I’ve just loved to watch the great Christmas movies. Got to see “A Christmas Story,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and, especially, the older ones like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th St.” (although not the 1994 version too slick) and every version of “A Christmas Carol” including “Scrooge,” the musical.

Then there’s “The Wizard of Oz.” I guess that’s technically not a Christmas movie, but it certainly makes its appearance every year about this time. I watched it for the umpteenth time a few days ago. So, since I’ve gotten my fix as far as things Christmasy go, I decided to ponder “Wizard.”

By way of synopsis, a young girl, Dorothy, is knocked out during a tornado and has a fanciful dream in which her family and friends appear as characters in an adventure. Dorothy connects with The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, and The Cowardly Lion, and they’re convinced that The Wizard of Oz can give each what they need; a brain for The Scarecrow, a heart for The Tin Man, courage for The Cowardly Lion, and a trip home for Dorothy and Toto her little dog too.

Turns out the Wizard isn’t as omnipotent as he is expected to be, yet he gives such wise counsel! He explains that each of the characters is closer to his goal than he knows.

He tells The Scarecrow that his brain is just fine. Sure, the universities turn out great thinkers and the only thing they have that The Scarecrow doesn’t is a diploma. The Wizard gives him one and his superb intellect appears.

He tells Tin Man that he must have heart because he does good things and people love him so much. He gives him a “testimonial,” and The Tin Man is content.

He tells The Cowardly Lion that he is as brave as anyone. All he needs is a medal. And sure enough, Lion has courage immediately.

Isn’t it amazing what affirmation does for the characters? Now, think for a minute about affirmation you have received. Did it make you feel good? I hope so. I hope you appreciate that others appreciate you and what you do. It’s not conceit or braggadocio to appreciate that. Matter of fact, I think a little private celebration is in order. “Happily ever after” is considered a fairy tale ending, but we can get closer to that if we recognize and appreciate the good things that happen to us.

But even that’s not the end of the story. The Wizard leaves Oz in the capable hands and paws of The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, and The (now) Courageous Lion, and he disappears. So, where does that leave us?

I suggest we take up where the Wizard left off. I suggest we look for opportunities to give others affirmation whenever and wherever we can. Compliment a clerk or server for a job well done. Catch kids doing good things and tell them so. Make this such a habit that you don’t even think about it. Don’t assume that others know your heart. Tell them you love them and even tell them why. It may be a little scary to open up like that, but summon up your courage and do it!

Dorothy’s mantra: “There’s no place like home!” can ring true, especially if we, like all of her friends, real and imagined, affirm each other whenever we can. Thus we can make our community “a merry old land” like Oz.