“It’s A Wonderful Life”
This movie starring Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey is still listed as one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time. The funny thing is that it is not about Christmas specifically, but the final scenes of the film take place during the holidays and it has been a favorite ever since 1946!
The movie is the life story of a young man named George Bailey who has spent his whole life in the small town of Bedford Falls. His story is told to us through a conversation between two angels and flashbacks from his childhood to the present day. We find out rather quickly that George has had a problem throughout his “wonderful life”…unfulfilled expectations. His dream had always been to get out of his small town and do something great that would make a difference in the world! However, through a series of circumstances, George finds himself stuck in Bedford Falls running his father’s small building and loan business which provides affordable homes to those who are struggling to make ends meet.
Before we go further into some of the things that make this story special I want to point out that sometimes the “Scrooge” in our Christmas story is our own frustrations with our circumstances. We get caught up in dreaming about a “better life” or even a “normal life” and we miss the joys and blessings of our “present life”. It is that great American pasttime of “the grass is always greener”. This attitude of dissatisfaction can feed depression and have a negative effect on our relationships with family and friends. When our friend George Bailey is at his lowest point he insults a well meaning school teacher…yells at his kids for no reason…trashes his living room and…contemplates suicide. Wow, not a very “merry” Christmas.
In this story an angel intervenes to show George that his life is wonderful right now! He doesn’t realize that his own life has made an impact on so many others and the town itself. Spoiler alert…George’s attitude is transformed when he is granted the “gift” of seeing what the world would be like if he had never been born. The message is “one life touches so many”.
Christmas is a great time to adjust our perspective. It is an opportunity to count our blessings and show appreciation through the giving and receiving of gifts. It is a chance to enjoy the present life that we have been given. No, it is probably not exactly what you expected but it is the one you have been blessed with. So, let me challenge you to check all your attitudes of discontent at the door of the stable and come into the presence of the Prince of Peace who has come that you might have a “wonderful life” today.
“I came (Christmas) that they may have life and have it abundantly” – Jesus (John 10:10)