Angels and Lions

There are only 95 reviews on “It’s A Wonderful Life”... and I KNOW you’ve probably seen this movie... I just watched “The Chronicles of Narnia”, which had me falling in love with a LION... that I will forever love. But, instead of reviewing the new version of C.S. Lewis’ VERY clever tale (and one that I might add I completely LOVED watching and would definitely recommend to ANYONE interested in a WONDERFUL family movie for CHRISTMAS)... I decided to provide my take on a movie I haven’t even watched this year, but know so well (and obviously everyone does... from all the reviews on it), ... It’s A Wonderful LIFE is one GREAT oldie in Christmas movies. I don’t know why I haven’t watched it this year, but maybe I will after I finish wrapping presents....

I am sure most of you KNOW the story... It’s a Wonderful Life is the old movie (black & white) about George Bailey, a man who feels like a failure... BECAUSE OF MONEY PROBLEMS and heads to a river bridge, considering suicide. Even though this man has made a LOT of SACRIFICES for the good of the town and everyone thinks he has the perfect life, he’s feeling completely “LOST” and really wishes he could just die.

He’s a respected business owner (a banker) and has a beautiful wife and kids. He seems to have it all, but business isn’t going so good and he feels at his lowest because he has had to turn to a greedy man, Mr. Potter, to save himself and his business from ruin because Uncle Bill misplaced some money that was needed to keep the bank running. George is actually contemplating suicide, much like many men who’ve run into money problems when another man appears and plunges into the river (very cold river because it’s winter & Christmas Eve).

The man, named Clarence, turns out to be a angel sent to earth to show George how much his life was truly worth. Since Clarence is hoping to earn his “wings” in heaven for this task on earth, he has to show George what the town would have been like if George would have never been born. After seeing for himself what life would have been like for those people he loved so much - if he had never been born, ... he realizes that he truly does have a WONDERFUL LIFE, mainly because that the TOWN would have been a MUCH worse place to live life if he hadn’t been born...

This is a really old CHRISTMAS movie, one that you’ve probably seen before ... and I believe Bryan Carey’s review of this one goes into a more appropriate detailing of the cast and directing. The main thing I wanted to share with those who read this, is my personal “TAKE” on “It’s A Wonderful Life”.

For me... It’s A Wonderful Life was and is one of BEST Christmas Movies I’ve come upon (it’s definitely worth watching over and over again... just like the movie I watched in the theater last night - (The Chronicles of Narnia). In the Chronicles of Narnia ... the LION takes the place of the child, Peter “being crucified” in order for the “white witch” to gain her TRADITIONAL revenge in the fantasy world of Narnia. But, due to the SACRIFICE the LION made... he COMES back to LIFE and visits again when he chooses to. It’s a Wonderful Life is another old and a somewhat different story, but also a wondrous Christmas tale. I loved BOTH movies... but, mostly ... I LOVE the LION.

Christmas is a time of wondrous truths... It’s a Wonderful Life reveals the amazing truths that WITHOUT the people, both the ones who teach us lessons in loving and living - through their own mistakes or through their own examples of self-sacrifice, are all worthwhile and wondrously beautiful people on the inside. Whatever they do and wherever they go... each of these people provide a “piece” of the life that makes up our own.... and GOD placed each of them in our life for a REASON. And, whatever that reason might be, it’s all about what lives in the HEART,... the truth that lives inside, where Jesus lives, that makes the difference in our own lives. And, whether we know it or not... despite the ones that we’ve hurt or those who have hurt us, it’s all about the ‘heart’... God looks at the HEART, the FAITH and not the “works”. Faith in Jesus... means forgiving and forgiveness might not always come easy, but when it comes... it is the BEST gift on earth that you can give, especially to yourself.

The “White Witch” (who killed the LION) in the Chronicles of Narnia taught the miracle of self-sacrifice... while It’s A Wonderful Life taught the miracle of living life, along with the self-sacrifice. God placed each person here for a REASON and the reason for this season is JESUS and Jesus had to have been the ‘inspiration’ behind C.S. Lewis novel, while the same is true for It’s A Wonderful Life. Both movies share, in different ways.. The wonders of giving without conditions and, especially, that each and every soul is worthy of God’s endlessly compassionate nature. God LOVES us all and, whatever comes... It’s A Wonderful Life shows the viewer that God has His own REASONS for EVERYTHING that happens, whether it be “good or bad”, “happy or sad”... “painful or phenomenal”. Every day, in every way, we’re “setting examples”, but it isn’t always the examples that make the difference. What really makes the difference... in my opinion, is the HEART and there are so many people who are ALL HEART that don’t ever realize what they’ve given because they’ve made mistakes or failed in some way to meet the “traditional” ideas behind religion.

I would have gladly killed the “White Witch”... but I would NEVER EVER KILL THE LION. I love the LION and I loved Clarence, the angel in It’s A Wonderful Life. Clarence got his wings because he showed George Bailey what life would have been like without his being born. Sometimes I believe that everyone needs to be shown that it’s not about what you did, the mistakes you might have made along your way, or the examples you might have set... so much as it is about learning lessons, forgiveness and REALIZING that IT IS a WONDERFUL life and each one of us is different for a reason that only God knows and can reveal ,.... especially when you realize how many “Angels” have touched your own life in so many different ways. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE...

And, finally, finally ... The ANGEL got his wings....

Thanks for reading... ©2005 faithforever