The Bishop's Wife - Christmas Sermon - Meaning of Christmas.avi

Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking.

Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry, a blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts.

But especially with gifts. You give me a book, I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry can do with a new pipe. For we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. Its his birthday we're celebrating. Don't let us ever forget that.

Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share, loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shinning gifts that make peace on earth.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• The Bishop's Wife
• Christmas Sermon
• Meaning of Christmas
• christianity
• inspirational

[mickeymousebiker1]

During the few years following WWII, the world needed movies like The Bishop's Wife, The Miracle of the Bells, and It's a Wonderful Life. These films depict Christ's gifts to us all -- Love, Miracles, and Hope for Eternity. Sure, this film is rife with sentiment and nostalgia -- but, the human heart needs those, as well. This is one of the best Christmas films (with the best ending) ever made! The hero (Dudley) walks off silently into the night -- an angelic version of Gary Cooper. BRAVO!

[williambrighenticpa]

@mickeymousebiker1 If everyone each put in one's share of loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance, there would be peace on earth. My wife and I try to do such everyday here on earth. I will say a prayer for Barbra and you. I wish you comfort and peace this Christmas and everyday of the year because the spirit of Christmas is to be lived everyday, not just one day out of the year. God bless you.

Incidentally, you missed one great film above: A Christmas Carol.

[williambrighenticpa]

Amen. You said it all, my brother. God bless you. God bless everyone.

[kingdaddy1974]

My favorite Christmas movie of all time. I watch it each year to help me keep things is perspective while I lead a little Lutheran church with no building of its own. It is not the building that makes the church, but the community that gathers.

[williambrighenticpa]

@kingdaddy1974 Amen. You said it all, my brother. God bless you. God bless everyone.

[bewitchedsam1]

One of my favorite scenes of one of my very favorite movies ever. I have it on tape thx for posting.

[williambrighenticpa]

@bewitchedsam1

How nice of you to post your comment. I think the sermon captures the essence of Christ's message: "peace on earth, goodwill towards men". It truly says it all. If only more people lived it....

[mickeymousebiker1]

@28mark Who can say? Perhaps, angels really do stand silently outside of places of worship on Christmas Eve and listen in. I truly believe that angels don't really have halos and wings, either. Angels are messengers from Heaven. Soon, I believe, those same herald angels will be telling we mortals to keep an eye on the skies (especially the sun) in 2012 and 2013. I personally do not subscribe any "end of the world" theories. Only The Divine Creator knows (and He's not telling!).

[28mark]

@mickeymousebiker1 The ending scene is the best...as you say. Tugs at my heart every time I watch it....

[TheKristobald]

The music is heavenly. But then, everything is heavenly in this movie. Thanks :)

[Richard4016]

I use to own a VHS Tape of the movie. I now have a DVD of the movie. I watch it every year. To me, the movie brings hope to people of all ages. With the unemployment, rumors of war and oil prices, we need hope today. The movie gives us the spark of enthusiasm for life even though times are tough. The movie shows that marriages can be mended. The whole cast had a certain charisma, down to the old professor. The movie to me, “There is Hope, There is Love!”

[LazlosPlane]

Do we know who wrote this sermon?

[mickeymousebiker1]

@williambrighenticpa Oh yes. I DID miss that film. I liked the British version with George C. Scott (from 1984) the best. The 1951 version was good too. There's nothing like a Christmas fantasy replete with time-traveling "ghosts" and a greedy old guy! For another matter, I know that My Barbra, in Heaven, is watching over me (and hearing me, as well). May The Almighty Divine One keep you always! A Hopeful and Merry CHRISTmas 2011 to you and yours (and to the world)!

[mickeymousebiker1]

@williambrighenticpa My wife, Barbra, tried to live out those Heavenly qualities every day of her 43 years. I just wish we could have had the twenty years that I asked The Almighty for (instead of just two years together). Somehow, I feel slighted, but, I must consider just how many couples fell in love and then had World War II shorten their time together. My sorrows are trifles compared to the overall suffering in this world. I shouldn't whine. A Merry Christmas 2011!

[mickeymousebiker1]

A Merry Christmas 2011 to one and all -- the world over! Pray for The Christ of Christmas to return very soon. We need Him, now, more than ever! When Christ returns, it will be Christmas Forever!

[mickeymousebiker1]

I've always remembered the scene when the Professor pauses at the church entrance. It's as if he felt that a Heavenly presence was watching over him -- an unshakable presence of Christ and His angels. I felt just like that on Christmas Eve 2010. That was a month and a few days after My Gift from Heaven -- My Eternally-Beloved Wife, Barbra Rose, went to be with Christ and His angels (on November 22, 2010). I pray that Heaven sends comfort and peace at Christmas to those who have lost loved ones.