Here are our favorites for Christmas with an accompanying rationale and the pluggedin review in case you're suspicious of our discernment. What are your family's favorites? Leave us a comment (we fixed that glitch).
The Nativity Story - saw it with Papa Jim and Natty in a theater; really makes the Biblical account relevant by placing it in historical context; nice to own for traditional viewing
Christmas with the Kranks - just funny, Botox scene and hickory honey ham are our favorites; already mentioned as example of intentional effort to decrease consumerism,
Elf - interesting slant on the complexities of adoption reuniting with birthfather and how to honor both adoptive and genetic legacies; in addition to being adopted (by elves) Buddy is not unlike someone with autism having to learn social customs which are foreign to him and refrain from his instinctive urges when he leaves the North Pole; admittedly no Jesus, all Santa
A Charlie Brown Christmas - all time, all ages, back to basics; we have friends using it as the showpiece for their caroling party this year!
Linus' short and to-the-point speech so reminds of Easter 2006 which we spent at Zion National Park. As National Parks are known to do, they offer an Easter morning service at the lodge which we wandered up to experience. Four others did the same. But no pastor! We waited maybe ten minutes before the other family left for a hike. There was a piano and a stage which is as good as an invitation to Reid. Much like Linus, he declared, "I'll be the pastor" and took his place center stage to deliver the morning message. He retold the events of the cross, the cave and the resurrection in perfect sequence and amazing detail. We sang a few songs, as I recall, and that was that. Plain and simple worship.
As Willy Wonka said at the end of the factory tour referring Charlie to the contract, "Its all there, black and white, clear as crystal," 66 books, 40 authors, over 1500 years, actual history, Luke 2.
Linus' short and to-the-point speech so reminds of Easter 2006 which we spent at Zion National Park. As National Parks are known to do, they offer an Easter morning service at the lodge which we wandered up to experience. Four others did the same. But no pastor! We waited maybe ten minutes before the other family left for a hike. There was a piano and a stage which is as good as an invitation to Reid. Much like Linus, he declared, "I'll be the pastor" and took his place center stage to deliver the morning message. He retold the events of the cross, the cave and the resurrection in perfect sequence and amazing detail. We sang a few songs, as I recall, and that was that. Plain and simple worship.
As Willy Wonka said at the end of the factory tour referring Charlie to the contract, "Its all there, black and white, clear as crystal," 66 books, 40 authors, over 1500 years, actual history, Luke 2.
