KIM BARNES | CONTRIBUTOR

I have a confession to make. I like Hallmark Movies. Now, perhaps you don’t see that as something to confess, but I’m someone who used to mercilessly mock Hallmark-type movies and those who liked them. I viewed such movies as silly and predictable and the folks who enjoyed those movies as shallow, undiscerning media consumers. I was wrong. Now, I’m not saying that Hallmark movies are high art, just that they have value that I previously did not appreciate.

In case you’re unfamiliar, most Hallmark movies have a similar plot. In the first few minutes a woman experiencing some sort of disappointing life change or crisis meets or reconnects with a man who she initially finds unappealing. Circumstances cause the two to have to work together on some project or event. Miraculously they successfully complete the project—that would normally take months to complete—in a week or two. Sparks fly and romance is kindled. Despite obvious attraction, the couple experiences conflict and misunderstanding leading them to believe that they’re not meant to be together. But this belief is short-lived and the movie crescendos with the couple professing their love, sealed with a kiss.

The Beauty of Simplicity

Why do millions of people (mostly women) enjoy these predictable, unrealistic, formulaic movies?

During a particularly stressful season in my life, I discovered Hallmark movies and found the predictability comforting. At first, I thought my enjoyment was nothing more than a little escape from reality. But what if it’s the opposite? What if the reason I was drawn to these movies is that they are supremely realistic? Perhaps the predictable plots and simplistic stories remind us of the beautiful simplicity of the Gospel story and point us to the reality of life with Christ?

As lost sinners we look for meaning. Uncertainty fills our lives. When we are introduced to Jesus, we may think He’s not the answer we’re looking for. We may resist submitting to His Lordship. But He woos us, and we become smitten with Him. He does the seemingly impossible. He saves and changes a sinner. Along the way, sin interferes. We sometimes think there’s another way. We make choices that complicate our life on earth and our relationship with Jesus. Sometimes staying the course with Christ seems unimaginable. But in the end, we can be sure that we will be together. Everything will be made right, and we will enjoy an eternity in the presence of Christ.

This is the kind of predictability we long for and it’s the kind of predictability we can count on as we embark on a new year.

Exhaustion is what many of us feel at the end of the year. The holiday season, though filled with joy and fun, is also tiring. For some of us, grief and sadness hover over the season. We may lack enthusiasm as we move into the new year. Hope may not be in the forefront.

Believe it or not, I think Hallmark movies can help us here.

Remembering the Faithfulness of God

A common theme in Hallmark movies is the main character re-connecting with his or her roots or uncovering an important story from the past. The connection to the past inspires and empowers the character to move forward. Like the comfort food that fills our holiday tables and reminds us of our gatherings in years past, the comfort-flicks, of Hallmark remind us to remember joyful times. Such remembering offers a taste of the comfort that comes from the true Comforter.

This is also a theme in the Scriptures. God’s people are exhorted to remember and to tell the stories of His unwavering faithfulness. As we do this, we see the goodness, holiness, and power of God, even as sin and sadness that surround us. As we remember and meditate on the goodness of God, we are emboldened to look forward with great hope.

We see this modeled in Psalm 77. The psalmist feels weary, discouraged, and hopeless. He seeks the Lord but doubts His goodness. He wonders if God has abandoned him. As he honestly cries out, God changes the shape of his prayer. Starting in verse 11 we read:

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
 I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
 You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
 You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.

The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

The psalmist moves from fear and doubt to confidence and hope as he remembers the stories passed down to him about the God who rescues and redeems.

The psalmist’s stories are our stories. We serve a God who is steadfastly at work for our good. We may feel like the psalmist that God has changed course—that He’s given up on us. It may seem that there is no way out. That’s when have to remember. We remember the past deeds and present mercies of our powerful, wonder-working God. And as we stand in awe of His faithfulness, we can trust His promises about the future.

When I watch a Hallmark movie, I know by the end of the first act which two characters are going to be embracing in the end. And as certain as that is, there is even greater certainty of a happy ending for those who are in Christ. No matter the obstacles and conflict, we know our story ends in the warm embrace of Jesus.

Photo by Amy Humphries on Unsplash