Recently with a good friend, I watched the 1946 Christmas movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The main character is George Bailey. His goal as a boy and as a young man is to get out of Bedford Falls. He wants to see the world. But George Bailey ends up staying in Bedford Falls.
George takes over the small Bailey Brothers Building and Loan in town, following in the footsteps of his father and his Uncle Billy. The Building and Loan helps the folks in Bedford Falls realize their dreams of building homes and businesses. George believes in the value of others more than he believes in himself. He fails to see the value of his own life.
One year, just before Christmas, George’s Uncle Billy misplaces a large packet of the Building and Loan's cash. George and Uncle Billy frantically search for the lost funds. They are so afraid. They know the customers will come to the Building and Loan to withdraw their money. There will be no money. The cash will be missing.
A jealous, greedy man Mr. Potter who also lives in Bedford Falls knows the Building and Loan is in terrible trouble. Mr. Potter finds the lost money, and keeps it hidden. He is delighted to find a way to ruin George Bailey and the Building and Loan. Mr. Potter shares the news with the authorities that the Building and Loan money is missing.
George Bailey’s future seems hopeless.
Finally, George turns to God and pleads for help. He prays this prayer of fear:
“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, God.”
George’s prayer reminded me of being four years old in Sunday School when my teacher Miss Lorraine taught us the following verse:
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
She told us that whether we are little children or grownups, we do not need to be afraid. God will take good care of us. God will show us the way.
That is just as true today in December, 2019. Especially during the hectic stress of the holiday season, Christmas may become more about the gifts and the parties and the "bought stuff". It is easy to think it is necessary to try "to buy Christmas".
Money is not the answer. Buying is not the answer.
You have the answer. Believe the answer.
The answer is you being you.
Live and trust in the gift of Christmas. Trust in the Child in the manger. Appreciate your life.
Appreciate each breath.
Appreciate other people.
Appreciate every moment.
You are a gift. Thank you.
God will never leave you nor forsake you.
You make this world a better place.
Thank you for being you.
If you want to give a little gift in addition to your valuable self, think about giving a gift you make yourself. Here are a couple of ideas below:
Handmade Gifts for Christmas
Clove Orange
Take an unpeeled orange and stud it with whole cloves.
Use a toothpick to poke small holes in the orange skin in a pattern. Stick the whole cloves into the pre-made holes.
That's it!
It smells nice and looks pretty.
Good Things 2020 jar
Wash an empty jar. Soak a little while in soapy water if there is an old label. The label will peel off eventually. Wash the jar and lid until they are clean and shiny. Rinse and dry jar and lid.
Make a label that says: Good Things 2020. (There is one below if you want one to copy.) Tape the Good Things 2020 label on the jar.
Include some slips of paper and a pen, if you have them.
Instructions to use the Good Things 2020 Jar:
As often as you remember, during 2020, write or draw a picture of a good thing on a slip of paper and put it in the jar. Keep all of the papers in the jar. When you need to cheer yourself up, open the jar and read each good things note. Then put the notes back in the jar. Add more good things notes.
On December 31, 2020, open the jar and read every good things note. It will bring you joy.
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