“I’m starting the movie!” Mike shouts from the family room (loud enough for those in their bedrooms to hear). “You have five minutes to finish what you’re doing and get out here”. I curl up next to him on the loveseat. The ones who want a coveted section on the sofa quickly claim their spots; the dilly dallyers who trail behind must find a niche on the floor. Everyone participates.
Our tradition of watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” on Christmas Eve began twenty-three years ago when we had our first son. During the years when the children were little, it played in the background as Mike assembled toys and I wrapped presents and filled stockings. As the children got older, we switched to watching in the afternoon. When they reached the age of being able to stay up later, we returned the viewing to evenings after Mass and Christmas Eve dinner.
In the story, George Bailey, son of a Building and Loan president, struggles with being the responsible one; caring for others while putting his life and passions on hold. At one point when his troubles became seemingly impossible to overcome, he wished he was never born.
The dejected soul was sent an angel named Clarence to show him what life would be without his existence. As it turned out, George, in his ordinary way of doing for others, made a huge impact on his town. In the end, the favor was returned many times over.
Love motivated George to care for the people around him over seeking out his own interests. By doing so, he made a positive impact that created a ripple effect for good. As Clarence showed him, had he not been born, many people’s lives would have had a negative outcome.
Years later, multitudes would have perished in the war had he not been there as a child to jump in and rescue his younger brother, Harry, from drowning in a frozen lake. Harry became a Navy pilot and shot down a Japanese plane on a mission to destroy an American troop transport ship.
A woman would have died and his boss’s life would have been destroyed had he not stepped up to point out the error after his boss mistakenly filled a prescription with poison while lamenting the shocking news of the death of his son.
George also fought for the underdog. When the hard-working people with whom he knew could not qualify to borrow money to buy a home, he felt compassion and extended them a loan so they could better themselves.
I thought about this last night as our family was once again reminded how important each one of our lives are.
How often have we thought, “I wish I was never born”? I’ve been guilty of it many times, feeling the yuck of my poor choices, rejection from others, or the weight of heavy crosses that were given to me to carry. Sometimes, when sorrow and stress cloud our vision, we fail to see how integral our lives are to those with whom we come in contact. It’s also easy to take for granted the people who crossed our paths and made a positive difference in our lives.
George wanted to hit the world with gusto–he wanted to do great things! But it was all the small, consistent acts that made huge impacts. The everyday choices of thinking of others and being present to them was the difference between life or death, success or failure, happiness or misery.
Mary, because of her choosing to be present, caused a ripple effect that changed the world. A simple fiat–“May it be done unto me according to your word.”–brought love to us all.
Christmas is not about the decorations, lights, gifts, food, or carols. None of these were present at Christ’s birth (except, possibly, the Little Drummer Boy’s drum ditty and, of course, the light from the star that guided the Magi). Being present was. The wise men, shepherds, angels, Mary and Joseph presented themselves in awe and wonderment at the arrival of the Babe. Their presence ushered in a new beginning – a way of peace and joy.
It’s beyond my imagination to contemplate what our world would look like if Mary had not said yes; if Joseph didn’t heed the message of an angel; if the innkeeper didn’t offer the couple his humble stable; if Jesus was never born.
On this day, not only do I wish each of you a Merry Christmas (which we get to celebrate for the next twelve days–hence the twelve days of Christmas), but I pray you have eyes to see the positive impact you’ve made in the lives of others and that you never doubt the immense value of your presence in this world.
As we celebrate the birth of Love, let’s thank God for the times we chose to put our plans, dreams, and desires aside to be present for one another. And may we become encouraged to keep Christmas alive by giving our presence all year long! Who knows what kind of great things we can stir into action.
With Passion and Purpose 