- "The Little Drummer Boy" (1968 - Cartoon TV Movie, Jose Ferrer, Greer Garson - narrator)
- "The Gift of Love" (1978 - Marie Osmond. Timothy Bottoms, James Woods, June Lockhart)
- "Lilies of the Field" (1963 - Sidney Poitier, Lillia Skala - Oscar winning role)
- "The Muppet Christmas Carol" (1992 - Michael Caine, Kermit the Frog)
"The Little Drummer Boy" is a cartoon version of the traditional Christmas carol, narrated by the wonderful Greer Garson. It's 30 minutes long and shows us that God is most pleased when we give the gift of "ourselves", even if we are so poor we don't have anything to give except a little drum to play on.
"The Gift of Love " is a re-telling of the classic 'O Henry' short story. It's a sappy and sentimental TV movie and the 18 year old Marie Osmond is a cringingly bad actress, but even that lends to it's delight. And believe me, the stellar supporting cast, including a very young James Woods, as well as Timothy Bottoms, David Wayne, Donald Moffat, June Lockhart etc, more than makes up for anything Marie is lacking. It's theme is that we find our greatest happiness when sacrificing someTHING we love for someONE we love. It's also got humor, tension and a wonderful song created especially for this film and sung with Marie's crisp, lovely voice.
"Lilies of the Fields " actually won several Oscars it's such a good movie. Although this film doesn't revolve around Christmas, it is the perfect "Blessings in Disguise" and "God Works in Mysterious Ways" story. A group of refugee, German/Austrian nuns who live in New Mexico pray to get help to build a chapel. That "help" comes in the form of a black, baptist, itinerant carpenter (played fantastically by Sidney Poitier). And the battle of wills is on between the "Mother" and "Homer". Funny, witty and so true to life and human nature.
"The Muppet Christmas Carol" (1992 - Michael Caine, Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat) is the absolute best version of Charles Dicken's classic story. (Yeah. I know that sounds weird) Told with wit, humor and tons of heart, not to mention an entire load of wonderful songs by Paul Williams. I cannot praise this film more highly.
Each of these films have not really gotten the attention they deserve, but they are so FULL, especially when it comes to needing H-O-P-E.
What's wonderful about each of these movies is that they leave you with more. More meaning, more understanding and more heart, as you begin to understand that God has a plan for you, even if it's not exactly what you had in mind. A plan that will take you beyond Christmas and beyond what you could have figured for yourself.
Not to mention, each film includes a wonderful song (or songs) that you will be singing long after the New Year.
It's been my Christmas Eve Film Tradition for many years to include watching these films; whether I've been alone or with friends and family. But I truly think I get more out of these films during the holidays that I have had difficulties. I've checked and each is available on iTunes right now.
If you're like me, you may need more than Frosty & Rudolph. And "It's a Wonderful Life" (although a very good film) can be hard to watch if you don't actually have an entire town's worth of friends. And "Who-ville" is good for a visit, but I wouldn't want to live there any longer than 30 minutes each year.
Right now these movies recommendations are ALL that I have to give to you and so I offer them with with my "best" and prayers that your loneliness, or alone-ness, will not last much past Christmas.
Merry Christmas to everyone reading this. Know that even if we are alone, we are alone ... together. And on a lighter note, these are also very good films just on an entertainment, story telling level. So allow yourself to be swept into the warmth they bring as they help you go "deeper" into what truly matters and lift you just a bit higher than you were.
Jesus loves you and is right where you are. Now. That is my Good News for you and I am deeply grateful it also happens to be ... the Truth.
Merry Christmas!
Love Laura-Lee
P.S. Just watched "The Muppet Christmas Carol" I purchased from iTunes and they had actually removed an entire 5 minute song which is at the crux of "why" Scrooge is so bitter. This is the third time I've purchased a film from iTunes to discover large portions missing. Ripping people off, and at Christmas. SHAME on you iTunes!
P.S. Just watched "The Muppet Christmas Carol" I purchased from iTunes and they had actually removed an entire 5 minute song which is at the crux of "why" Scrooge is so bitter. This is the third time I've purchased a film from iTunes to discover large portions missing. Ripping people off, and at Christmas. SHAME on you iTunes!
P.P.S. Reminder, if you feel like some good Christmas music, don't forget to click on the "Christmas Playlist" I've put on my main blog page. Something for everyone and created to lift you higher. L-L
