Christmas Chains

Philippians 1:13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

There’s an old Preston Sturges movie from 1941, starring Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake called “Sullivan’s Travels.” It’s one of my favorite films because it deals with the years of the Great Depression in both a comic and serious manner. I also loved Joel McCrea as an actor, and Veronica Lake’s hair style still “wows” me after all these years.

The story of the movie is all about a film director who makes weird movies that have nothing to do with reality. He thinks that he’s making pictures about tragedy, suffering, and trouble, but he has never experienced any of it first-hand. When he is challenged about his sheltered life-style, he decides to become a hobo, walking across America and hitching rides on freight trains. At first, he doesn’t understand what’s happening in the devastated, depressed communities of America, but eventually he experiences the brutality, desperation, and depravity of people who have lost everything.

He ends up becoming imprisoned and is shackled in chains. Each day, he works in the swamps under the watchful eye of armed and brutal guards. The only re-creation that the prisoners enjoy is going to the local black church to watch a couple of old Mickey Mouse cartoons. At one point, all of the prisoners are laughing, and Joel McCrea realizes that laughter is all that they own for themselves. As I say, it’s a great movie, and one that I especially enjoy during the Christmas break.

When Paul was a prisoner, he shared his faith with everyone – the guards, the governors, even the other inmates. At this time of year, when we usually think of ourselves and our families, let’s not forget those who are in prison paying for their crimes, and those who are watching over them to keep us safe. Both prisoners and guards lead different lives from us, but they also need our prayers, our thoughts, and the sharing of our faith.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You were once a prisoner and You died between two thieves. You were harshly treated by the guards, who were sent to watch over You. Yet even when You were badly treated and foully abused, You still forgave those who hurt You.
Today, we remember all of those who will be in prison over Christmas. We pray for those who have committed crimes and for those who will need to watch over them. Bless them all with Your merciful holiness and grant to them Your forgiving peace. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.