Sunday whilst down with flu blues, I became a Hallmark Christmas movie slug. Both Hallmark channels have been playing non-stop Christmas movies since, geez, end of October? Seems like a long time, since I normally record several series on Hallmark Mysteries (the Postables, a total fav, Garage Sale Mysteries, Aurora Teagarden etc.)
No mysteries. Nada! Just sorta sappy romantic Christmas movies in places like Reindeer Lodge (VT), or Alaska (near Santa’s North Pole station), or a variety of big cities swathed in massive Christmas decorations, or small towns (Colorado, North Carolina, the Midwest) – these characters get around.
Everybody needs a little love. Basic story line of all of them (so far as I can tell.)
Not just love, but ROMANCE (very chaste romance, at that.)
Not to bah humbug Hallmark’s protracted intricate romances, but one of my favorite Christmas romances condenses a quirky courtship into a few minutes of 1980s grooves generated by The Waitresses in their song “Christmas Wrapping.”
Here’s a YouTube video (with the words) to have a listen & read-a-long…
All kinds of things can bring folks together, but how fun: CRANBERRY SAUCE!!
So Virginia, how does all this romance relate to Advent?
Most of these movies involve some sort of transformation. At least one character (usually both) have to open up their hearts to the idea of love, romance, and (eventually) life-long commitment.
Guess what? That’s what faith is all about: a lifelong commitment to God. Opening our hearts wider and wider to God’s grace. Joy. Peace. Mercy. Wisdom. Love.
God’s transformative Love that softens our hearts with verve and nerve to be and do — whatever & however we’re led to groove in this dance of life.
“Romance is that sense of adventure and daring and surrender that comes in to our lives when we have a vision worth living and dying for.” Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM
grace, peace & cranberry romance(s)
Virginia : )
p.s. Ut oh, maybe Virginia should lose the cranberry sauce, to go on Christmas Day for more? What think ye of that strategy? 🙂
Roses in the Rubble 
Love the Hallmark channel. Please take care and get well soon from flu
Thanks, GH! When my brother saw me yesterday he said, “Here comes the Nightmare before Christmas!” LoL!! I’m doing better today popping antibiotics & steroids & Popsicles. Blessings! ✨🤗🌟😜🌟🤗✨
Oh don’t remind me of steroids! I have been infused with so much hydrocort…aargh! Please take care my friend🤗🤗🤗💕💕💕
I haste to admit it I watch it too, a lot, but my wife and I have had movie after movie going this year….it’s comforting knowing that in the end it will work out OK, there will be no unexpected drive by shootings and kindness and goodness always overcome….
*hate* to admit it
Some of the stories are fun. The Reindeer Lodge featured real reindeer – kinda cool! Would be nice if our world could lose all the violence & insanity of inequality to make this planet a place where goodness & kindness prevail. sigh.
Very true! Hallmark movies are that kind of sentiment!
Faith is truly opening up our hearts and trusting God – a life long commitment indeed!
Loved how you were able to tie the movies back into our relationship with Christ!
Well wishes & get well soon. Having a flu is no fun.
Faith is not for the faint hearted – I used that Richard Rohr quote in a Christmas letter sent from a conflict zone many moons ago. Faith, like life, is a journey into the unknown with God’s love to nudge & guide us – even when we have the flu! Blessings (germ free!) 😷🤗
UT likes tart and sour. 😉
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Virginia!
God bless! Keith
😜Tart & sour – maybe with a little spoonful of sugar to make it go down? Merry Christmas to you & to all your loved ones, Uncle Tree. May God bless you with extra doses of grace, peace & joy in 2018. ✨💜🌟🎄🌟💜✨
Yes, I get caught up in the Christmas ‘romance’ movies too….but at least I know it will have a happy ending…. (I say lose the cranberry sauce… ) Have a wonderful Christmas .. Diane
LoL, Diane! I tried to lose the cranberry sauce, but in the end had to send my brother out for missing ingredients whilst too busy in the kitchen for potential cranberry romances. Merry Christmas (+2)! ✨🤗🌟🎄🌟🤗✨