A New Favorite Christmas Movie

It’s that time of year when millions go searching for good Christmas movies. We have certain favorites, especially August Rush, whose primary tie to the season is the fact it debuted in our area in early December of 2007. It’s one of those films that never grows old. Because it is so inspiring and the music so breathtaking, it is now a regular in our seasonal viewing.

Yet this year we discovered what will likely be become another perennial favorite: Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas.

After we watched it a couple months ago, my wife remarked, “I think that’s the best Christmas movie I’ve ever seen.” Indeed, we enjoyed it so much that the other day we picked up a copy again at our favorite rental outlet (the public library).

Of course, our raves for the film aren’t restricted to this one movie. The series from which it is spun off is such heartwarming, enjoyable fare that we’re looking forward to the day a second season will be released on DVD.

Heartwarming Fare

For the sake of simple comparisons, if you liked Touched By An Angel, you’ll like Signed, Sealed, Delivered. That’s because Martha Williamson, the producer and head writer of Touched, created the series.

It sprang from a 2013 movie that we enjoyed more because we first watched the 10 episodes that are in the season one collection, which aired originally on the Hallmark Channel. (And for sophisticates who sneer that this channel is too syrupy, I’ve noticed that one must subscribe to the more expensive tiers of any cable or satellite channel package in order to get it. So, lots of people must like syrup).

Knowing more about the main characters and their ongoing interaction makes for a more enjoyable viewing experience. However, if your first exposure to the cast is the Christmas film, you won’t be disappointed.

Postal Detectives

The premise for the series almost sounds too hokey: four employees in the dead letter office in Denver track down recipients of undeliverable letters or parcels that wind up in their division.

The first time we watched it we scratched our heads for a while until we realized that the scene simply served as a set-up for postal-workers-turned-detectives who track down esoteric clues about the mail. The scenarios that range from dangerous to sanguine. Meanwhile, the two somewhat clueless men on the team operate in oblivion to the romantic signals coming from their two female co-workers.

In the Christmas movie, the quartet delay their holiday travel plans to help a young girl whose mother is seriously ill and may not live to see Dec. 25. The girl had been scheduled to appear in her Christmas pageant, so she is naturally disappointed. So the postal workers, with help from old friends, stage one at the hospital.

Meditating on the Good

As with many Christmas movies, the plot isn’t deep and mysterious but the feelings it imparts are warm. That’s one reason we enjoy all the Signed, Sealed, Delivered episodes and movies so much.

Viewing them always leaves me feeling better and lifted up, a reminder of the scriptural admonition of Philippians 4:8, that “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

In a post-election world awash with controversy, division, and anger, that is good advice.