George Bailey and Mary Hatch For those who enjoy the classic film "It's a Wonderful Life": Have you ever wondered about how Mary is portrayed in the alternate world in which George Bailey never existed? Bizarrely perhaps, she winds up an "old maid" - closing the library on Christmas Eve. Wouldn't she have married someone else and lived a great life? This essay examines that question, showing that Mary is the greatest hero in this story. Intentional, purposeful, and wise throughout, she makes George into the man he becomes. In his darkest moment, she’s what makes him want to live again. … [Read more...] about Mary’s Heroism in “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Archives for December 2022
Zechariah, Mary, and Trust
For those of us following the Christmas story, we see an amazing pair of dialogues in Luke 1. Zechariah and Mary are each visited by the angel Gabriel. Each is told of a miraculous birth to occur. One will be John the Baptist, the other Jesus Christ. Each asks what sounds like a similar question. But Zechariah receives a rebuke and Mary sings a Magnificat. What's the difference? Z's question stems from a posture of distrust and Mary's from a posture of trust. There's a world of difference between How shall I know this? (Zechariah) and How will this be? (Mary). One says "I don't believe … [Read more...] about Zechariah, Mary, and Trust