The Perfect Gift - DVD – Martha Hoeber, 01/06/2010I sincerely hope Jefferson Moore makes more of these excellent "Perfect Stranger" films. This last (so far) is one of the best, if not the best of them all. Especially since the protagonist is still a child, a pre-teen, which enables children younger than 13 to get the Christmas message loud and clear. Moore's own characterization (he plays Jesus) is perfectly tuned to today's world without being preachy, or sugary, or any of the other things we have come to know and dislike about religious-themed movies.
"Maxine" is a spoiled modern girl, who happens to have been born on Christmas Day, who thinks that the world runs for her sole benefit. "My birthday isn't on Christmas," she declares; "Christmas is on my birthday!"
She is materialistic, rude, self-centered, and all that parents dread that their pre-teens are becoming. Her mother is a divorcee, working full time and worried about keeping her job, which this year involves planning the company's "Winter Gala," the new, politically correct name for the former office Christmas Party.
Mean while, Father Tony is an associate pastor at a downtown church run by a hide-bound senior pastor whose main interest is in keeping a set of rules apparently known only to him. As it turns out, this includes not resisting a City Hall ordinance that prohibits religious symbols within 500 feet of the business district. And poor Father Tony is trying, very ineptly, to build a manger scene outside the church, facing the street. Along comes a Stranger with a curious knowledge of carpentry...
This is just a delightful film. I bought it for my grandchildren for Christmas; in fact, I find myself buying more and more of these films for them, because there is nothing in them that is harmful for children of all ages, and a great deal in them that is excellent teaching for adults as well. I especially enjoyed seeing the awakening understanding, thanks to the Stranger, in Maxine's concept of what Christmas is all about, and how Christians have to peacefully protest the kinds of laws that restrict religious expression. In short, it's a wonderful production. PLEASE MAKE LOTS MORE IN THIS SERIES!!!
