Every year, my family had a ritual. We’d all pile onto the couch to watch A Christmas Story. For me, it was never just about the movie. It was about watching it with my dad.
I can still picture him, a huge smile on his face, telling me for the hundredth time about getting his first BB gun. His eyes would light up, just like Ralphie’s. I remember him laughing so hard he cried when the Old Man proudly displayed that infamous leg lamp in the front window. It was the kind of deep, joyful laugh that made you feel warm all over.
And my mom was right there with him. When the dad on screen was down in the basement, battling the furnace with a string of creative (and indecipherable) swear words, she’d point at the TV and look at my dad, exclaiming, “That’s you!”
We weren’t just watching a movie. We were making memories. We were sharing stories and connecting through laughter. That’s what Christmas is truly about, isn’t it? The simple moments of joy, love, and connection that we share with the people who matter most. It’s about creating our own stories, together.
This season, I hope you find time to make those kinds of memories. Find those moments of shared laughter and connection. It’s those simple, heartfelt experiences that truly make the season bright.
Join us Sunday for week two in our series, Christmas at the Movies, where we will dive deeper into how A Christmas Story embodies “peace and community.” I’ll save a seat for you!
P.S. – This is a GREAT time to INVITE a friend!