Original subtitles

"One of your lambs has strayed."

So David put aside his harp and went out in the darkness to find the lamb.

Of course, the angel guided him.

And when David found the lamb, he saw a great, big ferocious lion.

Oh!

So David said to the lion, “You get away from that lamb!"

And the lion said, “You get away from me or I'll eat you too!"

Did David run away?

No. You know why?

Because the angel put another idea into his head.

So David took out his sling...

...and he hurled a stone and hit the lion right between the eyes.

I bet that lion was surprised. Ha-ha-ha.

Yeah. And so was David.

Because he didn't know an angel had helped him.

Well, he picked up the lamb and took it back to the fold...

...and then he felt so happy that he made up another song.

It started out:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

He leadeth me beside the still waters;

He restoreth my soul."

You can tell the rest of this, Henry.

- Some other time. - Hello, Daddy.

Miss Cassaway, will you get Mrs. Hamilton on the telephone, please?

Miss Cassaway, Mrs. Hamilton on the phone, please.

Yes, bishop.

- Good morning, Julia. - Good morning, Dudley.

See you in a few minutes. Have to see Matilda.

- Yes. Bye, Debby. - Goodbye, Dudley.

Bye.

- Thank you. - Oh, pretty.

- Are you expecting a letter? - One never knows.

But if I should get one, the stamp will be worth saving.

I'll have Mrs. Hamilton in a moment.

You gonna see Mrs. Hamilton today?

- I hope to. - May I come along? I'd like to meet her.

Mrs. Hamilton? Bishop Brougham.

Hello, Mrs. Hamilton. How are you?

I'm glad to hear it.

Mrs. Hamilton, I'd like to see you today.

Well, this afternoon, if possible.

Yes, it is. It's very urgent.

- Oh, that's too bad. - Oh, terrible.

You can? Oh, that's splendid.

Thank you so much. I'll be there, 5:00 this evening.

Thank you, Mrs. Hamilton. Goodbye.

Henry, you didn't make an appointment for this afternoon, did you?

- Yes, it was the only possible time. - You can't do this to Reverend Miller.

That rehearsal is being held for you.

They'll get along all right without me. There are other things more important.

Mr. Miller will be delighted to see you.

But it isn't the same, Henry. You're his bishop.

And I don't like going alone.

It's the big house at the end of this street, driver.

Dudley, I take it that--

That you have the money for the taxi?

No. What makes you think I have money?

Oh, I just thought that you being an--

Oh, goodness!

- I'm sorry. - Sorry. Sorry.

Thank you.

I won't be late. I may join you before the end.

Please try.

I'll see you at St. Timothy's in one hour.

Try-

I will be there.

Good.

This is it, driver.

- Good evening, Bishop Brougham. - How are you, Stevens?

Mrs. Hamilton is in the drawing room, sir.

Thank you.

Well, Bishop Brougham.

My dear Mrs. Hamilton, I've come to tell you--

- You've come to apologize, I trust. - Exactly.

Upon mature consideration, my objections seem petty...

...compared with the generosity of your gesture.

I'm very much relieved.

- Sit down, Bishop Brougham. - Thank you.

What hurt me most was to think that my instincts betrayed me...

...in recommending you for the position you now hold.

I'm grateful, Mrs. Hamilton.

Now, in planning the cathedral, I'm taking it for granted...

...that George B. Hamilton Memorial Chapel shall be located--

Just where you specified, Mrs. Hamilton.

You no longer feel the effect will be that the cathedral was built in my husband's honor?

That was used in the heat of dispute.

- What matters is that the cathedral be built. - Good.

You know, I will not have his name in some horrid little brass plaque.

Oh, no. It will be incised in marble, large letters that are gilded.

That large window depicting Saint George and the dragon.

Yes?

I should very much like that the countenance of Saint George suggest my late husband.

Yes.

- Who do you see as the dragon? - Oh, any dragon.

Now, let's get the blueprints.

Mrs. Hamilton, as we're now in such complete agreement...

...would you mind if we postponed the discussion?

Julia's waiting for me at St. Timothy's.

Very well. We can go over the plans when we send for transfer of funds.

Thank you so much. And I'm so glad we've settled our differences.

Is anything the matter?

Why, it doesn't seem quite right, does it?

Oh, but-- Oh, Stevens.

There's something wrong about the bishop's chair.

Oh, madam, it must be the new varnish.

The finisher should have warned us.

I do hope I'm not harming the chair.

Oh, no, no, not at all.

Send to a furniture shop, or a plumber's or get turpentine. Do something, Stevens.

Yes, madam. Oh, dear.

- I wonder-- - Would you give it a pull at the back?

Yes, yes.

Thank you.

It's been a long time since Henry's been down here.

I wish he had come.

You know, when he was here, he was so close to people...

...so loved by everybody. - Uh-huh.

And how does it seem to you now?

In dreaming of his cathedral, he's moved away from people he loved?

Yes.

It's gonna be such a disappointment for Reverend Miller not to see him.

Oh, well, he doesn't have to be disappointed.

- Hello, Mr. Miller. - Mrs. Brougham, so good of you to come.

Not at all. I'm delighted to be here. This is Mr. Dudley, bishop's assistant.

- Mr. Dudley, a pleasure. - Thank you, Mr. Miller.

The bishop will try to get here later, Mr. Miller.

- Something important came up. - Oh, of course, he's a busy man now.

Yes.

- This is Mrs. Duffy. - I know Mrs. Duffy. How are you?

It's an honor to have you here at St. Timothy's.

Thank you. And this is Mr. Dudley.

Mrs. Duffy is the organist.

Oh, I'm sure Mrs. Duffy plays enchantingly.

Hello, Mrs. Duffy.

I'm afraid some of our boys are a little late.

We really should begin, but I don't see how we can.

It's really quite embarrassing.

But, you know, it is a little difficult to compete with basketball and Christmas.

They're all good boys at heart.

I know they are. They'll show up.

I hope so.

- Hello, Bobby. - Hello.

- What do you sing? - I sing first soprano.

- Are you good? - I don't know.

- Well, how about giving out? - Me alone?

Well, you got George up there. Hello, George.

- Hello. - Well, what do you say?

Well, okay.

- Are you ready, Mrs. Duffy? - Oh, yes.

Hit it.

Oh, sing to God your hymns of gladness

Ye loving heads your tribute pay

Your lord is born this happy day

Then pierce the sky With songs of gladness

Disperse the shades Of gloom and sadness

Your Lord is born

This happy day

O, sing to God

Your hymns of gladness

O, sing to God

Your hymns of gladness

Ye loving heads your tribute pay

Your Lord is born this happy day

Then pierce the sky With songs of gladness

Disperse the shades Of gloom and sadness

Your Lord is born

This happy day

O, sing to God

Your hymns of gladness

Oh, word of God

For us incarnate

Oh, word of God

For us incarnate

By faith we hear thine angels sing

Oh, God, we hear thine angels sing

We hear thine angels sing

Their hymns of praise to thee, their king

We join with them in adoration

We join with them in adoration

We pour to thee, we pour to thee

Our supplication

That thou wouldst

Grant us, Lord

Salvation

Boys, that was beautiful, really beautiful.

You know, you've all grown up so since the bishop and I lived in this parish...

...that I hardly recognized any of you.

But I'm so proud of you.

And I know he's going to be too.

Oh, thank you.

Mr. Miller, that was wonderful.

I can't thank you enough, Mrs. Brougham.

And you, Mr. Dudley.

Oh, I'm so sorry the bishop couldn't have been here.

- Are you all right? - Yes, yes, thank you.

Whatever is keeping Stevens?

Oh, Stevens, there you are.

I'm terribly sorry, madam, but the furniture shop is closed until after New Year.

I can't seem to find a plumber, and we're out of turpentine.

- This is preposterous. - Would some witch hazel be of any use?

- Might I use your telephone? - Yes, of course.

- It's over there. - Thank you so much.

Matilda, this is Bishop Brougham.

I'm over at Mrs. Hamilton's. Will you bring me another pair of trousers at once, please.

Well, what difference does it make? Just bring me another pair of trousers.

Thank you.

I'm so very sorry this has happened.

Oh, if only I could get in touch with Julia or Dudley.

Now, now, don't be nervous, bishop.

Have a chair.

Thank you. I have one.

He isn't here.

Well, perhaps the meeting was more important than he thought.

I suppose.

Well, we better go on home.

You know, Dudley, it's a strange thing.

What's strange?

You seem to be able to make me feel as if everything is gonna be all right.

- Well, it could be if... - if what?

If people could only learn to behave like human beings.

Hey, taxi.

Here's a cab, Julia.

Will you please wait, Sylvester?

Okay. Sure, mister, I'll wait.

Sylvester?

Good evening. If you'll wait just a moment, I'll be right with you.

- This is one of our most exclusive models. - Really?

Oh, it's lovely. Just simply ravishing.

So chic. So young.

- It is sweet, isn't it? - Oh, it's stunning.

Not everyone could wear such a daring hat.

Of course, it was made for madame.

Say, how did you know my name was Sylvester?

- Oh, it's up there on your card. - Oh.

Sylvester, could you drive us through the park?

- That's way out of your way. - What's the matter with you, Sylvester?

- Are you getting bored with us? - Oh, no.

I'd drive you by way of Mexico City if you want.

Thank you.

Dudley, I'm having so much fun.

- Are you, Julia? - Yes.

- Are you really? - Yes.

- I feel as if I were doing something wicked. - Why?

I don't know.

Somehow, it seems wrong to have so much fun.

But I can't figure out what's wrong about it.

Do you folks happen to know what the main trouble with this country is?

Oh, I've heard several versions of that.

Do you know, Sylvester?

Well, I think I do. The main trouble is there are too many people...

...who don't know where they're going and they want to get there too fast.

Now, take you two. I'd call you unusual.

Thank you. You're very perceptive.

First place, you know your destination.

But you're in no hurry to get there.

You wanna enjoy some scenery en route.

And you're not reluctant to spend an extra four bits...

...for a detour with Mother Nature.

Hey, look where you're going!

Well. Well, my goodness.

Did you see the way I missed that truck?

- Well, it was just like a miracle. - Yes, but don't overplay your hand.

Oh...

Sylvester, pull up here.

- Come on, Julia, we're going skating. - No, we mustn't. It's late. We couldn't.

You think we could?

Henry's waited this long. He can wait longer.

- Yeah. - Sylvester, stop the car.

- I am wicked. - Well, if you are, so am I. That's impossible.

Can you skate, Sylvester?

Oh, I used to when I was a boy, but I'm too old now.

Oh, pull on some skates. You'll find out how young you are.

Ooh. Oh, I'm not quite so sure I can.

- Now, relax. That's right. - Oh!

That's right.

Oh...

Pretty hat.

- Why, Dudley. - Now, you.

- Oh, no. No, I... - Come on. Come on.

Uh...

- Oh, Dudley, this is heaven. - You've found the perfect word.

Look. Look what I'm doing. Oh!

You're a beautiful skater, Julia.

In fact, you're beautiful.

- Oh, look. Look at Sylvester. Ha-ha-ha.

Now, Sylvester.

Oh, oh, oh!

Whoa!

Oh, look! Ha-ha-ha.

- Excuse me, Julia. - Sure.

Keep cool, Sylvester. Keep cool.

Relax.

That's right. Come on, come on.

Give me the other one. That's it.

All right, now, relax. No, no. Don't collapse, just relax.

Hang on to me now.

Oh, don't leave me!

Don't!

How am I doing, Dudley?

Yippee!

Wait for me, Dudley.

- Thank you, Dudley. - All right.

How much do I owe you, Sylvester?

Not a cent, my friend.

My pockets are just bulging with the coins of self-satisfaction.

- You wanna know why? - I'd love to know.

Because you and the lady have restored my faith in human nature, that's why.

Good night, Dudley. Good night, Julia.

- Good night, Sylvester. - Good night, Sylvester.

Sylvester is a noble soul.

His children and his children's children will rise up and call him blessed.

Dudley, this has been the most wonderful evening I've had in years.

This has been the most wonderful evening I've had in centuries. Heh.

I hope I haven't left the key home.

Go right in. It's open.

- Thank you, Dudley. - Very good.

- Well, hello, Queenie. - Hello, Queenie, how are you?

- May I help you? - Yes, please.

- All right. - Oh! You took off my shoe.

Hello, Henry.

Oh, Henry, what happened to you? I thought you were gonna meet us at St. Timothy's.

- What happened? It's late. - I'll take that.

Thank you. You'll never guess.

- We went skating. Ha-ha-ha.

There you are.

- See you in a minute, Henry. - All right.

- Skating? - Yes.

Dudley's the most marvelous skater.

He even made me imagine that I was good.

You should have heard those boys sing at St. Timothy's. it was absolutely heavenly.

I'm sure of that.

- Did you have a successful meeting? - Oh, yes, did you?

- Satisfactory. - Good.

Oh, dear, I wanna see Debby before she goes to sleep.

Oh, you haven't said a word about it.

About what?

My hat. My new hat.

- Well, what do you think? - Charming.

Ha, ha. Thank you. I'll be right down.

There's one thing I know about this, Julia is absolutely blameless.

- Of course she is. - You stopped me from joining you.

Julia had a very good time.

Well, I didn't.

If you'd sent me to represent you with Mrs. Hamilton, I would.

You didn't. So I represented you with your wife.

Is that part of the normal duties of an--?

Of an angel?

Sometimes, Henry, angels must rush in where fools fear to tread.

I haven't the faintest idea what that means and I don't want it explained to me.

Dudley, you can go now.

- I've solved my problem. - Have you?

Mrs. Hamilton is giving the money for the cathedral.

Oh, but that was a foregone conclusion...

...if you were willing to make a slight sacrifice of your principles.

Don't you think it's worth it for this glorious edifice?

I'm not so sure of its glory at a time like this.

- Oh, you're not? - No, Henry, I'm not.

You know, these are lean years for the world.

So many people need food, so many people need shelter.

That big roof could make so many little roofs.

But we're dealing with a materialistic woman.

She wouldn't listen to talk like that.

Did you try?

It's all arranged. It's finished. You came here so I could have a cathedral.

I've got it, now I want you to go.

I want you to get out of my house, out of my life and away from Julia.

I suppose you'd pray for that. it was your prayer that brought me here.

Mm-mm.

Henry, that was no prayer.

It was right from my heart. I want you to go.

- Julia doesn't. - Julia.

Get out! Get out!

Julia is about to come down the stairs.

Now, don't let her see you like that.

Try to calm yourself, Henry.

Dudley.

Oh, Debby wants Dudley to come up and say good night to her.

- Where is he? - He's gone.

- Where? - How should I know?

Well, why did he leave so suddenly?

I got rid of him. I told him to go away. I fired him.

- Why? - Because he's incompetent.

He's no good at his job and I cannot stand the sight of him!

Mommy, I'm sure that Dudley's never coming back.

Darling, you must never say "never."

But where is he?

Come here, dear.

Now, listen to me.

Dudley wouldn't leave us without saying a word.

Besides, he promised me he was going to tell you about Santa Claus.

He knows Santa Claus very well.

But it's almost Christmas Eve.

Soon I'll have to go to bed.

But I told you, dear, he wouldn't leave us without saying a word.

- Would he, Matilda? - Oh, no. No.

That wouldn't be like him, not like Mr. Dudley.

Come along, Debby. I'll get you ready for dinner.

Would you come see me when you get back, Mommy?

Well, of course, dear.

Here is the list of your calls, bishop, ending at Mrs. Hamilton's.

Thank you.

Miss Cassaway, here is the manuscript of my Christmas sermon.

I shall want the original in five carbons for issuing to the press.

If you get the typing done before I come back, leave copies on my desk.

I'm sorry to keep you so long on Christmas Eve.

Of course, sir, I understand. It must be done.

Henry, I'm ready to start out now.

We go first to the Tropshores', then we--

Then we go to the Vandovers'.

Goodbye, Miss Cassaway.

Sylvester.

- Oh, hello, Julia. - Hello. What are you doing here?

I've been waiting around here for about an hour...

...hoping there'd be another skating party.

Where's Dudley? Oh, you've got a preacher with you.

- This is my-- - Oh, I know.

There's gonna be a wedding ceremony, you and Dudley.

Sylvester, this is my husband, Bishop Brougham.

- How do you do? - Oh.

- Oh. - 247 North Maple.

247 North Maple.

- Mildred. - Oh!

Oh, why, Dudley, it's you.

Why, I didn't see-- Where have you been? All of us have been worrying about you.

- And poor Mrs. Brougham. - What about Mrs. Brougham?

Why, she's been popping in and out of here asking:

"Have you seen Dudley? Have you heard from him?"

Where is she, Mildred?

She and the bishop had some calls to make, finishing at Mrs. Hamilton's.

Let me type that sermon for you.

- Oh, no. No. - You go on.

- Bishop told me-- - Almost Christmas Eve.

- You must have shopping to do. - Oh...

- Well-- - Go on, Mildred.

Thank you, Dudley.

Merry Christmas, Mildred.

Merry Christmas, Dudley. Merry--

Take a sermon.

Tonight, I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking.

Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry...

...a blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts.

Have you got that?

Good.

We haven't forgotten that down the centuries.

We celebrate it with stars on a tree...

...and the cry of bells and gifts, especially with gifts.

We buy them and wrap them...

...and put them under the tree.

You give me a tie...

...I give you a book.

Aunt Martha always wanted an orange squeezer.

Uncle Harry can use a new pipe.

Oh, we forget nobody, adult and child.

All the stockings are filled.

All, that is, except one.

Oh...

I'm sorry, Matilda.

Oh, Mr. Dudley. I knew you'd come back.

I knew you hadn't walked out on us.

Of course not.

Debby's been so worried.

And as for Mrs. Brougham--

Well, run upstairs, Matilda.

Tell Debby I'll see her later. I have some work to do.

I'll tell her.

One moment, please.

Is Mrs. Hamilton expecting you?

Not exactly, but she'll see me. I'm the bishop's assistant.

The bishop is expected, but not the assistant.

I told you, Stevens.

She'll wish to see me.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

"This was composed for you, my darling, and you only. Allan."

But her husband's name was George.

Good evening.

That music you were playing...

...there's no one but me that knows that composition.

Yes, it's a shame that only you and I appreciate...

...the lost genius of Allan Cartwright.

You know about Allan Cartwright?

Oh, yes.

The world lost a brilliant young composer when he was-- When he died.

That was nearly 40 years ago.

You couldn't have known him.

I'm much older than you think.

Come, let us sit down.

What is your name?

My name is Dudley.

But tell me about Allan and you.

Tell me.

Allan Cartwright was the only man I ever loved.

We were engaged to be married...

...but I got frightened.

He had nothing and I was afraid of poverty.

He went away.

I never saw him again.

I never loved George Hamilton.

He was very much in love with me and he was wealthy.

I've spent a fortune honoring his memory in empty monuments.

The Hamilton mansion.

I never took a call here before.

- What do I owe you now? - Oh, no charge.

- I got nothing better to do. - Thank you.

I'll be seeing you, Julia.

There's someone at the door. That must be Henry and Julia.

Oh, the bishop. No, I won't-- I can't see him now.

- Oh, yes, you will. - No.

Yes.

That's right, Agnes.

Just go out and greet them in your usual warm-hearted manner.

The bishop and Mrs. Brougham are calling, madam.

Yes.

You'll stay for dinner, Dudley?

Oh, I'm afraid I can't, Agnes.

I have a great deal of work to do.

But don't keep Henry and Julia waiting.

Julia.

How do you do, Mrs. Hamilton?

How nice of you to come and see me.

And Henry.

A Merry Christmas. A Merry Christmas.

Come. Let's go into the drawing room.

- Henry. - Oh, yes, Mrs. Hamilton.

Merry Christmas to you too.

Come now, Henry. We're very old friends.

You must call me Agnes.

And you too, Julia, dear.

Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

Oh.

But he's gone already.

Who?

Dudley.

- He was here? - Yes.

I should have known it.

- Where did he go? - Oh, the poor man.

He said he had so much work to do.

Henry, you must make him take some rest.

I've been trying to make him do that.

Oh, I can't thank you enough for sending him to me.

Oh, but do sit down.

You know, my dear, meeting Dudley...

...has been the greatest spiritual experience of my life.

I'm glad you've seen him.

- How did you ever find him, Henry? - it was more or less of an accident.

- It was a miracle. - Oh, indeed, it was.

Talking with this wonderful, understanding man has--

Henry, I've changed my mind about the cathedral.

I'm going to give my money to those who need it.

To the poor and the homeless...

...and the unappreciated people here in the city and all over the world.

And I want you to direct the spending of the money.

Now, Henry, you see what Dudley has done?

- Yes. - Now you understand.

Well, thank you, Mrs. Hamilton.

I'll be home later for dinner or something.

I don't know what time--

Goodbye.

Hello, professor.

Henry.

Come in, my dear fellow. Come in.

Sit down, Henry. Let me take your coat.

- No, thanks. - Oh, no, not there. Here.

This is the only reliable chair.

Well, this is a surprise and an honor.

We must have a glass of sherry.

- No, thank you, professor. - Oh, but I insist.

I wanna show you something.

You see this bottle?

You note that it is full?

Now watch.

This is something that even you can't explain...

...with all your vast ecclesiastical knowledge.

You will observe that it's still full.

Now, how do you account for that?

And what's more, the sherry itself.

It stimulates, it warms, it inspires...

...but no matter how much you drink, it never inebriates.

I think I can account for it.

- Dudley's been here. - Yes.

And that bottle isn't all.

He told me some things about history that opened my eyes.

And today, I went up to the university library, I looked into some ancient texts...

...which no living scholar has been able to decipher.

Suddenly, I found that I could understand them.

And look.

This is what I've done, thanks to Dudley.

My history, I'm actually writing it.

Let's face it, Henry.

This Dudley is no mortal man like the rest of us.

Is he?

- How did you know? - Well, I can't tell.

- Who is he? What is he? - He says he's an angel.

An angel?

Funny. Nothing stopped me from saying it.

From heaven?

That I'm not sure about.

An angel.

Too bad. He's such a nice fellow.

I suppose I should have known it.

Nothing less than an angel could've put me to work.

I'm glad he'd done some good for somebody.

He brought nothing but disaster for me.

That's absurd.

He and Julia were in here the other day...

...she seemed happier than she's been in years.

In fact, quite like her old delightful self.

She's a different person when she's with him.

He's made her despise me.

Are you sure he has done that?

- Do you think it's my fault? - I didn't say that, Henry.

This whole thing is a mystery beyond my powers of comprehension.

Oh, I suppose I am to blame for everything.

I asked for this in more ways than one.

I suppose that Dudley came to me just to confirm...

...that I'd already lost the love of Julia and Debby.

I've got a confession to make to you, my old friend.

You sent me a coin. That was very generous of you.

I was mean enough only to see its commercial value.

It's gone. Don't know what's happened.

But I do. Here it is.

Now, where--? Oh, here it is.

Where did you find it?

- Oh, don't tell me. - Yes.

And what's more, he told me what it is. A museum piece. Worth a fortune.

No, I insist you keep it.

Give it to Julia as my Christmas present.

Who knows? it might bring luck to you both.

Henry, it seems strange.

I mean, you being a bishop, and I a broken-down old scholar...

...but I feel terribly sorry for you.

I wish there was something I could do to help.

Thank you, there's nothing to be done.

There must be.

You and Julia love each other. You always have.

It's only partially true. I love Julia.

Then why don't you fight for her?

How can I fight against--?

But you have a tremendous advantage over him.

Advantage? Over an angel?

That's precisely it.

He's an angel. Julia is a creature of earth.

She's a woman, Henry.

And you are a man.

Isn't it beautiful?

And he did every bit of it himself, and so quick too.

When I saw it, I couldn't believe my eyes.

What a blessing he's been to us.

The tree is lovely, Matilda. Lovely.

I'm glad you like it.

Been years since I've had a chance to work on a Christmas tree.

I usually get the more disagreeable jobs.

Good night, Matilda.

Sweet dreams.

Thank you, Mr. Dudley.

- Julia. - Yes?

I think my work here is almost finished.

I'll have to be moving along.

Oh.

My superior officers.

Will we ever see you again?

Mm-mm.

They seldom send us to the same place twice.

We might form attachments.

I don't know what you're talking about, Dudley.

Of course not.

- Julia. - Yes?

- I don't want to leave. - Why?

There are a few people who know the secret of making a heaven on earth.

You are one of those rare people.

I think you ought to go.

No, please, Julia. Don't send me away.

What are you saying, Dudley?

I'm tired of being a wanderer.

I'm tired of an existence where one is neither hot nor cold, hungry nor full.

No.

No. No, you must go away...

...and never come back.

Julia.

Julia.

I've never had to fight an angel, but take off your coat...

...and put up your dukes.

Now, why do you want to fight me, Henry?

Because you're a thief.

Trying to steal my wife and my child. The love that belongs to me.

Don't you realize that as an angel...

...I could possibly destroy you with a bolt of lightning?

I don't care. Julia means more to me than my life.

I'm not gonna lose her.

Ah.

Then I have news for you.

I'm going.

I'll accept that as a fact when I see it happen.

Oh, no, you won't.

Because when I'm gone, you will never know...

...that an angel visited your house.

And Julia? What about her?

There will be no memory with her, either.

Or with Debby or the professor or anyone else.

I don't trust you, Dudley.

You may, Henry.

Because your prayer has been answered.

My prayer has not been answered.

I was praying for a cathedral.

No, Henry. You were praying for guidance.

That has been given to you.

Just a minute, please.

Good bye, Henry.

Dudley, if we should need you again, will you come back?

Not I.

I should ask to be assigned to the other end of the universe.

Is that because I was so difficult?

Oh, no. This difficulty was in me.

When an immortal finds himself...

...envying the mortal entrusted to his care, it's a danger signal.

Take her in your arms and hold her tight.

Coming.

Kiss her for me, you lucky Henry.

Julia.

Julia!

Shh!

She's asleep.

Are you all right?

Why, yes, of course I am.

Henry, did you get that for Debby?

No.

Well, I can't imagine where it came from.

Henry, what is it?

I don't know, I--

I just had the most inexplicable feeling of happiness.

Oh...

- You know something? - What?

In the kitchen there's a bowl of cider.

- Yes, that's for tomorrow afternoon. - Well, let's drink it now.

Let's drink to us, to our happiness, and to what lies ahead.

And then let's smash the glasses in the fireplace.

Listen.

That's coming from St. Timothy's.

That cider's going to have to wait if you're gonna give your Christmas Eve sermon.

- Oh, my sermon. - Yes.

- But that's better still. - Ha, ha.

Tonight, I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking.

Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry...

...a blazing star hung over a stable...

...and wise men came with birthday gifts.

We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries.

We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees...

...with the sound of bells and with gifts.

But especially with gifts.

You give me a book, I give you a tie.

Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer...

...and Uncle Harry could do with a new pipe.

Oh, we forget nobody, adult or child.

All the stockings are filled.

All, that is, except one.

And we have even forgotten to hang it up.

The stocking for the child born in a manger.

It's his birthday we're celebrating.

Don't let us ever forget that.

Let us ask ourselves...

...what he would wish for most.

And then let each put in his share.

Loving kindness...

...warm hearts...

...and a stretched-out hand of tolerance.

All the shining gifts that make peace on earth.