I give this 9--highest I can give to a modern Christmas movie. Ten is still reserved for It's a Wonderful Life, The Bishop's Wife, and the original Miracle on 34th Street.There are more low budget Christmas movies out there than anyone could try to watch. Most are clearly either Lifetime fare, kids' flicks, or just cheesy Christmas formula movies. This one stands out head and shoulders above those. Production values are somewhat higher than standard TV movie grade, and while the story is not really special, it's adult without needing an R or PG13 rating. What really makes this movie is the performances. The characters are all likable (or not), and they are believable. Performance kudos split 50/50 to the actors and the director.If this shows up on your local station or cable, I think it's worth your time to give it a look. I think we first saw it maybe five years ago, then again a couple years later, and again last year. This year, I found myself searching for it on Netflix and Amazon and disappointed that it wasn't there. Still, it's early (Dec 5), so maybe it will show up. If so, we'll watch it again.

I've watched this one every year since I came across it on Hallmark. It's a wonderful story, heartwarming with a happy ending. All the characters were likable except Paul. Faith and Cody good for each other but I'd like to see them loosen up a bit, they came across as a bit stiff at times. But overall is good TV and I never miss it when it's on.

Although a bit flimsy, the plot is not to bad. A Christmas card from an unknown woman as the trigger for the lead character to find love, well I haven't seen that before.Throughout the movie the story offers enough emotional moments and where Asner and Nettleton are rather convincing, Newton and Evans seem to just have had a Botox treatment. Almost the whole time without any emotions except for the final seconds at the Vietnam memorial. That looked genuine. Probably because their faces weren't visible.Still, I think the movie is worth your time. I enjoyed it, despite the poor acting.

As a person that does not like or celebrate Christmas, it is a personal choice and it is mine. Those people who do, I hope you have a wonderful time. I put this film on as there was really nothing else to watch. I believe that fate or whatever, does this to people, which is why this film was a complete surprise for me, its not a film I would have looked twice at in the TV listings. The fact it was heartwarming film, more than it was Christmassy, about core family values (something that is missing in my own life), neighbours, strangers in a far away land, and not about the giving of gifts. This made it watchable and enjoyable. The actors are all very good, the scenes are beautiful and the snow is great to see. There are a few more to check out, hop you enjoy: 1) Its A Wonderful Life. (George Bailey - James Stewart) 2) A Christmas Visitor. (George Boyajians) 3) Scrooge (1951)(B/w version). (Ebeneezer Scrooge) 4) National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.(Clark Griswold) 5) Scrooged (Frank Cross). I have just put a spoiler alert.I notice a glaring mistake in the movie. Here goes.After Cody and the Spellman family leave the hospital, Faith arrives home with Cody just behind her, she tells him to put his cycle next to 'Pops', which he does. After he has settled in he goes to the living room where Rosies cousins have come to see the family, Cody is introduced to them. Rosie asks Cody to go and fetch 2 folding chairs for the boys. Cody goes to the garage with Luke. Luke shows him the sleigh that he built for Rosy as she finds it romantic. Cody then asks if the hog is also for Rosy? How can it be for Rosy when he was told that it's 'Pops' by Faith?. Its because of this I am marking it down to 8/10.