Christmas... in the News: Early Christmas, Review of 'That Christmas' & Christmas at Biltmore after Helene Recovery

 

Welcome to this week's edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a weekly review of some of the Christmas articles and news over the last week. 

Can you believe there are only 66 days until Christmas? That's wild! Lots of Christmas in the news this week, and Great American Family and Hallmark Channel are already busy helping us count down the days to Christmas with tons of new movies. I blessed myself with a subscription to Frndly TV, so now I can watch all my favorites.

Let's talk about this week's news. I hope you have some tissues handy.

We journey to Antioch, Illinois where WRTW-TV/WAGT-TV reported on the touching story of neighbors bringing an early Christmas to a holiday-loving woman who is on hospice. Isn't it great when friends come together to make a difference? You can read about it here.

The Hollywood Reporter just released their review of the animated Netflix feature That Christmas. They say this is destined to become a Christmas classic. Check out the review here.

Finally, we travel to Asheville, North Carolina, recently devastated by Hurricane Helene. WLOS 12 out of Asheville has reported that Biltmore Estate, despite incurring damage from Helene, will reopen on November 2nd, to welcome guests for Christmas at Biltmore. Now, is a time to support North Carolina, its residents, and its historical treasures. On the estate's Facebook page, they acknowledge the compassion and resolve of the community as they recover. You can read more here.

Until next week, hope you enjoy your holiday preparations. 

Christmas on Netflix: Angela's Christmas (2017)

 

The Netflix original, Angela's Christmas, was released in 2017. Set in Limerick, Ireland in 1914, it tells the story of an impoverished family led by a single mother, the narrator's grandmother. Tom, Pat, and baby Aggie, are siblings to Angela, the third child and the narrator's mother. 

Just seven months prior to the start of World War I, Angela and her family visit St. Joseph's church on Christmas Eve. Angela, afraid baby Jesus from the manager scene will be cold, sneaks back into the church and brings baby Jesus home with her to keep him warm. Once her mother finds out, she tells the story of the night Angela was born, which reminds the girl that baby Jesus needs to go home to his family. 

This is a heartwarming tale of the season with a healthy dose of humor along the way. The heart of a child is so clear in Angela's Christmas. A young girl growing up with little, thinks not of herself, but for the needs of another. The animation is wonderful. The story is touching. The ending is clever. 

Inspired by Frank McCourt's Pulitzer-prizing winning memoir of his childhood, Angela's Ashes, this short movie will capture your heart and fill you with the joy of the season. 

I watched this movie on Netflix. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.