A CHRISTMAS SNOW
A winsome Christmas story where bitterness gives way to faith.
Should You Watch It?
A CHRISTMAS SNOW is one of the better Christian movies in the source review’s view. It is well-directed and well-acted, and its presentation of the Gospel is winsome and compelling. The Christmas setting, family conflict, grief and bitterness give the story an accessible emotional center.
The film is also gentle in its content. It has light violence but no blood, foul language, sex, nudity, alcohol or smoking. Its main weakness is dramatic: for long stretches, little seems to be at stake, making the movie feel more like a television production than a theatrical one.
The ending arrives as an almost complete surprise, though it raises theological questions about one character. If you want a family-friendly Christmas film that openly points viewers toward Jesus, this is worth watching.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESKathleen Mitchell was abandoned by her father at Christmas when she was 10. Now she runs a restaurant and insists on keeping it open for the holiday.
When Kathleen’s boyfriend leaves his 10-year-old daughter, Lucy, in her care, grief and fear make the two of them clash. A snowstorm then strands Kathleen, Lucy and an old man named Sam together in Kathleen’s home, where Sam helps them open up to each other and to the story of Jesus.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means a good but imperfect Christian drama. A CHRISTMAS SNOW earns that rating through its direction, acting and clear evangelistic purpose. The Gospel is presented in a winsome, compelling way, and the central encounter on Christmas is heartwarming.
The film’s ending is a genuine surprise, although the source notes clues that one character may be more than he appears to be. The main dramatic weakness is the lack of jeopardy for long stretches. As a result, the movie plays more like a television movie than a theatrical film.
The Worldview
A CHRISTMAS SNOW openly presents a Christian, biblical worldview. The film includes repeated readings of the Nativity Story, testimony about being saved and direct requests for a grown daughter to be saved. Its central movement is from abandonment, grief and bitterness toward openness, relationship and the story of Jesus.
The film’s one significant theological question concerns a character who may be a ghost or an angel-like figure. The source describes this element as ambiguous and compares it to The Sixth Sense and It’s a Wonderful Life. That uncertainty complicates an otherwise direct presentation of Christian faith.
The movie’s central longing is for wounded people to rise above bitterness and receive hope through Christ. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong evangelistic Christian, biblical movie with repeated readings of the Nativity Story about the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, explicit testimony of being saved, and explicit requests for grown daughter to be saved, with a character that may be a ghost a la THE SIXTH SENSE but it’s more ambiguous; no foul language; light violence but no blood includes man gets hit by car, two teenage robbers hit man with skateboard, woman gets word of father’s death; no sex or sexual immorality but two characters at restaurant seem to somewhat effeminate; no nudity; no alcohol; no smoking; and, discussion of therapist in scene where young girl tries to psychoanalyze young woman.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Kathleen carries bitterness from being abandoned by her father. How can grief and hurt shape the way we treat people who need our love?
Ephesians 4:31–32 · Colossians 3:12–13Lucy fears that her father will forget her when he marries Kathleen. What helps a child feel secure when a family is changing?
Psalm 27:10 · Isaiah 49:15–16The film presents the Gospel through the Nativity Story and conversations about being saved. What does Jesus’ birth reveal about God’s purpose in sending Him?
Luke 2:10–11 · John 3:16Sam has made wrong decisions and heard the Gospel from another person. How can God use our past and the people He places in our lives to bring hope?
Romans 8:28 · 2 Corinthians 5:17The Final Word
A CHRISTMAS SNOW is a heartwarming, well-acted Christian Christmas drama with a compelling Gospel message and gentle content for all ages. Its lack of jeopardy keeps it from greatness, but families seeking a faith-forward holiday movie should make time for WORTH THE TRIP.
