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Christmas, Cycle A
Our Lady of Grace
December 25, 2018
It’s a Wonderful Life
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
The Movie
I begin with a question for you: Over the years, how many of us have seen the movie It’s A Wonderful Life? I just want to get an idea of how many of us have seen it. (Pause)
It has been the focus of discussion in a men’s faith sharing group I belong to. It’s A Wonderful Lifewas originally made in 1946.
Since the 1970’s, it has often been shown at Christmas time, even though it is not explicitly a Christmas story. In the movie, Jimmy Stewart plays a young man named George Bailey.
George grows up in the small town of Bedford Falls, in upstate New York. He has two big dreams for his life: traveling and becoming a great architect.
Unfortunately, George’s father dies very suddenly and George becomes the President of his father’s Savings and Loan. Faithful son that he is, he delays his own goals for a career in order to save the Savings and Loan and to help the townspeople of Bedford Falls.
George is good, honest and always helping the little guy. One time after another he lets go of his own dreams for the sake of doing what is right and helpful to others.
When a mistake he makes threatens the very existence of the Savings and Loan, George becomes despondent. He begins thinking that his whole life has been for nothing and he even considers suicide.
At this point in the story, an angel appears and helps George to experience how fortunate he actually has been and how many lives he has touched.
This empowering insight turns him around; he realizes how worthwhile and meaningful his life really is.
Yes, George realizes that all things considered, It’s A Wonderful Life.
The Christmas Story and Us
Obviously, the movie is not literally the story of Bethlehem, but, it is no less a Christmas story because it expresses some of the important messages that underlie Jesus’ birth and how his birth impacts us to this very day.
There are 3 clear and distinct messages regarding the film, Jesus’ birth, and each of us.
Message 1: God Is With Us
For starters, in the movie, George’s guardian angel appears and stays with him and gets him through a very dark and lonely emotional period.
In much the same way, Christmas proclaims the name of the infant savior to be Emmanuel, literally meaning “God is with us.” What we celebrate, then, is that God is not in some far off heaven, but instead he’s at the core of our life, and present whether we are up or down.
We always have this communion, this connection with God. It’s no wonder that we call the Eucharist “Holy Communion”or to make it a verb form: “Holy Communing.”
The Eucharist or “Holy Communion”brings to life or quickens, if you will, the communion we already have with God who is with us always, so much so that we become what we eat — that is, the very flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. Now that’s something!
Message 2: Each Person Is Significant
Second, the angel helps George realize how significant his life really is.
The angel’s point is that even the most ordinary life can have a powerful impact. And it is this that Christmas proclaims.
Let’s look at it more closely: God becomes human, as a vulnerable, dependent infant. Christmas says that, if God can come to us in this way, then the life of each person is valuable, no matter how small, insignificant, vulnerable, dependent, needy that life may seem.
This revelation gives each of us a source of self-worth, that you and I and everyone without exception needs to hear. Say good-by to thoughts such as: “I’m not worthy! I’m not good enough! I’m a sinner! and I’ll never get better!”
Message 3: Peace Comes From Doing Good
Finally, George Bailey realizes that personal fulfillment and inner peace do not come from material things or financial success.
On the contrary, genuine fulfillment and lasting peace come from doing what is right and good. Faithfulness, sacrifice, truthfulness, honesty and caring for others – these are the things that bring the deepest and most lasting fulfillment and peace.
And this is the very peace the angels announce at Jesus’ birth: “Peace on earth to those on whom his favor rests.”
Notice, peace comes not so much from something outside of ourselves, but on the actions of those “on whom God’s favor rests.”
It is more the result of doing the right and good thing each day, of living out our inner communion with Jesus. The very act of doing the right and good thing stirs up that presence and that communion we with God goes out to draw others in.
Conclusion
It’s A Wonderful Lifeis not just a memorable movie and great to watch at Christmastime.
It contains the core message of Christmas, a message that you are living out today.
(1) God is with us.
(2) Each person is significant.
(3) Inner peace comes from doing what is right and good.
We are gifts to each other. Merry Christmas!
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