I fully admit that I am not a “church person.” Heck, I’m not even a “Christian person.” A lot of Kirk Franklin’s A Gospel Christmas may have been lost on me. But I gave it a try anyway.
Olivia (Demetria McKinney) was an assistant pastor at her mother’s church. Now she is heading off to be the lead pastor at a new church. But it seems like some of the parishioners don’t really want her there. Can Olivia find her home in this new place?
The reason I say a lot of this movie is lost on me is because a lot of this movie revolves around church politics. Ida (Deetta West) seems to do everything she can to tear Olivia down and make her feel unwelcome. I thought that church people were supposed to be welcoming and helpful. Ida is the type of person that keeps newcomers away from church. Why would anyone go if they’re going to have all of their mistakes thrown in their faces? And what would Ida do if Olivia did leave? Become pastor herself? I don’t think so.
However, A Gospel Christmas does have exactly what the title says. Gospel music. And it is beautiful. If you fast forward through the rest of the movie, which I suggest you do, the songs are absolutely gorgeous. I don’t know who Kirk Franklin is but he supposedly wrote and arranged the songs. I might have to look him up on YouTube or something because if he sounds as good as these songs do, I might find myself loving gospel music.
The parts of the movie that aren’t singing are quite dull. There is a romance stuffed in there but it feels so out of place and tacked on that it is worthless. Besides, the movie is about Olivia’s journey to becoming a woman on her own two feet. She doesn’t need a man for that. I think A Gospel Christmas would have been so much better if it left out the romance completely and only focused on Olivia’s struggles being a first time lead pastor. Someone seriously needs to tell these networks that every movie doesn’t need a romantic plot.
As I’ve already said, I recommend the movie solely for the music. Have it on in the background so you can keep coming back when a song comes on but, otherwise, the movie is not worth your time or attention.