It’s the most wonderful time of the year for watching Christmas classics on TV. / Shutterstock
CNA Staff, Dec 20, 2021 / 14:14 pm (CNA).
Christmastime is upon us. In the spirit of the holiday, the writers and editors of CNA would like to share some of their favorite Christmas movies — and where you can find them. Merry Christmas and happy viewing!
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Several serious-minded movie critics have spoken about this winsome 1992 adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless Christmas story in the same breath as “Casablanca” and “Citizen Kane.” To be clear, all of those critics happen to be members of my immediate family. But still. Academy Award-winner Michael Caine (Ebenezer Scrooge) deserved another Oscar for being such a good sport in allowing a bunch of adorable puppets to upstage him in every scene of this family-friendly movie. Gonzo (as Dickens, narrating the tale) and Rizzo the Rat (his sidekick) account for most of the best one-liners and sight gags (Rizzo: Boy, that’s scary stuff! Should we be worried about the kids in the audience? Gonzo: Nah, it’s all right. This is culture!) You’ll love the song-and-dance number, at turns spooky and hilarious, by Statler and Waldorf, as the ghosts of Scrooge’s former partners, Jacob and Robert Marley (Robert Marley: More gravy than of grave? Jacob Marley: What a terrible pun. Where do you get those jokes?) Available on Amazon Prime, Disney+. (Rated G)
— Shannon Mullen, Editor-in-Chief
Merry Christmas (originally Joyeux Noël)
This is a very moving account of the famous “Christmas Truce” of 1914 in the French-German trenches during World War I. The French movie was released in 2005, and it is a tearjerker, so bring your tissues. Available in English on Apple TV and Google Play.
— Alejandro Bermudez, Executive Director, ACI Prensa and CNA
Elf
No matter how many times you watch this fish-out-of-water comedy, it will still make you laugh. While the movie is not overtly religious, the eponymous character, Buddy (Will Ferrell), is a believer in an unbelieving world, suffering the trials and misadventures of someone who perceives a world beyond the everyday. Indeed, the plot culminates (spoiler alert) in a test of faith. When his sleigh crashes in Central Park, Santa explains to onlookers that his “Clausometer” is dangerously low and he needs a fresh supply of Christmas spirit to be airborne again. “Christmas spirit is about believing, not seeing,” he says, perhaps echoing St. Paul’s definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1. And just when Santa needs it most, a man of faith in yellow stockings and a pointy hat steps forward… Available on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. (Rated PG)
— Luke Coppen, Europe Editor
The Small One
A young boy must sell a cherished but aging donkey, named Small One, to support his poor family. Will he find a worthy owner for his four-legged friend in the rough streets of Nazareth? Or will Small One end up in the slaughterhouse? At only 26 minutes runtime, this is a kid-sized movie, but there’s enough action, comedy, and emotion to satisfy all ages. The movie’s title song is simple but inspirational, a worthy addition to any child’s repertoire. The lyrics and melody might even spare the ears of parents weary of recent kids’ movies. In the great Disney tradition, “The Small One” is visually beautiful. It’s from 1978, part of a decade that many Disney fans forget. Movie director Don Bluth would later win fame for his full-length animated movies like “The Secret of NIMH,” “An American Tail,” and “All Dogs Go to Heaven.” The story is drawn from a book of the same name by the children’s author Charles Tazewell. He wrote “The Littlest Angel,” a sentimental and popular, if theologically questionable, children’s book. This Christmastime donkey flick is far from asinine. Watch the whole thing for a Christmas surprise. Available on Disney+. (Rated G)
— Kevin J. Jones, Staff Writer
A Muppet Family Christmas
There’s no Michael Caine in this one, but there’s a whole lot else: the original Muppets; the Sesame Street crew; Fraggles, and even Maureen the Mink. It’s truly not the Christmas season until I’ve watched a number of Muppets repeatedly slip and fall over an icy patch at Fozzie’s mom’s house. While this movie is often overshadowed by that other Muppet Christmas special, it is still a solid inclusion in the Christmas movie canon. The movie tells the tale of Fozzie’s good-intended (but ill-planned) attempt to surprise his mother for Christmas — and the ensuing hijinks that blew in with the worst blizzard in half a century. First released in 1987, “A Muppet Family Christmas” has aged like a fine wine, and still makes me chuckle in 2021. (Barometers are falling sharply!) At just under 48 minutes, it’s the perfect length movie for when you need a little Christmas, but don’t want to settle down for over an hour — or if you need something to do while cookies are in the oven. Available on YouTube. Look out for the icy patch! (Rated TV-PG)
— Christine Rousselle, Washington, D.C. Correspondent
It’s a Wonderful Life
Unappreciated when it first came out in the 1940s, but gaining status as one of the most perennially rewatched Christmas movies of all time, “It’s a Wonderful Life” really does live up to the descriptor in its title. If, somehow, you’ve managed to never see it, it’s the story of a smart and ambitious small town guy, George Bailey, who for a variety of reasons never manages to escape his provincial life and travel the world like he had always planned. When a seemingly insurmountable disaster besets George on Christmas Eve, he wishes he had never been born — a wish that, thanks to a friendly angel named Clarence, suddenly comes true. Try not to shed a tear during the final scene. I dare you. Available on Amazon Prime and YouTube. (Rated PG)
— Jonah McKeown, Producer/Writer
A Charlie Brown Christmas
When I was growing up, we watched this Peanuts classic every year to kick off the Christmas season. Now, as an adult, it’s part of my own Christmas traditions. The movie is a great reminder of the real meaning of Christmas, with the Nativity story embedded into the script. I find that each time I watch it, I’m invited to a deeper realization that Christmas is really about the coming of Christ, and not the material or commercial things we get wrapped up in (pun intended) this time of the year. Available on Apple TV+ for subscribers. (Not Rated)
— Autumn Jones, Staff Writer
The Polar Express
This 2004 animated film is about a group of young children who take a mystical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. The movie focuses on the struggle of two boys to believe in Santa Claus, because they have never seen him. But once they arrive at the North Pole, they are entrenched in an adventure like never before, culminating in (spoilers!) meeting the big man himself. The movie, which features the voice of Tom Hanks, was nominated for three Academy Awards. Available on HBO, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix. (Rated G)
— Joe Bukuras, Staff Writer
Home Alone
This 1990 classic tells a Christmas story that the whole family can enjoy: What happens when an 8-year-old is left to his own devices to protect his home, alone, against a pair of burglars? Kevin McCallister’s family accidentally leaves him behind in Chicago as they venture on a family vacation abroad. Kevin (played by Macaulay Culkin) takes charge and rigs his home with booby traps. On Christmas Eve, he treks through the snow and comes to a halt as he spies an outdoor nativity scene and hears strains of “O Holy Night” escaping the nearby church. He enters and encounters two saviors: Jesus, and an elderly man he learns not to judge. Home Alone is a story about family, friendship, and the difference that one person — even a small one — can make. Available on Amazon Prime, Disney+, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu, and YouTube. (Rated PG)
— Katie Yoder, Washington, D.C. Correspondent
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Clinton Foundation and Vatican link?
The optics just get worse and worse.
Just what the world, the Church and God need – a woke Vatican just desperate to curry favor with the elite.
They all steal from the Bible. They are inviting in the charlatans.
Sol, it’s indeed the optics. “It is sometimes a bit of a shock to be reminded that, in operational and practical fact, the medium is the message. This is merely to say that the personal and social consequences of any medium, of any extension of ourselves result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extension of ourselves” (Marshall McLuhan The Medium is the Message). What the Vatican health conference convey’s isn’t the technical organization of the conference. Rather it’s what the Vatican does with it, that is to say the message conveyed to the world of this Vatican’s apparent identification with the anti life convictions of the participants. As McLuhan would say an extension of the participants, and most egregiously the organizers.
Stop this insanity! Only pro lifers, pro marriage, Pro conservative folks should be invited to this conference.
Change this!
That is exactly right! —-so now the faithful should swallow, sit down and be quiet! How many will accept and how many will fight, that is the question? I hope many will set their sails and fight, fasting and prayer included. St. Paul didn’t stop and neither should we.
The pope has been in the news a lot lately and it’s all bad I’m afraid. In connection with the Vatican Bank corruption and confiscation of funds, using their Leonardo De Vinci satellites to conspire in American election fraud, participation with the “new world order” proponents in Davos, and now inviting Pro-abortion Clinton Foundation to comment on Health and the Soul. You’ve got to be kidding me. I’ve been a Catholic all my life and I am disgusted and embarrassed to have these allegations put forth on a daily basis. Time to investigate what’s going on and clean it up.
Indeed Michelle.
Yes, such noted ‘experts’.
This papacy relishes being…of the world.
That line up says it all, doesn’t it, about this Vatican? Unreal. It’s amazing whom they want us to consider credible. I guess it’s an opportunity to hang out with celebrities. Oh yes, and when your own cardinals ask for a conversation about Catholic dogma … no time for them. It’s become a joke. A pathetic joke. These are sad times for the Church. And, a little investigative reporting would be welcome. How much Peter Pence money is going into this star-studded event?
It is interesting to read so called defenders of the faith who judge others “unworthy” to receive Jesus in the Eucharist while the question and critize Christ’s Vicar Pope Francis. It seems they all forget Jesus reached out to sinners and condemned the self righteous legalistic. Those pointing the finger at Fauci, Biden etc. are the true heretics because they have greater loyalty to an ideology and when in comes to politics supported a rapist,corrupt puppet of the evil one they follow
What nonsense are you trying to sell under cover of darkness?
Jesus Himself who judged Judas unworthy. We follow him. We don’t follow you or others who speak with utensils in their mouths.
I neither supported nor voted for Bill Clinton.
I understand your perspective. A massive difference, is that Christ wasn’t seeking guidance from criminals, prostitutes and murderers. He was giving them everlasting life by commanding them to change their ways and repent. So unless this is going to be a massive intervention via zoom led by the Vatican to call on these people to change their ways, it’s an embarrassment to the church and NOTHING that resembles Christ’s attitude towards sinners.
Indeed a bit of light is in order here. People that publicly embrace grave evil and promote grave evil are by their own acts making themselves unworthy to receive the Holy Eucharist, King of heaven and earth. These people commit sacrilege. They bring judgement upon themselves.
I agree. This Vatican is harvesting hate and mistrust. Not serving the faithful.
This is a joke, right?
I was completely oblivious to what was going on in the world. I was suddenly awaken last year when they all told us to go home…thank God. I have returned to Jesus and the tradition precisely to counteract this diabolical shift and the goal of these people: shake the foundations of the church and scatter the sheeps in the woods, where the wolves lay, patiently waiting…but their plan has no foundation and will ultimately collapse. I feel kind of sorry for them, I don’t hate them, on the contrary, I pray for them. In fact they are sowing what they reep for they are the lost sheeps who have chosen power and money over God. I sincerely wish they see their way, because all I want in the end, is everybody to go in Heaven.
Remind me to never again give a dime to the Catholic Church. I’ll find other, more worthy, charities to lend my financial support.
AMEN.. That’s what I have done!!
Dear Deacon, This should surely interest you!
March 12, 2021
ROME (AP) — The Vatican warned Friday that it has nearly depleted its financial reserves from past donations to cover budget deficits over recent years, as it urged continued giving from the faithful to keep the Holy See afloat and Pope Francis’ ministry going.
Help is on the way –look — funding, by whom?
https://www.ncregister.com/news/vatican-conference-to-focus-on-mind-body-soul-connection-to-health-care
Not to worry —The global elites will take up the slack.
This is an absolute disgrace. Active proponents of abortion are speaking at the Vatican HEALTH conference? This is so messed up. Bring on the second coming to rid us of these hypocrites.
“The Vatican conference’s website lists more than 100 speakers including Kerry Kennedy, Cindy Crawford, John Sculley, Brandon Marshall, Joe Perry of Aerosmith…”
Whaaa? What about RuPaul? The Khardasians? Sharon Osbourne? Usher?
And when will that new reality show about the pope be airing?
Suggested title:
“Popin’ Out!”
And I wonder…. Does watching an hour of TMZ now satisfy my Sunday obligation?
I mean, really. I’m not sure whether to laugh or convert to Mormonism.
Brilliant, bro! Got a great laugh out of that, brineyman.
And now back to weeping for the Church.
You’re so right. This is a joke! And they wonder why numbers of folks going to mass is declining.
Jesus said the gates of hell will never prevail against my church. The only way that’s going to happen is for us to stay in the church and support making changes to it, as we pray for the souls of those, in the church, who are being misled by satan. Anyone who leaves the Catholic church is not only leaving Jesus and the church he founded but they’re also siding with satan and his efforts to get us out!
Laugh and stay tuned to the True Church which belongs to Christ, not to the henchmen who think they are running the True Church. What these men think is not as Christ would.
Covert to Mormonism! Why fight the likelihood that Christ visited Central America? Tom S
They fit well in the long line of Vatican guests during this rotten papacy: Jeffrey Sachs, Bernie Sanders, Bono, George Clooney, James Martin, Rothchilds, the NBA ambassadors and various other celebrity degenerates, international banksters, Communist thugs, New World Order political hacks and population control maniacs. Whenever, God willing, this gang of perverts, swindlers and Marxist ideologues occupying the Eternal City departs or is driven off, all the Vatican grounds are going to have to be exorcised.
Utterly shameful, and even degenerate…
Where is Cardinal Sarah when you need him?
Chelsea Clinton can speak on healthcare as authoritatively as Francis does on “climate change” or any one of the many other topics that preoccupy his mind.
And Clown Shows like this are but one of the reason that the donations for Peter’s Pence have dried up.
Couldn’t get more Left than this Conference. Do they think we won’t notice? Is this how we got vaccines started from aborted baby cells? Should have been paying more attention in past years…
Vaccine I trust in thee! When Our Lady of Fatima addressed the children in 1917 Our Lady knew Jacinta and Francesco would soon die of the Coronavirus Spanish Flu. There is only one thing to fear, Hell.
Once again, where are the bishops in the United States, and for that matter elsewhere, to oppose and condemn this travesty? The silence of the hirelings is deafening.
Has anyone noticed that the first 10 comments about this “Vatican Health Conference” are ALL negative! What is going on in Rome? It’s really getting to be just a big joke! Nothing done, nothing accomplished, and rumors flying faster than Joe Biden’s memory!
We need a leader!
Even the “signature” artwork insults God, His Divinity and Holy Creation, but that the Vatican is associated with this Neo Tower of Babel sickens the body, depresses the mind and disorients the soul. Most certainly there is not any “health care” associated with these speakers. So, it is urgent that faithful Catholics raise their voices and witness to the innocent and ignorant that the spirit of the antiChrist threatens even the portals of Heaven. Please Father scatter the liars. Come Lord Jesus Christ and confound foolish and evil imbued women and men. Descend Holy Spirit and Inspire your loyal sons and daughters to counter with Truth, leaving no doubt that man cannot rectify what God does not recognize.
Why is Joe Perry speaking at this?
My thoughts as well. And when did Chelsea Clinton become a health or religious/spiritual expert?
I refer to my original question – “This is a joke, right?”
What about all the nuns who staffed the hospitals for free long before Medicare and Medicaid ran up our federal deficit? Will any of their insight and sacrifice be included in this conference?
Teaching Catholics how to be less Catholic….. Then all will receive Communion at the end of the conference…..
Please do not give up on the Catholic Church. In today’s reading from Acts chapter 5:34-42 we are reminded that anything that comes from God will not be destroyed. Yes we will go through times of corruption and become disillusioned, but we are asked to stay faithful and trust in the Lord.
I stand by her Monica, even in these times of seeming confusion.
Abandon the Titanic. Seek ye the Lord while He may be found. Jesus came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. There is none righteous, no not one. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father except through Him. For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves; not of works lest any man should boast. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Folks, Jesus is the Answer! Flee to Him in these troubled and confusing times. He is coming soon for His children. Trust in the Lord within thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding; In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. God loves you… John 3:16!
This is a sham and the Catholic Church is doing great harm to those who happen to believe it is the one true church. These speakers are abominable.
All good Catholics need to hear Chelsea Clinton talk about pro-life being unconscionable. Give me a break. Maybe Francis hasn’t heard that the United States government is paying for body parts from aborted babies. When we stand up for life, it should be at all stages and in all arenas — especially in the Vatican. If not there, where?
The ‘out of touch with what’s important’ attitude that permeates this papacy is mind-boggling! Where is the dedication to saving souls that Christ mandated to His disciples? I watched a show last night where a boy of 10 was actually taking care of himself as well as his emotionally dysfunctional mother. I commented to my husband that that scenario is sadly playing out exponentially in society today. It has certainly infected the Church – would the Apostles recognize many who call themselves Bishop today? The majority look more like sheep than shepherds. I pray every day for their wisdom, humility and courage in leading the Church and I remind myself that God’s plan will always triumph – thank God.
My first reaction on reading this article was, “Huh?”. I thought I better hold off in case I’m missing something. I see I should have trusted my first instinct.
What? No Madonna? No Cardi What’s-her-name?
Chelsea Clinton is a strong supporter of abortion. Dr. Fauci is a lapsed catholic who identifies himself as a humanist. No wonder the Catholic church is losing menbers.
My invitation must be lost in the mail – I’m great on the kazoo.
This conference is one more reminder of the fact that it is nearly impossible to write satire these days. The Francis papacy as a prolonged SNL skit is not far-fetched.
Bring back Benedict XVI.
Have they lost their minds?
Chelsea Clinton is qualified to do exactly WHAT which would make her necessary as a speaker at the Vatican??? Being the daughter of a president may indeed get you into Ivory league Colleges, but still qualifies you as nothing special. It does seem like the Church is more worried about the opinion of the world than the souls of its flock.Why are churches in the US still semi-shut with no choirs singing, etc?? Maybe the Pope should ask Fauci when, IF EVER, we can drop the farce with the masks. Especially for those who have been vaccinated.Or is this just an attempt to de-humanize the entire population??
I wonder if the Pope will invite the “feel good” giant rabbit at Biden’s secular Easter greeting as well. Or maybe he has a new special mascot for the event – Vati-Vacci the giant syringe.
These are times that I question my religion, but maintain my faith.
I question the quality of the institutional leadership. They may have been ordained to minister the Holy Mysteries, but their competence to teach or lead is questionable.
Is it possible that the Vatican is arranging this as a way of evangelical outreach to those who do not yet know Christ? Someone else previously noted Jesus was known to eat with sinners, and we are all sinners, correct?
I don’t think anyone is, in principle, opposed to hearing from non-Catholic experts on certain topics. But, as other folks have noted, Ms. Clinton not only has no demonstrated expertise in, well, anything, she is staunchly pro-abortion. Yes, Jesus ate with the sinners; it’s nowhere indicated, however, that he took directives or advise from said sinners, especially on matters of morality and anthropology.
This is not a tent revival.
Just another move to determine who is important enough to spend health dollars on and who can be left to their own care
That was my second thought Jan when I read of this last week.
The end is near if such travesty is operating at the Vatican. This corruption has been operable for years and is getting worse. It’s part of the demonic “Great Reset”. Pope Francis is either a naive puppet of the devil or the anti-Christ himself.Christ knows all. Jesus I trust in you.
Given the choice I would vote that he is a naive puppet of the devil, though this gives him too much credit. He is certainly NOT a candidate for the anti-Christ, who, though filled with lies and desecration, will be orders of magnitude smarter than Bergoglio, and much, much more seductive.
Hopefully your editors did not learn their skills from the likes of the CEO’s of Facebook, Twitter, etc.. I agree, obscene language is not acceptable.
What do I need to moderate?
Chelsea clinton??? What has she ever done to speak to an audience? Cindy Crawford??? She is so wealthy she sells her cosmetics on TV by subscription.
Who ever picked some of these people? They should be fired. Wait…are our donations going towards paying these people?
aaaaaaa-yes
Pope Francis is a socialist whose main aim is for a one world government. Most of the people on this list do not seem to know much about health.
What exactly does the Vatican think it is going to learn from Chelsea Clinton or Cindy Crawford about health? What nonsense. Where are they getting the money to pay for this. Talk about light weight speakers! Couldn’t they afford faithful serious speakers? Probably they tried to get some but the invitation was rejected. It seems no faithful serious Catholic with gravitas wants to speak at the Vatican these days. Instead of putting on this one pony show the Vatican would do better to deal with the heretic bishops of Germany if they want to attract top notch speakers on anything. I have been praying for the few good bishops and laity in Germany. They must be really suffering right now.
This scathing reaction is worth reading in its entirety:
Vatican Invites Abortion Advocate Chelsea Clinton To Talk About ‘Health’ And The ‘Soul’
by Evita Duffy
April 16, 2021
Excerpt:
The conference will take place May 6-8, and “will be moderated by renowned journalists, who will explore the role of religion, faith and spirituality, and the interplay of the mind, body, and soul – and, ultimately, search for areas of convergence between the humanities and the natural sciences.”
The “renowned” journalists include Katie Couric, Richard Lui, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Amy Robach, Robin Roberts, and Meredith Vieira.
“Together we will focus on advances in medical innovation and the creation of healthier communities and seek to catalyze new, interdisciplinary approaches and partnerships to improve health and wellbeing, as well as understand human uniqueness,” the Vatican said.
The Vatican invites Satan’s helpers inside. Somehow I think Satan has been inside the Vatican for a while now. Do you think you will discuss abortions? Way more deaths to abortion than anything you can choose to discuss. I have recently left the church AGAIN after giving it another shot. My family included. I will find God elsewhere. He doesn’t reside in the Catholic Church anymore.
Mike. Christ’s Mystical Body from the Crucifixion on Golgotha to present day is Crucified. If Satan’s helpers obscure Christ’s presence you’ll find Him hidden in the Eucharist.
As always Father, forever and shall be.
Mike, don’t leave Jesus because His followers are wicked. He warned us that the enemy would sew weeds amongst the wheat, that there would be hirelings who do not care for the sheep. Study Church history. There have always been wicked priests and bishops and popes. Saints from the early centuries have said the road to hell is paved with the skulls of priests and bishops but the Church is still standing because there are still saints. Satan keeps trying to destroy the Church and he does it from the inside. Jesus told us that the way to heaven is hard and narrow and few find it. If the traitors in the Church upset you remember that even Jesus had his Judas.
Yes indeed Ruth. As I often say, Ordained by God, yet ruled by man.
My first reaction, I was very disturbed that such an assemblage was invited, my second was reason, that perhaps it was to save souls. Yet for many of those individuals, they have gleefully given their souls to Satan. How does one sway against such evil?
Reading about this health conference is breaking my heart. The poster seems to denigrate God the father and the mystery of creation. The supernatural truths of our church and the sanctity of life are disappearing from the Mystical Body of Christ… I’m very very unhappy about this. The whole thing should be cancelled.
As our Shepherds, the so-called leaders should know that the lay people are praying for them but we do not feel that we are being Well tended.
Every follower of the one holy apostolic church should be PROTESTING clearly.
I would imagine that the church wants to be more inclusive, which is fine with me. What if find more interesting is who was NOT invited to the conference, such as Catholic Hospital Directors from the USA who do not observe the Catholic Social Teachings, instead putting capitalism ahead of the health of their patients and, indeed, ahead of church teachings.
Somehow I missed this epic event last year, but I needed a good laugh today, so thanks for running it again.
Yuk Yuk