“Making Christmas Special”
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What You Need To Know:
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER is full of Christmas miracles that show God moving quietly among us. It shows the power of God’s work in the community, and the joys only Christmas can bring. It has a strong Christian worldview that explores the true meaning of Christmas, to share the message of Jesus. It spreads joy, love and a hope for miracles. A CHRISTMAS PRAYER tells a delightful, authentic story that captures the real meaning of Christmas.
Content:
(CCC, BBB, M): Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements: Very strong Christian, moral worldview that shares the true message of Jesus, in a positive and uplifting romantic story that focuses on family and service to others, a;; the characters are strong Christians with faith, the lead female character helps a widower regain his faith; Foul Language: No foul language; Sex: No explicit sex scenes or sexual immorality, but a couple kisses; Nudity: No nudity; Alcohol Use: No alcohol use; Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse: No smoking or drugs depicted; and, Miscellaneous Immorality: Woman is caught in a lie to a widower and his daughter about being their angel and using their story without their knowledge to create a book (this puts the woman’s good deeds in an exploitative light because she never discussed the project with them and didn’t get their consent), but woman admits her mistake when the book draft is found.
More Detail:
In the fictional town of Belford Falls, the widower, Wes, is struggling with his grief, while his daughter, Caroline, is praying for good things for those around them, fully embracing the holiday spirit. Wes worries Caroline’s faith will fail if her prayers are not answered, while Natalie is doing the Lord’s work as their secret angel.
With a strong Christian worldview, A CHRISTMAS PRAYER explores the true meaning of Christmas and spreads joy, love and hope for miracles. A heartfelt, positive story with strong Christian characters, it is a delightful romantic holiday movie focusing on helping others, appropriate for all ages.
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER begins with Natalie, a children’s book illustrator, who struggles with a blank page in her sketchbook. On the way to the office in the city, Hank, the mailman, drops off her mail. When she arrives at Blitz Publishing, Natalie’s editor, Madelynn, discusses the success of their current book series, Ralph the Reindeer. Natalie asks Madelynn if she could pitch an idea for a new faith-based character to highlight the true meaning of Christmas.
Caroline, a bright, sweet girl, excitedly talks with her dad, Wes, about her Sunday school homework. Instead of writing a toy list, she will write a list of prayers for the people in their lives. Wes is happy she’s doing this. Caroline says they should decorate the house, but he seems opposed to the idea.
Natalie is ditched by her date at a restaurant, as Wes talks with his dad, Tom, at the next table, discussing his dad’s new business venture. They both happen to leave the restaurant at the same time. They share a lingering look but go opposite ways.
The next day at the coffee shop, Natalie shares with her friend about her disappointing date. Her friend encourages her to focus on her work and helps her volunteer at church. Wes, his father, Tom, and Carolyn are also there. Wes tells Tom he’s worried Caroline won’t believe in God if one of her prayers goes un answered. Tom tells him that God has a way of making things happen when we least expect them. Leaving, Natalie accidentally knocks over a cup of coffee on their table. They head out wishing “Merry Christmas,” and Natalie finds the prayer list on the floor. Reading the list, which includes different requests for others, including Hank the mailman, Natalie realizes they’re neighbors.
At home, Natalie is struck with inspiration. She shares some initial sketches with her grandmother, Katie, and says she’d like to answer Caroline’s prayers. Katie encourages Natalie. She tells her that finding the prayer list was not an accident, adding that Christmas is the perfect time to share the message of Jesus. Natalie decides to start a fundraiser to get Hank a plane ticket to see his daughter overseas.
Caroline tells her father they need to get a Christmas tree. In search of a tree for the church, Natalie is at the tree lot as well. However, they find the tree lot sold out and their cars blocked in by a truck. Wes admits to her that his faith has been in short supply recently. Natalie recommends he slow down and work on his relationship with God. She offers to take him and his daughter to find a tree to help Wes get in the Christmas spirit.
Natalie fulfills more miracles, and continues the list, fulfilling prayers such as poinsettias for a widow and a new coat and boots for a girl in Caroline’s class. They all go to get a Christmas tree. Natalie shares with Wes her dream of creating a children’s book series that captures Jesus’s message but isn’t sure she’s good enough. That night, she sketches Caroline in the snow from that day.
The next day, Caroline comes home to find a box of Christmas decorations on their porch. Natalie shows the sketch to Madelyn, who’s excited that it is based on a true story and wants to publish the real story in the newspapers. However, Natalie isn’t willing to exploit the story in that way.
Wes finally finds joy in the Christmas spirit during a night of caroling at the church with Natalie and their families. Natalie invites them over to make cookies, where Wes finds the sketches of Caroline in a drawer by accident. How will Natalie be able to explain? And, can Wes forgive her?
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER is a delightful movie full of Christmas miracles. It shows God moving quietly among us, the power of God’s work in the community, and the joys only Christmas can bring. The movie shares the true message of Jesus in a positive and uplifting romantic story that focuses on family and service to others. A CHRISTMAS PRAYER tells a healing, authentic story that captures the real meaning of Christmas.
