"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
-Clarence in "It's a Wonderful Life"
As I began writing my review, I kept finding myself
reviewing the movie. That is kind of
what 52 Little Lessons from It's a
Wonderful Life does. It takes the
richest parts of the movie and expounds on them. Author Bob Welch has taken 52 messages that
can be found in the movie, "It's A Wonderful Life," and written a
book that reads kind of like a devotional.
Each chapter of the book begins with the "lesson"
the author is going to discuss, followed by a quote from the movie. Each lesson is something that can be learned
by watching the movie. Examples of
chapter titles are, "God Honors Our 'Childlike Faith'," "You Matter to the World, " "All That Glitters Is Not
Gold," and "It Takes Time for Some Flowers to Bloom." The author expounds on each of the messages
interjecting more information from the movie, occasionally adding scripture to
demonstrate the importance and applicability of the message he is trying to
convey.
I really liked the book.
It is an easy read. It will make
more sense and mean more to someone who has already seen the movie, and is a
fan. There are many lessons
that would be especially impactful to people who are Believers in Jesus. The movie itself is about the impact that one
life has on so many, a sentiment thoroughly personified in the Bible.
The author has also included a lot of trivia about the movie. I learned many things I didn't know before
about "It's a Wonderful Life."
I am a huge fan of the movie. I
have a tradition of watching it on Thanksgiving every year as part of the
holiday celebration and to transition between Thanksgiving and Christmas. One thing in the book I think could be
revised was that the author was under the impression that Zuzu's petals were
from a paper flower. I am still
researching this but from the way it looks in the movie, and the fact the
flower was put in water, I believe it was real.
That is a part I would recommend for edit.
If you are a fan of this movie, you will enjoy this
book. I would recommend the book to anybody
who likes the movie and would like to learn more about it or delve further into
the richness of the story. It would also
make a nice Christmas gift.
My prayer for you today is that you realize the importance
of your life and that God has many good plans for you. God Bless you as we move into this season of
celebrating the birth of Jesus! Merry
Christmas!!
*Disclosure statement: I received this book from Booksneeze as part of a free books for bloggers program. I was not required to give a favorable review. The thoughts and opinions found here are entirely my own.
