A singular joy in my life has been my recent subscription to the Hallmark Channel.
For the next two months, light-hearted, holiday-themed romances will be streaming into my home 24/7.
If you haven’t heard from me lately, it’s because I’ve been on the couch enveloped in a Christmas wonderland of garland-draped hometowns, romance tropes — mainly enemies to lovers — and coordinating knit scarves.
The latest movie I watched was called Tis the Season to be Irish, which is about an American house flipper who purchases a cottage on the coast of Ireland with the intention of turning it into a luxury dwelling and selling it at a profit.
Little does she know, however, that she’ll come up against a stubborn Irishman determined to preserve the cottage’s historic character (meaning: Keeping it cold and drab).
I’ll try not to spoil the unguessable ending. I’ll simply say that the two remain at odds throughout the whole movie until they together eventually learn the true meaning of home. It was a total delight.
The Hallmark schedule hanging on my refrigerator shows that I have plenty of great movies ahead of me with themes ranging from football and princesses to the Nutcracker, the 90s, and even Hanukkah.
I think the only thing missing from the lineup is a Catholic-themed Hallmark movie. Here’s my pitch for one:
In Defense of Advent stars Ella, a successful marketer who comes back to her hometown to usher in A Month of Cheer, a December-long marketing effort to revitalize the downtown economy.
Her first weekend home she runs into an old Catholic school classmate, Patrick, who is now an attorney with a newly refreshed faith.
Act I. When Ella asks for Patrick’s help with setting up for the Christmas cookie walk outside of the Main St. businesses, Patrick dutifully lends a hand as Ella helps business owners decorate their storefronts for the occasion and strategically choose the most crowd-pleasing confections to sell.
Ella playfully dusts Patrick with powdered sugar as he’s helping hang a string of lights.
He laughs good-naturedly.
She holds out a gingerbread cookie. “Peace offering?”
Patrick declines with a wave of his hand. “Thanks, but I’m fasting from sweets during Advent.”
“In Advent? I thought that was a Lent thing.”
Ella thinks fasting before Christmas is strange but can’t help but notice that Patrick’s taste in scarves is on point.
Act II. When Patrick invites Ella on a sleigh ride one evening, she is thrilled.
The evening is lovely until Ella asks Patrick to play “Sleigh Ride” on his speaker.
Patrick says firmly, “No. I have a strict no Christmas music until Christmas rule.”
Ella retorts, “But it’s already mid-December. It’s almost the start of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Main Street is gearing up to go all out for it.”
With lawyerly precision, Patrick launches into a robust history lesson about how the Twelve Days of Christmas actually starts on Christmas Day.
Ella is irritated and both are quiet for the rest of the ride.
Act III, Scene 1. Back at the Town Square, Ella is putting the final touches on Santa’s Reindeer Farm, an elaborate display complete with reindeer that children can pet and take pictures with.
When Patrick and Ella bump into each other, an awkward pause ensues.
Ella finally breaks the silence. “Why can’t you lighten up? You’re taking all the fun out of the season.”
Patrick waves at the wild reindeer scene. “Ella, you have totally missed Advent and have jumped right into Christmas and only the shallowest aspects of it.”
Act III, Scene 2. Ella leaves to take a head-clearing walk in the nearby park.
She considers Patrick’s words and admits to a feeling of emptiness surrounding her work. Just then, inspiration hits.
Ella works long after darkness has fallen. When she’s done, she steps back to admire her work.
Built seamlessly into the reindeer stables is a magnificent life-size Nativity set.
She reserves Baby Jesus, wrapping Him in a blanket and saving Him for a special ceremony on the 25th when He’ll be placed in the manger by a child.
As she packs up to head home, she’s startled to discover Patrick at her side.
Patrick admires the crèche. “This is the most beautiful Nativity I’ve ever seen.” He then turns to leave.
“Where are you going?” she asks.
“Adoration by candlelight.”
“Can I come too?”
He gives her his elbow. “Absolutely, but only if we stop to get warm holiday beverages afterward.”
She beams but looks surprised.
“I might even add a little peppermint syrup to my coffee,” he adds with a wink, “because Advent should be a joyful waiting, after all.”
The happy couple walks to church arm in arm.
Look for In Defense of Advent on next year’s Hallmark schedule!
Meg Matenaer is a wife, mom, social media writer, and author residing in the Diocese of Madison.