For the longest time I was convinced I hated this movie. I don't know why, but when I knew it was on I avoided it at all cost.

Then last year, when nothing else was on, I gave One Magic Christmas another chance. I watched it last year and fell in love with it. It wasn't at all what I thought it was.

The movie was first released in 1985 and stars Mary Steenburgen and Harry Dean Stanton. In one line: At Christmas time an angel shows a young mother the true meaning of the holiday.

Ginny Grainger (Steenburgen) is the mother of two children, Abbie and Cal. Her husband, Jack, has been out of work since June, and the family has to move out of the company house by January 1. He enjoys fixing bikes in his basement. Jack wants to open a bike shop of his own, but doing so would use up all their savings; Ginny just can't support him.

It's only after things take a very tragic turn that Ginny is forced to re-evaluate her life. But is it too late?

IMBD readers gave it 6.3 out of 10, but I think it deserves at least a 7.

Now, this movie does not air all the time and is not always easy to find on DVD. You can, however, order it online through Amazon, or download it through iTunes.