DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE
Christmas shines through sacrifice, acceptance, forgiveness, and love.
Should You Watch It?
Yes. This delightful TV movie places sacrifice, acceptance, forgiveness, prayer, and Christian faith at the center of a family Christmas story. The acting is top-notch, especially Alyvia Alyn Lind as young Dolly Parton, and the program offers a rare overt presentation of faith on network television.
The storytelling is bumpy, and the emotional conflicts are not as powerful as those in Coat of Many Colors. A confusing character also leaves viewers wondering whether she is a prostitute or an angel in disguise. Still, the family’s danger is stronger this time, and the message of putting loved ones first is clear.
Watch it when you want a wholesome Christmas program that points your family toward Jesus, prayer, and forgiveness.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESYoung Dolly Parton and her siblings decide to sacrifice their Christmas presents so they can buy their mother a ring. Dolly also hopes to play the Virgin Mary in the church Nativity play.
As the family works to earn money, Dolly befriends a mysterious woman, her father takes a dangerous job in the mines, and a blizzard threatens the family farm. The Christmas plans become a fight for the family’s safety.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a delightful, highly enjoyable TV program. The acting is top-notch, especially Alyvia Alyn Lind as young Dolly Parton. The stronger jeopardy and stakes give the story momentum, while its Christmas setting and heartfelt family focus make it a welcome choice for viewers of all ages.
The storytelling is bumpy at times, and the characters’ emotional conflict is not as powerful as in Coat of Many Colors. The mysterious woman played by Dolly Parton is also confusing because the program does not clearly explain whether she is a prostitute or an angel in disguise. Even with those weaknesses, the acting and message make this a breath of fresh air.
The Worldview
This program presents a very strong Christian, biblical, and moral worldview. It focuses on the birth of Jesus Christ, prayer, the Bible, baptism, and the message that God is love and came to save us. It also portrays sacrifice for loved ones, acceptance of others, and forgiveness toward those who have done wrong as central Christian values.
The story’s faith is overt rather than merely implied. An angel protects the family, and the Gospel is placed front and center. The program’s central longing is for a family to remain together and for love to be shown through sacrificial action. That emphasis aligns with Scripture’s call to love: “God is love” (1 John 4:8).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian, biblical, moral worldview revolves around Christmas and the birth of Jesus, with songs about his birth, prayer, discussions of the Bible, and an overt message that God is Love and He came to save us, a man is baptized, an angel protects the family, and Christian, biblical values promoting sacrifice, acceptance and forgiveness; two utterances of the “h” word; light violence includes a mine collapses, but no one dies, man is bruised up a bit from the collapse, a family is put in peril during a blizzard; man kisses and flirts with his wife, and it’s implied a woman may be a prostitute or a “loose” woman; no nudity; no alcohol use; brief smoking of cigarettes; and, children bicker and lie.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The children give up their Christmas presents to help their mother. What does this sacrifice show about love, and what might sacrificial love look like in your family?
John 15:13 · Philippians 2:3–4Dolly prays for the opportunity to play Mary in the Nativity. How should we respond when God answers a prayer, and how should we respond when He answers differently?
Philippians 4:6–7 · 1 John 5:14The program emphasizes accepting others and forgiving those who have wronged us. Why can forgiveness be difficult, and what has God forgiven us through Christ?
Ephesians 4:32 · Colossians 3:13The story centers on the birth of Jesus and God’s saving love. What does Christmas reveal about God’s character and purpose?
Luke 2:10–11 · 1 John 4:9–10The Final Word
This is a warm, faith-filled Christmas program with excellent acting and a strong message of sacrifice, acceptance, and forgiveness. Its storytelling has bumps, but its focus on Jesus and family makes it a wonderful choice for the season. WORTH THE TRIP.
