Christmas Movie Reviews...and the Truth in a Story

"Now Joshua, this is getting a little ridiculous. A kiss is fine, but leave my nose ON MY FACE!"

I have two relatively disjointed stories to tell you this morning. One funny, and one serious. First to the funny. We have been enjoying some of the Christmas movies that are on TV to kick off the Christmas season. It's even been a reason for early tub time and some cuddle time on the couch...a break from the sacred bedtime routine. So far, no ill effects...for which I'm grateful. So, here are Joshua's holiday show reviews:

- Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Two thumbs up. He laughed hysterically at Snoopy and Woodstock, which had Jason and I both in stitches right along with him. He's just like his Daddy...finds great humor in animals doing funny things. (One of the qualities that I most enjoy about his Daddy, even though I pick on him about it.)

- Polar Express: Big fan! We watched this one in Club Bob with Pap and Nana on Black Friday. He's still talking about the kids on the train and the man on the roof.

- How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Definite NO on this one. With the way he loves Dr. Seuss, I figured this would be an instant hit. But as soon as the Grinch appeared, he said sheepishly, "Mommy turn something else on instead of this Grinch!" So we went upstairs and read happy books.

- Santa Claus is Coming to Town: Indifferent, except for the cute penguin. See above for silly animal enjoyment. He thought Topper was very funny and laughed himself to tears over him.

Now, on to a serious book review. I picked up new book for Joshua yesterday called "You're Special" by Max Lucado. I didn't look at anything except who wrote it, and knew instantly that we'd love it. I have to tell you- this is an amazing story, and one that we should all read a million times to our kids. Joshua asked for me to repeat it a total of 5 times before he fell asleep last night. Max Lucado has an amazing way of writing things that kids need to hear, and he gives us as parents a way to share important things with our kids when finding the words on our own might be tough. We're big fans of "God Thinks You're Wonderful" and "Just In Case You Ever Wonder", two others he's written. But this one.....this takes the cake. In the story, there is a village of wooden people called the Wemmicks. They run around all day giving stickers to each other--- stars to recognize pretty Wemmicks, or talented Wemmicks, or ones they like. The Wemmicks with chipped paint or cracked wood, or who can't do things as well as the others get dot stickers. All of the Wemmicks are made by the same carver, Eli, who lives on the hill. One little Wemmick is stuck with all kinds of dots because he can't seem to do anything right. And finally, he meets another who has NO stickers...even though other Wemmicks try to give them to her. Lucia tells our little friend that the dots and stars don't stick to her because she goes to visit Eli every day. The rest of the story tells us why. Eli loves each Wemmick just how he is, and he doesn't make mistakes when he carves them. And he tells our little friend that the stickers only stick to you if you let them. But if you believe in Eli's love and perfect plan, no judgment from the people around you (whether good or bad) will matter. Sensing the symbolism? The magnitude of the message is probably one of the most important lessons any of us can ever teach our kids....that God made them perfectly, that He doesn't make mistakes, and that a relationship with him makes any outside judgments a lot easier to shake off. It also teaches them not to judge others and that everyone's special just how they are. It's not just for kids...it jolted my thinking a time or two about thinks I've said or thought, or the way I've reacted to something hurtful that was said to me. This is a great book...I highly recommend it.