December 15, 2006

Failing the Friday Five

For this mid-December Friday Five, let's explore some Yuletide favorites.

1) It's a Wonderful Life--Is it? Do you remember seeing it for the first time?

We grew up without a television, so the first time I saw it was in college? I mean, it’s not something anyone would ever volunteer to rent, right? I loved it when I saw it, but haven’t needed to watch it again. I can imagine getting sick of it with repetition. Poor Jimmy Stewart. I love him as an actor, but most kids only know him in that role.

2) Miracle on 34th Street--old version or new?
Hmmm….see above—except I’ve never seen this one. "I’m depraved on account I’m deprived" (I grew up going down the street to see live musicals performed at the School for Creative and Performing Arts—I can act out or sing almost any musical, but I can’t handle normal TV based culture.)

3) Do you have a favorite incarnation of Mr. Scrooge?
I must have seen this at a friends house when I was young—I love Scrooge McDuck.

4) Why should it be a problem for an elf to be a dentist? I've been watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for years now, and I still don't get it.
I think I’ve seen Rudolph in bits and pieces but I don’t know if I’ve ever watched it from start to finish. My theory: it was the 50’s, they had to come up with some kind of alternate lifestyle that wasn’t TOO far out.

5) Who's the scariest character in Christmas specials/movies?

* The Bumble
* The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Muppet Version
* That Mean Magician Who Tries to Melt Frosty
* Your Nomination

Wow. I’m bombing out. Never seen the Bumble—no idea who that is. Vague memories of the Mean Magician. So I’d have to go with the Ghost of Christmas.

We had wonderful Christmas traditions, but none of them included watching TV. My Mom made her own Advent calendar with felt and other materials. She made symbols from church history that all related to the character of Jesus or to the Christmas story. We had an Alpha and Omega symbol, a lamb with a cross, a chalice, for Christmas Eve—a manger, then for Christmas Day a baby to put in the manger. Each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, the Advent Sundays, we lit a candle in the advent wreath and took turns reading the prayer for the day. Most of our Christmas celebration actually happened after Christmas, but I'll write about that later.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Your family celebrations sound lovely. I grew up in the '60's, before parents were being warned against television, so I saw all the specials, for good or ill.
Thanks for playing today!

Anonymous said...

Having not grown up here, I've *gasp* never seen those beloved Christmas movies... I finally watched that one with that kid who wanted a bb gun "You'll shoot your eye out!" for the first time couple years ago. (Funny movie.)
However, I do remember watching Frosty the Snowman when I was maybe 4 or 5 and it really stuck in my mind - I cried for Frosty and was soooo sad at the end. I tried watching it again the other day... and found it a bit dull... and THAT made me sad for the loss of my childhood... okay, digressing.

Shawna Atteberry said...

Your holiday celebrations sound great. By reading everyone's responses to this Friday Five, it's really cool to see all the traditions we grew up with. We are one eclectic group. I didn't even know what Advent was until I hit college. It's something evangelicals have only discovered in the last 10-15 years.

1-4 Grace said...

I wish more famalies would hold on to traditions that include making thigns, and truly waiting...

Snickollet said...

We had a TV growing up and I still haven't seen any of those specials. Well, more accurately, I think I saw them when I was little and then promptly forgot them just the way I forget movies and TV shows that I watch now as an adult. I'm easy come, easy go that way.

The advent calendar and wearth traditions sound lovely

scarp said...

I actually love watching 'Its a Wonderful Life' every year....its part of my Christmas tradition... :)

Anonymous said...

I have been lurking on your blog and really enjoying it.

This weekend with my folks, It's a wonderful life was on. My mom commented "This is on every Christmas. I don't understand why..."

Is it weird having Christmas without cold?