Happy Weekend, Friends!
It's another jam-packed few days filled with new Christmas movie premieres from Thursday to Sunday!
The main theme for this weekend seems to be about stars, literally and figuratively.
Most importantly, however, Hallmark Channel's new DaySpring movie, Following Yonder Star, focuses on the most significant, meaningful, and epic star of all... the Bethlehem star. I have come to love and enjoy all of the previous DaySpring line of inspirational films, such as The Blessing Bracelet and Miracle in Bethlehem, PA (which, by the way, is airing just before this new premiere Sunday night), and I have high hopes that I will also enjoy Following Yonder Star just as much. Brooke D'Orsay has been one of my absolute favorites since her very first Hallmark role in How to Fall in Love, so I'm very much looking forward to seeing her in this uplifting, faith-filled film.
As for the other stars featured this weekend...
Hallmark Mystery's All I Need for Christmas features an aspiring singing star, played by Mallory Jansen.
And Great American Family's Get Him Back for Christmas features a pop music star, played by Alexa Pena Vega, who loses her way after a heartbreaking break-up.
Although not about stars, Hanukkah on the Rocks is about the search for Hanukkah candles, which may end up lighting the path for a recently unemployed corporate lawyer.
Look for these illuminating NEW Christmas movies and more this weekend! See details below...
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Thursday, December 12, 2024:
Storyline: Maggie (Mallory Jansen) has been trying for years to break in as a singer/songwriter. Now faced with challenges of new apps and social media, Maggie fears she’s outdated and unable to compete in a tech-savvy world. While helping her parents on their farm at Christmastime, she meets Archer (Dan Jeannotte), an entrepreneur who has come back to town to spend the holidays alone. Archer is developing large-scale apps and is a tech enthusiast. At first, Maggie blames him for all of her songwriting woes. To her surprise, he encourages her to get back in touch with music that really matters and write from the heart; tech can be used in a supportive role to help her achieve her dreams without replacing the art of songwriting. Archer is dealing with loss of family, and through her tight family bonds, Maggie helps Archer find ways of moving beyond years of family feuding. In this holiday romance, Maggie and Archer both discover there is merit in preserving the tried and true while making room for new ideas and methods to bring people together and help make dreams come true.
Premieres Thursday, December 12, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on Hallmark Mystery
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Friday, December 13, 2024:
Storyline: One week before Hanukkah, corporate lawyer Tory (Stacey Farber) finds herself unexpectedly unemployed and questioning the career she's dedicated years to. As she helps her Bubby prepare for the holiday, she embarks on a quest across Chicago to find the last box of coveted Hanukkah candles. Her search leads her to Rocky's, an Old Town bar, where she encounters Jay (Daren Kagasoff), a charming doctor from Florida, his grandfather Sam (Marc Summers) and a cast of quirky regulars who make her rethink everything. Torn between keeping her job loss a secret and embracing a newfound sense of belonging, Tory ends up bartending at Rocky's, transforming it into the vibrant "Hanukkah on the Rocks" celebration. Through festive food, drinks, and games, she revitalizes the bar, bonds with Jay, and finds the courage to pursue her true calling. As Tory navigates the holiday, she learns that sometimes a detour can lead you exactly where you're meant to be, lighting the way to a future filled with joy, romance, and self-discovery.
Premieres Friday, December 13, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
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Saturday, December 14, 2024:
Storyline: Bella made it big in music. Jack stayed behind in his hometown working at The Salvation Army to help his family after his dad passes. Bella returns home after a heartbreaking split with her chart-topping singing partner and asks Jack to write the perfect song to get her boyfriend back. Carlos PenaVega wrote and performs an original song, “Get Him Back for Christmas” performed for the film at AT&T Stadium.
Premieres Saturday, December 14, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on Great American Family
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Saturday, December 14, 2024:
Storyline: Kate North (Sustad) finds herself reluctantly taking over her father's once acclaimed and now struggling Santa School. In the weeks leading up to Christmas and the school's next session, Kate and her new co-worker Dan (Ayres) discover who they believe to be the real Santa Claus, lost and without his memories after his sled steered off course and crashed near the school. They decide to help him remember who he is by inviting him to participate in the intense Santa training program. There's a lot at stake this year with Kate's school needs to best the rival St. Nicholas School or be forced to close their doors, and Nick (Santa Claus) needs to remember who he is, or the fate of Christmas might be at stake.
Premieres Saturday, December 14, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
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Saturday, December 14, 2024:
Storyline: The Holiday Junkie follows the decorating and planning service company run by Andie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and her mother Mimi. After Mimi passes away, Andie is forced to face her first Christmas without her mother and carry The Holiday Junkie torch on her own. Despite the challenges, Andie may also find some love at Christmas along the way with the handsome house manager, Mason (Brian Hallisay), who has his own holiday secrets.
Premieres Saturday, December 14, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime
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Sunday, December 15, 2024:
Storyline: When a successful children's book author Chloe Anderson heads to the cozy town of Noelville to spend time with her sister's family and help care for her recently widowed father, she didn't expect the instant-connection with the local bookstore owner and single dad, Ethan; or find her number one fan in his daughter, Alex. Will the small town's charms be enough to rekindle a grieving family's Christmas spirit along Chloe's dreams of writing her first novel - let alone a chance at love?
Premieres Sunday, December 15, 2024
at 7pm/6c. on UPtv
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Sunday, December 15, 2024:
Storyline: Abby Marshall (Brooke D'Orsay), once celebrated for her role as an inspirational mother on TV, is finding her real life in shambles after dealing with a scandal. She retreats to a luxury Vermont resort for Christmas only to find herself without a room due to a booking mishap. All the local hotels are booked up due to a rare astronomical event - a beautiful star said to mirror the Star of Bethlehem will appear on Christmas Eve. Thankfully, Abby finds a room at a quaint B&B, owned by Tom Maguire (John Brotherton), who is also a high school astronomy teacher. Since his wife's passing, Tom has taken on a lot of extra responsibilities, including running the inn and directing the local church's Christmas pageant. Empathizing with Tom, Abby offers to help with the pageant and various activities around the inn and finds herself enjoying both the projects and Tom's company. Through newfound community, family and love, Abby discovers that hope sometimes comes in the most unexpected ways.
Premieres Sunday, December 15, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
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Sunday, December 15, 2024:
Storyline: Jess (Kirsten Comerford) the “Queen of Christmas Sweaters,” quits her job at the hottest fashion label in NYC, intent on winning a Christmas competition with her own line of sustainable luxury knits. Getting her hands dirty, she teams up with Andrew (Matt Wells), a single dad and struggling alpaca farmer, as she helps bring Christmas joy to the farm and love into both of their hearts.
Premieres Sunday, December 15, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime
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Movie Recommendation:
I received a thoughtful email this week from a loyal follower. He wanted me to share with you all that the feature film The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is now available to view by streaming.
He also shared this brief, positive review, "This is a wonderful wonderful movie and we think it will become a Christmas classic. If you haven’t seen it do yourself a favor."
I must say, I haven't seen this new Christmas movie, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, yet, but since the day this film was announced, it has been on my must-see watch list! The original made-for-TV short that features this story is so beautiful and heartwarming. I'm hoping this new film will be just as special. And it sounds like, from this review, that it is!
Click here to stream The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
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My Weekend Watch List:
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and hopefully, you'll be able to watch many of the new and classic Christmas movies!
Following Yonder Star and Get Him Back for Christmas are my top two picks for this weekend.
At the top of this post, I mentioned my thoughts on Following Yonder Star, but I'll sum it up again by saying how much I look forward to these inspirational DaySpring films that always focus, whether it be Christmas or Easter, on the true meaning of the season.
I'm also looking forward to seeing Alexa and Carlos' second Great American Family movie premiere, Get Him Back for Christmas. It looks like this will be a lighthearted film filled with festive music, heartwarming moments, and inspiration. I just adore Alexa and Carlos; they are such a lovely couple and they have such beautiful children. Most of all, their faith in The Lord shines through with their giving spirits as they work with the Salvation Army, which will be prominently featured in their new Christmas movie.
Please be sure to share which movies you are looking forward to this weekend in the comments below.
And by the way, if you are still doing some Christmas shopping, as I am, I have some gift-giving ideas- click here!
Visit the *Christmas TV Schedule* for the dates and times of NEW Christmas movies.
You can find the 2024 Christmas Movie Review post *here*.
Happy Christmas Movie-Watching!
Net 🎄
SHINING HIS LIGHT:
Scriptures for the second week of Advent,
which represents peace...
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace,
goodwill toward men!”
~Luke 2:14
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.”
~ Matthew 5:9
