A list of great Holiday films

Grab some popcorn balls and enjoy these fun, festive holiday features!

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965). The Peanuts gang searches for the true meaning of Christmas in this half-hour animated treasure. It features funny dialogue, charismatic voice performances and an award-winning jazzy score by Vince Guaraldi. And how often do you hear cartoon heroes quoting from the gospel of Luke, proclaiming the Christ-child as the Messiah?

“The Little Drummer Boy” (1968). The moving seasonal song comes to animated life in this 30-minute claymation parable with the highly-capable voices of Greer Garson, Jose Ferrer and Teddy Eccles. Puts present-giving into perspective.

“The Nativity Story” (2006). Keisha Castle-Hughes and Oscar Isaac star as Mary and Joseph in the retelling of the birth of Christ. The filmmakers worked hard to ensure that The Nativity Story was both historically and biblically accurate. There were several Christians involved, such as screenwriter Mike Rich and producer Wyck Godfrey, and a wide spectrum of Christian New Testament scholars and historians were involved in the pre-production process. Rated PG (for some violent content).

“Three Godfathers” (1948)  John Wayne stars in this Western morality tale about three outlaws who come across a dying woman and her newborn baby. The symbolism between the Christ-child and this newborn baby has a redemptive effect on the three bandits. Unrated.

“The Gathering” (1977)
Ed Asner and Maureen Stapleton star in this Emmy-winning TV movie focused on a dying man’s efforts to reunite his family. It reinforces the importance of family and presents positive Christian images, including a believable prayer and the Scripture reading of Jesus’ birth. Unrated.

“The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey” (2007) Tom Berenger, Joely Richardson. A mysterious recluse also happens to be the best woodcarver in the valley. Slowly, the woodcarver finds his world transformed by a young boy and his mother who have asked him to carve a yuletide scene. Positive messages, including a respect for God and Christ (prayers are spoken, church is attended and the main characters acknowledge the birth of Christ). Unrated.

“The Fourth Wiseman” (1985) Martin Sheen stars as a devout man searching for the Messiah in order to give valuable treasures. But one by one he sells his priceless gifts to help the needy. Full of compassion and illustrations of how our Lord would have us treat our fellow man. Unrated.