“My Bedford Falls” is an excerpt from a new book by Pastor/Author Tim Throckmorton. Throckmorton’s first publication, “YOU BOUGHT THE BOOK, YOU NAME IT! from which this article was taken will become available to the public June 20, 2009 at a book signing/launch party at Borders book store in the Huntington Mall, Barboursville, WV. The public is welcome at the event. Friends and acquaintances of Throckmorton are encouraged to attend between 2pm and 4pm. Hope to see you there!
You Bought The Book, You Name It!
I’m sure that you remember the Christmas classic “It’s a wonderful life”, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. I just love to watch it anytime of the year especially during the holidays. You remember the plot don’t you? George Bailey, played by Stewart, wanted to end his life because of a number of things that had gone wrong, and he thought it just wasn’t worth living anymore. Then through a miraculous encounter with Clarence the angel, he was able to see what life would have been like if he had never been born, and needless to say, when it was all over he had a renewed love and appreciation for his circumstances and his family.
Who could forget the scene when he runs home to find his wonderful family and of course the banister knob on the stairway that always came off. “I always get teary eyed when everyone stops by to contribute to his families needs.”
Anyway, I was reminded of the quaint little town of Bedford Falls this past week when on my day off I drove to the little town of McDermott to pay my water bill and stop at the post office to mail some cards. I grew up just a few miles from away and still live there today. Now McDermott is an unusual town in that it was built on a railroad for the purpose of mining sandstone many years ago. It’s quit and quaint. My children went to school there, as did myself and my dad. I still know almost everyone in the town and am drawn to it’s closeness and atmosphere.
It was that day driving down the snow covered road from town I was reminded of just what a wonderful life the Lord has given me. A loving wife, a wonderful family, a beautiful home and a job that I Love dearly, and oh yes, the health to enjoy it all. And sometimes even with all the good things that the Lord has blessed us with we still seem to loose perspective. It is so easy to overlook the blessings you have if you are not careful.
In the storyline of the movie, George Bailey was reminded of just what a wonderful life he had even though his perspective had been clouded by circumstances beyond his control. That’s just like us isn’t it? We allow things to cloud our perspective and we miss the wonderful life that the Lord has given us.
I wonder how many are missing the joy of this Christmas season just because of something trivial that will in the end really amount to nothing. What a shame!
But the truth of the matter is, you don’t have to miss the joy of Christmas. Let me share with you a message that was proclaimed many years ago but still calls us to reality today. It’s the message of the angels and of the shepherds recorded for us in Luke’s Gospel and chapter two.
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”
What a message, first the angel’s and then the shepherds were proclaiming the message of hope and deliverance to all who would hear it. You see, the point is that you don’t have to miss the true message of Christmas. Regardless of all the questions and doubts, and regardless of all the misdirected belief’s and the war that’s raging against Christmas. You don’t have to miss Jesus!
Maybe you’re in danger today of overlooking your Bedford Falls. Maybe you are in danger of missing the greatest gift that the world has ever known in Jesus Christ. Maybe, just maybe, if you allow the Lord to help you, you can get a good look at what a wonderful life you do have after all. Whatever you do friend, don’t miss Jesus, you don’t have to!
