Cozy Season Is Upon Us Once More
As autumn turns to winter, the crisp air and shorter days invite us to slow down, wrap up in a favourite blanket, and embrace the return of “cozy season.” For many of us, this time of year means revisiting beloved movies that feel like old friends. But beneath the familiar lines and holiday laughs lie timeless reminders about our worth, the beauty of imperfect families, and the dangers of chasing a “picture-perfect” Christmas. In this uplifting Guest Post reflection, Angie looks at what classics like It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, and A Charlie Brown Christmas can teach us—and how stepping away from the seasonal chaos points us back to the real reason for joy.
As the days become shorter and the temperatures drop, cozy season is upon us once more. It’s a time to snuggle up in front of the fire with a hot drink, a blanket wrapped around you, and to relax and watch a favourite movie. Nowadays there are so many movies out there, but the ones I love I’ll make time to watch year after year, becoming so familiar that I’m able to quote many of the lines!
The old black and white movie It’s a Wonderful Life tells the story of George Bailey who feels that life would have been better for everyone, had he not been born. Clarence, an angel, appears to him and shows him what life would have been like if he’d never existed and all the positive things that have happened because he was. Sometimes we can all feel like this, defeated at every turn and wondering what the point of life is. But it’s good for us too, to reflect on our lives and think about positive, happy times and to reach out for help when we’re overwhelmed.
Home Alone is the tale of a young boy who mistakenly gets left behind when his family leaves to celebrate Christmas in France. Throughout his adventure, he comes to realise how important family is and even if everyone doesn’t get along all of the time, they still have that family bond. Never underestimate how important you are to family and friends, even if times are difficult and no immediate resolution seems to be on the horizon.
Shrek the Halls is about an ogre who has never celebrated Christmas and wants to have the perfect one for his family. In doing so, he alienates his family and friends, before the realisation sets in that the perfect Christmas only exists in books. In fact, there is a cookery book called just that – The Perfect Christmas. Today, there is so much pressure on everyone to be the perfect host or hostess, cook an amazing meal in a home decked out like a London shop window, whilst looking like a supermodel! We all need to step back and accept that things will go wrong, the dog may run off with the turkey or there may be lumps in the gravy. These just add to the memories for years to come for everyone to laugh about.
My favourite is A Charlie Brown Christmas, where hapless Charlie Brown is asked to go and buy a Christmas tree by the rest of the Peanuts gang. After considering his options, he takes pity on a small lifeless looking tree and then faces ridicule from the others for his purchase. It causes him to question what Christmas is really all about, with Linus then explaining the true meaning by quoting from Luke chapter 2 in the Bible. After helping to decorate the tree, everyone decides it really is the best Christmas tree after all. Sometimes in the middle of the chaos and busyness of the season, the real reason to celebrate the season is lost.
So, with Christmas almost upon us, why not go and check out your local Church and celebrate the birth of Christ, the real reason for the season. Better yet, beat the Christmas rush and go this Sunday!
About The Author
Angie was born in the UK, but spent 26 years living in California before returning to England 4 years ago.
She attended a church in the heart of Silicon Valley with her husband Rob, where she helped with the kids and special needs programme.
She worked as an Executive Assistant, which at times, was a little like herding cats! She enjoys baking, organizing and travelling.
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