Day 2: It's a Wonderful Twist

Wish 2: Christmas Stories for a New Generation

When I was young, I enjoyed Christmas cartoons and shows that are today classics. These include, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, and of course “It’s a Wonderful Life”. More new Christmas specials have been added for our annual viewing pleasure.


But the classic shows are fewer and far between. Now that we are older, a different set of Christmastime stories are emerging. They are edgy and try to appeal to all ages. But most of their themes are the same. Someone will save Christmas. People fall in love or are reunited. Someone realizes the true meaning of Christmas (but it doesn’t involve Christ).


I would like to share three of my favorite recent Christmas stories on media that come with a twist. I love these stories because they are new, and they get people to think and be moved.


Warning! The following paragraphs contain spoilers – plot twists – that you may not like to read about if you are planning to view these shows somehow.


The first story is quite a simple one, from the only Christmas episode of a cancelled TV series called Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. This series is a behind-the-scenes look at a production of a live show similar to Saturday Night Live. In this episode, the producers search frantically for a performer after a well-known artist cancels. What they found is “the City of New Orleans”, a band of brass instrument performers. Some of them have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina.


Many TV viewers emailed and called into NBC for a copy of this performance of “O Holy Night”, which is by far the best that I have heard. Many viewers, like me, were moved to tears when we watched for the first time.



The second story is from the TV series “House”. In the winter 2007/8 episode called, “It’s a Wonderful Lie”, an arrogant Dr. Gregory House examines a pretty young woman with a serious rash around her face.


He determines that the rash is caused by hair – donkey hair. When he suggests that she stop whatever unusual thing she is doing and apply an antibiotic cream, she hands him a leaflet. Naughtily, she smiles, “You should see the show.”


It is Christmas Eve, and House shuns the socials once again at the hospital Christmas party. He appears to wander aimlessly the cold streets of Chicago. He happens upon a church and decides to enter. After he sits himself in the crowded pew, a Christmas pageant has begun.


Playing Mary and riding on a donkey is his patient. Her face now clear of rashes, she smiles sweetly and thankfully at Dr. House. And in a rare moment, Dr. House manages to smile too.


The third Christmas story is in a movie simply called “Joyeux Noel” or “Merry Christmas”. It is available on DVD but very hard to find. It is based on real events during World War I, in the trenches of France on Christmas Eve, 1914.


In this story, Berlin supplies small Christmas trees with candles to the troops in the front lines, which they set up on top of the trenches. As the Germans begin to sing “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”), the Scots and French listen. The Scots accompany the melody with bagpipes, and all are singing the carol in their own languages.


They all begin to poke their heads out of the trenches, lay down their weapons and join in no man’s land for a ceasefire of sorts. Eventually, they celebrate mass together. The next morning, Christmas morning, they play soccer, share rations and bury their dead.



This story really makes you think. These enemies shared the same beliefs but are required to fight each other. They have a little or no chance of survival in this bloody war. Even if they do survive, they would have to face death for collaborating with the enemy, an act of treason. War is senseless. But for one brief moment, celebrating the birth of the Christ, these enemies exhibited a sense of humanity.


My wish is for great Christmas stories that don’t have to include presents, Santa Claus or snow. The stories above can appeal to a younger (than me) audience. They help make the Christmas message relevant in today’s world. They test our perceptions and solidify our beliefs and principles. They may not become classics, but they are memorable.


What’s your favorite Christmas story?