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.

In a year when TV viewers are submerged in a sea of mostly insipid and uninspired Christmas movies, Hallmark has the courage to produce a story with real emotions and Christian values. Frankly, I am fed up with silly contests, childish antagonisms, and heroines that are passionately kissing a new love just a couple of days after breaking up with a boyfriend. Here we have people with honest feelings of grief, after a loss, who find closure and new hope through friendship, caring for others , and faith. The characters feel real, with true human dimensions and the sentiments are expressed with measure, which conveys their relevance with subtlety, yet poignancy. Nikki Deloach is wonderful in her role and Brennan Elliott shines, as well. Actually all actors provide very credible performances, probably a reflection of a solid script and wise direction. The movie leaves you with more than just holiday mirth. It leaves you reflecting on realistic and deeper human values. I must confess I am not a churchgoer. Yet, I can only admire the strength and kindness of this story. After all, this is what Christmas is supposed to be about.

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.

What can you say about a movie that touches your heart & soul? Both @Nikki DeLoach & Brennan Elliott flexed their acting muscles as well as their inner emotions to bring a story of a church grief support experiencing varying stages of grief. Both were exemplary, but it was Brennan Elliott's character, Michael, the leader of the support group who gave an award deserving performance as someone who has masked his grief, whether through denial or pain, and instead puts on a brave front to assist the other group members. Both he & Nikki DeLoach, as well as the supporting cast showed the struggles of pain, anger, denial, and remorse while going through the grief process with the thread of their Christian faith sustaining their journey. This was a welcome departure from the usual formulaic rom-com Christmas Hallmark movies. Most of us have experienced some form of grief in our lives. The Gift of Peace might be the best produced & acted Hallmark movie I've ever seen. Have your tissues handy and find the faith, joy, and hope this movie offers during a season that can be difficult for many who have suffered a loss in their life.

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.