The Empty Stocking

Cary Grant stars as an angel in the 1947 Christmas classic “The Bishop's Wife” who also moonlights as a bookkeeper, social worker and a speechwriter. Apparently, angels make excellent speechwriters. 

Now the Bishop's Wife is one of my Mother’s favorite movies of all time. I practically have the dialogues memorized because of the number of times I have watched it with her, but the movie never gets old. “The Bishop’s Wife” is more than just a movie about a love triangle between an angel, a bishop and his wife. It illustrates the timeless values of family, love, and giving.

We all buy gifts during the holiday season, trying to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones. However, “The Bishop’s Wife” features a sermon at the end that asks if we have thought of what we will give Jesus for the holidays. After all, Christmas is His birthday celebration. We are encouraged to reflect on what gift would Jesus like best; would it perhaps be ‘loving kindness, a warm heart, or the stretched out hand of tolerance.” 

We are reminded of the true meaning of Christmas: to give selflessly. It doesn’t just mean to give money to charity once during the holiday season, it means  to extend a hand to someone who needs it, remembering those who are in more unfortunate circumstances, spreading smiles, having a kind word with the person sitting alone, or spending time with the people who care about you. 

“To give” can be our Christmas gift to Jesus and the greatest gift of joy we can give ourselves.