Every year about this time television stations bring out of their vaults an old black and white film that is still speaking to people's lives. It's a film titled It's a Wonderful Life.

George Bailey, the lead character in this heartwarming film, never felt like he amounted to much in life. He had dreams of becoming a famous architect, of traveling the world. Instead he feels trapped in a humdrum job in a small town. Then a crisis occurs that strains his every resource. He is faced with unjust criminal charges. Although he has a fine family and many friends in the community, the injustice of the situation plunges him into despair. Faced with this crisis, George Bailey breaks down and leaps off a bridge into a river. That's when his guardian angel, Clarence, comes down to show him what his …