It’s a Wonderful Life
One of the readings for the 3rd week of Advent is from Philippians 4:4-7:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul, writing from a prison cell in Rome, knows he will soon be put to death. Yet in his letter, Paul has 14 references to joy and rejoicing, two of which are in this reading alone. Carla Works, professor of the New Testament, says, “Joy, for Paul, is not a feeling dependent upon circumstances. It is a theological act. It is choosing to reflect on God’s actions to redeem the cosmos even when all the present circumstances might indicate that some other power had won.”
We all know it can be challenging to remain joyful and not anxious during difficult times. We often forget to give our worries to God through prayer. As I pondered Paul’s message, I was reminded of one of my favorite films: the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life.
For the uninitiated, the film is based on a short story titled The Greatest Gift. The film features the iconic Jimmy Stewart, who portrays the main character, George Bailey, a good Christian man who lets his gentleness be known to everyone, as Paul suggests in his letter. Don’t get me wrong, George often expresses his desire to travel and pursue his dreams, but when presented with the choice between his dreams and his desire to see the poor people in his town prosper, George doesn’t think twice about it and chooses the needs of his neighbors over his own.
George runs Bailey Brothers Building and Loan in fictional Bedford Falls. It provides loans to hardworking, decent families to build their dream homes in Bailey Park, a suburb of Bedford Falls. In stark contrast to George, Mr. Potter is a mean, selfish man who owns the bank and most of the town. Mr. Potter maintains Pottersville, another suburb of Bedford Falls, littered with shattered dreams, broken homes, and miserable people. Potter’s main goal in life is to dissolve the Bailey Brothers company.
A Washington Post commentary from December 2022 suggests, “The twin pillars of the film begin here: humanized Bedford Falls, where people are generous, empathetic, self-sacrificing – in other words, inextricably connected – and de-humanized Pottersville, where people are indifferent, self-centered, insensitive, callous – in other words, inextricably disconnected.” Remember our Connection series this fall?
As the film progresses, George’s uncle loses a large bank deposit on Christmas Eve. George is devastated, and fearing the worst, he wanders to a bridge on the edge of town. There, he contemplates jumping into the icy water, convinced that his life insurance is his only asset. But God intervenes in the form of an angel named Clarence Odbody. Clarence is described as an AS2 (Angel Second Class) who, after 200 years, has yet to earn his wings. Saving George Bailey is his opportunity.
Clarence offers George a heaven’s eye view of what the world would have been like if George Bailey had never been born. After showing George all of the horrible things that would have occurred in Bedford Falls without George, Clarence tells him: "Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
After his encounter with Clarence and seeing what life would be like without him, George returns to the bridge where he had contemplated suicide earlier that night and turns his worries into a prayer to God, “Dear Father in heaven, I’m not a praying man but if you’re up there and you can hear me, show me the way. I’m at the end of my rope. Show me the way.” George now understands, as Paul has told us, that believing God can bring good out of every challenge we face, no matter how bad it may seem at the time, may be the answer.
Clarence steps aside, and George returns to his life. It is still Christmas Eve, and he now has to face the debt collectors. However, when George returns home, one by one, his neighbors appear at his door, displaying their ‘attitude of gratitude’ by making contributions to keep the building and loan afloat and thanking George for all the generosity he has shown them over the years.
It’s a Wonderful Life is not just the story of the difference George makes; it is a metaphor for the difference God makes in our lives and the difference we can make in each other’s lives. Even at his lowest moment, George looked for a way to keep his family and friends financially secure. This film reminds us that every life matters. Each human being is uniquely created by God in His image for a distinct purpose that only that one person can accomplish.
So, this Christmas season, if you are discouraged or depressed, know that you are deeply loved. There is always someone who loves and looks up to you. And if you can’t think of anyone, know that God does. God sent His one and only Son to be born in the humblest of circumstances - for you. Jesus lived a short life and died in the most humiliating of circumstances - for you. Life can be so much easier if we pray our worries, be gentle with one another, and remember to maintain an attitude of gratitude. Remember John Wesley’s simple words: Do no harm, Do good, and Stay in love with God.
Before I close, I would be remiss if I did not mention that Clarence earned his wings by the film's end, as we learn when George’s daughter hears a bell ring and says, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” Now, who can’t smile after that?
God bless you all…Remember to pray your worries away and maintain an attitude of gratitude!
Eileen Brogan