If you are engaging in television entertainment much these days (safe to say this is something that most of us are doing, given the prevailing pandemic conditions and the resulting shut-in experiences we are having), you are very likely stumbling across Christmas and other holiday-themed movies right now. This can serve as a bit of an escape given that our Christmases this year are being greatly altered in what we can do and where we can go.

There is one movie which many may have seen starring the late Jimmy Stewart titled “It’s A Wonderful Life”. It has gained quite a following over the decades and is considered one of the all-time great film classics. When it was originally released in the mid 1940’s, it did not do very well. Some messages take time to be absorbed.

Lonely and Broken

In this particular film, the fictional character George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, goes through what becomes a devastating experience through which he begins to question whether or not his life truly has had any meaning. In a very pivotal scene, a broken down George whispers these words, “Dear Father in heaven, I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there, and you can hear me, show me the way. I’m at the end of my rope.” In the now iconic scene, Bailey’s eyes fill with tears. It was later discovered that those tears were coming from some deeply felt emotions that began to overwhelm Jimmy Stewart as he was acting in that scene. He was later heard to say that he “felt the loneliness, the hopelessness of people who had nowhere to turn.” It broke Stewart.

This is that time of year when everyone is supposed to be experiencing Christmas cheer and feeling festive. But behind many closed doors and in quiet corners of bedrooms and dens, many are uttering such similar words, particularly given what we have been facing in 2020: disease, job loss, broken relationships, financial stress, societal stress, the list goes on. In essence, many are saying, “Help me.”

Deliver Me

During this Christmas season, which will likely be remembered for years and decades to come, that cry for help can be heard and answered by the very person whose birthday we celebrate on December 25. His name is Jesus. King David, in Psalm 109 makes a similar cry for help. He says “But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.”

Take a moment and ask the Creator of the universe to come in and save your life. All he wants to know is if you really want His help. Are you broken like Jimmy Stewart was? That’s all it takes for the door to be opened and to receive the help He is prepared to give.