Tuesday, July 20, 2010

26. It's a Wonderful Life

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Isn't it wonderful? I'm going to jail!

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
-Matthew 19:21

It doesn't even feel right talking about this movie in July, but here goes:

This movie is not really a "Christmas" movie in the sense that "A Christmas Story", "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation", or even "Home Alone" are. It does end at Christmas, but the majority of the film is most definitely not even December. Still, I believe that this is the perfect Christmas movie because it reminds me of Jesus. Life on Earth is not about things you have, but about how much you love. George Bailey learns this lesson in a way that has been copied over and over on big and small screens.

I think it is kinda funny that this movie and Charlie Brown are the great champions of Jesus' anti-capitalist ideal during the Christmas season. We have simply accepted that December represents a month that we should budget for because it is all about buying presents. Every year there stands George Bailey in our television sets bankrupt, broken, and facing possible jail time, but still "the richest man in Bedford Falls!"

1 comment:

  1. One of my all-time favorite, too, Will. Makes me cry every single time.

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