A Christmas Classic

What does it take for a film, song or story to be a Christmas classic? I think I can speak for many of us when I say that we have those certain movies or songs that we always HAVE to pull out once the snow has fallen and the christmas countdown begins. But what exactly is the right formula for such a thing? Is it the fact that its just something we feel like we need to watch again and again simply because its a "Christmas" movie? Or is it something else? I think the answer varies between each person. For me, I think its because in each movie that I watch at Christmas year after year there is a nugget of wonderful heartfelt truth in it. Let me show you what I mean.

A Christmas Carol

Whether I mean the Robert Zemekis version or the original text this story has always been my favorite Christmas tale. It's funny, this thing has been done soooo many times with so many variations...but nearly all of them I can enjoy. Its a beautiful tale of redemption, hope, joy and love for your fellow man. The author, Charles Dickens was not satisfied with how the world was treating the poor and the weak and so he set out to remind England of the power of love. To do this, he wrote a little ghost story. A rich, meaningful ghost story that has reminded us of selfless love for hundreds of years. This book is full of truths....I believe God inspired truths. Brilliantly done Mr. Dickens.

The Polar Express

Whether or not you enjoy Robert Zemekis' constant use of mo-cap or not, I have to say personally that I look foreword to seeing this film every year. When you grow up you begin to lose the childlike wonder about Christmas, but this film helps bring a little of that back. There is a major theme of belief in this movie. Now I realize that it talks of believing in santa but still it tells us some very biblical idea through it. "Some of the most real things in this world are the things you can't see." That is a brilliantly put idea that is so true. We can't see many things with our eyes...and yet we know they are there. Believe and you will begin to see our God's fingerprints all over this world. All though I'm sure that was not the movie's intent, it still has something deeper even on a Christian level.

O Holy Night

I don't think this old carol needs much of an introduction. We've been singing this in church since we were kids and we'll continue to until we die. I love this song. It speaks quietly of the grace and love our God showed us by sending his Son into the world. It paints in our heads the image of a weary world, one lost and alone, seeing the first glimmer of light it has seen in a long time. Now, we know the world did not respond well to this light, but it is still a marvelous picture of hope. Hope that "All oppression shall cease" the slaves shall be free and their will be rejoicing and peace forevermore.

I hope you understand what I'm getting at. In these forms of Christmas media, I find ideas that I just can't get enough of. That's why I keep going back. Now these are but a few of the many Christmas films and songs I enjoy...but I wonder...what are yours? Why do YOU keep going back to them?

Merry Christmas Everyone.