Walking through a gift shop, I saw a great apron. Red and black, it had written upon it, “Let’s bake and watch Christmas movies!”
For many of us, watching Christmas films remains part of our tradition. We might watch more on streaming services than TV. Some might even still use DVDs. For our family, we choose a combination of newer movies and the classics.
Unfortunately, many of the classic or popular Christmas movies don’t talk about Jesus, the whole reason for the holiday. These secularized stories mention “Christmas spirit” and focus on general family traditions or Santa Claus.
At the same time, any great story impacts us because it reflects God’s epic redemptive story, the one he’s telling and invites us into. Here we’ll explore how we can see the Gospel in the following eight Christmas movies. Important note: this doesn’t mean you have to watch these movies. But given their popularity, you might be able to introduce a spiritual conversation when others bring them up.
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1. The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) brings us a retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic story with the humor and silliness of the Muppets. Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Michael Caine, starts the movie as a cold-hearted miser who hoards his wealth and demonizes the poor. He’s given a chance to change before it’s too late and he heads into the afterlife in chains. The ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future appear and help him confront his own selfishness, wasted opportunities, and the dark consequences of his future. By the end of the story, he is transformed into joyful, generous, and filled with love for all people.
This reflects the Gospel’s call to radical change through Christ. Scrooge’s transformation communicates the need for repentance unto God and away from our own sin and selfishness, which have hellish consequences. Our new life should be marked by grace, mercy, and love. Christ’s birth brought light into a dark world. When we celebrate and believe in his coming, God empowers us to live a life of service and love.
When Scrooge lives his new calling, he becomes an example of God’s generosity. The Father gave his Son for the world, an abundantly loving act (John 3:16). We see how Scrooge finds joy in giving and using his resources to transform others. The Muppet Christmas Carol reveals the Gospel’s power to redeem even the hardest and most selfish heart.
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2. It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) tells the story of George Bailey, a good man who gives up his own dreams to serve the community in his hometown, Bedford Falls. After struggling through financial hardship and threat of losing his business, George loses faith, believing his life has no purpose or value. He seeks to end his life. Through an angelic act, George is given the chance to see how the people he loved would have had different stories if he had never been born. This renews his faith, showing him how an ordinary life can have amazing impact.
This beautiful and sometimes disturbing film shows the importance of redemption and faith through hard times. Like Mary and Joseph in the Christmas story, George faces extremely difficult situations. However, just like God used Mary and Joseph’s obedience to bring about salvation for many, George’s daily and seemingly insignificant acts of love have transformed a whole town.
It's a Wonderful Life calls us all to recognize how we can participate in God’s redemptive work in everyday life. We shouldn’t allow our momentary trials to allow us to think we don’t matter. God uses all things for his glory and our good (Romans 8:28). The movie reminds us that faith, perseverance, and hope through our struggles helps us live in ways that show the hope of God to others.
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3. Elf
Elf (2003) became an instant classic when released. The movie follows Buddy, a human raised by North Pole elves. When he discovers his true parentage, he travels to New York City to find his biological father, Walter. Walter, however, is an unfeeling workaholic, inconvenienced by learning about his son. Despite continued rejection and obstacles, Buddy’s love for others and joy for life sparks transformation in everyone he meets. Through Buddy’s kindness and generosity, Buddy reconciles his family and brings Christmas cheer to a city that’s lost faith.
Just as Buddy’s joy for life and love for others transforms others, we’ve been called to the same through the Gospel. God gives us the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) to bless others around us and lead them to Christ. It all began with Jesus, who’s sacrificial love and joy drew people to his Father, and Buddy reminds everyone how relationships matter more than everything else. Also, Buddy travels from another world to impact New York, reminiscent of how Jesus came to earth from heaven to bring the eternal hope and love to our lives.
In Elf, the power of love can melt even the hardest hearts, much like Jesus’ death and resurrection softens hearts to God’s grace. Buddy’s persistence with his father reflects God’s loving pursuit of us, even when we resist him. Elf reminds us how persistent love and joy can inspire change and shed God’s light through our families and communities.
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4. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) is based on a Dr. Seuss story and has become an animated classic. The Grinch despises the Whos in Whoville and their happy Christmas celebrations. He decides to ruin their holiday and steals their gifts, food, and decorations on Christmas Eve, the anti-Santa Claus. However, the next morning, he hears the Whos singing with joy despite losing their possessions. The Grinch realizes Christmas isn’t about presents and commercialism but something deeper (even though the “something deeper” is pretty vague). His heart grows a few sizes, and he brings everything back and joins the Whos for Christmas.
As Christians, we know the identity of the “something deeper.” Christmas is about the phenomenal spiritual gift of Jesus, not material things. The Whos’ singing shows us how true joy comes from God. Luke 20:10 communicates the joy of heaven: “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’” The birth of Jesus brings the ultimate, unshakable joy and hope, far more than anything the world can give us.
The Grinch’s resulting transformation again reveals the Gospel’s power to soften hard hearts and give people God’s truth. Just as the Whos do, we believers are called to rejoice and declare Christ alone, pointing people to Jesus and his grace and love as the real meaning of Christmas.
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5. A Charlie Brown Christmas
Released in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas tells the story of Charlie Brown’s search for the true meaning of Christmas during the holiday season’s commercialism, a common theme among many movies. After being tasked with finding a Christmas tree, Charlie choses a small, scraggly one for a play. As usually happens to Charlie Brown, his friends mock him. He asks for help to understand what Christmas is all about, and Linus steps forward and quotes from Luke 2:8-14, pointing to the birth of Jesus.
Even in 1965, TV producers resisted the idea of quoting Scripture, but Charles Schultz (creator and writer of Peanuts and Charlie Brown) made sure it happened. The recitation teaches the Gospel’s hope and glory. The humble tree becomes a symbol of how God takes broken, seemingly meaningless lives and transforms us to something glorious (Isaiah 61:3). Charlie Brown’s decision to care for the tree shares how much God cares for us.
God’s love extends to the “least of these,” which we see through a neglected tree no one wanted. But God wants such things and people, transforming them. Linus reminds us of how Christ’s birth remains at the heart of Christmas and offers restoration to all people.
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6. 8-Bit Christmas
8-Bit Christmas (2021) tells the story of Jake Doyle. Jake’s daughter wants a specific item for Christmas, so the father recounts his own childhood Christmas from the 80s. The movie shows us young Jake and his epic quest to get a Nintendo gaming system. His plans fail, and he ultimately learns that Christmas is about family and love, not material gifts.
Passing down our stories connects with how the Gospel calls us to share the message of Jesus with the younger generations. Just like Jake shares his memories to teach his daughter about what really matters, God calls us to pass on the truth of Jesus in relational ways. Psalm 145:4 says, “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” The best legacy we leave is one of love and faith.
8-Bit Christmas shows us how lessons can be passed down in ways that strengthen family bonds and share values. At the same time, we should share the Gospel through the word of our testimony, how God has changed us (Revelation 12:11). The film challenges us to invest in relationships over Christmas and share the hope of the Gospel with the next generation.
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7. Ernest Saves Christmas
Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) is a comedy about Ernest P. Worrell, a clumsy but well-meaning man who helps find the next Santa Claus. The current Santa nears the end of his time in the position and seeks Joe Carruthers, a nice man who loves kids. However, Joe resists the job. With Ernest’s help, Santa eventually convinces Joe to accept his call to take on the Santa Claus mantle. Throughout the movie, Ernest’s comedy shines and plays a central role in saving Christmas.
This movie reflects our call to take on a new purpose in Christ, not for ourselves but to serve others. Joe must willingly choose to become Santa, and in the same way, we must decide and commit to our identity as a new creation in Christ on God’s mission (2 Corinthians 5:17). Many of us feel hesitant to take on the epic call to join Jesus in changing the world, like Joe, but his surrender shows us the power and joy of stepping into God’s plan.
With Ernest, the movie demonstrates how God uses imperfect people for his perfect purposes. Despite his clumsiness, Ernest’s sincerity and love change those around him. God works through our weakness to reveal his strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). Ernest Saves Christmas reminds us how accepting God’s call brings joy, community, and purpose, despite our flaws and imperfections.
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8. Die Hard
Yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie! And while it’s rated R (and we don’t need to watch it if it goes against our convictions) the movie still contains biblical messages.
Die Hard (1988) follows New York cop John McClaine as he fights a group of terrorists who have taken over Nakatomi Plaza during a Christmas party. While McClane battles to save the hostages, primarily his wife, McClane’s limo driver, Argyle, remains ignorant of the danger. Argyle spends much of the night enjoying music and entertainment in the parking garage. He realizes the battle above him when he sees it on TV in the limo.
Argyle’s narrative explores a Gospel truth about spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Like Argyle is ignorant of the battle in Nakatomi Plaza, many people (and Christians) can be unaware of the unseen spiritual battle around us. The Gospel calls us to be spiritually vigilant and equip ourselves with the armor of God to stand firm in the faith.
John McClaine’s fight to save his wife mirrors Christ’s victory over sin and evil for us. Argyle’s eventual understanding of the same fight symbolizes how the Gospel opens our eyes to sin, the need for salvation through Christ, and the spiritual war over the souls of those we love.
Peace.
Related articles
How Do We Find Elements of the Gospel in Movies?
Just Drop the Blanket: The Moment You Never Noticed in A Charlie Brown Christmas
2 Life-Changing Prayers from It's a Wonderful Life
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Originally published Sunday, 15 December 2024.
