The Gift of Peace

This movie is heartwarming and well done. The acting is good. Princess Davis has a nice singing voice. I often say that Nikki Deloach is Hallmark's best actor especially if you want more than the usual rom/com. She has done a few movies about healing from loss.

We learn that after the death of her husband, Traci has lost, among other things, the heart to be able to pray. She tells us along with characters in the story that she prayed for her husband. She thinks that God did not hear her. He certainly didn't seem to answer her. Through the story, Traci learns that God doesn't always answer the way we want. She eventually opens herself up again to her support group. The writers couldn't resist throwing a hint of romance in, but it wasn't needed.

I think that this movie fully accomplished what it set out to. On what might be a slightly negative side, I found it interesting that Hallmark, which is usually excellent at capturing breathtaking scenery, chooses to use what was probably a painted background, definitely a still, for the mountain top views. I think that was meant to be significant somehow, perhaps related to Traci's vocation.

For those who resist God messages in these types of movies, you may find this movie not to your liking. There is a lot of God talk and the characters frequently give thanks to God for various things that happen. But for me, the movie stops short of going as far as it could, especially at Christmas. In this 2022 Christmas season, another movie on another network briefly told the entire story. I will simply summarize and say that the full message is that God gave the greatest gift at Christmas so that debts.

In a year when TV viewers are submerged in a sea of mostly insipid and uninspired Christmas movies, Hallmark has the courage to produce a story with real emotions and Christian values. Frankly, I am fed up with silly contests, childish antagonisms, and heroines that are passionately kissing a new love just a couple of days after breaking up with a boyfriend. Here we have people with honest feelings of grief, after a loss, who find closure and new hope through friendship, caring for others , and faith. The characters feel real, with true human dimensions and the sentiments are expressed with measure, which conveys their relevance with subtlety, yet poignancy. Nikki Deloach is wonderful in her role and Brennan Elliott shines, as well. Actually all actors provide very credible performances, probably a reflection of a solid script and wise direction. The movie leaves you with more than just holiday mirth. It leaves you reflecting on realistic and deeper human values. I must confess I am not a churchgoer. Yet, I can only admire the strength and kindness of this story. After all, this is what Christmas is supposed to be about.

It is the most impressive Christmas Hallmark who I saw. Because it is ...Christian, the meaning of Christmas is not covered in romance , the grief of loss and the steps of cure are fair and gentle and wise reflected.

Because the pray is axis of the life of characters.

For church and the best places.

Indeed, all seems familiar, from the presence of Nikki Deloach and Brennan Elliot to the details defining the familiar structure of story.

But you feel, with full joy, than it is more than Hallmark, the expected one. Small touches, nice tones, beautiful nuances and the old fashion Christmas , maybe not traditional but true.

So, the first Christmas Hallmark deserving- my opinion- just ten stars.

7.0 stars.

I rate these Hallmark movies based on specific criteria, most of which this movie does not attempt in any way to measure up. This is solely about grief, and loss of a loved one. If you've ever gone to grief share meetings, or the like, and you've lost a spouse, friend, parent, child, sibling, or even a beloved pet - seeing this may be a good experience for you. I lost my mom about 5 months ago. Nothing mends the soul but God and time.

This movie is rated 7.0 simply because it's a blessed thing. It is a capably made film, meets all the basic standards. There is no romance, no comedy, nothing like that. It is 100% unadulterated hope and 'The Gift of Peace' for those who need it.

This is the first time I've ever felt a Hallmark film deserved a 10 rating! Having lost our spouses 20 years ago and meeting at a bereavment group, both myself and my wife had tears in our eyes throughout this film. The story was so familiar to both of us. Trying to overcome the loss of someone you thought you'd spend the rest of your life with was devestating. Going to the meetings with others we could identify with was very helpful since neither family or close friends could. We both were leary at first to open up at the meetings, just as Nikki's character was. Then when she was in a situation with Brendan's character where they were actually having fun, she had these guilt feelings. My wife and I could identify with these exact feelings.

Finally, in the end they both realize, as our priest told us, life is for the living. This movie hit every nerve in our bodies and made us remember all those feelings we had of never being able to move on, Yet somehow, we found each other and have enjoyed a wonderful life together. This was the best Hallmark film.