Good Media
Christmas Joy
Andrea Rock, contributing editor
I’ll admit it: when I was growing up, there were only three television stations. And during those years, Christmas was widely celebrated in schools and communities—and on television. From Thanksgiving until Christmas, we could consistently find programming, from religious to the raucous, to get us in the celebration mood of this joyous season.
Today, with hundreds of stations available to us, Christmas programs as fewer and farther between. So what a wonderful time to take some control over our children’s viewing habits! Here is a list of suggestions, to rent, to buy for your home library, or to give as gifts:
BUCK DENVER ASKS. . . WHY DO WE CALL IT CHRISTMAS? (G)
The work of Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales, this is an animated puppet video about newsman and his friends asking questions about the meaning of Christmas while trying to throw a party.
A PRINCESS FOR CHRISTMAS (TV-G)
A made for TV movie that follows the Daly family’s visit to their estranged grandfather’s grand estate in Europe for Christmas.
A CHRISTMAS WISH (TV-G)
A heartwarming story of a single mother trying to make it on her own with two
young children and one stepson.
THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (G)
The Muppets’ musical version of the classic Dickens story, made with marvelous costumes, scenery, and music.
THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS (TV-G)
Based on a true story, is a TV movie about how one woman’s encounter with a family carrying for a child with acute leukemia transforms her faith and her attitude about her own family.
DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL (PG)
A marvelous animated version of the classic tale, featuring Jim Carrey. A few scary parts make it questionable for very young children.
ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (PG)
A playful film with a strong moral worldview. Christian messages with the singing of Silent Night, and also a more secular emphasis on the “magic” of
Santa Claus.
DR. SEUSS HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (PG)
Jim Carrey as the Grinch who finds out that he does have a heart after all. A wonderful fantasy, based on the book, with infrequent scatological humor and slapstick violence.
THE CHRISTMAS CHOIR (TV-L)
A Hallmark TV special based on a true story about some homeless men organized into a choir. It demonstrates charity, compassion, humility, and the wonderful joys and healing effects of forgiveness. There are a few bad words, and shows a little alcohol consumption and drunken behavior, but it clearly shows how people can overcome such misbehavior.
Although the following are not rated, they received high marks on family websites:
THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS FLOWER (NOT RATED)
An animated story where children learn the true meaning of Christmas gift-giving, set in 1800’s Mexico. It’s a little slow-moving for kids used to fast-paced television, but well worth sticking with it.
A CHRISTMAS SNOW (NOT RATED)
Three people who have a special encounter on Christmas.
CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED (NOT RATED)
Reveals the answer to the question, “What is the true meaning of Christmas?” This informative documentary examines the forgotten meanings and traditions of the holiday.
And of course, never forget the classic films of yesterday:
The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970)
Home Alone (1990)
The Polar Express (1995)
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
A Christmas Carol (1951)
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Holiday Inn (1942)
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
White Christmas (1954)
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a joyous new year!
If there is an area of media you’d like to learn more about, please contact me at editor@recipesforgoodliving.com.