Photo: © D. Paul Graham, “Christmas Day”, Montage, Palmetto Bluff, 2018

“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Quotable Christmas …..

I love the tradition of watching Christmas movies leading up to the 25^th almost as much as the anticipation for the coming year. This morning’s M5T takes time to first wish you and your family Christmas blessings and secondly to share some quotes from some of my favorite Christmas movies. Merry Christmas!

1. Miracle onMiracle on 34^thStreet.

This 1947 classic raises the time-honored question of the reality of Santa Claus. Kris Kringle:“Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind…and that’s what’s been changing. That’s why I’m glad I’m here, maybe I can do something about it.” Susan Walker: “I believe…I believe…. It’s silly, but I believe.” “If you’re really Santa Claus, you can get it for me. And if you can’t, you’re only a nice man with a white beard, like mother says.” Doris Walker: “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.”

2. Christmas Vacation.

Who can’t relate to the Griswold family from 1989? Everyone hopes for the perfect Christmas, but unplanned “stuff”, or even cousin Eddies, inevitably happen. Clark Griswold: “It’s a one-year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club!” “I was just looking at something for my wife, God rest her soul.” “Yes, it’s a bit nipply out—I mean nippy out.”“Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?”  Grandpa Clark: “I had a lot of help from Jack Daniels.” Cousin Eddie: “Better take a rain check on that, Art – he’s got a lip fungus they ain’t identified yet.”

3. The Bishop’s Wife.

Cary Grant plays the coolest, sauviest (is that a word?) angel named Dudley who helps Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) understand what is important in life in this other 1947 classic. Dudley: “Sometimes angels rush in where fools fear to tread.” “There are few people who know the secret of making a heaven here on earth. You are one of those rare people.” “We all come from our own little planets. That’s why we’re all different. That’s what makes life interesting.” “I’m at my most serious when I’m joking.”

4. Home Alone.

Another John Hughes brilliant 1990 comedy. Paris bound for Christmas, the McCallister’s inadvertently leave behind their precious and inventive son Kevin (Macauley Culkin) who single handedly protects the family home from the Wet Bandits. Kevin: “I made my family disappear.” “This is my house. I have to defend it.” “Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back.” “This house is full of people it makes me sick. When I grow up and get married, I’m living alone.” “Guys, I’m eating junk and watching rubbish! You better come out and stop me.” Gangster Johnny: “Keep the change ya filthy animal.”

5. It’s a Wonderful Life.

One of my favorite all-time movies any time of the year. Released in 1946, an angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) helps George Bailey (James Stewart) deal with his existential crisis by showing what life would be like if George had never existed. Clarence: “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. And when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends. “You’ve been given a great gift, George, a chance to see what the world would be like without you.”“Every time you hear a bell ring, it means that some angel’s just got his wings.” George Bailey: “I want to live again.” “Dear Father in Heaven, I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there and you can hear me, show me the way.” “We’re still in business! We’ve got two bucks left!” “This is a very interesting situation.”

Notable others to watch: Die Hard (the debate continues on the inclusion of this as a Christmas film), The Family Man, Trading Places, The Little Drummer Boy, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Elf, The Santa Claus, and Prancer.

Wishing you a most blessed Christmas day as we start the last week of 2023. May you finish the year with laughter, love, peace, anticipation for the new year, and recognizing the importance that you play in the lives of those around you.

© 2023 D. Paul Graham, all rights reserved.

For over 12 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T.

You can reach Paul by email at dpg@imagegraham.com