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.
