Christmas is among my favorite holidays. And each family honors this extraordinary time of the year differently. Among the many traditions, the Christmas tree is an old-time favorite of most. It holds a special meaning for those who do put one up. With its lights and various ornaments, it changes the atmosphere.
I have never put up a Christmas tree, but I enjoy seeing the joy on my grandchildren's faces when they light it. Baby Girl Ava, the youngest, loves it so much their Christmas tree is still up. So, where am I going with this story? I just watched Rooftop Christmas Tree.
Mr. Landis (Tim Reid) has put up a rooftop Christmas tree every year. Over the years, the neighborhood has changed. What was once a welcome and joyous tradition to the community now has many worried, and many people hope he never put it up again. However, Mr. Landis refuses to comply. Since Sara (Michelle Morgan) was a child, she has remembered this time-old tradition offered by her lovely neighbor. Mr. Landis is now an elder and lives alone and prefers to keep it that way. His family left, and nobody knows why. Sara remembers his son, Danny. They were once close friends. The thought of him being by himself on Christmas touches her heart.
She is back in town, and though he feels he does not need a lawyer, she offers her advice. As I watched this heartwarming movie, Sara's willingness to help Mr. Landis inspired me. Though, he believes he does not need anybody's help. With a persecuting attorney (Stephen Muszar) determined to charge him a huge fee for each day he violates the court order and to deem him incompetent, how can she help prove his sanity? Why is this tree so important to him that he is willing to be put in jail? Will the judge (Roger Dunn) find him insane? What will happen to Mr. Landis, and how will all this affect the town?
In this heartwarming movie, I invite you to join me and discover the essence of self-sacrifice for the needs of others. With all the political upheaval and social unrest in America, this classic Christmas movie is exactly what our hearts need. And since I can celebrate Christmas any time of the year, today is the perfect time to watch something that will bring delight to your heart, if only for a moment.
Will the movie cause you to step out of your pride, stubborn ways, and selfish desires and cause you to submit your heart to Christ, putting the needs of others before your own? Philippians 4:2 encourages us to do this. Or will it empower you to hold on to those traditions that bring hope to the hopeless and think about how to be a beacon of light for someone else? Nothing is as it seems because there is always an underlying reason why such traditions hold a significant place in the hearts of others.
I pray the song, God Is Real by the Sound, stirs your heart to action and make it all about God.
TIME FOR REFLECTION: What traditions do you hold tight to, although others feel you should let them go? Please explain why these practices have a special place in your heart. Encourage somebody today, hit that heart, and share this devotional. You can watch the film on Tubi. I highly recommend this movie!
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