“Angel Discussion” ("It’s a Wonderful Life")

All right, what’s Christmas without this film classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life?”

I have a real soft spot in my heart when I first discovered this gem as a teenager. I was struck with the chicken pox and this film helped me as I itched, scratched and spent that Christmas recovering.

It’s a staple in family traditions and television programming each year. It works because we can relate to the story and the lead character, our hero, George Bailey. His mix of optimistic dreamer, dutiful family member and frustrated, imperfect person, exemplify this heightened holiday season of hopes, challenges, expectations and stress.

One of my favorite scenes in the film involves the “angel discussion” concerning him. In fact, George is assigned his own lovable angel, Clarence to watch over him.

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

Psalms 34:7

Indeed, as we see George Bailey’s character unfold and the decisions he makes as well, the angels are in constant discussion about what to do to try to help him in his life.

How about you? Do you feel that there are angels at work, on assignment for the issues of your own life? With the Christmas season, there’s even more emphasis on the reality of angels. We see them everywhere, if nothing else, as part of Christmas décor, topping Christmas trees, accenting homes and shops.

But never forget that they are God’s real agents, working, out of His love for you, to help you in every area.

“For He will command his angels concerning you
   to guard you in all your ways.”

Psalm 91:11

And the best example of that help was, years ago, when an angel brought the best news possible concerning the arrival of Jesus:

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2:9-14

Whatever you’re facing, remember, as you see each decorative angel displayed, that God, through those angels, still wants to minister and help you today!