The Bible never actually says how many wise men there were, and it certainly never discusses this theoretical “fourth” king from Orient. In the story, Artaban also wanted to bring the Christ child gifts—a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl of great price—but he misses the trip West and spends the next 33 years trying to track down the Son of God, sacrificing his treasures for worthy causes as he goes. This touching, entertaining, slyly funny made-for-TV movie was based on the beloved 1895 story by Henry van Dyke, and it features an impressive cast including Alan Arkin, Ralph Bellamy, Eileen Brennan and Martin Sheen as the ever-faithful, often frustrated Artaban. And here’s something else that’s nice: The only thing you need to watch it is an internet connection. The full film is available for free on
Disney Enterprises, Inc. and Walden Media, LLC
I don’t think any of The Chronicles of Narnia movies achieve the richness and humor of C.S. Lewis’ classic books that I read and re-read as a child. But the blockbuster hit The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a competent, faithful retelling of Lewis’ most popular Narnia book and a visual delight—one that brings the Easter story to Christmas. It’s about four young kids who stumble through a wardrobe and into a magical land ruled by the evil White Witch. There it’s always winter but never Christmas, until slowly, the White Witch’s spell begins to break and the land’s rightful king makes his return. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is available on HBO Go with a subscription, or you can rent it from YouTube, iTunes, Amazon Video and all the rest for $2.99.
Don’t cotton to talking lions? Don’t care to watch a full-blown movie about the Nativity? Like your Christmas stories seasoned with some sensational jazz piano? Turn your attention to A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), the best Christmas special ever, which ABC is making available for free on its website . Made before even I was born, the show feels perhaps more relevant and contemporary than ever, and it features one of the boldest proclamations of the reason for the season in entertainment history. Charlie Brown, frustrated by the materialism and commercialism of the season, wants to know what Christmas is all about. In response, his friend, Linus, walks on stage and recites Luke 2:8-14, which includes the line, “For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
He then wanders back to Charlie Brown, dragging his blue blanket behind.
“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown,” he says.
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Read more: Looking for some offbeat Christmas movies this year? Here’s what’s streaming