Anyone that knows me will say I love two things pretty passionately: Hawaii and Christmas movies (besides Jesus obviously – he's at the top!).  For Christmas movies, I love the classics like The Santa Clause, Home Alone, and Miracle on 34th Street, but also the 45+ Hallmark movies that are made each year.  Since starting my Christmas movie-watching this season, I've probably watched 30 or more - don't judge!

I know I'm not the only person that loves Christmas movies, but everyone that loves them, loves how those movies make them feel.  So many of the movies we love to watch year after year have themes of love, hope, families reconciling, and of course Christmas joy. No matter how bad someone's situation is, how tough life might seem, Christmas holds the power to be able to change people's hearts and make things right!

I think you can compare Christmas movies to the real meaning of Christmas, because it reflects the message of what the Gospel is - light coming into darkness. Movies always show how love, joy, and sacrifice can change lives.  I mean look at the Grinch... his heart grew three sizes! George Bailey in “It's a Wonderful Life” found that his life mattered, and Scrooge's life completely transformed from a grumpy old man sucking the joy out of everything, to a new found joy and change of heart!

In UpStreet this month, Luke 2:10-11 is our memory verse, and we've been talking about the "good news of great joy for all the people" – a Saviour being born for us.  When the angel appeared to the shepherds, they said they were bringing good news of great joy for ALL the people.  And that goes for us today, it's beyond the joy of holiday cheer.  This joy is an eternal joy that comes from Jesus - that little baby born in a manger that came to save the world!

We all can read that verse today and use it as a reminder when we feel the weight of life. Maybe it's family struggles, the worry of finances, work stress, or just life being too much. Remember the story of Christmas and the good news of great joy! Real joy is not just a feeling and it's not based on what's going on in your life. Joy is a gift, and the greatest gift that God gave you and me was His Son, Jesus!

So next time you watch a Christmas movie, remember that the joy you feel from watching that movie doesn't even compare to the joy Jesus brought us by coming as a baby to save you and me!