A Christmas... Present

The true meaning of Christmas is there, but don't turn away your attention because it's there quickly and then the story is back. I wonder if Candace purposely washed it so that the movie would be see by more people despite the message the world doesn't want to hear. That doesn't really make sense, but then burying the lead, so to speak, doesn't make sense either.

The theme of the movie appears to be how busyness obscures what's really important during the holidays. And a viewer could easily conclude that what is really important is family. Time with family. Really with them. "Present". And love. And this is a great message for a Christmas movie. It is certainly where most of the screen time and dialogue was spent. So why throw in the faith stuff which is also sprinkled in here and there?

I submit that the true message, whether intended or not, was in just a few minutes from when Candace/Maggie walked in the church door to when the pastor finished speaking. 2-1/2 minutes. First a verse of Silent Night that not everyone knows. "Son of God. Love's pure Light.... with the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus Lord at Thy birth." Then the pastor answers the argument he and his brother had about who gave the best gift. "The one who gives the best gift of all every Christmas is God Himself. The gift of hope, joy, peace, forgiveness, eternal life, wrapped in swaddling clothes waiting to be opened by faith." There is forgiveness, redemption, in only one way through faith. Candace, whether this was your real message or not, thank you for giving us one of the tiniest few movies that tells us the real reason for the season.

The movie is well done with mostly good acting. The dialogue has funny moments and many more serious ones. The story is compelling.

It was so nice to watch a quality family move that had a great message too! So much more depth than most Christmas movies! I loved that if felt real, Candace Cameron Bure's relationship with her husband and their issues were something that happens to real couples. The teenagers just pretending to like the activities. But mostly how her and her brother, were both trying to fix each other but realized how much they need each other. Love that the Christmas activities were a little different than the typical snowman building, cookie making, gingerbread house contest, etc. I really loved this movie. Heartfelt, real, emotional and just a great movie!

The faith component in this film was lovely, but not enough to carry a repetitive, mediocre script with little else. For me, Candace's character was overacted and very one-note to the point of irritating. The entire film was the same thing, over and over: plan activities, go to activities, and no one really listening to each other's needs. Marc's talents were wasted in this film, and chemistry between the leads was non-existent. I did, however, enjoy the banter and interaction between the actors in the social media dance contest pieces before the film's release. Those showed more originality and chemistry than the entire movie. It was those promos that encouraged me to watch. Also, with Candace as the spokesperson for Great American Family, I thought for sure this would be a "10." It was not.

First half of the movie is a little irritating and frantic. Candace Cameron bure's character works so hard at making happiness that it does kind of grade on your nerves a little bit. The second half of the movie is thoughtful and has a very nice story. I think I like the movie because it wasn't your typical cookie cutter movie this is truly about an entire family. Not just two people falling in love at Christmas time. That was very refreshing and loved hearing about the true meaning of Christmas and how if you don't have God at your core then life's going to be a struggle. My husband enjoyed the movie also and he typically doesn't care for any of them because they're so cookie cutter.

I had never loved a movie and raged with it as hard as I did with this one I am obsessed with christmas, I always love the decorations, the general cheer and family reunions, but never really plan, I let it all happen naturally, and this woman's obsession with planning every minute detail SHE wanted without being considerate of others, plus the two selfish teenagers that need to practically be coerced into doing stuff drove me crazy and made me laugh at the same time

As I said in the title, this movie is all about understanding that we need to be considerate and we can love the season, but we need to look out and not turn into monsters thinking we do what is best without considering other's wishes

All in all the message is good, and for christmas movies, you know that you can't go wrong with Candace C Bure, she is like the trademark christmas actress lol.