Watching Christmas movies is a staple of many families’ holiday traditions. There’s nothing quite like curling up with popcorn and hot cocoa, surrounded by loved ones, and watching feel-good Christmas movies that make the season all the more joyful.
A lot of these Christmas movies are about family, Santa Claus, Christmas elves, and even living snowmen. While these films are surely fun choices fit for the entire family, it will make a great holiday tradition to watch movies about Jesus and why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.
So while we may not be able to watch Sight and Sound’s production of ‘Jesus’ this year because of the pandemic, there are a lot of Christmas movies that Christian families will love, like these.
1. The Nativity Story (2006)
Directed by Catherine Hardwicke
The Nativity Story tells the story of Jesus Christ’s birth, a story that a lot of Christian families are very well familiar with. But unlike other romanticized versions of Jesus’ nativity, The Nativity Story focuses on giving audiences a ‘real’ portrayal of life at that time, which makes it a great film to watch with children.
As it goes in the Bible, the plot follows Mary as an angel tells her that she will bear God’s son. When she falls pregnant, Joseph accompanies her as they journey to Bethlehem where she gives birth to Jesus Christ, the savior of mankind.
2. Chasing The Star (2017)
Directed by Bret Miller
The Biblical Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men or Kings, are the foreigners who visited Jesus Christ after His birth in Bethlehem, as told in the Gospel of Matthew. Chasing The Star is a historical fiction movie that focuses on the point-of-views of the Three Wise Men as they journey to find the Messiah, going through hardships, spiritual transformations, and personal struggles in the process.
This movie is not appropriate for children under 12 as it contains violence, blood, and crucifixion, so do put it on when there are only older kids and adults in the room.
3. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (2005)
Directed by Andrew Adamson, Michael Apted
While it may not seem like a Christmas movie at first glance, The Chronicles of Narnia offers deep Christian themes intertwined with the plot as well as numerous lessons of faith. It follows the story of four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, who enters a magical world of Narnia through a wardrobe in the home of an elderly professor. In this world, they encounter magical creatures, talking animals, and other whimsical elements that are wholly different from World War II London they had just departed.
However, they also experience struggle, conflict, and moral dilemmas in the magical world. The movie is entwined with biblical themes and strong symbolism that make it a great Christmas narrative to watch with the family (except for children under 12).
4. The Heart of Christmas (2011)
Directed by Gary Wheeler
Although sad, The Heart of Christmas is a wonderful movie about faith, family, and the true spirit of Christmas. It is about the story of Megan Walsh, a businesswoman with not enough time for family, who encounters a neighborhood that is already decorating for Christmas while it is still October. Confused, she asks why the families are doing so when Christmas is a couple of months away, and she finds out that they are trying to give one last Christmas for Dax Locke, a two-year-old who is dying from leukemia. This inspires her to reevaluate her own priorities in life, making her closer to her family than ever.
Christmas movies about Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen, and non-religious themes are fun to watch with the whole family. But why not add some of these films to your list? Aside from being a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas, these movies are made well enough to keep everyone entertained.
