I’ve become addicted to Hallmark Christmas movies. I don’t know why because they play the same ones over and over. I just keep flipping the channel to Hallmark thinking there will be something new on, only to find out it’s one of the four I’ve already seen. I watch it again anyway. The theme—you’ll find love during Christmas—seems to be in all of them.
I was watching one just last night in which the main character (a young woman) is working for her dad who owns an investment company. He has just purchased thousands of acres that houses a ski lodge or hotel of sorts, and all the resources that go along with outside snow activities. The young woman is on a mission; one imposed by her dad and boss. The mission is to survey the property and give him ideas on rebuilding from the ground up. The current owner’s son, who is about the same age as the young woman, picks her up from a remote, high altitude, snowy airport. She is standing outside on the curb when the reckless young man speeds by her and sprays her with wet melted snow. First impression, not so good. But Christmas love is in the air. You get where I’m going, right?
Then there was another Christmas movie, in which the main character (a young woman) is a writer for a travel magazine (I would love to have her job). She visits this town and checks into a log cabin and is surprised when a young man and his daughter come through the front door. It seems they have booked the same cabin for the same dates. Big mistake by the rental company don’t you think? Only in the movies, right? I digress. They both agree that she will find a room at a nearby hotel and let the man and his daughter have the cabin. Only problem is there are no vacancies anywhere in town and there is a snowstorm approaching, which have led to road closures. Big dilemma! Fast forward to where you’ll see the young woman sleeping on the couch and she is being woke up by the man’s little girl. Did I mention the cabin is a 3 bedroom? The little girl coaxes the young woman into going shopping with them for a Christmas tree. Here they run into the little girl’s teacher and her son. There is obviously an attraction to the young man by this teacher. But the little girl and dad are already, unbeknownst to them, building a relationship. Christmas love is in the air. You see where I’m going with this, right?
I could go on and on about the other two or three movies, but I’d be repeating the same type theme and message. There is usually a moral and spiritual message in these movies also, which might just be the draw for me. And there is usually a gift giving and nativity scene moment toward the end of the stories. Pure moments where people’s hearts are being tugged at and they discover love with the Christmas spirit all around them.
As I sat there enjoying my Christmas lights and candles, with the muted Hallmark movie across the room, I too felt love in the air. Christmas lists are being shared back and forth between the kids. The grandchildren are searching online and sending links to their favorite things. Ordering has begun and my wrapping station is being set up.
During it all I look over at my nativity scene—one made by my husband’s grandmother many years ago—and I smile. While I love to watch the reactions on everyone’s faces when they open the gifts, I give them, it’s not just about that anymore. It’s about the baby in the manger. I wonder about the expression on Mary and Joseph’s faces when the three kings came for a visit bearing gifts. I wonder if Mary understood that she had just been given the greatest gift in the world, and that she would soon be giving Him back to the world.
It’s not really about the gifts though. It’s about the love behind the gifts. That’s all that really matters. My only granddaughter colored a picture for me the night before Thanksgiving. I framed it and it’s hanging on the wall now. I could see the love in her eyes as she handed it to me. Was it a Van Gough or a Rembrandt? No. It’s a Brin. That’s all that matters. My 4-year old grandson told me the other day that Jesus lives in our hearts. Did he preach a sermon? No. He shared love. That’s all that matters. My daughters took charge when they arrived the night before Thanksgiving. They finished the dishes I was preparing. They set the tables with tablecloths, centerpieces and place settings. Are they master cooks and decorators? In my eyes they are. That’s all that matters.
It’s what’s in your heart that matters. I’m examining mine this year during the Christmas season while love is in the air. The greatest love of all came at Christmas. A baby who would be named Jesus; and be called Wonderful, Counselor, and Prince of Peace. God’s son. The one who came to earth because he loved us so much and gave his life so that we might have everlasting life.
Are you searching for something to fill the loneliness, emptiness or brokenness in your life? Why not search your heart. Seek the truth—the living truth. Why not surrender your heart and soul and find love this Christmas?
Matthew 5:8 (KJV) says, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
Blessings y’all!
Annette Burrell
CHM Contributor
