WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS

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Julie (Erica Durance), a recently widowed, single mom, has just moved into a new neighborhood.  This will be her's and her son, Gavin's (Azriel Dahman) first Christmas without her husband.  

Next door to Julie lives Irene (Lynn Whitfield).  Irene and her husband raised a grandson together, and after he passed, she did it alone.  Her grandson is now grown and in the military.  She sees him at Christmastime when he always finds a way to come home.   

Irene has tried to reach out to Julie, but Julie's responses are short and she seems to be a bit withdrawn.  

During the Christmas holidays, Gavin attends a children's group where Irene works.  Irene recognizes Gavin, and they become friends.  Irene takes a special interest in her new neighbor and is willing to help in any way she can. 

Julie continues to try to do everything with Gavin that was done when her husband was alive and is uncomfortable with her son's friendship with Irene.   Irene is a bit offended but respects Julie's feelings.  

With Irene's continued kindnesses, Julie begins to warm up.  They begin to have some in-depth conversations.  Irene confides in Julie as she also raised a child on her own.  Julie can't help but take note of the many very special things Irene does for others.  Irene's support is life-changing for her.  She begins to open up and even socializes a bit.  This socializing includes a very special restaurateur, Peter (Patrick Sabongui), who Julie is working with to update his restaurant. 

When Julie hears that Irene has received the disappointing news that her Grandson will not be able to make it home this Christmas, she decides, with Peter's help, to repay Irene with a gift that could never have a monetary value.  

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control"

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The Thanksgiving House

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A local historian, Everett (Justin Bruening), has been collecting soil samples in the area hoping to locate the site of the first Thanksgiving.  One of the landowners recently passed and left her home to her niece, Mary (Emily Rose), a single woman and an attorney from the City. 

Mary has many fond memories of the house and the visits with her aunt.  When she discovers a stranger on her property taking soil samples, she immediately asks him to leave the property.   

Everett persists in attempting to connect with the Mary hoping that he can make her understand the historical importance of his work, and the significance of her house if it was the site of the very first Thanksgiving.

As time passes and Mary begins to live in the house, and the idea of keeping her Aunt's home as her own becomes very appealing.  

Everett's mother, Abigail (Lindsay Wagner) decides to try and connect with Mary.  At first, Mary is resistant, but after some conversations, she begins to open up.   Abigail learns that Mary and her dad are estranged.   By relating to her with a story of her own past, Abigail encourages Mary to reconnect with her father.  Mary begins to understand what's really important in life.

Without giving away the ending of this unique story, I'll tell you that as with all of these uplifting movies, it's a good and fulfilling ending.  

How would you feel if the home you owned was the site of the first Thanksgiving?  

 Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how we many spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

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Holiday Affair - 1949

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Connie Ennis, (Janet Leigh) who is a widowed, single mom, works as a "Comparison Shopper".   During a busy shopping day during the holidays, she approaches sales clerk, Steve Mason (Robert Mitchum) asking for a specific train set with no other questions and has the exact amount of money needed to pay for it.  Steve already suspects she is a "Comparison Shopper", but writes up the order and gives Connie the Train.

Steve was sure he was correct and wanted to turn her in; however, after she told him she was a widow and had a son, he felt guilty to do that to a single mother.  However, his supervisor notices what has happened and Steve loses his job, but buys the train for Connie's son, Timmy.

This begins a relationship between, Steve, Connie and Timmy, but Connie has a steady boyfriend that she was never really sure she loved.  He has been asking her to marry him and she never seems to be enthusiastic about the subject.  Steve, of course, is handsome, exciting and Timmy likes him.  (Timmy isn't comfortable with Connie's steady).  This creates a bit of an uncomfortable situation when the two happen to be at Connie's apartment together.    You know who "will get the girl".

This is an unusual story line, as physical Comparison Shoppers are almost a lost art, as most of us use the tools off of the internet.   It's a great movie, true to the period of the 1940s, from the hand-written sales slips to the seamed stockings.  

I watch it every year, just like I make sure to see all of my favorite Christmas Movies; however, this one along with a few others are from the 1940s; i.e., Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life and It Happened on 5th Avenue.   I find the era intriguing.  

Isaiah 40:31

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint"

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Wonderful, Forgotten Thanksgiving Movies

Below is a list of some Thanksgiving Movies that seem to have been forgotten.  I've not included "The Thanksgiving House" and "Miracle on 34th Street" that I've reviewed yet in this blog.  

                                         Happy Thanksgiving!

The Gathering 

In this TV classic, a man (Ed Asner) who is terminally ill tries to reunite with his estranged family for one last Thanksgiving together. A deeply emotional story about forgiveness, family, and second chances.

A Family Thanksgiving

A career-driven lawyer (Daphne Zuniga) is magically shown what her life could have been if she had chosen family over work. Through this alternate Thanksgiving reality, she learns the true meaning of gratitude and love.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles 

A classic comedy where a tightly-wound man (Steve Martin) just wants to get home for Thanksgiving, but his trip turns into chaos when he’s stuck traveling with an overly talkative shower curtain ring salesman (John Candy). Lots of mishaps, but heartwarming in the end.

Home for the Holidays

Directed by Jodie Foster, this film follows a woman (Holly Hunter) who returns to her parents’ house for Thanksgiving. Between family drama, awkward relatives, and unexpected surprises, it’s funny, touching, and very relatable.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

The beloved animated special where Charlie Brown scrambles to put together a Thanksgiving dinner for his friends with Snoopy’s help. It’s simple, nostalgic, and full of heart.

Pieces of April

Katie Holmes stars as April, a young woman estranged from her family who invites them over for Thanksgiving dinner in her tiny New York apartment. With her oven broken, she struggles to pull it off, but the movie beautifully mixes humor, tension, and heartfelt moments.

Dutch

Ed O’Neill stars as Dutch, a working-class man who offers to bring his girlfriend’s snobby son home from boarding school for Thanksgiving. The road trip turns into a hilarious and heartfelt bonding experience.

Psalm 23:5 (NIV)

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." 

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THE CHRISTMAS CARD

The Christmas Card in 2006 is a fan-favorite for many years that aired before "Countdown To Christmas" began in 2009.  

A Christmas Card is given to a soldier, Cody (John Newton), while deployed in Afghanistan.  The card was written by a very caring young woman from Nevada City named Faith (Alice Evans).  She is the daughter and only child of Luke (Ed Asner) who owns and operates a lumber mill.  

Cody's tour of duty is coming to an end and is encouraged by a senior officer to take some time for himself to see what's next in life.  Because of the very heartfelt Christmas Card he received, something brings him to Nevada City.  

He meets Luke at Church who is immediately impressed with him (Luke served as well and feels a bond with Cody).  Cody is trustworthy and honest.  Luke strikes up conversation with him and as Cody leaves the building, Luke follows him out to continue the conversation.  As Luke is crossing the street he is almost struck by a speeding vehicle, but because Cody pushed him out of the way, Luke was okay.  From that point on, Luke called Cody his "hero buddy" and invites him for dinner and to stay the night.

Luke had much more up his sleeve.  From the moment he met Cody, he knew this is the man for his daughter and not the on and off relationship she was currently in.  Luke offers Cody a job at the mill for the holidays and encourages him to stick around.  Cody with no set plans, agrees.

Cody and Faith have an undeniable chemistry; however, she continues to be faithful to her boyfriend, Paul.  Paul (Ben Weber) himself sees the attraction the two have for each other, so he decides to propose to Faith, not because he was going to, but because he felt he was losing.  Initially, Faith accepts.  She tells Cody, and he is obviously disappointed and decides he should leave Nevada City.

After much soul-searching, on Christmas Eve, while in Church, Faith realizes she cannot marry Paul; she's in love with Cody.   Her father, Luke, just might know how to find him.  

Luke 16:10 (NIV)

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

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"All I Want For Christmas"

Hallmark Christmas movies began a long time ago, however, "Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas" began in 2009.  This movie is from 2007.

Sara Armstrong (Gail O'Grady) is a widow and mom who runs a community center in honor of her deceased Police Officer husband.  The center is in jeopardy as the building is being sold.  Feeling that his mom is lonely, Sara's 10 year-old son, Jesse (Jimmy Pinchak), wants to help her find a husband.  He hears of a Toy Company that is holding a contest looking for the perfect Christmas story to help boost their presence.   

Jessie enters his mom in the contest saying how wonderful she is and how any man would be lucky to meet her.  Without any of this known to Sara, she is confronted by the Toy Company indicating that her son has won the contest.  

Sara is initially upset until she presents the Toy Company with a proposal.  She would agree to their finding her a husband with all of the publicity if they would give her the money needed to purchase the building the center occupies.

As Sara goes on date after date, her son is being looked after by her very loyal neighbor, Ben (Robert Mailhouse) who secretly has always adored Sara and has a wonderful relationship with her son.  For some reason Sara never looked at Ben as a prospect, but loved their friendship and the many things they did together.  

As the dating progresses, Sara is pressured into accepting a marriage proposal, almost as if she got caught up in the "find me a husband" issue.  The relationship ends abruptly when Sara realizes the man she has been dating has no patience or understanding for her son.  She calls the engagement off.   

The Toy Company was going to use Sara's engagement as their happily ever after Christmas story.   To save their reputation, the Toy Company gives Sara's the funds needed to buy the building.

After all is said and done, Sara realized she had forgotten for a moment what was really important.  She realized all that she really loved was right in front of her the whole time....yes, Ben.  

Hebrews 13:5

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you"

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