12.24.2007

Let Earth Receive Her King


My hands-down, all-time favorite Christmas movie is"Nora's Christmas Gift". It is the story of Nora, a busy, active, service-oriented widow in a small community. As she grows older, however, she deals with macular degeneration and eventual blindness, hearing loss and other age-related maladies. She loses her zest for living, her sense of humor and spends most of her time feeling sorry for herself.

Nora's oldest friend Madeline watches and tries to help. Eventually, after a period of bitterness and self-pity, Nora finally is able to understand what the gift of the Savior means when Madeline asks her when she is going to do what the song "Joy to the World" tells her -- to receive.

Nora finally sees that all the service she did in the past couldn't take away the hurt of the loss of a loved one, of the pain of loneliness, or her own blindness. But Jesus came for that very purpose -- to take upon Himself those pains and all others humans deal with.
The gift was freely given. The lesson Nora learns (and that all of us need as well) is that we have to let go, look up and open our hearts and lives to this most priceless gift. To receive.

And so, at Christmas time, I wish you joy, love, comfort, gratitude and the sure knowledge that we have a loving Father who gave His Son that we might live again.

And I wish for all of us, the ability to receive.

10 comments:

Baron. Ssn said...

...hmm
good luck..
nice blog..!

Emily John said...

I had forgotten about this movie. I too like this movie it really makes you think about what the purpose of the Savior is. Merry Christmas Jan!

Phogles said...

...and to recieve with graciousness and sincere appreciation....that's my thing to work on, I suppose. Merry Christmas, Auntie Jan!

Kristi said...

I have not seen this movie, but now I know we need to. Thanks for sharing. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas with your family Jan! I also wanted to tell you you played BEAUTIFULLY on Sunday in the Christmas Program. You are truly amazing and really brought the spirit into Sacrament meeting!

Mel said...

Merry Christmas!!

Unknown said...

i love nora! what a great movie that is. beautiful picture, too. i might have to swipe that for my christmas day post. :)

Rebecca said...

Merry Christmas Jan! Wonderful post!

Hacking it up said...

Merry Christmas!! And I agree with Kristi, you did a wonderful job on Sunday! You are so talented! Thanks for sharing!

Darleen said...

I need to check out this movie. It sounds like it has a good message.

Jori said...

I love all of the church movies. They always have such a fabulous message.