Christmas is a universal festival, celebrated around the world in many different forms. While modern society has largely adopted festive and commercial representations of Christmas, the Christian message of peace, love, redemption and hope continues to be conveyed through film and music. This article explores in depth modern films and songs that, while adopting contemporary formats, perpetuate the fundamental Christian values associated with Christmas.
Modern cinema and the Christian message of Christmas
Cinema is a powerful medium for conveying stories imbued with spiritual values. Many modern films, although sometimes indirect in their approach, highlight Christian teachings and the deeper meaning of Christmas.
Explicitly religious films:
Some modern films directly address the Nativity story or Christian values:
The Nativity Story (2006): This film offers a faithful and moving depiction of the biblical story of the birth of Jesus. Through a realistic approach, it highlights Mary's faith, divine guidance and the miracle of the Nativity.
The Star (2017): This animated film for children tells the story of the Nativity from the point of view of the animals who witnessed the event. Accessible and educational, it conveys messages of love, faith and hope.
Family films with Christian values:
Modern films take a more subtle approach to Christmas, focusing on Christian values such as charity, forgiveness and family love:
A Christmas Carol (2009): This animated adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, although centred on a story of redemption, reflects Christian themes of spiritual transformation and generosity.
The Christmas Candle (2013): Based on a novel by Max Lucado, this film explores the miracles of Christmas in a small English town. It reminds us that faith and heartfelt prayers can transform hearts.
Inspiring films around faith and Christmas:
Modern works such as God Bless the Broken Road (2018) or The Heart of Christmas (2011) use the Christmas season as a setting to explore faith, resilience and the power of Christian love.
Modern songs that celebrate the Christian message of Christmas
Music, universal and timeless, is another favoured medium for conveying the Christian teachings and values of Christmas. Many modern artists, even in mainstream settings, compose songs that perpetuate this spiritual message.
Modern songs inspired by traditional carols:
"Mary, Did You Know?" Written in 1991 by Mark Lowry, this song questions the Virgin Mary about the importance of the child she is carrying. It has become a modern classic, performed by artists such as Pentatonix and Carrie Underwood.
"Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" by Amy Grant : This song tells the Christmas story from Mary's point of view, expressing her doubts and her faith. It highlights the humanity and spirituality of this event.
Christmas albums by Christian artists: many contemporary Christian music artists have recorded Christmas albums incorporating traditional and original songs:
Chris Tomlin with Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship (2015), an album focused on praise and worship.
Lauren Daigle with Behold (2016), which revisits classic hymns with a modern, soulful twist.
Mainstream songs with a Christian essence: Even outside the explicitly Christian sphere, some modern songs incorporate biblical or spiritual themes:
"Where Are You Christmas?" by Faith Hill: This song, although general, evokes the search for meaning and faith during the holidays.
"Grown-Up Christmas List": Popularised by Amy Grant, it reflects Christian values such as universal peace and compassion.
The evolution of Christian themes in modern music and film
Modern films and songs often take liberties to reflect contemporary concerns while retaining the heart of the Christian message:
Inclusion and diversity: Some modern works, while respecting Christian tradition, incorporate elements of cultural or social diversity, broadening the universal scope of Christmas.
Hope in adversity : Many modern works use Christmas as a backdrop to address challenges such as loneliness, family conflict or personal crises, while offering a faith-inspired resolution.
Even when not explicitly religious, many modern films and songs convey values deeply rooted in Christian teachings:
Charity and generosity (as in The Polar Express).
The importance of family and reconciliation (Home Alone and its underlying values of forgiveness).
The call for peace and universal love (in songs like John Lennon's Happy Xmas (War Is Over)).
Why these works remain relevant today
Reaching a wide audience: Modern films and songs make Christian values accessible to a wider audience, by adopting contemporary formats and language.
An inspiration: These works remind us that Christmas is not simply a commercial holiday but a time for spiritual reflection, when everyone is called to cultivate values of love, faith and compassion.
The intergenerational link: By combining tradition and modernity, these works help to transmit the Christian values of Christmas across the generations, creating points of connection between young and old.
Modern films and songs play an essential role in perpetuating the Christian message of Christmas. Whether explicitly religious or subtly spiritual, they remind us of the importance of faith, redemption and love at this time of year. By watching these films or listening to these songs, we are invited to rediscover the deeper meaning of Christmas, a timeless celebration of light in the heart of darkness.
