year we plan the perfect holiday and every year it doesn’t end up anything like we’d planned. When Clark is trying to get the Damn Christmas lights to turn on and they won’t work, I laugh not because Chevy Chase is so funny, but because I know his pain. But in the end, being with the crazy family is all that matters…then they go home. :)
4) “The Nativity Story” – Christian or not, this is a fantastic movie full of love. At one point when they had walked for days Joseph fell asleep and Mary washed his feet. Such a quiet generous act of love. He didn’t wake up and see her doing it. She did it simply out of love, because he chose to take on her burden when he didn’t have to. The exchange between the three wise men on their travels is very funny. A serious movie, but a very good one regardless of your beliefs.
5) “A Christmas Story”- We can all almost recite this movie with lines like “I double dog dare you” and “You’ll shoot your eye out”. But if you are a parent, it is worth taking the time to watch again. The exchanges between the husband and wife are so familiar and made me smile. As well as how they relate to their kids. Like when the husband tells her to time him changing the tire.
Again…it’s all about perspective. Take a moment out of the chaos that is December and watch one of these films with new eyes. I dare you to walk away without a heart full of Christmas spirit ready to take on the next project with renewed energy.
1) “Fred Clause” – When Santa realizes how wrong he was about children being naughty, and he gives the Auditor the superman cape he didn’t give him as a child I swear it makes me want to cry. This movie is simply funny, while at same time clever in its exploration of sibling rivalry. Who could grow up being Saint Nick’s brother and not have an issue or two?
2) “It’s A Wonderful Life”- And not because Clarence gets his wings. If you sit down and watch this film, really watch George Bailey and how life piles another scoop of crap on him at every turn. Well, we’ve all had those weeks where there is just nothing left to loose. A disaster at work, a sick kid, a house in need of repair but not able to afford it. It may be a black and white movie but we face those issues today. Being reminded of what is important is never a bad thing. I love it when he kisses the knob on the stair case as he is running up the stairs. It’s the little things in life that seem so terrible, with a little perspective sometimes aren’t as bad as we thought.
3) “Christmas Vacation”- I love this film. Every year we plan the perfect holiday and every year it doesn’t end up anything like we’d planned. When Clark is trying to get the Damn Christmas lights to turn on and they won’t work, I laugh not because Chevy Chase is so funny, but because I know his pain. But in the end, being with the crazy family is all that matters…then they go home. :)
4) “The Nativity Story” – Christian or not, this is a fantastic movie full of love. At one point when they had walked for days Joseph fell asleep and Mary washed his feet. Such a quiet generous act of love. He didn’t wake up and see her doing it. She did it simply out of love, because he chose to take on her burden when he didn’t have to. The exchange between the three wise men on their travels is very funny. A serious movie, but a very good one regardless of your beliefs.
5) “A Christmas Story”- We can all almost recite this movie with lines like “I double dog dare you” and “You’ll shoot your eye out”. But if you are a parent, it is worth taking the time to watch again. The exchanges between the husband and wife are so familiar and made me smile. As well as how they relate to their kids. Like when the husband tells her to time him changing the tire.
Again…it’s all about perspective. Take a moment out of the chaos that is December and watch one of these films with new eyes. I dare you to walk away without a heart full of Christmas spirit ready to take on the next project with renewed energy.
