What is your earliest Christmas memory?

My earliest memory is seeing, Snow White and the Three Stooges, with my dad.  His workplace organized a special function for employees and their children.  Although it wasn’t exactly a Christmas themed movie, Santa was in the lobby.  With dad by my side, I was courageous enough to look at Santa.  Usually, he freaked me out.

It was a magical morning for a four-year-old, undivided attention from my dad, the thought of gifts, and laughter!

As an adult, one of my favorite memories with dad involved another Christmas movie moment as he watched Home Alone for the first time.  Dad loved slapstick and seeing Kevin McCallister give Marv and Harry their due nearly had dad in tears.  My gentle dad is gone now, but his laughter rings in my ears and the memory brings both tears to my eyes and warmth to my soul.

Maybe movies haven’t had much significance for you, but in my life many special events are tied to them.

In saying all that, I’d like to leave you with a few of my favorite Christmas movie quotes to inspire magic in your life this busy season.  Because in my experience, when there is magic (as in purpose, contentment, and a little extra sparkle) in your life, there is more romance in the bedroom.  🙂

1. Buddy the Elf’s enthusiasm made up for his lack of social finesse, especially when it came to the lovely, Jovi.  Buddy wasn’t influenced by what others thought!  Be like Buddy, let your enthusiasm for your spouse overflow and be a little giddy with them this Christmas.  (FWIW, Elf is my favorite of recent Christmas movies because I can relate to Buddy.  Sometimes enthusiasm gets the best of me, too, and I look like a goofball.)

2.  Your “person” should be your spouse, treat them with preference.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” Romans 12:10.

3.  Ever noticed God has a penchant for misfits?  You are flawed and your spouse is flawed.  But, that’s OK!  Give each other grace and celebrate your joint perculiarities.

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God,” Romans 15:7.

4.  Ah! Romance!  Romance is the outpouring of a soft heart and sweet words.  Find a quiet moment in the next day or two to give your spouse a big, sincere hug, and a lingering kiss.  Breathe, “I love you,” in his ear.

“You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace,” Song of Solomon 4:9.

5.  There aren’t many Christmas surprises left for adults.  But, you can create some magic for your sweetie by being tuned into them.  Listen for a clue to how you could serve them in the next few days.  Another way to find a surprise is to be willing to see the surprise.  Look for blessings in your normal routine.  You’ll be surprised by what you see when you look.  (FYI, Christmas with the Kranks was based on a John Grisham novel.)

Here is the biggest surprise that created much wonder, “His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 1:18.

6.  Relationships are what matter most in life.  Let the materialism go.  We don’t need more stuff.  Retire from being a consumer and get connected with your Savior, Family, and Friends.

“Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins, 1 Peter 4:8.”

7.  The Gift of the Magi is based upon a short story written by O. Henry in 1905.  A young couple hardly have enough money to survive.  In order to get each other a gift for Christmas, they each sacrifice their most prized possession.  His pocketwatch and her lovely long hair.  In doing this, they each learn just how much the other loves them.  Its theme of joyous sacrifice is a much needed reminder.

“So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days,” Genesis 29:20.

8.  I completely agree with this quote.  Life is far from perfect, but occasionally the Lord blesses us with a moment to savor.  Expect a moment to happen this Christmas with your sweetie.  (How could I resist adding a quote from a little-known movie, Holiday in Handcuffs?  It’s a rated-G, made-for-tv movie from 2007.)

“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done,” Ecclesiastes 11:4 (The Living Bible).

9. Although the movie versions of Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol, leave out the true manner of our redemption (Christ), it portrays a powerful truth.  The love of money will only buy you emptiness.

My favorite version of A Christmas Carol is the 1970’s musical, Scrooge, starring Albert Finney.  Filmed and produced in England, it has accompanied much of the tree trimming in our house through the years.  The musical score elicits chills at times and exuberance at others.  It’s amazing!

God has blessed each and everyone of us so very much.  Please take your blessing and bless others, especially your spouse, with it!  “…and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God,” Ephesians 5:2.