One of the things I loved about Christmas growing up was watching all my favorite Christmas specials on TV. Here are just a few of them that still air each year.

Maybe it just needs a little love.

A Charlie Brown Christmas, which was pre-empted this year by a presidential speech, is an animated television show about the meaning of Christmas from the point of view of the popular Peanuts comic strip. The show tells of the experience Charlie Brown has with his friends one Christmas. It also has Biblical references that relate to the true meaning of Christmas.

Reindeer Games

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is a Ranklin-Bass animation about the reindeer with a shiny nose and how he came to lead Santa’s sleigh that foggy night. It also features an elf, Herbie, who wants to be a dentist … how great is that?

Magical Hats

Frosty The Snowman is an animated story about a snowman, named Frosty, that comes to life and who must avoid a greedy magician who is trying to get the magic hat brought Frosty to life. The show is funny and has lots of wonderful songs.

Well, if I can’t have any fun I might as well leave.

Now this one is my absolute favorite animated special: The Year Without a Santa Claus. It has great songs, fun villains and hilarious heros! So, what would happen if Santa Claus decided to take a year off? I found this clip of my favorite songs from the show:

Yesterday’s post was getting a bit long, so I left of these favorite films.

Is your house on fire?

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is about the Griswold family with Mr. Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, who gets into silly accidents that provide a lot of humor. The movie shows the lives of the family as they celebrate Christmas and the difficulties that arise when their entire family comes to visit for Christmas. It is part of a series of Griswold family films, the first of which was National Lampoon’s Vacation.

This is my house, I have to defend it.

Home Alone is about a large and chaotic family with lots of kids who are going on Christmas vacation. Amid the chaos of leaving on the morning of the trip, one child is left behind and must stay and fend for himself in a very large house during the Christmas season. At first he was happy to be alone but then two thieves break in and he has to fight them off. The movie shows the importance of family and loved ones. A sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York tells of the boy who was left alone going to an aunt and uncle’s home and again encountering the two thieves who are seeking revenge.

You’re a Mean One

How The Grinch Stole Christmas was first made as an animation for television based on a story by Dr. Seuss. More recently, it was re-made as a live-action film starring Jim Carrey. The Grinch is a grouchy, green man who lives in the mountains above the small town of Whoville where residents, called The Whos, celebrate Christmas enthusiastically every year. The Grinch who doesn’t like Christmas wants to spoil it for Whoville and so he tries to steal all the toys, food and gifts that The Whos have accumulated for Christmas. The movie provides a lesson on the true meaning of Christmas.

Movies and television specials related to Christmas help to create a fun holiday atmosphere and can also teach moral lessons related to Christmas. While everyone will have different Christmas movies they find most enjoyable, there are some that remain popular favorites.

You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!

A Christmas Story is told from the point of view of a little boy in the days before Christmas and on Christmas Day. It shows him doing routine things each day but against the backdrop of the Christmas season with the decorated store windows, Santa Claus, the snow and frostiness, and of course his wish for a Christmas toy. But his parents disapprove of the toy that he desired. The movie is good in showing the innocence of the Christmas season. It is such a favorite that you can even buy iconic things from the movie in stores. And, it was the inspiration for the television show, The Wonder Years starring Fred Savage.

Bah! Humbug!

A Christmas Carol, the novella written by noted British author Charles Dickens, tells the story of old Scrooge whose only purpose in life is to make money. Scrooge puts making money above his family, friends and everyone who cares about him. His response to Christmas is a grumpy, ‘Bah Humbug.’ He gets a different experience however, when ghosts appear to him and try to point out the error of his ways. This tale has been made into many movies and inspired quite a few TV specials. The tale’s lesson is about the importance of appreciating people in your life. For more about this movie, as well as some video clips, see A Christmas Carol: A Classic Tale Retold for Generations, a post I published back in October.

I can’t fly. I haven’t got my wings.

It’s A Wonderful Life is a story about hope and the worthiness of everyone. It tells the story of a man experiencing despair and self-destruction because he thinks he is of no worth to those around him, and they would be better off if he didn’t exist. An angel grants him his desire and he gets to see what he contributes and what life would be like without him.

Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to.

Every Christmas, A Miracle on 34th Street can be seen on television. It asks and answers the question “Is there really a Santa Claus?” The movie is about a man who claims to be Kris Kringle, or Santa Claus, but is not believed and so he has to prove his identity claim.