I Love Old Movies

There is no better 1947 movie to watch in the last quarter of the year than “The Bishop’s Wife” starring Cary Grant, David Nivin, and Loretta Young (The 1990’s remake with Whitney Houston pales in comparison). Without spoiling it for you, the film is about a suave, handsome angel (Cary Grant, naturally) who comes down from heaven to rescue the Episcopal Bishop of New York (Nivin) and his wife (Young) from a spiritual dry spell resulting from their obsession with the mechanics and fundraising associated with building a grand new cathedral.

Eventually, the bishop listens to the angel and remembers again what’s really important – on Christmas Eve no less. The bishop stands re-converted, if you will, in his vast new cathedral pulpit, discards his long dull sermon, and says only these words to thousands gathered on the Upper East Side:

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.

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 shining gifts that make peace on earth.

At Resurrection House we are completing another year serving our homeless sisters and brothers in Sarasota. Can we count on you to fill our stocking as we approach the end of the year, helping us to be an even larger stretched-out hand of loving kindness to God’s children that desperately need to experience a little peace on earth?

With every blessing and good wish, I am:
Yours in the Lord’s service,
(The Rev.) Charleston D. Wilson
Board President, Resurrection House