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Christmas movies - 9/27/2009 1:00:31 PM
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Tsume
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Every Christmas, people have certain movies they love to watch. As I was thinking about films to recommend to some friends, however, I kept running into the fact that very few Christmas movies actually have anything to do with Christ. A couple of hours of Google searches didn't really help, either. Thus, I have brought my quest to a forum in which I am hoping that other people may be able to provide some answers, even if those answers may, ultimately, confirm what I have found, so far.
With that said, here is my request - Please list and/or discuss Christmas movies that:- DO at least mention Jesus AND the significance of Christmas as it relates to Him;
- Do NOT feature Santa Claus, without somehow bringing the focus back to Christ;
- Do NOT consider gift-giving, acts of kindness, or family reunions to be primary meanings of Christmas, but rather explain why those things point to and are nothing without Christ;
- Do NOT use unbilblical depictions of the functions of "angels" (e.g. It's a Wonderful Life would not qualify for this list at all, and The Bishop's Wife would lose out on this point, even with the Christ-affirming sermon it has at the end).
When I considered those things, I realized that it was going to be VERY difficult for me to find a movie I could suggest outright, without having to include a disclaimer saying, "This film has the right idea, but is NOT biblically accurate due to..."
Of course, that's not to say that other films have absolutely NO merit. In fact, many could be used as great "film-discussion-night" material to be able to highlight correct biblical teaching by illustrating ways in which there is a Christ-centered basis for the values expressed, even though Christ, Himself, may have been left out of the story.
So please, list or discuss as many movies as possible, that fit the above list of criteria, even if some may seem obvious enough not to mention. If you wish, also include your own critique about the movie's quality as a movie.
Looking forward to your opinions.
In Christ, thanks.
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RE: Christmas movies - 9/27/2009 7:41:42 PM
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uncabeeil
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From: Joisey. Got a problem wit dat?
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Well, that pretty much leaves "The Nativity Story". And I haven't seen that yet.
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He bloodies your nose and then gives you a ride home on his bike"
Rich Mullins
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RE: Christmas movies - 9/29/2009 2:54:44 AM
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keithyhuntington
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From: Tulsa, Okla.
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Tsume
With that said, here is my request - Please list and/or discuss Christmas movies that:- DO at least mention Jesus AND the significance of Christmas as it relates to Him;
- Do NOT feature Santa Claus, without somehow bringing the focus back to Christ;
- Do NOT consider gift-giving, acts of kindness, or family reunions to be primary meanings of Christmas, but rather explain why those things point to and are nothing without Christ;
- Do NOT use unbilblical depictions of the functions of "angels" (e.g. It's a Wonderful Life would not qualify for this list at all, and The Bishop's Wife would lose out on this point, even with the Christ-affirming sermon it has at the end).
that just violates all my choices =( oh well. guess i can't think of any then,
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RE: Christmas movies - 9/29/2009 8:50:37 AM
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iluvatar
Posts: 3045
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quote:
ORIGINAL: keithyhuntington
quote:
ORIGINAL: Tsume
With that said, here is my request - Please list and/or discuss Christmas movies that:- DO at least mention Jesus AND the significance of Christmas as it relates to Him;
- Do NOT feature Santa Claus, without somehow bringing the focus back to Christ;
- Do NOT consider gift-giving, acts of kindness, or family reunions to be primary meanings of Christmas, but rather explain why those things point to and are nothing without Christ;
- Do NOT use unbilblical depictions of the functions of "angels" (e.g. It's a Wonderful Life would not qualify for this list at all, and The Bishop's Wife would lose out on this point, even with the Christ-affirming sermon it has at the end).
that just violates all my choices =( oh well. guess i can't think of any then,
Yeah, my favorite Christmas movie is Die Hard. I don't suppose that would make the cut either.
-Dan.
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RE: Christmas movies - 9/29/2009 10:09:30 AM
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uncabeeil
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From: Joisey. Got a problem wit dat?
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The only other thing I can think of is the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. There's actual scripture in that. But it's only a half hour, and it isn't actually focused on Christ. Honestly, I think your on an impossible mission.
_____________________________
"It don't do to fight with God cuz He always wins.
He bloodies your nose and then gives you a ride home on his bike"
Rich Mullins
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RE: Christmas movies - 9/29/2009 10:33:45 AM
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JoeyWest
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what movies are left?
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RE: Christmas movies - 9/29/2009 11:47:01 AM
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moon_mouse
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"Little Women" (1994) isn't exclusively a Christmas movie, but it does feature family Christmas celebrations that deal with balancing the meaning of the holiday with a culture of materialism and looks at how Christmas should inspire us to reach out to others. It's also a great look at the development of a family over time. Well acted...Gabriel Byrne was totally dreamy! 
Ben Hur (1959). The full title is "Ben Hur: A Tale of Christ". The main character's life is paralleled with Christ and his ministry. Judah Ben-Hur's line near the end still leaves a lump in my throat. "At the moment He died, I heard Him say,'Father forgive them for they know not what they do.' And I felt His voice take the sword out of my hand."
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RE: Christmas movies - 9/29/2009 12:48:58 PM
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uncabeeil
Posts: 4932
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From: Joisey. Got a problem wit dat?
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Never thought of Ben Hur as a Christmas movie. I must've seen an edited version.
Veggie Tales did a couple of Christmas specials. No Santa in them.
_____________________________
"It don't do to fight with God cuz He always wins.
He bloodies your nose and then gives you a ride home on his bike"
Rich Mullins
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RE: Christmas movies - 9/29/2009 4:41:27 PM
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B-Swan
Posts: 30
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From: Indiana
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Tsume
With that said, here is my request - Please list and/or discuss Christmas movies that:- DO at least mention Jesus AND the significance of Christmas as it relates to Him;
- Do NOT feature Santa Claus, without somehow bringing the focus back to Christ;
- Do NOT consider gift-giving, acts of kindness, or family reunions to be primary meanings of Christmas, but rather explain why those things point to and are nothing without Christ;
- Do NOT use unbilblical depictions of the functions of "angels" (e.g. It's a Wonderful Life would not qualify for this list at all, and The Bishop's Wife would lose out on this point, even with the Christ-affirming sermon it has at the end).
I think this task is about as impossible as you can get. It's not much of a story to movie makers, the general public, etc that a child got born, even if it is God's Son. The Nativity was mentioned earlier, I saw it when it came out and thought it was pretty good, but I haven't watched it since so I don't remember how true Biblically it is. My guess is that's as close as you're going to get. Most people aren't going to get excited or interested about Jesus by watching a movie centered around a pregnant woman and ending with a birth, so why would there be many movies about it?
quote:
ORIGINAL: Tsume
Of course, that's not to say that other films have absolutely NO merit. In fact, many could be used as great "film-discussion-night" material to be able to highlight correct biblical teaching by illustrating ways in which there is a Christ-centered basis for the values expressed, even though Christ, Himself, may have been left out of the story.
To me, this is where I would put my focus. Showing others how decent movies can have Christian themes, and get them excited about Jesus that way. One that comes to mind that I've used in a small group before is The Santa Clause and their catch phrase "seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing". There's others of course, someone mentioned Charlie Brown, etc.
Taking this task would also help show people that Christians still have fun with the secular Christmas season, we just have a different focus. Showing them how to be "in the world" but not "of the world". Which, incidentally, giving gifts is Biblical according to the 3 wise men...although nobody's ever given me gold. 
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RE: Christmas movies - 10/2/2009 8:21:50 AM
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Tsume
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quote:
ORIGINAL: B-Swan
Which, incidentally, giving gifts is Biblical according to the 3 wise men...
Yes. gift giving IS biblical, but it is not the primary meaning of Christmas, except for God's gift of Christ to and for us.
quote:
ORIGINAL: B-Swan
although nobody's ever given me gold.
Perhaps you're not Christ.
Well, a number of you have reached the same conclusion I had: except for movies that retell the story of the Nativity, there appear to be no other films that are true "Christmas movies," and the one thing that probably comes the closest is A Charlie Brown Christmas..
Thank you for all of your comments.
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RE: Christmas movies - 10/2/2009 10:04:58 AM
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JoeyWest
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gift giving in christmas is the pagan tradition.
_____________________________
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR IT, FREEDOM HAS A TASTE THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW.
The Medic, the unsung hero on every battlefield. It is impossible to imagine the mental/emotional trauma inside a Medic, and there is no triage for that.
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RE: Christmas movies - 10/2/2009 10:07:47 AM
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jazzact13
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quote:
DO at least mention Jesus AND the significance of Christmas as it relates to Him;
Do NOT feature Santa Claus, without somehow bringing the focus back to Christ;
Do NOT consider gift-giving, acts of kindness, or family reunions to be primary meanings of Christmas, but rather explain why those things point to and are nothing without Christ;
Do NOT use unbilblical depictions of the functions of "angels" (e.g. It's a Wonderful Life would not qualify for this list at all, and The Bishop's Wife would lose out on this point, even with the Christ-affirming sermon it has at the end).
What about any of the variations of "A Christmas Carol"?
I read the story once, and I think some mention was made of Jesus and his birth in regards to the holiday in it, though I can't remember for certain. I think some of the movies also make mention of it.
I don't recall Santa being a part of it at all, though some depictions of Christman Present are Santa-esque, though hardly in a short pudgy way.
Gift giving isn't much emphasized, though helping those who need it is.
Perhaps the ghosts may be a problem with your definitions, though I accept them a story devices who work well to make the point.
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RE: Christmas movies - 10/2/2009 12:07:29 PM
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heathjack
Posts: 247
Joined: 5/6/2009
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MY FAVROTIE AREs:
JINGLEALL THE WAY
PRANCER
jack frost
Christmas with the kranks
cartoons
graifled christmas sepcail
grandmama got ran over by reniendeer
fORSTY THE SNOW MAN
< Message edited by heathjack -- 10/2/2009 1:37:28 PM >
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RE: Christmas movies - 10/2/2009 2:59:29 PM
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BelleWeather
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quote:
ORIGINAL: uncabeeil
Never thought of Ben Hur as a Christmas movie. I must've seen an edited version.
Isn't "Ben Hur" usually shown on broadcast television during Holy Week/Easter?
*shrug*
I like "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
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when we are just skimming the surface with our finger.
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RE: Christmas movies - 10/15/2009 12:24:00 PM
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kukuruza1
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I adore a film about Christmas, I very much like a film as the same person all time turned in Santa Klausa.
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RE: Christmas movies - 10/18/2009 11:01:12 PM
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KevinK1261
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quote:
ORIGINAL: jazzact13
quote:
DO at least mention Jesus AND the significance of Christmas as it relates to Him;
Do NOT feature Santa Claus, without somehow bringing the focus back to Christ;
Do NOT consider gift-giving, acts of kindness, or family reunions to be primary meanings of Christmas, but rather explain why those things point to and are nothing without Christ;
Do NOT use unbilblical depictions of the functions of "angels" (e.g. It's a Wonderful Life would not qualify for this list at all, and The Bishop's Wife would lose out on this point, even with the Christ-affirming sermon it has at the end).
What about any of the variations of "A Christmas Carol"?
I read the story once, and I think some mention was made of Jesus and his birth in regards to the holiday in it, though I can't remember for certain. I think some of the movies also make mention of it.
Here is the qoute from the 1951 film version of A Christmas Carol:
Spirit of Christmas Present: Mortal! We Spirits of Christmas do not live only one day of our year. We live the whole three-hundred and sixty-five. So is it true of the Child born in Bethlehem. He does not live in men's hearts one day of the year, but in all days of the year. You have chosen not to seek Him in your heart. Therefore, you will come with me and seek Him in the hearts of men of good will.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Christmas movies - 10/18/2009 11:07:29 PM
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PinkCarnations
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quote:
ORIGINAL: BelleWeather
I like "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
me too!
THE CHRISTMAS BOX with Maureen O'Hara and Richard Thomas is good.
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RE: Christmas movies - 10/20/2009 11:36:08 PM
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luvsrickforever
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They aren't really movies because they aren't long enough but how about all the Rankin Bass stuff? Nester The Long Eared Donkey, The Night The Animals Talked (I like to believe that could have happened even though I'm sure it didn't) and a few others I can't remember right now. They speak of the birth and talk about Jesus, Mary & Joseph. I loved those specials as a kid and I loved them as an adult too.
A Charlie Brown Christmas? Love it! "All I want for Christmas this year is money. 10's and 20's would be preferable." "Do you have Climacaphobia Charlie Brown?" "Of all the Charlie Brown's in the world, you're the Charlie Browniest." "Doesn't anyone know the real meaning of Christmas? I do Charlie Brown. There were shepards abiding in their fields when an angel of the Lord shown round about them and they were sore afraid. But the angel said until them 'Fear not, for I bring you glad tidings of great joy, for unto you will be born this day, a Savior which is Christ The Lord." "Pick out a good tree, Charlie Brown." "It's not such a bad little tree." I've seen this movie or special so many times that I have a lot of the lines down, although I also have the TV on so it is making me forget some of it. Very good and to think, in 1964, when you could do religious things more then now, or at least I'd like to think so, they didn't want Charle's Schultz to put in the Christian aspect and he said he was going to do it anyway. Good for him.
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RE: Christmas movies - 10/23/2009 1:08:36 AM
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Femme
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another vote for Die Hard here..
I enjoyed The Nativity.. I'm rather eclectic in my Christmas movies.. I don't like the sappy ones though.. and a guilty pleasure is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
Although, I think Muppet's Christmas Carol is my favorite..
As for the requirements, nothing quite as specific, but there is a teriffic movie with a repentance/redemption/forgiveness theme during Christmas called "Remember the Night".. (here It's Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray.. worth a watch.
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RE: Christmas movies - 10/23/2009 7:06:22 PM
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myhusbandswife76
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The Best Christmas Pagent Ever (does that work?)
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RE: Christmas movies - 10/27/2009 10:34:40 AM
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m4maggie
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I remember seeing the little drummer boy on tv as a kid.. Same with the gift of the Magi
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RE: Christmas movies - 10/27/2009 12:43:30 PM
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Focusing
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The Nativity Story is good. If you're looking for something for a family with children, I can recommend the Story Keepers' Christmas DVD.
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RE: Christmas movies - 11/8/2009 2:36:14 PM
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Hatfield
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Hmm, saw the topic of this discussion and really hoped that there'd be a mention of the most recent rendition of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. But I guess that would be too easy a hope. (I've not seen it, was hoping that someone might have seen it and given their thoughts on it.)
But to the OP's intended subject matter:
I'll give my vote for Dickens. While yes, it does mention "Father Christmas", the English version of the Right Jolly Old Elf is not the focus of the story. In fact, there are several small bits of witnessing through out the story, such as Tiny Tim who states that he doesn't mind being lame because he hopes that when people see him, they remember who it was who made the lame to walk and the blind to see.
Tim's father, Bob Cratchet, is IMHO an example of someone living a true Christian lifestyle. He's got a miser for a boss, and yet he still wishes Mr. Scrooge a Merry Christmas, though all he gets for his efforts is a "Bah, humbug!" and a demand to be in at work all the earlier the day after Christmas. Even when Mrs. Cratchet expresses her disdain for Scrooge as Bob offers a toast to his good will at their Christmas dinner (all part of Scrooge's visits with the spirits, this one of Christmas Present), Bob corrects her because it is through the blessing of his employment with Mr. Scrooge that they have what they have.
We see Scrooge being taken through and given a good look at his life (something which I'm sure many could benefit from, at times myself included) and he finally comes to the realization that Christmas isn't just about having money or spending it, it is about love, and I cannot escape the understanding that this love that Ebeneezer Scrooge finds is nothing short of the Love of Jesus.
Now, the question returns to which rendition? Between my wife and I, our two favorites are with George C. Scott as Scrooge or with Patrick Stewart in the title role. As I said, we've yet to see the Disney animated version with Jim Carey, but the previews look interesting (I've seen his first encounter with the Ghost of Christmas-Yet-To-Be and Mr Jim seems quite capable of the emotional range needed for the role).
I do also recall from my childhood an animated version with Mr. Magoo as Scrooge, I've not seen that in ages.
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RE: Christmas movies - 11/8/2009 8:13:51 PM
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its_GO_time
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These won't make the cut, but I like them:
Christmas Vacation
The Ref
Scrooged
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