"The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"

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Jennifer (Brooke Burns), a driven business woman, educated and overly organized, is getting ready for the Christmas Holidays.  She is looking forward to meeting her jeweler and materialistic boyfriend's family for the first time this year.  

Her over-protective, retired NYC Cop, Uncle Ralph (Henry Winkler) is flying into Chicago from NYC, as he always does, to be with Jennifer, her son, Brian (Connor Christopher) and his sister, Jennifer's mom who was going to cook the Christmas turkey!

In a matter of a day, everything changes!  Jennifer's assistant, Denise, (Ruklya Bernard) tells her that her mom left a message that she is not coming. because she is taking an unexpected cruise and also that the one present her son, Brian, is asking for is the go-to toy of the year, a "Rocket Wheel" bike.  This late in the season, they are almost impossible to get.  Jennifer panics, as she never cooked a turkey before and how was she going to impress her boyfriend's family?!  How would she ever find a "Rocket Wheel" for Brian?!

Uncle Ralph, who is not a seasoned airport traveler, meets Morgan Derby (Warren Christie) who is a chef and who is traveling to meet his girlfriend.  They are looking into opening up their own restaurant, but with no solid plan in place.  Morgan sees how confused Ralph is at the airport and offers to help him.  They become rapid friends; Ralph likes the character he sees in Morgan.  

Upon arriving at the airport, Morgan's connecting flight is cancelled.  Ralph feels badly for Morgan and asks Jennifer if he could stay with them for just one night.  She immediately said no; that is, until she found out he was a chef and Turkey is his specialty.  One night turns into a few nights with Uncle Ralph's help.  Uncle Ralph does not like Jennifer's boyfriend, so he keeps making excuses why Morgan needs to stay.  Jennifer and Morgan do begin to have "something" between them, just as the boyfriend surprises Jennifer with an engagement ring; once she reluctantly accepts. 

Morgan then leaves and placed a thank you note on Jennifer's kitchen counter.  Unfortunately, the boyfriend sees the note and puts it in his pocket.  When Jennifer realizes that Morgan left without even as much as a goodbye, she is furious.  That is until Christmas Day, when the boyfriend tells Brian to go into his coat pocket because there's a gift in there for him, and Brian pulls out the note instead.  

Once Jennifer realizes the deception, she breaks off the engagement.  She also realizes that Morgan had taught her much about the holidays and living a good life.  Uncle Ralph encourages her to go to the airport and tell Morgan how she feels.  Unlike her, she does!  When she arrives, it looks like she missed him, but by accident she hits the intercom button with her large purse, her story is being heard by the whole airport.  Morgan realizes it's him she's talking about and races to find her.  They both return to Jennifer's home where Uncle Ralph declares, "Now! This is Christmas!"

Luke 12:15 (NIV)

"Then he said to them, "Watch out!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a person's life does not consist in the abundance of their possessions."

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THE CHRISTMAS BOX

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A very wealthy widow, Mrs. Parkin (the great Maureen O'Hara) lives alone and is looking for a live-in couple as caretakers.  The Evans family, Keri (Annette O'Toole), Richard (Richard Thomas) and their young daughter, Jenna (Kelsey Mulrooney) interview for the position.  Richard's work has really impacted his family life, so they have decided to make a change.

Mrs. Parkin is guarded, but hires the family.  Richard, the husband, also does not warm up to Mrs. Parkin as quickly as his wife does.  As time progresses, they learn a little more about each other, and Mrs. Parkin takes a special interest in little Jenna.  

There is a mystery though, one that Mrs Parkin holds close to her heart and keeps to herself.   

This is a story of compassion, learning and acceptance.  You'll see both Mrs. Parkin and Richard learn valuable lessons from one another. 

Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

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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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"A Season For Miracles"

An action with right intention isn’t always popular and takes immense courage.

This is not the first time, Emily (Carla Gugino), a nursing student from Georgia has had to rush to Rhode Island to care for her sister’s children. Her sister, Berry (Laura Dern), has gotten herself into trouble, and Emily wonders if Berry will ever learn.

While Berry is in the hospital recovering from a near overdose, Emily takes the children to visit her. Upon their arrival, Emily is met with a State Social Worker, Ruth Doyle (Kathy Baker). Ruth questions Emily about how she will take care of the children. With Emily having no bank account, no history of living in R.I., the State feels the children should be in their custody. Emily, having lived that life with her sister as a child, will have no part of it.

When the Social Worker is called away for a moment, Emily leads the children out of the hospital, tells them to quickly get into the car and begins driving. She stays on the back roads hopefully to not be noticed and comes to a road sign reading “Bethlehem”. What perfect direction, especially during the Christmas Holidays; she makes the turn.

As the rain pours, they stop at a diner to get a bite to eat. Emily is carefully counting the remaining money she has and asks the waitress if she knows of a reasonable place to stay overnight. With everything full that is reasonable, the waitress (Patty Duke) who really is an Angel in disguise, tells her of a beautiful, vacant Victorian home right in the middle of town to check out. With no options and feeling desperate, Emily stops at this home, finds a hidden key over the top of the door and they enter the home. They would only be there for one night and wouldn’t disturb a thing. This was Emily’s only hope for a roof over their heads on this dark and dreary December night.

Neighbors see the activity at the house, but Emily is thought to be the nice of the deceased owner coming to finally make her claim. As the story unfolds, there’s one reason after another that detains them from leaving this charming, welcoming little town. Kismet happenings begin; almost like a guiding, protective Angel.

With no shortage on love in our beloved Christmas movies, Emily has a developing relationship with a local Police Officer, Nathan Blair (David Conrad), who is undeniably smitten. I don’t want to forget mentioning the part of (Lynn Redgrave), who is an insightful and humorous Judge.

Like Emily, we all need an Angel at times. If you’ve ever had something wonderful happen, out of the blue, something beyond your wildest hopes, it just may have been amazing grace and favor.

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Matthew 5:10 (NIV)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”

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"Holiday Switch"

Tired of her mundane, sometimes financially difficult family life, Paula Ferguson, played by Nicole Eggert, dreams about how life would be if she married her ex-rich boyfriend Nick, played by Brett Le Bourveau. She is married to wonderful, down-to-earth, Blue-Collar Gary, who loves his family very much. Paula loves her husband and girls, but every once in awhile, when times seem tough, her mind wanders.

An odd occurrence happens when she hits her head and is thrust into that life that she has dreamed about. She all of a sudden is Nick’s wife with no children. She initially enjoys her wallet full of money, her credit cards, her flashy car and thinks she went to heaven. ,What she doesn’t know is that her life with Nick is a meaningless one. In fact, they are on the brink of divorce, and he already has another woman in his life. She realizes that the material things mean nothing. The ambiance that she’s living in is empty and cold.

She yearns for her children, her love with Gary and their fixer-up home with the branch Gary found on the side of the road that they used as a Christmas Tree because money was tight. Paula realizes she really is a very rich woman; rich in family and love.

The “other side of the fence” always looks great until we get there. Appreciating all of the good things that we have been given is food for the soul and creates more happiness. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”

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"The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"

Jennifer (Brooke Burns) is an educated, successful businesswoman and single mom. It’s nearing Christmas, and she is awaiting the arrival of her Mom and her Uncle Ralph (Henry Winkler). Jennifer is looking forward to impressing her jeweler boyfriend’s family by having Christmas Dinner at her home knowing that her mom will be there to cook the turkey.

Uncle Ralph has chosen to fly to Chicago where Jennifer lives this year, as his wife recently passed, and this was easier instead of taking the long drive by himself from New York. Ralph is a retired NYC Police Officer and is very protective of his niece, Jennifer. Ralph and his wife helped raise her. His sister, Jennifer’s mom, is a successful lawyer and many times she had left Jennifer with them.

While at work in her office, Jennifer’s assistant points out that the one present her son has asked for is this year’s hottest item, and it’s almost impossible to get. At the same time, she tells her that her mom has left a message that she won some trip and is not coming this Christmas. Jennifer panics as she has no idea how to cook a turkey and also does not know how she is going to get her hands on the in-demand “Rocket Wheel” for her son. She tasks her assistant with getting her Turkey recipes and tracking down a “Rocket Wheel”.

In the meantime, Ralph, who does not like to fly, is in the airport feeling overwhelmed. He meets Morgan Derby (Warren Christie). Morgan, who is a very savvy flyer, is a chef who is traveling to Denver to open a restaurant with his girlfriend. They bond on the flight, and when they arrive in Chicago, Morgan finds his flight to Denver is cancelled. Jennifer has just arrived to pick up her Uncle Ralph who convinces her to have Morgan come home with them, because he’s a great guy and because he’s a chef! Reluctantly, she agrees, but the Chef idea is very appealing.

As Ralph and Jennifer’s son spend time with Morgan, they find he is a real down-to-earth nice guy who becomes smitten with Jennifer. Jennifer also is beginning to realize that this man, Morgan, may not be as settled, wealthy or successful as her jeweler boyfriend, but he sure knows the meaning of Christmas and what’s important in life. …..and BTW, Uncle Ralph does not like the jeweler. You’ll enjoy the humor and common sense of a very wise Uncle Ralph (Henry Winkler)

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV)

“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless”

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