5 Ways "A Christmas...Present" Teaches Wonderful Lessons on Faith

A Christmas...Present Plot Summary 

A real estate agent takes her family to visit her brother and niece for Christmas to try and cheer them up for the holidays.

Starring:  Candace Cameron Bure, Marc Blucas, and Paul Fitzgerald

My Movie Grade:  A

Image:  Great American Media

Maggie Larson's brother is recently widowed, and she is determined to give him and her niece, Ashley, the best Christmas ever.  As it turns out, Paul's faith and parenting style helps her fix what is broken with her own family.

A Christmas....Present is Countercultural

It's rare to turn on the television these days and find a movie that encapsulates what was once considered commonplace--stories about faith and family.

A Gallup poll in the 1950's concluded that nearly 95% of the American population identified as Christians.  Tenets of the Christain faith were shared by the majority, meaning we talked the same language, believed the same ideals, and shared the same morals and values.  Since the Bible was the measuring stick for absolute truth, we all reached the same conclusions when we filtered life through it. 

A 2021 Pew Research poll shows the number of Christians in America has plummeted to 63%.  Some studies claim it's even worse with the youth, citing 70% of young adults leaving the faith after high school and college.  

What is causing this downward spiral?  There are several key factors:

• Removing God from the Public Square
• The breakdown of the family unit
• The progressive takeover of the entertainment industry
• Liberal indoctrination in educational institutions
• Increasing self-centeredness
• Vilification of Christian principles by radical, left-wing tyrants
• Weak pastors failing to boldly proclaim truth for fear of offending others

You could easily continue the list, but it all boils down to both the work of the Devil and too many people "doing what is right in their own eyes" rather than submitting to Christ's authority.

Today, standing on God's Word and sharing your faith too often results in being called names like right-wing extremist, bigot, homophobe, racist, and misogynist.  When you exercise your First Amendment right to free speech and religious practice, you are labeled narrow-minded, judgmental, and hypocritical--at least on social media where lost and rebellious souls revile what they don't understand.  

Who would have ever thought America would reach this point?

Our entertainment industry saturates the majority of shows and movies with a political, woke agenda, to the point where a normal movie, like A Christmas...Present, seems revolutionary.  I emphasize "normal" because people often refer to our Biblical worldview as "traditional," insinuating we cling to outdated and old-fashioned principles.  Not true!  God's Word never changes.  Our beliefs aren't traditional--they are normal, true, and right.

It's no wonder Candace Cameron Bure has been in the headlines lately being slandered by fellow celebrities.  She is raising a standard against the dark side of the entertainment world and standing up for the truth.  There's a price to pay for that.  With that in mind, it's interesting to learn what CCB's favorite line from the movie is--she shared it on Twitter:

Here are some wonderful lessons woven into the script:

Lesson #1:  An Eternal Focus

Paul admits to Maggie that he once experienced a rough patch in his marriage, but that all changed when he received a call confirming his wife's diagnosis.  From that moment on, he and Amy lived intentionally each day, as if would be their last.  They said everything that could be said and did everything that could be done.  When the end came for her, they were as ready as could be expected.

Not everyone gets that chance.  The biggest mistake many people make is thinking there's still time.

Maggie packs the daily itinerary with activities to keep Paul and Ashley from being sad, and she's surprised when he tells her he isn't sad.  He quotes 1 Corinthians 13:8--love never ends.  He knows he and Amy will be together again one day, and it gives him peace.

Peace is something everyone needs, but they don't always look for it in the right places.  True peace can be found in Christ alone.  Heaven is only available to those who have accepted Him as their Savior.

Lesson #2:  Churchgoers Aren't Like the Stereotype

When Paul tells Maggie's children, Becca and Will, about all the fun he and his sister had when they were in youth group, both of them are taken aback that you can have fun at church.  Paul divulges that church isn't all sermons and Bible study.  It's a misconception that people are always solemn and reflective behind church doors.  Just the opposite!  True Christ-followers are some of the happiest, fun-to-be-around people you could ever know!

Image:  Great American Media

Maggie observes how kind everyone is at Paul's church.  She assumes they are all just pitching in to cheer Paul up, but he assures her they are always like that.  It's a myth that Christians are just a bunch of prudish people who spend their time judging everyone else.  People who really know Jesus personally have genuine joy, no matter what their circumstances, because their hope and trust is in God alone.  The love of God shines in their countenances and is displayed in how they treat others.  When you're in fellowship with other believers, you feel lifted, not condemned.

Lesson #3:  Shares Scriptures & Jesus with Viewers

When was the last time you heard the Bible quoted in the proper context on TV?  I'll wait.  Most shows today only include Christianity in scenarios where it can be ridiculed..  If you ever watched the Big Bang Theory, you'll remember Sheldon's mom was very religious, but her "faith" was framed in ways to make her look hypocritical and judgmental.

Isaiah 55:10 promises that God's Word will not return void, so how wonderful that scriptures are sprinkled throughout the entire movie.  We've already mentioned the love chapter in 1 Corinthians was quoted, but so were others.  Luke 16:10 was referenced regarding those who are faithful in little things will also be faithful in much.  Maggie's brother also reminds her that God's grace is sufficient for her because God's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Jesus is even mentioned by name in the movie!

In our politically correct culture, most networks have axed elements of faith in their programming to be more "inclusive."  The shift happened in stages.  God started being mentioned in general terms to appeal to all types of faith, then He ceased being mentioned at all, then movies switched to a more New Age approach by crediting "the universe" for what happens to the characters.

When Maggie suggests Paul write his next book on their family, he decides to do it, but not before he prays about it first.  What a great message!  Paul (interesting that name is chosen for his character) demonstrates the importance of seeking God first in all things.  When we do things God's way, everything works out for the best.   

Lesson #4:  Lessons on Evangelism

Your own family can sometimes be your best mission field.  It's clear to Paul that Maggie is going in the wrong direction.  She rigidly schedules every minute of every day and never lets life happen organically.  Even though she has good intentions, her excess planning makes her look like a control freak.  Plus, the busier she makes herself, the more excuses she has for not dealing head-on with the issues facing her marriage.

The Larsons have a home church, but they haven't attended it for a long time due to everyone's hectic schedules.  Maggie's business partner is equally busy, but she still manages to be involved in the church.  It just shows you prioritize what's important to you.

Despite knowing exactly what is wrong in Maggie's life and what it will take to fix it, Paul never thumps her over the head with his Bible.  He doesn't look haughtily down his nose and condemn her for her failures.  At every opportunity, he speaks the truth to her in love.  He shares encouragement from the Bible.  Even when Maggie plans activities he and Maggie would prefer not doing, he participates with a good attitude and showers his sister with grace.  When it's important, like the time he insists on the annual tradition of sitting around the fire, sharing memories and Christmas wishes and making s'mores, he manages to be firm but kind.

Paul lives out his faith.  He's salt and light, and it draws Maggie to Jesus.  Even when she admits she'd rather rely on herself than hope God will provide, Paul doesn't get angry.  He simply asks, "How's that working for you?"  What a great question to ask when someone parries like that!  Maggie immediately knows her way is NOT working, and she becomes more receptive to doing things God's way.

Maggie starts with baby steps.  She takes to heart the truths her brother shares with her.  She finds the courage to walk into the church on Christmas Eve.  From there, it becomes clear she is the one who needs to change, and she is suddenly motivated to become involved in her own church, and her whole family wants to join her.  When restoring her relationship with God becomes her heart's desire, the rest of Maggie's life falls into place.

Image:  Great American Media

Lesson #5:  The True Meaning of Christmas

Many romcoms play Christmas music, but it's usually secular, and all the festive tropes they include have nothing to do with the true meaning of Christmas.  Tree lightings, Christmas markets, carriage rides in the snow, building snowmen, ice skating, decorating competition, ugly sweater parties--all these things are merry and fun, but what's the point of celebrating a holiday if you ignore the entire reason for the season?

A Christmas...Present includes carols with faith-centered lyrics, a kids' nativity play at the church (not a community center), and a Christmas Eve church service. 

The pastor of Paul's church gives a brief but poignant message, emphasizing the "gift" that was placed in a manger waiting to be opened by faith.

From beginning to end, A Christmas...Present honors God.

A Christmas...Present Is a Drama Laced with Light-Hearted Moments

The title of the movie is weighty.  Maggie and Eric recognize that they eat meals together, parent together, and see each other every day, but can be in someone's life without actually being "present."  Eric affirms that you can see someone without seeing them.  Maggie ditches her schedule because she wants her family to choose to spend time together, and she learns to enjoy the moment.

If you think about it, this also mirrors the type of relationship God wants to have with each of us.  We can go through all the religious motions and not really be "present" in our Christian walk.  We can disconnect from God by making our busy lives a priority over spending time in His presence.  He wants us to choose Him.  We all make time for what's really important to us, and we have to examine whether or not our priorities are in order.

Despite the dramatic elements of the movie, there are light-hearted moments, too.  Maggie and Paul share funny childhood memories, Eric can't stop making corny puns, Becca quips that you don't need to know math in the real world (even though she needs math to solve an escape room puzzle), plus Eric and Maggie sing a carol on the street corner to earn points during a scavenger hunt.

Did you notice the nod to Great American Family?  When Maggie and Paul are reminiscing about their mom, they laugh that she used to love watching Christmas movies from Halloween through New Year's.  Hmmm....who plays Christmas movies from Halloween until New Year's?  By the way, CCB shared on Twitter that the picture we see of Maggie's mom is really her own mother.  Her mom is holding her, and her brother is in the lower corner.

Image:  Great American Media

We Need More Movies Like This One

There is definitely a void in the entertainment industry for wholesome movies that target the importance of faith and family.  Let's hope Great American Family produces more along this line.  Bravo!