The Gift of Peace

Having personally lost someone and having to process that loss during the holidays, this movie touched my heart in so many ways and was such a blessing to me. Nikki DeLoach and Brennan Elliott, along with the other actors, did a wonderful job of portraying those who are struggling to process the loss of loved ones. Their stories are genuine and very touching as they share what they are feeling. They are honest in their grief and in the way they share their hearts. I hope that others who watch this are as touched by the senitments expressed as much as I was, especially if they are still processing the loss of someone special in their lives.

It is the most impressive Christmas Hallmark who I saw. Because it is ...Christian, the meaning of Christmas is not covered in romance , the grief of loss and the steps of cure are fair and gentle and wise reflected.

Because the pray is axis of the life of characters.

For church and the best places.

Indeed, all seems familiar, from the presence of Nikki Deloach and Brennan Elliot to the details defining the familiar structure of story.

But you feel, with full joy, than it is more than Hallmark, the expected one. Small touches, nice tones, beautiful nuances and the old fashion Christmas , maybe not traditional but true.

So, the first Christmas Hallmark deserving- my opinion- just ten stars.

7.0 stars.

I rate these Hallmark movies based on specific criteria, most of which this movie does not attempt in any way to measure up. This is solely about grief, and loss of a loved one. If you've ever gone to grief share meetings, or the like, and you've lost a spouse, friend, parent, child, sibling, or even a beloved pet - seeing this may be a good experience for you. I lost my mom about 5 months ago. Nothing mends the soul but God and time.

This movie is rated 7.0 simply because it's a blessed thing. It is a capably made film, meets all the basic standards. There is no romance, no comedy, nothing like that. It is 100% unadulterated hope and 'The Gift of Peace' for those who need it.

This movie is heartwarming and well done. The acting is good. Princess Davis has a nice singing voice. I often say that Nikki Deloach is Hallmark's best actor especially if you want more than the usual rom/com. She has done a few movies about healing from loss.

We learn that after the death of her husband, Traci has lost, among other things, the heart to be able to pray. She tells us along with characters in the story that she prayed for her husband. She thinks that God did not hear her. He certainly didn't seem to answer her. Through the story, Traci learns that God doesn't always answer the way we want. She eventually opens herself up again to her support group. The writers couldn't resist throwing a hint of romance in, but it wasn't needed.

I think that this movie fully accomplished what it set out to. On what might be a slightly negative side, I found it interesting that Hallmark, which is usually excellent at capturing breathtaking scenery, chooses to use what was probably a painted background, definitely a still, for the mountain top views. I think that was meant to be significant somehow, perhaps related to Traci's vocation.

For those who resist God messages in these types of movies, you may find this movie not to your liking. There is a lot of God talk and the characters frequently give thanks to God for various things that happen. But for me, the movie stops short of going as far as it could, especially at Christmas. In this 2022 Christmas season, another movie on another network briefly told the entire story. I will simply summarize and say that the full message is that God gave the greatest gift at Christmas so that debts.

This is a film with a message about grief, loss and faith. There is a heavy Christian message, so forewarned if that message will bother you.

It tells the story of a painter named Traci who's husband passed away two years prior. Not only was he her husband but her painting partner as well. As her father said, they complemented each other. Traci, her family and friends all had faith and prayed for her husband's brain surgery to be successful. When it wasn't, Traci became angry, stopped praying, stopped going to church and almost gave up on her painting career.

Traci's friend and manager advises her to attend her church's support group. The support group is small and consists of the leader, an elderly woman who lost her husband who was the Santa Claus to her Mrs. Claus, a younger woman whose mom and fellow choir member passed, and a young man whose grandmother passed leaving him her baking business which didn't go well with his family.

This is all about having a safe space to talk or not talk...but most importantly to know what you are feeling is ok. What a wonderful message. I cried and cried, but it was good.

I recommend this to anyone who has experienced loss. It was quite lovely.