Which Christmas Movies Would Jesus Watch?

Here are few great Christmas movies to suggest to your families
and church members this and every Advent season

What would Jesus Watch?

Here are my ideas, what are yours?

The Fourth Wisemen
Jesus is undoubtedly a fan of this movie and a fan of Martin Sheen too. Artaban (Sheen) misses the caravan that's left to follow the star. On his journey to catch up, he keeps getting "interrupted" by the needs of others. Years later, Artaban meets the grown Jesus who delivers a stirring message to the fourth wiseman. We are all Artaban. Look for it on your streaming services, or rent or buy it on Amazon. Great for age 8 and up.

It's a Wonderful Life
I think Jesus would watch this and have a lot to say about it! It does present an idealized view of what life COULD be like, and not to underestimate the power of good people doing good deeds. It's also a movie about redemption. The people surrounding George Bailey in the movie never know WHERE their money went, whether George lost or stole or had it stolen, but they save the savings and loan and George anyway.

Home Alone?  Nah.
I believe Jesus has a sense of humor and Home Alone is funny slapstick, but it isn't about Christmas, it merely takes place at Christmas time. Yes, it has a fun "don't forget your child" moral to the story, but there's nothing particularly Christmas-y about that.

How about all those Hallmark Christmas movies?
Well, I'm sure Mary would love these (my wife and daughters do), But they're mostly about nostalgia and romance. One of the top-rated Hallmark Christmas movies is named "A Cookie Cutter Christmas" which has to be an inside joke because most of these movies seem to follow the same endearing trope. Fun fluff but pretty sure Jesus would prefer something deeper.

Christmas Vacation
Yes, I think Jesus would love Christmas Vacation, my go-to fun Christmas movie. Might even make Jesus' Top Ten  because it satirizes the modern obsession with secular Christmas celebrations, attitudes, and spending. (What would Jesus accidentally launch on fire across your sky?)

I think Jesus would watch any good version of A Christmas Carol, (Scrooge) by Charles Dickens, for indeed the coming of the Messiah shines a light on our past, present, and future, and reminds us that no one is beyond redemption, even Scrooge.

There are many different movie versions of A Christmas Carol available on a various online services. Search your streaming service or Amazon for "Dickens Christmas Carol" or "Scrooge."  Generally speaking, the ones with George C. Scott or Patrick Stewart as Scrooge receive high marks. Even Disney's version starring Jim Carrey is pretty good. With kids, you can't go wrong with The Muppet Christmas Carol.   See my life application questions below for post-viewing discussion questions.

I think Jesus would especially get a kick out of watching The Nativity, the beautifully made, highly authentic-feeling film about his birth. He'd probably have a few things to add to it! ...but in general, it's true to the times and the original Gospel stories.  Check your streaming service for this movie, or look on Amazon to rent/stream it.

VeggieTales has Christmas videos.
“It’s a Meaningful Life” is VT's retelling of It's a Wonderful Life. They also have “The Toy That Saved Christmas” and “Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving.”

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
A lot of kids are scared by the Grinch. That said, the message is quasi-religious. The Grinch is a Scrooge-like character, so it might be interesting to compare that movie or book to A Christmas Carol. And it definitely has the theme of REDEMPTION.

With all these movies it would be good to discuss their themes as a family and add some life application.

For example:

• What themes in the movie are similar or the same theme as found in the Gospel stories of Christ's birth?  (darkness, light, redemption, hope, etc.)
• Who is the "Christ figure" in the story?
• What thematic parallels were there between our movie and Bible's story?
• What part of you is like Scrooge, George Bailey, or the Grinch?
• Which traditions and activities at Christmas "get in the way" or help you?
• What part of the Christmas message do you need to hear the most right now?

Looking forward to your thoughts on Christmas movies Jesus would watch.

Be sure to see our video presentation of other Advent movies and music videos recommended to families this Christmas.

We also have a listing of "live action movies about Jesus" here.

Neil MacQueen is a Presbyterian minister, father, grandfather, and avid watcher of good movies.