Things we can learn from the top Christmas movies of all time

Everyone has their favorite Christmas movie list. So, you know, there are tons of opinions on what the best movies at Christmas are going to be.

I’m not going to give you a list, but I am going to give you some lessons we can learn from some of the best Christmas movies (yes Die Hard is a Christmas movie!)

It takes all year to get here, but it seems to finish in a flash, there is no time to waste! So, let’s get to it.

From a villain to hero

One thing we can see in A Christmas Carol and How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the transformation that Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch made.

Scrooge was visited by the Ghosts of Christmas who changed his heart. He became the guy who was freely helping others including his longtime loyal assistant Bob Cratchit and his son, Tiny Tim.

Grinch went from trying to steal Christmas to bring Christmas back to the Whoville when he realized Christmas wasn’t about the decorations or the presents. He also had the help of the little girl Cindy Lou Who.

As the Narrator says in Seuss’ classic story,

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Besides, who can say no to Cindy Lou Who?

We all have the ability to change. It may not seem like it, but we do. Sure, we will always struggle with some things, but there is no reason for us to be stuck in a state of bitterness. We have the power to love and be grateful.

We don’t have to be a Scrooge or a Grinch, unless, of course, you are referring to their transformed characters.

You have everything you need if you just believe

Elf and Polar Express are two of my favorite Christmas movies. One is, of course, about the loveable non-elf Buddy played by funnyman Will Ferrell.

In the movie, the magic of Christmas is fading away. At the most critical part of the movie, Santa’s sleigh is in danger of not flying. It seems the sleigh runs on the belief of everyone that Santa exists and is coming.

Powered with the help of his friend Jovie, Buddy and his friends help restore the need for believing and get Santa on his way to finish delivering his presents.

The Polar Express is about a little boy who has given up believing in Santa Claus. The steam engine train, Polar Express, stops by his house in Christmas Eve and rides the train with several other children to the North Pole where they meet Santa.

Santa gives him a bell as a special gift. The boy discovers the bell, which was placed in his pocket, was missing. On Christmas day, he finds a present that contains the bell. He is only able to hear the bell ring if he believes in Santa. His parents, not believing, think the bell is broken.

Sometimes, we believe in something that we may not see. Maybe is the power of Christmas of the power of love. Elf and Polar Express remind us that it is okay to believe these things and embrace them.

Overcoming the Hans Grubers in your life

Die Hard is a Christmas movie. There,  I said it. No, it isn’t about Christmas, but it was set during a Christmas party. How is that much different than the love stories of the Hallmark Christmas movies.

I digress.

You remember Hans Gruber, don’t you? Hans was the ruthless villain who was out to run the Christmas party and steal over $600 Million.

Gruber is played by famous actor Alan Rickman (he also played Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series). He was the personification of a real villain. He had John McClane, our hero cop, outnumbered and a building full of hostages.

Somehow, some way, McClane, persisted and overcame the villain to save his wife, her office, and the day.

He did have some help. A good man, or woman, who is courageous, with a good team, can overcome his Hans Gruber.

“A toast to my big brother George: the richest man in town.” Harry Bailey

What does it mean to be rich? I pondered this question the other day when someone on Facebook asked if it was better to be rich or popular.

I contemplated that, then I heard the words of Harry Bailey. In It’s a Wonderful Life, his big brother George Bailey was neither the richest or the most popular. I think he was, however, the most honored, the most loved.

Why? Because he lived sacrificially. He sacrificed his own life’s dreams to help others with their dreams.

He struggled with it, to be sure. It didn’t make him happy, a temporal feeling, but it did give him joy. It gave him joy to see others live a better life rather than to live in the “Potter slums.”

As such, his life was extremely important to everyone in town. He learned as much when his guardian angel, Clarence, granted him his wish to never be born.

He saw the hole that was left in the lives of his loved ones. When word got out that George was in trouble, all those people rallied to his support. They brought in money and even the bank examiner donated to the cause.

Harry called George the richest man in town. If you define rich in terms as having the most money, well, George was not. However, if you define rich in terms of wealth having the most resources, the most love and honor, well, George Bailey was, indeed, the richest man in town.

This reminds us to strive to be the “richest man in town,” not in terms of bank account, but the honor and love of others. When the chips are down, these are the people who come to help.

The rich, the popular, they aren’t wealthy. No one rallies to their aid.

Thanks, George Bailey, for setting that example.

Other movies with great lessons

A Christmas Vacation

The loveable Griswold family overcomes changes including Clark’s boss who decides to do away with Christmas bonuses. Clark was planning on using his bonus to buy a swimming pool for his family.

His cousin Eddie kidnaps the boss and they hold him hostage. In the end, the boss was persuaded by everyone including his wife to reinstate the Christmas bonuses. We learn that family means more than we know sometimes.

In spite of the idiosyncrasies that the Griswold family have, they are most important to Clark. Don’t neglect your family chasing something that doesn’t last.

Joyeux Noel

Joyeux Noel is a moving story about soldiers on both of the war during World War I. The soldiers decide on an unofficial temporary truce to take a pause for Christmas. It is based on a true story with lots of stories as a part of the larger story as noted in this article from the NY Times.

There is always a time when we can set aside differences and treat each other with respect and dignity. Let’s embrace those times.

Putting on a bow on your gift

One of my favorite Christmas songs is “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” sang by the late Andy Williams. Andy was a premier performer. I saw him once in Branson, MO.

I love most Christmas songs. Call me a tad nostalgic. Even though I don’t drink Folgers coffee, they still have one of the best Christmas commercials of all time.

Christmas means a lot of things to a lot of people and it is a time when we tend to reflect on our lives and those we love a little bit more.

I encourage you to do that. And, have some fun. Enjoy some downtime. Spend time with your family. Frankly, life is too important not to enjoy time with your family and friends.

What is your favorite Christmas movie and message? Drop them in the comments below.