Script to Screen
- Anna Robertson Ham
- Nov 30
- 4 min read
Karen Kingsbury’s The Christmas Ring
Well-known author Karen Kingsbury has written not only another beautiful story, but also a screenplay. The Christmas Ring was released in theaters in November, and the film, along with the book, is a story about a military widow searching for her family’s lost heirloom ring as she falls for an antique dealer. As romance blooms, a shocking discovery about the ring sends the antique dealer racing to save it before it’s lost forever. Days before Christmas, both learn that true treasure lies where the heart is.
Filmed in Williamson County, this story is full of heart, hope and holiday happiness. I had a chat with Karen to discuss the book and the filming of the movie, and learned so much about the process. We also discussed holidays and traditions and how they are passed down, bringing those happy moments full circle… just like a ring. See my interview with Karen here, and make sure to see The Christmas Ring, in theaters now and streaming. Learn more and get your copy of The Christmas Ring at karenkingsbury.com or visit Landmark Booksellers in Franklin—or any of your other favorite book retailers—to get your copy of this special book.
What first inspired 'The Christmas Ring '?
About five years ago, my mom lost a pearl ring my dad had given her. He’s been in heaven almost twenty years, so finding it felt incredibly important. She searched everywhere—even had a plumber take apart the pipes—nothing. One day, my sister was in the garage praying about it and felt God whisper, “Look under the sofa.” Now, that spot had been checked countless times, vacuumed, everything. But she went upstairs, told my mom, they moved the sofa—and there it was, sitting on perfectly vacuumed carpet.
Rings are symbolic—endless, eternal—and that little miracle made me wonder, what if? That’s always where a novel begins for me. What if a soldier landing in France on D-Day found a ring in the mud that gave him hope? What if it made him believe he’d make it home, fall in love, have another Christmas? That spark became The Christmas Ring.
We wrote the screenplay first—Tyler Russell, my director and screenwriting partner, and I outlined it and realized it had something truly special. After finishing the script, I wanted more depth for readers, so I set aside eight days and wrote the novel.
What message or emotion do you hope stays with readers?
This is a throwback story that gently reminds us what Christmas really means. Life includes loss, heartache, and division—but Jesus came to mend all of that. A major theme is “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Relationships—time with family and friends—matter far more than any gift. And the ring itself carries the French word Maison, meaning “home.” It reflects both the home front during wartime and the eternal home promised at Christmas.
What is it like seeing the story come to life on the big screen?
I cried—through smiles the whole time. It was exactly the movie God placed on my heart. So much had to go right: the cast needed to be healthy and emotionally grounded, the director had to bring out deep performances, the crew had to work with precision. And they did—all A++.
We filmed the entire movie in three weeks in Franklin. Antique shops opened their doors to us—four of them—trusting us with priceless items. One owner, Kim from Winchester’s Antique Mall, even baked cookies for the crew every day. The whole experience felt like miracle after miracle.
Do any personal Christmas traditions influence your storytelling?
Absolutely. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, our family hosts an over-the-top gingerbread house competition. We’ve graduated far beyond graham crackers and frosting—we use kits, glue guns, figurines, tiny lights, the works. The kitchen becomes a joyful mess, and readers on social media vote for the winner. It’s so much fun, and there’s a nod to that tradition in The Christmas Ring.
We also love Christmas movies. We wanted to create a movie that could join that beloved holiday list—and that was a huge inspiration for making The Christmas Ring.
What do you love about Williamson County?
We raised our kids in Vancouver, Washington, and I traveled to Nashville often for tours, signings, and songwriting. I always thought, What a blessing it would be to live here. In 2011, after my husband and I both felt God nudging us toward a move, everything aligned—my publishing contract, my agent’s encouragement, and the desire for deeper involvement in the creative community.
Fourteen years later, we still feel so grateful. Williamson County is warm, loving, and overflowing with creativity. This community embraces that kind of generational joy.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know?
The Christmas Ring shows that audiences still want meaningful stories—they want to laugh, to fall in love, but also to feel something deeper. Sometimes a movie can stir the heart in ways nothing else can, and we hope this one continues to do that.
