Merry Christmas / Home Alone

First of all - I’m going to talk about the movie. Second: I wish to all and sundry that they may have a Merry Christmas, a Happy new Year, and a joyous and bountiful upcoming year. May your holiday be with friends and family, whether or not you are at home.

Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash

Home Alone

What is a Christmas movie? One running gag has been that Die Hard is a Christmas movie - and while I basically agree, it is a very secular one, though better embodying the virtues than many so-called Christmas songs. It is also something of a family tradition to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Elf, however, gets more and more wearying every time I see any of it, even with a few good gags.

My favorite Christmas movie though is Home Alone.

Yes, it is a cartoonishly ultra-violent (though mostly bloodless) last stand story, but in the end, it is a story of family and gratitude and the bonds we have, rather than material things. More to the point, while it doesn’t quote scripture as does the Charlie Brown special - which we also have a copy of - a character moment critical to the both the theme and main story happens in a Church, where Kevin meets his neighbor.

This isn’t an overtly “Christian” movie in that it is badly written and hits you over the head throughout the whole thing. It is however a rare thing even in its time - a movie where a terrified and lonely child, seeking answers, will turn to the church as a sanctuary and solace.

And find all of the above.

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