I had several movies on my Christmas list that my mom could have chosen from once she chose to give me a movie. But, she likes to do things her way and took none of those suggestions, instead giving me Christmas Shoes. One look at the cover and i knew this was a movie that would make me cry.
I happen to enjoy a good cry now and then. It’s cleansing, therapeutic. This movie went above and beyond. I think i sobbed through half the movie!
It was very good. It focuses on two couples around Christmastime. One is facing marital troubles. In the other, the wife is waiting for a heart transplant. She dies, of course, and there are a lot of opportunities for heart-wrenching moments to catch on film.
The screenplay for this movie is actually based on a song by NewSong. I’ve reprinted it here. The song alone makes me cry, so it’s no surprise that the movie version made me sob buckets.
Thanks, Mom! This was a great movie gift.
Christmas Shoes, by NewSong
It was almost Christmas time,
There I stood in another line
Tryin’ to buy that last gift or two,
Not really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me was
A little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing ’round like little boys do
And in his hands he held a pair of shoes
His clothes were worn and old,
He was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn’t believe what I heard him say
Sir, I want to buy these shoes
For my Mama, please
It’s Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir,
Daddy says there’s not much time
You see she’s been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If Mama meets Jesus tonight
He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the cashier said, “Son, there’s not enough here”
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me
He said Mama made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she just did without
Tell me Sir, what am I going to do
Somehow I’ve got to buy her these Christmas shoes
So I laid the money down,
I just had to help him out
I’ll never forget the look on his face when
He said Mama’s gonna look so great
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It’s Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir,
Daddy says there’s not much time
You see she’s been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If Mama meets Jesus tonight
I knew I’d caught a glimpse of heaven’s love
As he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me just what Christmas is all about