As we head into the holidays, Good News Wants to Know… What’s your favorite quote from any Christmas movie and why?

I recently saw the new Christmas movie, “Journey To Bethlehem.” I must admit, I was quite skeptical about the nativity story being told as a musical. However, I was pleasantly surprised, and I really liked the way the story was presented (apart from a few weird scenes). There was a line in the movie that hit me in a personal way. It was something that Mary’s mother said to Mary, and one that I think we can all relate to. She said, “Sometimes God’s plans for us are even bigger than you can imagine.” I never imagined that God’s plans were to allow me to be a part of a ministry that is changing and saving the lives of nearly 40,000 children and adults, WOW!

Thomas L. Lukasik, Vice President — Engagement, 4KIDS

“Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” —Miracle on 34th Street.  This line is the epitome of Hebrews 11:1. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott 

“Meatloaf, Smeatloaf, Double Beetloaf. I Hate Meatloaf.” Ralphie’s little brother in The Christmas Story isn’t the only one that disdains a plate of ground meat with some sort of ketchup spread across the top, a gross crust of old tomato sauce.

Bob Dension, President, Denison Yachting

“Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas.” – Clark Griswold in “Christmas Vacation”

Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District 💯

From “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”: “What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!” Oh, how true this is! May we celebrate this reality. 

Chris Simpson, President & CEO, CBMC International

“It’s A Wonderful Life” sure helps us visualize how wonderfully impactful the life of each of us can be on those we encounter, even if we live in seeming obscurity. The angel Clarence reminds us, “Each man’s life touches so many lives and when he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole.” As ambassadors for Christ, we are to bring God’s Kingdom influence into every aspect of life including encouraging, helping and drawing out the gold in each individual God places in our path, since we’ve never met a mere mortal.

Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

One of my favorite moments in Christmas movies is in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” when Linus recites the Christmas story from Luke 2 and then says, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” Linus gets it! It’s all about Jesus – the reason for the season.

Dolores King-St. George, President, King Communications and GraceNet Radio

Every Christmas I love watching an oldie but a goodie: 1983’s “A Christmas Story.” I find this timeless quote hilarious: “I triple dog dare you!” Forever used by guys on other guys to convince each other to do the dumbest and/or bravest of feats! (It also works when challenging brothers with the sanctification process!)

Eddie Vega, Pastor, Fuel Life Fellowship

“Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand” from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” I will confess that I had to look it up but it is true! 

Dr. Fred Scarbrough, Founder, Scarbrough Animal Hospital and Hope South Florida

“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” —Linus Van Pelt, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

Because I need to be reminded.

James ‘JT’ Taylor, Managing Director, Automotive Retail, Truist Securities

Charlie Brown: “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” The world around us may have forgotten what Christmas is about. Let’s be bold for the gospel and make it clear this season.

Jesse Carroccio, Station Manager – WRMB Moody Radio

A quote from “The Polar Express” – “Just remember the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.”

This quote is one of my favorites, as it grounds the mind in the truth for the season. Our perspective changes towards the holidays once we open our hearts to Jesus, and he takes dominion. We are no longer distracted by the commercialization of the season but fully immersed in the celebration of the birth of our Savior.  

Dr. Jessica Vera, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Elite Foundation

“I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all really. Maybe it just needs a little love” from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and when Linus finishes up the Christmas story, he says, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!”

Joe Vitkus, Senior Rabbi, Temple Aron HaKodesh

“No man is a failure who has friends.” This note from Clarence, George Bailey’s guardian angel in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” is always a good reminder to me that there are other things much more important than notoriety and material success.

Justus Martin, Justus Martin Photography

“What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store? What if Christmas .. perhaps … means a little bit more!” from “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Karen Granger, Director of Community Relations, 4KIDS Palm Beach

“Christmas is not just a day, it’s a frame of mind,” from the movie “Miracle on 34th Street.” For Christians, Christmas marks the celebration of the fulfillment of God’s promises, a momentous event that goes far beyond a single day of festivities. It serves as a poignant reminder that the promises of hope, love and grace are not confined to a specific date but resonate in our lives each day. May this Christmas be a time of reflection and gratitude, not just for the historical event we commemorate but for the enduring hope and promises that continue to unfold in our lives.

Wishing you and your loved ones a truly blessed Christmas season and a new year filled with the fulfillment of God’s promises.  

Ken Kerrigan, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Cornerstone Church

“It’s A Wonderful Life!” Zuzu’s petals and the bell ringing on the tree at the end of George Bailey’s journey.  Just a reminder of what’s truly important, God and family.

Larry Lacy, Pastor, The Answer Church

“Seeing isn’t believing, believing is seeing!” from “The Santa Claus”

Laura C. Bishop, Executive Vice President of Advancement, Palm Beach Atlantic University

One of my favorite Christmas movies is “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  The quote from Clarence at the end is so meaningful:  “Remember, George, no man is a failure who has friends.  You see, George, you’ve really had a wonderful life.”

Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary

The challenge was to decide between movies I associate with Christmas and those which are truly about Christmas. In the former category “The Princess Bride” comes to mind. It is, in my opinion, one of the wittiest, best acted movies from start to finish and a pure tongue-in-cheek joy to watch. The line uttered by Wesley (Dread Pirate Roberts) “Get used to disappointment” just hits my funny bone. In the latter category, “Scrooge” with Alistair Sim portraying the main character is an all-time favorite. While no one line stands out, Scrooge’s reaction when he awakens from his dream state to the realization that he is alive with a chance to make things right is priceless. From gleefully dancing around the room to trying to stand on his head, Scrooge is emblematic of the sheer childhood joy we all feel, or wish to feel, at this time of year. And that’s no humbug!  Merry Christmas!

Mike McDermott, PA, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, The Keyes Company

My favorite Christmas movie line is from “Elf” where the store manager is instructing Jovie how to cut the ribbons and snaps: “Six-inch ribbon curls, honey…six inches!” The store manager is my favorite character in that movie, hilarious. It’s the one line I use often this time of the year and it always cracks me up.

Milan Stefanovic, Chief Operations & Personal Lines Officer, Bass Underwriters – Plantation FL

Our favorite movie that we watch every holiday season is It’s a Wonderful Life.  Sometimes we just are not aware of the difference we can and do make.  On that note, my favorite quote from that movie is from the angel, Clarence, “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

Nancy L. Robin, CEO and Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Broward

In the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Clarence, the angel, tells George, the one through whom Clarence will earn his wings, “Each man’s life touches so many other lives. And when he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”  

Every life matters born or unborn.  If we could come to a place where we value life and not be so disposable with it, it truly would be a wonderful life!

Oksana Horton, Artistic Director, Torch and Trumpet Theatre Company

My favorite Christmas movie quote is from the Christmas movie, “Deck The Halls,” which is, “that’s what Christmas memories are made from. They’re not scheduled, nobody puts them in their blackberry, they just happen.” This is why we should cherish our Christmas memories.

O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center

“A Christmas Carol”- Tiny Tim – “God Bless us everyone!” The feelings of youth expressing love for God and all relatives and friends – the meaning of Christmas to me!

Ray Monteleone, President and CEO, Paladin Global Partners

My favorite quote from a Christmas movie is from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” when at the end of the movie, after the entire Peanuts Gang (and frankly, the rest of the world) was trying to find the true meaning of Christmas by searching out the perfect tree, present, tinsel, candy, etc…

Linus stopped all the confusion by quietly and confidently stepping to center stage, (with his little blanket in hand) and quoted Luke 2:8, “And the shepherds were out in the fields watching over their flocks by night, and an Angel of the Lord came to them and said, ‘Tonight there is born to you in the City of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

Then Linus, in a very confident and matter-of-fact, yet childlike way, said to Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang, (and to the rest of the searching world) “AND THAT’S WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT!”

And the movie ends with all of the children singing in unison, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING!”

Thank you, Charles Schultz, creator of Charlie Brown, for using your gifts as a cartoonist to remind ALL of us the true meaning of Christmas.

Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder/President, SAINTS International Sports Ministry and SAINTS Homeschool P.E.

Well, it’s hard to beat the classic Christmas movie of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and my favorite quote from that movie is “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”

Romney C. Rogers, Managing Partner, Rogers Morris Ziegler LLP

One of my favorite movie quotes comes from “Home Alone” when the young Kevin McCallister says, “You can mess with a lot of things, but you can’t mess with kids on Christmas.” I’ve always absolutely loved Christmas, from the time I was a boy (about Kevin’s age in the film) to today, when I can enjoy watching the joy and enthusiasm in my own boys’ eyes — something I’m eager to protect and savor.

Dr. Scott Manor, President, Knox Theological Seminary

My favorite quote from a Christmas movie is from the movie, “Elf” when the store manager tells Buddy the Elf that Santa is coming, he yells out with such excitement, “Santa, I know him!” The hilarious reaction reminds me of the excitement that we, as believers, should all have because of our relationship with Jesus. One day He is coming back and for those who “know Him,” there should be such joy that we should live every day with the excitement and innocence of Buddy the Elf in anticipation of His return. 

Steve Daigle, Campus Pastor, Calvary Chapel Parkland

I love the inscription Clarence the Angel leaves in George Bailey’s copy of Tom Sawyer…” Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.” This has always resonated with me. Friends are the memories and events that landscape our lives. they provide the fruit, the trees, and the flowers… and sometimes the mud. The movie… “It’s a Wonderful Life!”

Steve Solomon, Area Director, CBMC South Florida

One of my favorite Christmas movies is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The quote is from Clarence, George Bailey’s guardian angel.  “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” The story is a good reminder of how God has used each of us to be a light in someone’s life. He has chosen each of us to be someone’s “Clarence.” Let our lives reflect the unconditional love, mercy and grace that directs others to the Savior. Merry Christmas.

Tewannah Aman, Executive Director, Broward Right to Life

Read last month’s GNWTK at: https://www.goodnewsfl.org/what-cool-existing-invention/