With Christmas just twelve days away, I’m counting down with a dozen holiday film reviews. For my first selection, I offer “The Preacher’s Wife,” a luminous remake of “The Bishop’s Wife” that delivers both visual splendor and spiritual resonance. If this gem has somehow escaped your holiday viewing tradition, now is the perfect moment to discover it.
An Old Classic Renewed
“The Preacher’s Wife” sparkles with countless delights that reward repeated viewings. The stellar ensemble stands as its crown jewel—perhaps one of the most magnificent casts ever assembled for a Christmas film. This 1990s masterpiece showcases Whitney Houston, Denzel Washington, Gregory Hines, Jenifer Lewis, Loretta Devine, and even features Lionel Richie. Beyond their dramatic chemistry, the film’s soundtrack soars on Houston’s transcendent vocals. Her renditions of “I Believe in You and Me,” “Who Could Imagine a King,” and a jubilant arrangement of “Joy to the World” elevate the entire production, wrapping this cinematic gift in musical brilliance.
The Greatest Gift
The film’s enduring appeal lies in its heartfelt message of faith and hope. Through the eyes of the young narrator, the smallest witness to these events, we experience a miracle so extraordinary that, as he suggests, no one would believe it if told. The storytelling unfolds with masterful precision, each scene building purposefully toward revelation.
Before the Miracle
We enter a community in crisis. Reverend Henry Biggs faces mounting challenges: his church building crumbles, financial pressures mount, and he’s caught between an aggressive real estate developer’s demands and his wife’s growing disappointment. These burdens have not only weighed down his shoulders but have begun to extinguish the light in his spirit. His faith wanes daily. Then appears Dudley—a mysterious stranger whose origins seem as supernatural as his stated mission. With divine purpose guiding his every move, Dudley sets about his heavenly assignment despite numerous complications along the way.
A Crisis of Faith
The narrative reaches its crescendo when Henry confronts the possibility of losing his wife’s heart to the magnetic Dudley. During their face-off, Dudley forces Henry to confront essential truths about his priorities. The minister’s verbal declaration of renewed faith marks the beginning of his genuine transformation.
Yet a profound challenge remains—Julia’s affections have indeed shifted toward their celestial visitor. Henry’s spiritual awakening alone cannot mend what neglect has broken; he must actively rebuild these bonds himself. The film illustrates beautifully that while divine intervention creates opportunity, human effort completes the miracle. It’s the unseen orchestration of changed perspectives and renewed commitments that ultimately preserves everything Henry treasures.
The Preacher’s Wife: A Thread of Faith A Season of Miracles
Faith’s transformative power threads through every aspect of this film—from major character arcs to subtle details, including a perfectly placed “Miracle on 34th Street” reference that reinforces the central theme. The movie radiates with spiritual wonder, celebrating the essential partnership between faith and action—a message particularly resonant during a holiday season when many viewers might be yearning for both renewed belief and tangible miracles.
Uncut Diamonds 