
The Christmas season is a happy, joyous time. It gives us good food, presents, family time and a few laughs. It also brings about festive music, films and television specials. Sometimes though, the season can bring out a variety of emotions. TV specials and films can contribute to these emotions.
Let’s take a look at some of the most tear inducing moments in Christmas films.

Obviously this film had to make it into this article as it depicts the story of George Bailey, who is on the verge of suicide. Through a series of very unfortunate events, George must put aside his dreams and is soon faced with the possibility of bankruptcy, scandal and jail time. Depressed, George gets drunk and goes to a bridge, intending to take his life. A guardian angel comes to his rescue and lets George see what life would be like if he had not done the good things he had done and George soon realizes that he is loved. With that he runs home, is reunited with his family and the film ends happily. The final scenes are touching, because at one point, one isn’t sure where the film is going. George realizes it’s a good time to be alive and he is grateful for everything, the Christmas spirit is true, alive and well.

Love Actually is filled with quite a few emotional moments, if you take a good look at it. The film, taking place during the Christmas season, starts with, amongst other stories, a funeral of a character’s wife (and the mother of the character’s stepson). There’s also the now famous cue card scene. In one sense, it’s a lovely, touching moment, but in another, it’s absolutely heartbreaking. Mark (Andrew Lincoln) confesses his unrequited love for Keira Knightley’s character Juliet. He does this by holding up cue cards, which state messages of his love for Juliet. It’s a touching, somewhat heart-warming moment, with the Christmas carols playing and with the Christmas decorations up. However, it’s also sort of sad, as Mark knows that his love is unrequited and he, in a sense, must spend Christmas alone. Mark is able to put his feelings aside and move on in the end, so it works out. Love Actually is one of the best Christmas films of recent times. It deals with love, loss, celebrations and one hell of a Nativity play!
(Ed: Talking about Love Actually, there is also this scene.)

Okay, so how did this film end up on here? It’s a fun movie about a kid who gets left behind, gets the house to himself and must defend himself against some idiotic robbers. The film is generally fun and light-hearted and full of Christmas fun. On Christmas Eve, shortly before the end of the film, Kevin is walking through his neighbourhood, watching families get together. Kevin realizes he is alone and wanders into a church, where he listens to a choir perform. His neighbor, Old Man Marley, comes to sit next to him. Marley reveals that he is watching his granddaughter, who is in the choir. Marley has been the subject some vicious rumors, which Kevin learns are very much false. The two bond, as they are both alone this Christmas Eve. Kevin has been left behind due to an error and Marley has not spoken to his son and son’s family, due to a falling out. This brief moment shows that while nobody wishes to spend the Christmas season alone, there are those that do. However, all ends well when Kevin is reunited with his family at the end of the film and we see that Marley has reconciled with his son and that the family is spending Christmas Day together. While we get a sad moment, every story in the film ends well. Well, except for perhaps the robbers who keep trying to get to Kevin.
What do you think?

Like when The Grinch’s heart grows three times in size!
Let us know which films bring a tear to your eye.