I posted the original of this in December 2014; it’s still true two years later. My absolute favorite time of year is Christmas. It’s a long and convoluted cycle of how that came to be, not important here. No matter what else is happening around us–illness, worries, the sad happenings in our world, the spirit of Christmas, religious or not, lifts me up and inspires me to think “Peace on earth, good will towards (all) mankind.” Central to the blogs for the next 12 days will be thoughts about some of my favorite holiday movies. Yes, some of these movies have been classic books as well, but I fell in love with the power of the words and visuals of the movies.

You’ll know the eras that have influenced me. There are no Santa Clause or Jingle All the Way titles. My love affair with Christmas began in my childhood, grew in my young adult years when I began adding and subtracting traditions that made the celebration of Christmas my own. Thanks to my parents, sisters, relatives, college friends, teacher friends, writing colleagues, and neighbors for not only introducing me to the movies, but to the surrounding magic of getting ready for and thoroughly enjoying the spirit of Christmas.

For the next 12 days stop by to get a bit of the plot of the day’s title, the lure of the story, and some of the words that caught my attention by sound, image, or message.

Here are the titles:

1. Miracle on 34^th Street
2. It’s a Wonderful Life   
3. Holiday 
4. Love Actually
5. White Christmas 
6. The Bishop’s Wife 
7. A Christmas Carol 
8. Going My Way
9. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 
10. The Polar Express
11. One Special Night
12. Christmas Eve

What are your 12 Days of Christmas Movies?

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!