The 1945 classic movie, “The Bells of St. Mary’s,” is the saga of what’s to become of an aging inner-city Catholic school. The decision to close it rests mostly on the shoulders of a newly appointed, never-before-pastor, Father O’Malley, starring Bing Crosby. His respectful but firm opposition comes from the dedicated principal, Sister Benedict, starring Ingrid Bergman. She and her convent of teaching nuns are praying for a miracle. Father O’Malley prefers the expedient solution of sending the children to a neighboring school instead. There are several interwoven subplots and moral dilemmas that complicate and add suspense to the story as the current school year approaches the Christmas season and its possible final graduation.

The vocally gifted Crosby assumes his tenor cords will be a welcome addition to the school’s Nativity play. Bergman warns him that the show is being produced, written, and acted by the first graders, and he may have to audition before crooning a Noel solo at center stage. Eventually, the pastor and principal attend one of the many rehearsals. The wooden donkey and shining star are the only permanent props. The lines between Joseph and the innkeeper change each time the curtain rises. Crosby offers to close the final scene by leading the audience in a traditional carol. However, the six-year-olds are adamant that they have a preferred musical number for the baby Jesus, and it will not be chanted by any mature voices, but by their own soprano voices. In fact, they break into a bellowing round of “Happy Birthday, dear Jesus” to prove their resolve.

This is a theologically sound conclusion to the Advent season for youngsters. Since their vocabulary is limited, when they hear words that are unusual or rare, their brain often substitutes the closest word or words that they can associate with what they think they are hearing. In learning the Blessed Mother’s prayer, for example, they may add a familiar fruit to the “Hail Mary” by saying “full of grapes” because “grace” is not a word that six-year-olds hear very often. “A monk swimming” is another substitute for the rarely heard “amongst women,” as is “dry broom” for “thy womb, Jesus.” Society notwithstanding, the children understand the true meaning of Christmas. Cake and candles aside, they get it.

Holy Homework: This year, after our traditional Christmas meal blessing, let’s join “The Bells of Saint Mary’s” first graders in a chorus of “Happy Birthday, dear Jesus” in gratitude to God for sending us His only son to save us.

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