5 Christmas Movies with Christian Messages

1. The Nativity Story (2006)

This epic drama follows the journey of Mary and Joseph as they navigate the challenges of faith, expectations, and the miracle of Jesus’ birth. It portrays the themes of surrender and trust in God’s plan during the very first Christmas. The Nativity Story goes beyond depicting the familiar tale of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. It delves into their emotions, their struggles, and their unwavering faith as they say “yes” to God’s wondrous yet challenging plan for them. At its core, the movie shows the wisdom of Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:38, after learning God has called her to serve as Jesus’ earthly mother: “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’” 

The Nativity Story shows both Mary and Joseph honestly dealing with fear, uncertainty, doubt, fatigue, vulnerability, and society’s disapproval. It doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of those challenges in our fallen world. Instead, it shows how Mary and Joseph choose to trust God in the middle of their challenges, despite not understanding how everything will work out. Their trust brings Proverbs 3:5-6 to mind: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem becomes a physical manifestation of their internal pilgrimage toward God’s will.

The movie also captures the transformative power of hope in a troubled world full of darkness. When Mary delivers Jesus in a humble manger, the Light of the World arrives to bring hope to humanity. It shows how the first Christmas fulfills the promise of Isaiah 9:2 about Jesus as the world’s Savior: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” 

Ultimately, The Nativity Story leaves us with a profound message: Faith is not about the absence of doubt. Instead, faith is about choosing to trust God no matter where he leads us, and finding hope in the promise of something greater than ourselves.

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2. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

This classic Christmas movie tells the story of George Bailey, a man contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve. Just as George is about to kill himself, he encounters an angel. Clarence, George’s guardian angel, offers George the opportunity to see what the world would be like without him. As George and Clarence journey around George’s community, George discovers that everyone in his life – his family, friends, work colleagues, and neighbors – are dealing with distressing circumstances because George wasn’t there to fulfill God’s good purposes for his life. George’s vibrant town of Bedford Falls transforms into Pottersville, a bleak town ruled by the villainous Mr. Potter. The fabric of the entire community unravels without George there. We meet many people who were touched by George’s kindness in the version of the world where George lived, and learn how their circumstances are much more difficult in a world without George. 

Just when despair threatens to engulf George, Clarence tells him: “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.” This illustrates the importance of friendship that John 15:13 speaks of: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” George discovers that the love he had shown to others made him a success from God’s perspective, despite the various worldly failures he experienced. It’s a Wonderful Life is a thought-provoking reminder that our actions, however small, have the power to positively impact the world around us. Every kind word and action, every way we help others in need, and every time we offer grace and mercy to people, matters. When we live like that, God’s love flows through our lives, and that love impacts our world for the better. The movie reminds us of 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 

It’s a Wonderful Life also emphasizes the biblical truth that every day of every person’s life has tremendous value. Psalm 139:13-14, 16 reveals: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” 

After George learns the real value of his life, he prays, asking God to please give him another chance to live. God answers that prayer, which gives George – and all the people he has relationships with – brighter futures. Then George celebrates and begins to live with purpose. Watching this movie that has been popular for many years, we can discover hope along with George. It illustrates God’s message to us in Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

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3. Elf (2003)

A bumbling elf named Buddy brings chaos and Christmas cheer to New York City in this movie that’s full of silly situations with serious spiritual messages. Buddy bursts onto the scene, annoying many cynical people he meets with his enthusiasm for Christmas. While he irritates people at first with his behavior – such as singing too loudly and eating too much candy – Buddy eventually wins people over because of his love. He inspires a jaded executive to reconnect with his son, helps a department store Santa rediscover his Christmas spirit, and even brings a family together through his enthusiastic caroling. Buddy’s loving choices create a ripple effect of joy that brings positive change to those around him.

Elf emphasizes the importance of pursuing wonder. Buddy pays close attention to the inspiration around him, and he celebrates it with unadulterated enthusiasm. He prioritizes wonder, like the Bible recommends in Job 37:14, which says “… stop and consider God’s wonders.” Buddy’s belief that there is wonder waiting to be discovered challenges those who meet him to start looking for awe to inspire them, as well. 

Buddy embraces joy in all circumstances. He doesn’t wait for life to be going his way in order to live with positivity. Buddy is able to celebrate God’s gift of life even when he’s frustrated by his problems. He understands that joy differs from happiness. The Bible tells us in Psalm 16:11 that we can find joy in God’s presence: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” No matter what circumstances we face at any given time, we can experience joy by connecting with God’s presence with us. 

The movie also features a powerful message about the importance of generous giving. Buddy is willing to do whatever he can to help anyone in need. His generosity brings to mind Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Photo Credit: ©New Line Cinema 

4. The Polar Express (2004)

In this adventurous movie, a doubting young boy embarks on a wondrous train ride to the North Pole, rediscovering the faith he thought he’d lost. The Polar Express emphasizes the importance of believing – not just in Santa Claus, but in the unseen. It brings to mind what Hebrews 11:1 says about faith: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” 

The train’s conductor talks with the boy about faith on their ride together, which is full of both perilous challenges and whimsical moments of joy. In their conversations, the conductor challenges the boy to believe in good forces in the world, even when faced with uncertainty and doubt. When the conductor asks the boy, “Seeing is believing, isn’t it?” the movie reminds us of Jesus’ words to his disciple Thomas in John 20:29: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Thomas had doubted whether or not the Resurrection had actually happened. But when the resurrected Jesus appeared and gave Thomas the opportunity to touch him to verify the reality of his Resurrection, Thomas stopped doubting and believed. Jesus was pleased, but he pointed out that those who believe without seeing are blessed because of their strong faith. 

The Polar Express gently invites us to consider the many ways that unseen forces of good are working behind the scenes in our lives. It encourages us to place our hope with confidence in what we don’t see now, but what God has promised us is real.

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5. Home Alone (1990)

This comedy explores themes of family, faith, and the unexpected ways God can watch over us. It features a boy named Kevin who is accidentally left home alone after his family leaves for a Christmas vacation. Kevin, who is struggling with a lonely Christmas, must overcome fear and stay safe while burglars try to break into his home. Even though Kevin is alone, he’s not truly abandoned. We see how Kevin taps into a wellspring of resourcefulness and courage, fueled by his love for his family and his belief in something bigger than himself. This echoes the spirit of Psalm 34:4: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” 

Kevin goes to church and meets one of his eccentric neighbors there. The man shares how he’s afraid to speak to his estranged son, and Kevin encourages him to reach out with hope instead of fear. That encounter leads the man to reconcile with his family and shows Kevin a positive side of a neighbor he hadn’t trusted until then. This shift mirrors Luke 6:37: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” 

The movie has a happy ending. Kevin’s family returns, the police stop the burglars, and Kevin gets to celebrate Christmas with joy. Home Alone features plenty of slapstick humor, but it also presents a serious Christmas message: that even when we feel most alone, we are still loved, protected, and capable of doing something extraordinary. 

In conclusion, some Christmas movies offer more than just festive entertainment. They feature stories that inspire us to reflect on biblical truths and move closer to God. They show us how we can experience the true miracle of Christmas – God’s presence with us!

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