Giving and Receiving
I thought I’d take a quick break from the 12 Days of Christmas Giving series to share a clip from my favorite movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I love this move. The best line is when Annie says, “I was saving this money for a divorce if I ever get married.” Makes me laugh every time :)
I love this scene because it shows what can happen when a community of people comes together to give. Equally important it shows what can happen in one person’s life, or the life of a family, when we learn to receive. Taking is is often more difficult than giving. Pride, ego, shame, and a million other things get in the way. But it’s important to remember that we were made to be takers. God gives, we receive. Now there’s a Christmas gift giving message for ya!
Give generously, receive graciously, live humbly.
To be honest, I loathe most “Christmas” shows and things. The only “Christmas” movies I will watch are It’s a Wonderful Life (’cause I love Jimmy Stewart) and the original “Miracle on 34th Street.)
“Miracle on 34th Street” (Natalie Wood version) which I bought in black and white.
And I like the Waltons “The Homecoming” movie, especially when Daddy gives John Boy the tablets because he knows John Boy wants to be a writer.
It’s a Wonderful Life is my all time favorite film, ever <3
My all time favorite Christmas movie is White Christmas with Bing Crosby. Love it!
Guess I’m going to be the one who says it first. I love “Christmas Vacation”. I guess with all the other movies that do show generous, gracious, and humble scenes, “Christmas Vacation” is the one that doesn’t. I do love the other movies, but sometimes I just need a laugh. From the cat getting electrocuted under the chair or Uncle Louie tossing his cigar into the sewer, I just ROFL. Then I can’t up! Or the squirrel in the fresh-cut tree. Or Chevy Chase finally showing off the outdoor lights. It is so not about Christmas. But, it is. It’s about living with our families. We all have at least one of those characters in our family. Somewhere. Hopefully not at every Christmas. It reminds me to love each one, even if I don’t always like them! :)
Charlie Brown’s Christmas. “It’s not a bad little tree. It just needs a little love.”
>sniff<
Jason and Christine- You know, I’ve never been a fan of 34th St which is strange because it seems like my type of thing. Also, the Waltons reference is priceless.
Mrs. Lasky – We agree once again…
Jennifer – I LOVE that movie. I cry every time I watch it!
Shellie – That movie is soooo funny. The aunt kills me.
Jesse – We’ve seen that a million times haven’t we? When Linus recites from Luke is awesome.
My favorite has become Elf. It’s so funny!
Rand – Ugh! Stop talking about that movie…. now I have to see it ;) I hope it’s as funny as you all make it out to be!
OK, so clearly, I’m the one with the inappropriate sense of humor… but I love “A Christmas Story.” Mainly because I grew up in upstate NY until I was 9 (the SNOW!), and the dad reminds me of my grandfather. Rough around the edges, but deeply caring in the long run. And it’s funny! I love it when Ralphie’s brother snorts like a pig in the mashed potatoes.
Hey, you asked!!
(PS… another favorite is Holiday Inn. I adore Bing Crosby!
Sarah – Ahhh, Ralphie. And of course the leg lamp. I can never watch that movie with out cringing now that I’ve learned that the kid who freezes his tongue to the flag pole became a porn star. Thank you VH-1.
I’ve never seen Holiday Inn (shocking) and I love old movies so I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!
My favorite movie is Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too. I love Winnie the Pooh even at the age of the big 4-1 :)
I think my most favorite is Elf, but I also love Christmas with the Kranks. Those are the ones I watch the most anyway.
I love comedies, so I’ll throw Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story in there as well.
OMGosh, Nicole!!! I forgot about that! Ew…
So hard to pick just one! But I am going to have to go with Its a Wonderful Life, with White Christmas and A Christmas Carol (version with George C. Scott) a close second. I love that line in It’s A Wonderful Life too.
Sorry Sarah!
dubdynomite – I tried to watch Elf tonight but ended up on the phone and missed the entire thing :(
Makeda – I love all of those movies!
Kathi – My kids love that movie. Piglet is my favorite!!!!
By the way – I noticed one has said Gremlins, Godfather, or Rocky. Are my husband and I the only ones who count those as Xmas movies because they are set during the holidays???
elf. christmas vacation. miracle on 34th street. a christmas story.
all classics to me. i could actually watch them year around!
I’m sure you’ll get to see it (Elf) at some point during the holidays.
I’ve seen a lot of people mentioning Die Hard also, since it happens on/around Christmas.
Tam – Agree on all accounts.
Dubdynomite – Die Hard is a good call! I like that it’s in the same vain as Gremlins :) The first Die Hard was the only good one though.
Melody and I are taking the kids to the Alabama Theater to watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” tomorrow night. Very excited about it.
My two all-time favorite Christmas movies has to be “Christmas Vacation” and “A Christmas Story”. I watch them 3 or 4 times each Christmas whether I need to or not!
Traylor
is die hard the movie where that Activia commercial chick does that hysterically funny dance?
Tray – Could I enjoy It’s a Wonderful like sans Jimmy Stewart? hummm….. that is truly a deep, philosophical question. Enjoy it!
Tam- I have no idea what you’re talking about.
obviously i am just different. just looking at will farrells face makes me want to pop him in the head… so elf is out. i like some of the others but my absolute favorite is the 1951 version of a christmas carol. to me it is the closest to the spirit of the book. usually that is what i watch when i decorate my tree.
you people are all entertaining.
Lauree – I have to say that I wasn’t to impressed with the 20 minuets of Elf that I did see. I feel the same way about Will Farrell (and Jim Carey for that matter).
It’s a wonderful life.
Joyeux Noel.
nicole – is die hard the movie with bruce willis and that spokeswoman for activia yogurt?
oh wait…that movies with arnold schwarzin…sumpin. um…i dont see lots of movies :?