It's a wonderful life
Short Read (5-6 mins)
Whether we are celebrating Christmas for reasons of faith or otherwise, we could all do a a lot worse that watch the Frank Capra classic ‘Its a wonderful life’ . Whilst some see an All-American saccharine story, it contains themes that are relevant and inspirational. As a Christian I see the story as powerful and inspiring.
The film focuses on a man, George Bailey, who gets to see what life would be like in his home town had he not been born. Through supernatural help, God sends an angel, Clarence to show him what life would have been like in Bedford Falls, had he never lived.
In essence, we see that without Bailey, a virtuous family man and communitarian owner of a building and loan company, Bedford Falls becomes corrupted at the hands of a nihilistic, cynical tyrant called Potter whose dominant desire is to make money. Many other negative things happen in Bedford Falls simply because Bailey wasn’t there to prevent them or be influential. It’s a lovely story, but is it just a lovely story? For me, at this time, if we are more open to reflection it contains some powerful messages.
Firstly, the film reminds me that no life is worthless. Capra intentionally wanted to communicate this. We see that one life can, over time, have immense impact. Without the impact of that life, who knows what can happen? What would life be like in the UK for many of us, had Catherine and William Booth (first General of the Salvation Army) or John Wesley (first President of the Methodist Conference) or Charles Spurgeon (Baptist Pastor, Author, Preacher) never been born?
Furthermore, we are to hold onto hope and reject cynicism. George Bailey is a hopeful person, but he is perhaps not hugely successful. Yet, he is a man of character, a man of virtue, who loves his family and is respected in the community. He is hopeful, he is a dreamer, he is a romantic rather than a rationalist and we need visionaries and romantics.
This is not about wishful thinking. Someone once said, ‘We face the brutal facts, but have hope’.
We are today surrounded by many brutal facts; but there is hope. And the message of Christmas and incarnation is all about the birth of hope.
In addition, the Capra epic reminds us what success really is.
Our hero is not a careerist. In the film, Bailey never quite achieves all he wants to do. He is forced to stay at home and tend the family business when he would rather travel the world. He faces personal disappointment and has broken dreams. Through this painful process his real success is born, but it is not apparent.
What is success for our ministry?
What is success for us?
Is it winning or achievement or is it more than that, but perhaps less obvious?
Similarly, if our purpose becomes only orientated towards achievement at all cost then we lose something of value. As the film ends Clarence sends Bailey a note saying ‘No man is a failure, who has friends’. This reminds me that relationships are of more value than achievements.
The business and community ethos of Bailey is one of compassion and communitarianism. It is not one of naked individualism. His business provides people with decent homes so they can remain decent citizens. You get the impression that the business makes a surplus and values its employees but it is not subsumed purely towards generating profits.
Yes, it is a caricatured story, but it contains meaning also. And yes it makes me cry!
The opportunity Bailey is given; of seeing what life would have been like had he not lived is something none of us will get. He sees his town become a soulless, chaotic, dog-eat-dog place of disenchantment. Compared to a decent town with some semblance of community and where people are held in high regard. This powerfully re-inforces the truth that no life is worthless, no-one should be overlooked or put down. Politics can too often focus on the big picture and the abstract and ignore or crush the individual and his or her worth.
We see that in the end, there is no wealth, but life, family and friends.
For many 2020 has been a painful year – losing loved ones, economic insecurity and plans put on hold by the brutal impact of the pandemic. Yet as Tim Morley reminded some members of Christians on the Left in his recent stimulating session on economics it has created a pause. It has been a time to re-evaluate what is really important? What are we rushing around for? Is there a different path? Well Christians believe there is and it entails following‘The Way, the Truth and the Life’ as our Lord said in John 14v6.
At Christmas time, I like to be reminded that my worth is not defined by my economic utility or achievement. My life, as I pray yours will be too, has been forever changed because an extraordinary event occurred, to very ordinary people, in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. That event changed my life and it has changed the world.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2021, it really is a wonderful life.
