Lady Flava Reviews: The Gospel of Christmas

Today I settled into watching some TV and found myself scrolling through Netflix, looking for something that caught my attention.

Now, I’m a sucker for Christmas stories. And being a minister’s daughter, I love a modern-day faith story. So, Tyler Perry’s The Gospel of Christmas felt like something worth stopping for.

I’m glad I did.

We meet Isaac Jefferson, played by Durrell “Tank” Babbs, his wife Rebecca, played by Fantasia Barrino Taylor, and their two sons—Jacob, a teenager, and Esau, their younger, nonverbal child.

Isaac is a preacher’s kid like me. A PK.

He chose to go out into the world with his music and experienced some success. But when life brought him to a place where he needed his family’s support, he returned home.

Shortly afterward, his father, a pastor, passed away. Before his death, he asked Isaac to carry on their family’s ministry by taking responsibility for an old family church in New York City.

And let me tell you, that assignment came with challenges.

Isaac was something of the prodigal son returning home. Meanwhile, his brother Peter, played by Smokie Norful, had stayed and followed in their father’s footsteps as a preacher. You can imagine the feelings that came with their father choosing Isaac for this responsibility.

Then there was Isaac’s past.

People connected to his former life as a performer were right there in the neighborhood. Old relationships and opportunities brought temptations that challenged his commitment to his faith, his marriage, and the church.

Having a calling did not mean he suddenly stopped struggling.

Through prayer, support, and some subtle—and other times very direct—communication from his family and church community, Isaac began finding his footing. He had choices to make about what he was willing to risk and what he truly wanted to protect.

To me, that was what made the story meaningful.

We can believe in God and still face temptation. We can know what is right and still struggle with doing it. And sometimes we need people who love us enough to speak plainly when we are getting in our own way.

I appreciated how the movie brought those challenges into the story.

Personally, I didn’t find it uncomfortably preachy. It was more of a “let me stop and think about that” kind of movie. There were moments that encouraged me to reflect on faith, choices, family, and the responsibility that comes with all three.

And then there was the talent.

Listen… Tyler Perry brought together some people I consider heavy hitters from the gospel, ministry, and music worlds.

Among them:

• Fantasia Barrino Taylor
• Durrell “Tank” Babbs
• Fred Hammond
• Smokie Norful
• Pastor Shirley Caesar
• CeCe Winans
• Yolanda Adams
• Hezekiah Walker
• Chanté Moore
• The Clark Sisters
• Pastor John Gray

That is a whole lot of talent in one movie!

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these familiar faces and hearing these voices come together to tell this story.

As a minister’s daughter, parts of it connected with me personally. But I would encourage anyone to give it a watch, no matter your background. You may find something in the family relationships, the struggles, the music, or the message that speaks to you.

I sincerely feel Tyler Perry did a great job bringing this story to the screen.

Sometimes you scroll around looking for something to watch and end up finding something you truly appreciate.

Today, this was that movie for me.

Lady Flava Reviews
10 Snaps!
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From Flava in Her Tower 🌻