Listen to the Favorite Christmas Movies episode
Mike and Kenny share and discuss their top 5 Christmas films. Faith is about story and in addition to specific faith elements spotted they share the stories behind these films that make them truly favorite Christmas films.
Faith Elements Spotted: Themes With Accompanying Scripture and Hymns
The power of story to bring persons and groups together, establish commonality, Traditions, and memories which enhance and lead to greater meaning.
Anticipation for the Advent of Christ. The deep desire and anticipation for the greatest gift, the coming and gift of the Messiah, ( A Christmas Story) Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 1:25-56;
Hymns: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel vs. 1,5,7 and refrain; Lift Up Your Head, Ye Mighty Gates, vs. 1,3,4;
Incarnation (Joyeux Noel) John 1:14. Luke 2:8-14
Hymns: Hark The Herald Angels Sing vs. 2; O Come All Ye Faithful vs. 2, 6; In the Bleak Midwinter vs. 2; Once in Royal David’s City Vs. 2,3; Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.
**Following the recording of the podcast, I listened in on the weekly Facebook live event, “Coffee on the Porch” hosted by my friend and UMC Clergy collegue, Eric Folkerth, who made the point that because of the incarnation there is no place on earth beyond God’s presence. The joining together of the enemies in the land between the trenches, aka No-Man’s Land, to sing and remember the birth of Christ shows No-Man’s Land does not mean No-God’s Land. While No-Man’s Land is by definition not the place for men, there isn’t a No-God’s land. Wherever the “No-Man’s land is in our life, it is perhaps the place we experience God most powerfully.**
Redemption and Transformation (Scrooge, Its a Wonderful Life) Luke 2:22-38, 3:1-18, Hymns: Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus; Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming vs 3; Silent Night vs 3
Reconiliation: (Home Alone, Scrooge,) Isaiah 40:1-11, John 1:1,10-17,
Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing vs.1
Meaning and Purpose in Life, (A Charlie Brown Christmas, Its a Wonderful Life,) Luke 1:46-56, John 1:35-42;
Hymns: In The Bleak Midwinter vs. 4; I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light vs.1,2,3, Go Tell it on the Mountain Refrain
Community and family (A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Christmas Story, It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone) Luke 1:5-20
Hymns: The Friendly Beasts;
Reflection / Call to the Kingdom of God (Joyeux Noel, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Scrooge) Luke 1:67-79. Romans 1:1-7
Hymns: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed vs 1,2,4;
Note in the comments if you would be interested in a more detailed discussion guide, or email kenny@crossroadsfaithandfilm.com
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