Jesus the True Hallmark
Ahh…Christmas. The time of the year when we decorate with lights perhaps even tensile, and hot coco mix lives on the counter. It’s a special time when a sweet treat is always in reach or just around the corner. Christmas is full of special traditions, gift giving, extravagant decorations, and Jesus. Christmas comes with many expectations, charity, community celebrations, and family…intentional time carved out for, yes, even extended family.
A lot of us take these festivities to a whole other level, spending on credit and feasting on novelties, we strive to make something for everyone, whether that be to bring something from nothing or to make something out of EVERYTHING. And this brings us to another cultural holiday anomaly- the Hallmark Movie. Who hasn’t seen the quintessential Christmas-loving, odd couple played out by two incredibly pretty people, who have come together only after one’s homecoming from the big city to find they have a shared inheritance *gasp* but only after exchanging some embarrassing or intimate moment, all to hate-and then love one another before finding out that one of them is actually a royal and the other a secret reporter, so that they can come together in the end and make the perfect family!
Half of you are cheering while everyone else is rolling their eyes. There is nothing more vehemently disagreed upon between women as the respectability of a feel-good Hallmark movie. But before trash talking all things Hallmark let’s look at the numbers. According to Forbes, this Thanksgiving week (2023) Hallmark’s premiere movie, “A Merry Scottish Christmas,” was the 4th most watched cable program touting 3.33 million viewers for the time slot. These ratings were only beat in number by networks broadcasting major football games. People are watching.
Whether your experience with Hallmark has mirrored their own repetitive plots, the hate to love, love to hate, or let’s just say, love to love relationship; I can relate.
I hated Hallmark movies growing up. The same sappy story again and again, fake falls, cheesy lines, and ridiculous antics were boring and predictable. Its hard to get excited about a movie you already know the beginning, middle, and end to. Where was the plot twist, the unforeseen element, the thought provoking moral? “How are these actors delivering their lines with a straight face? Isn’t it hard to act this sincere with lines this kitschy?
Then, somewhere in my 30s, I began to soften to the saccharine love stories and holiday-centric programming. But why? Why would my tastes lean in to something so stereotyped as I grew older? Was I becoming my grandmother? No…I believe I was looking for something easy in my entertainment. It really is NOT about the cheesy lines or gimmicks played out but a fundamental desire to see things conclude well. I want to start a story and know that in the end no matter how corny or overdone, all the plot’s issues will be resolved in a fairytale ending. What I once saw as boring and predictable was now safe and relaxing. Added bonus: It doesn’t matter how many interruptions from kids I endure I can always jump back into the story wherever it is and deduce the rest.
I don’t know about you, but I want to see the moments when hearts are turned and softened even if they come with some overly sweet and syrupy words. We all have longings. We long to be known and accepted, loved, respected. We long to see our families thrive, our children healthy, our needs met, our purposes lived out. We see the very real struggles of life, the broken and hard places, the dirt and the tears, and we wish for something better. We live in a world of strife, but we hope and groan for things to be set right. We are a people in need of peace.
Enter Jesus.
Jesus is the only son of God. Sent by the Father to be born of a virgin, live a perfect life, and die to atone for our sinfulness. He is the promised Messiah, God in human flesh, our hope, and the savior of all humanity. Through his life and sacrifice he has restored the relationship between God and man. Jesus is the only way to the Father.
And this is what Christmas is all about; God’s promise to send a savior-fulfilled! Oh, what joy and hope he brings, oh, what love and peace!
Have you ever wondered why Hallmark sees exponential growth particularly during the months of November and December? I think particularly at Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Christ, people are looking for love, hope, peace, and ultimately…Jesus. Even when they don’t recognize their need for HIM.
For the Christian, Christmas is a special time of year when we can thank God for His great provision in sending Christ and trust His plans for our future no matter how messy our reality may be.
Jesus is not just the the “star” of Christmas, he is our hope for everyday! I challenge you with this: The next time you feel the itch to see some plastic, conflict-resolution flick played out on screen, invest in your own real-life love story and grab your Bible. Talk with God, and ponder the wonder of His great love for you. Remind yourself of His many promises, His presence, His strength, and our future restoration. Look to Him for hope for only He is making all things new and only He is able! Then, and only then, when your soul is overflowing with love and gratitude, turn on that sappy flick and enjoy the laughs. Merry Christmas everyone!
As first seen at priortynowblog.com
https://prioritynowblog.com/2023/12/14/jesus-the-true-hallmark/
