Here we are in the last days before Channukah and Christmas.  And I will admit that I always look forward to this time of year, because I am a huge fan of holiday movies.  There are just so many good ones.  But the one I love most, the one I insist upon watching every year, is probably among the oldest traditions of this season.,  Yes, I am talking about It’s A Wonderful Life.

Not only is this a fantastic movie, which has become an iconic part of the season, it is also the only movie to bring me to tears.  I mean, really, we can all decorate our houses and light the lights.  We can exchange as many gifts as you want.  But nothing shows the true spirit of Christmas, at least for me, quite like the people of Bedford Falls.  Here they are, in tough economic times, when they find out that George Bailey is in trouble.  George (and I am oversimplifying the plot here) arrives home to find all of his friends and neighbors leaving whatever money they can spare, leaving more than enough money to pay off George’s debt.  That is a kind of selflessness that rings just as true and honest today as it did over 60 years ago when the world first met George Bailey and Clarence the Angel.

Happy Chanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all of our readers!