Our daughter invented a verb last year: "to Hallmark." It means this: Every night post-Thanksgiving, after homework and bedtime showers and teeth brushing, you snuggle into the couch with a pile of blankets with your parents and dog and watch yet another drippy Hallmark Christmas movie. Even though the movies are wildly terrible with absurd acting, cringey dialogue, and maddeningly empty coffee cups, Hallmarking has become an enshrined tradition. Every evening she calls out, "Who's ready to Hallmark?" and we have great fun snarking on these innocent movies together. (I have to admit that her sarcasm game has really leveled up from all the Hallmarking.)
And perhaps more surprising than stumbling upon a Christmas movie plot that has actual depth, these assembly-line Hallmark cheese puffs actually often lead to solid discussions about relationships, friendship, faith, and other profound topics.
Movies have always done this—offer a prime opportunity for deep reflection and teachable moments (because art, duh). While our culture is often justifiably portrayed as a wasteland, it can also be a crop of creative analogies and entry points for deep spiritual insight. The dark, cold nights of the Christmas season are ideal for piling up together for a cozy Christmas movie night. Let's go harvest the good, Christmas edition!
Christmas movies for Catholic viewers
These movies are great for watching and contemplating alone or together with others.
It’s a Wonderful Life: An absolute treasure! If you think you've exhausted this classic, watch it one more time after you read Colin's wonderful article spotlighting its rich existential lessons.
The Chronicles of Narnia: "Always winter, never Christmas" is the longtime suffering of Narnia when the story begins—until a majestic lion named Aslan returns to battle the White Witch and save a human boy who has made a terrible, selfish mistake. This entire fantasy is an allegory for salvation history. You can find some Narnia-specific questions here.
The Shepherd: This short film was the original pilot for the now-beloved series The Chosen. It tells the story of a shepherd who struggles to find a lamb acceptable for sacrifice in the Temple, and then receives the announcement of the savior's birth.
The Messengers: A sequel to The Shepherd, this short film centers on the conversations between Joseph and Mary as they make their way to Bethlehem for the census, awaiting the birth of Jesus.
The Nativity Story: This is a chronological narrative of Jesus' birth with a particular focus on the relationship between Mary and Joseph. I liked the realism of the characters and interactions, especially Joseph's faithful tenderness even as he wrestles huge questions and fears.
Angela's Christmas: The charming, poignant true story of a little girl in Ireland who steals the Baby Jesus from the parish creche to keep Him warm. The animation is stunning and you may not be able to avoid getting something in your eye.
The Grinch: You probably already know the gist of this story, but watch it again with a deeper lens: there are tons of meaningful insights here about family, reconciliation, the destructiveness of sin, community, generosity, and self-gift versus self-assertion. I think this is true of both Jim Carrey's slapstick, special-effects-laden live-action version and of Benedict Cumberbatch's sillier animated one.
Bonus: While You Were Sleeping: This sweet rom-com has a silly plot (lonely tollbooth worker saves handsome business man and is mistaken for his fiancée; antics ensue), but the real treasure is the portrayal of deep family relationships and community. (Full disclosure: contains some mild innuendo and crass jokes.)
15 prompts to accompany Christmas movies
These questions help movie-watching become a portal for deep insights. If you're on your own, watch and think (maybe journal, too). If you're with other adults, discuss over bourbon or spiked hot chocolate. If you're with a school or youth group, do a round-robin circle. And promise me you won't be weird about this if you're watching and discussing your own kids. Deep discussion is a fragile art for parents. Don't look at them directly. Eat something while you talk. Be cool. Be casual—an observation here or there, an engaging question or two, maybe a conversation starter as you're having dinner.
Questions about Christmas
Why do you think people love Christmas so much?
What is your favorite part of Christmas?
Why do we have hope at Christmas? What exactly is the hope?
How does Christmas literally change the meaning of history and our own lives?
Why do you think many people feel a sense of wistfulness after Christmas ends? What do think this suggests about what we are really seeking?
Questions about Jesus and the Incarnation
Why do you think the Incarnation occurred at its particular point in history, and not some other era?
What does it say about God’s intimacy that He became a vulnerable infant?
What do you admire about Mary’s response to Gabriel's invitation?
What are some things you would like to know about Mary that are not recorded?
What are some things your life has in common with Mary’s?
How hard is it to say “yes” to God like Mary did? Why?
What are some things you would like to know about Jesus’ birth that are not recorded?
What is something new you learned about St Joseph?
What are some things you think Jesus may have learned from St Joseph as his foster father?
What are some things your life has in common with Jesus’ life at your age?
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