Dec 12, 2005 / Rick McNally

What can be said that hasn’t already been said about this classic film that was a loser when it first showed its face and now has become a Christmas staple?

I first saw this film in December of 1987 in what was Alumni Auditorium (Dryer Auditorium now) at Moody Bible Institute with my Bro-Sis Group (Culby 13 + Houghton 5W).  We had a special chemistry that particular year and jelled nicely together into a small family.  I still have many good memories and good friends from that era.  Residence Life put together a movie night social, and much of my friend group attended.  I had never seen this movie before, not sure how I missed it the other 19 years of my life.

I will speak about major themes; most of us know the plot.

Questionable Theology

OK, the movie has some glaringly suspect theology, mostly in the angelology department.  But, it is a fanciful story and not intended to be a doctrinal class in Biblical knowledge.  It is charmingly weird in this area and it raises in me not anger but humor.

Failure and Success

For much of George Bailey’s life, success seems to be just out of his reach.  He wants to do big things, be grand in scale, build buildings and bridges, and see far-off places.  He ends up getting stuck in Bedford Falls.  By the night that most of the film is concerned with, he ends up discouraged, depressed, and broke.  He is a failure.

Success is defined differently here.  Success is the using of your time and energy to be a blessing and an assistance to the people around you through selfless acts of love that people may not realize happen during a lifetime.  George saves his brother from drowning at a young age.  George saves the druggist from accidentally poisoning a patient.  George gives up his college money and opportunity for his younger brother to take care of his father’s business after he suddenly dies.  George uses the Bailey Savings and Loan to help people live better lives and gain the American dream — to buy a home instead of renting from mean Mr. Potter.  Even when his uncle Billy is in trouble for something he did (that Mr. Potter in an evil scheme could have stopped), George decides to take the fall instead of letting him pay the bill.  Selfless.  Somewhere in the dialogue, one of the characters says about George, “He never thinks about himself.”  

It is this selfless love that makes George who he is, and this is what God is looking for in you and me.  It is the characteristic of Jesus who gave himself for us.  This selflessness breeds love that servitude can never breed.  True love.  Not a singular devotion that Mr. Potter wants from the whole town based upon “owing him,” but a love that pays devotional benefits because people know that they are loved — and want to return it.

I don’t know how “religious” people can be so arrogant and self-important.  Pride and arrogance are decried, downplayed, and condemned from Genesis to Revelation, yet people cling to it like it was a virtue.  Humility is described as being the very character of Christ, and of the Spirit, and the means of finding peace with God; yet people seem loath to bend their knees and wash other people’s feet.  Christians should have nothing to do with this vice.

Desperate Prayers

Prayer matters in this world of It’s a Wonderful Life.  The show begins with prayer from the gate — God save George Bailey.  Without prayer, there would be no movie such as this.  Pray for those around you, pray that they might see their worth or change their direction.

The Bond of Family

Family is a theme in the movie that runs deep.  Family is for us to protect and to care for, to run to when we need help, to find our place in the world.  If I had it to live my life again and choose to do wondrous things or to have my family, I would choose my family.  I would add into this my Christian family and all the many friends that have been consistent and loving toward the Lord and myself.

Not Everyone Has “A Wonderful Life”

George sees by the end what a wonderful life he has lived and how much he has blessed others.  Mr. Potter is not so blessed.  Nobody likes him.  He has everything but nothing.  This is a cautionary tale to tell the arrogant that they should rethink their positions.

Mr. Potter’s life, if he were missing from the picture, would likely equate to a better life for others.  There are, as the Bible says, worthless people.

Conclusions

It’s not the Bible, but it does have some significant biblical themes.  I am challenged by it every time I watch it.  And comforted by it.  So, thanks, Clarence.