Touched by an Angel (1994–2003): Season 4, Episode 12 - It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - full transcript

Touched By an Angel #413 I "It Came
Upon a Midnight Clear" closed captioned

♪ Oh, little town of Bethlehem ♪

♪ How still we see the light ♪

♪ Above thy deep
and dreamless sleep ♪

♪ The silent stars go by ♪

♪ Yet in the dark street shine ♪

♪ The everlasting light ♪

♪ The hopes and
fears of all the years ♪

♪ Are met in thee tonight. ♪

What about it, Joey?

Looks like when we
were kids, doesn't it?



All it needs is an angel.

I got it special 'cause
it looks like Monica.

Yeah, that's Monica, all right.

Only thing missing is the glow.

I'm going to put her up.

I can't believe
it's been two years

since we were last here, Tess.

You set this town
aglow, all right.

You helped Wayne
to see his baby brother

as a blessing
instead of a burden.

Joey has changed
a lot since then.

I think the whole town has.

It's nice to be back
for another Christmas.

There's still some
work to do, hmm?



Yeah.

Oh, no.

It can't be Christmas
without an angel.

Well, let's see.

All the stores in
town are closed,

but we can go over
the hill to the mall.

Come on, let's go.

Yeah. Wayne...

the turkey's going
to be done soon.

Oh, yeah, that's right.

Um... I believe
you can stay here

and take care of
that by yourself.

That little thing, it pops up

when the turkey's ready, right?

Yeah, that's right.

You just keep your eye
on that and I'll be back soon.

Okay, Wayne, I'm going
to keep my eye on it.

I'm not going to
take my eye off it.

We're going to have a
great Christmas, Joey.

Ow...

Wayne?

Can't find the hot pad.

What, no hot pads?

I believe that'll do it.

I'll be back before you know it.

So, what are we going
to do for Christmas, Tess?

We're staying right here.

You'll be spending another
Yuletide in this little town.

Look outside.

Oh... a Christmas
snow, how lovely.

It's lovely now, but it's a cold

winter's night, and that
snow is getting deep.

Captioning sponsored by CBS
PARAMOUNT TELEVISION

♪ When you walk down the road ♪

♪ Heavy burden, heavy load ♪

♪ I will rise and I
will walk with you ♪

♪ I'll walk with you ♪

♪ Till the sun
don't even shine ♪

♪ Walk with you ♪

♪ Every time, I tell
you I'll walk with you ♪

♪ Walk with you ♪

♪ Believe me, I'll
walk with you. ♪

Here's your travel advisory

for the rest of Christmas Eve.

We're expecting
six to eight inches

and then temperatures are
going to dip below 15 degrees.

Hello, God, it's me, Joey.

Please keep my brother safe.

He only went out
there 'cause I asked him

and if anything
happens to him...

No, no, no, no, no.

Too dark, too dark.

No, no, no.

Help me. Help me.

Too dark, too dark.

Don't be afraid, Joey.

Monica. You heard me.

God always hears you, Joey.

I'm so worried about Wayne.

He went out there and
now there's a big storm,

and it's all my fault.

Joey, I know that God
is watching over Wayne,

just as he's watching over you.

It must be nice to be
the watcher overer.

'Cause you don't worry.

I don't worry,
but I always care.

Wayne, he's got to be all right,

'cause Christmas
can't come without him.

Christmas always comes, Joey.

I learned that a long time ago,

back when I had my
worst Christmas ever.

And maybe my best.

It was in 1909.

1909? When was that?

A long time ago.

I met a man who made
millions of people laugh,

but on the inside,
he was really sad.

Well, tell me his story.

I don't want to tell you a
sad story at Christmas, Joey.

Well, looky there.

That's never happened.

Maybe I will tell you
that story after all.

It's about a famous writer.

He was America's favorite.

His life was filled with
adventure and tragedy.

His real name was
Samuel Clemens,

but everyone called
him Mark Twain.

The Christmas I met him,

he'd just come
back from a long trip,

and his daughter,
Jean, was waiting for him

with a few of their friends.

There, and if anyone
wants to kiss me,

here's his excuse.

And tonight, I'll make an
angel for the top of the tree.

So much to do. I
hope he'll like it.

It's all beautiful.

It even smells beautiful.

You're astonishing, Jean.

Oh, sweet dear.

I'm so glad you
brought Helen by.

You'll be father's
welcome home party.

You've worked wonders
with this house, Jean.

Miss Jean!

It came, it came.

Oh, not a moment too soon.

Longfellow composed a
beautiful Christmas poem.

It's my father's favorite,

but he could never
remember the second verse.

A friend in Cambridge
found an original copy

in Longfellow's own hand.

Oh, look at that verse.

Papa will be so pleased.

On Christmas morning,

I'll stand right here and
sing him down the stairs,

and hand him Longfellow's carol.

Oh, he'll surely
treasure that surprise.

Because of the
song, not the singer.

Now that Papa's well again,

I want this Christmas to shine.

I think he's here, Miss Jean.

Uh... quick, Mrs. Allen, Helen,

run into the billiard room.

You'll be his first
Christmas surprise.

He's here.

Here he is.

Jean, Jean, my Jean.

Oh, Papa, you're
home, you're really here.

I'm here. Home at last.

Oh, that train chilled
me to the bone.

Good God, doesn't the
damn rail line know it's cold?

Papa.

Oh, ah, yes, Jean.

I promise... No
swearing, no temper.

It's Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Katy Leary.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Twain.

You're looking awful good.

Clothes make the man.

Naked people have little
or no influence in society.

The paper's saying that
you were ailing terrible.

Katy, the reports of my death

have been greatly exaggerated.

Oh... It's beautiful. Beautiful.

But you worked too hard.

Yes, she has.

And she has a
cold to show for it.

Just a little.

Look, look at...

Don't stare at the
tree, it's not done.

Come into the billiard room.

You have a guest.

Oh...

Hi, poochie.

Down, down.

Sit, Ralph, sit. Go away.

Come on, Papa.

Your guest is waiting.

Surprise!

Helen.

Oh, you came all the way
across town in this snow.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Twain.

Helen insisted on bringing
your present over today.

Don't open it till Christmas.

It's a surprise.

Thank you.

He has another surprise
waiting for him, too.

Two surprises on one Christmas.

I won't be able to
sleep tonight, I swear.

Come along now, Helen.

I'm sure Mr. Twain is tired.

Don't forget what I taught you:

always obey your parents...
when they are present.

Now you're performing,

Papa. You're
supposed to be relaxing.

Well, so are you.

It's in the blood.

We can't stop ourselves.

Come on, Helen.
I'll show you out.

Good-bye.

Happy holidays.

Bye-bye. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Such a sweet creature.

Of such is the
kingdom of heaven.

I'm back in form, Katy.

Yes, you are, sir.

Mr. Twain...

Jean has been working too hard.

There haven't been
any seizures, have there?

No, but she's got to slow down.

It's just that she wants
to please you so much.

It cheers you up.

No one in the world
could please me more,

but as for cheering me
up, it's too late for that.

I'm 74.

I've passed the biblical
statute of limitations.

Man knows life at 74.

There's no cheering up.

Now look at these pictures.

My wife Livy, my daughter
Susy and poor Langdon, the baby.

Gone... gone.

There's no cheering up for me.

Papa, there's one
piece of business.

The best secretary I ever
had, but you're working too hard.

The only business
for you is going to bed.

Very well.

Only to save you, Papa,
before my cold gets worse.

Yes, yes.

Now, you have to get some rest.

I haven't had a seizure
in months, Papa.

The osteopath says the epilepsy

is on a long ocean voyage.

Then I wish it bon voyage,
and bon nuit to you, Jean.

Now, give me a kiss good night.

Kiss my hand, Papa,
so you won't get sick.

Good night, my dear.

Good night, Papa.

The next morning was
the day before Christmas.

Oh, that must be Wayne.

Hi, Joey.

Oh... hey, Edna.

Can I try your phone?

Sure.

Ooh...

My car is stuck in the
snow, the lines are down.

Lord help anyone on the highway.

Oh, the line's dead.

Psst.

Monica, you're back.

Uh-oh, what have we done now?

Nothing, Edna.

I just stopped in like
yourself on a snowy evening.

Well, then, I'm
glad I got stuck.

Where's Tess?

The E-flat pedal
on the church organ

needs work.

Tess had a few appointments
of her own to keep.

Well, if you see her,

tell her that organ misses her.

Where's Wayne?

Here's, uh, out there.

He went to go get
an angel for the tree.

He hadn't come back.

I've been telling Joey a story

to pass the time
while we're waiting.

It was a good one, too.

It was about Mark Twain.

She knew him.

Really?

Yes.

I was in Search and
Rescue at the time.

That's when you
rescue people in danger.

It was the morning of
Christmas Eve, 1909.

Mmm...

Miss Jean, are you
all right in there?

Miss Jean? Miss Jean?

Katy?

Is something happening up there?

Are you all right, Miss Jean?

Miss Jean?

Katy?

Miss Jean, please.

Miss...

Katy?

What is it, Katy?

It's Miss Jean.

Sh-she's dead.

She died?

Where's Wayne?

Where's Wayne?

Why are you telling him this?

Because God
needs him to hear it.

No, no!

I ruined it.

I ruined the turkey.

I ruin everything.

Oh, Joey, it's okay.

It's only a turkey.

I forgot to turn
off the gas, too.

Where's Wayne?

Joey, someone once told me

that it has to get

really dark before
you can see the stars.

Did Mr. Twain say that?

No.

Mr. Twain's head was
bowed so low with sorrow

that he couldn't even look up.

I've sent for the doctor,
but he'll be a while.

It doesn't matter now.

Now I know what a soldier feels

when a bullet crashes
through his heart.

Come on.

Come on.

He knows, Katy.

He knows.

Yes, sir.

Christmas Eve...
11:00 A.M... 1909.

Jean is dead.

I lost Susy 13 years ago,

I lost her mother...

her incomparable
mother... five years ago.

Clara has gone
away to live in Europe,

and now I've lost Jean.

How poor I am who
was once so rich.

We kissed hands good-bye
at this door last night

and it was forever.

Now she lies there
and I sit here, writing...

busying myself to keep
my heart from breaking.

How dazzling the sunshine
that's flooding the hills around.

It's like a mockery.

74 years old yesterday.

Who can estimate my age today?

Only God.

Only God knows the
depths of your sorrow.

Who are you?

Who let you in?

I suppose I let myself in.

Please, leave me alone.

I have to talk to
you, Mr. Twain.

Who the blazes are you?

An angel.

Am I dreaming?

No.

Are you Jean's angel?

No.

She has an angel.

I was sent here for
a different reason...

To rescue a precious gift.

Gift?

Your tree was on fire.

I put it out before it burned.

You came down from the
infinite vastness of heaven

to save my Christmas tree,

while upstairs my
daughter was dying?

That's why I wanted to stay.

I felt so awful, and I
wanted to speak with you.

To elucidate for me the
infinite cruelty of God?

To explain to you His mercy.

The only thing merciful
about life is that it ends.

You can't mean that.

I believe it with all my heart.

How could he say that?

Mr. Twain had been hurt so much,

he decided the world
was a bad place to live in.

And he ended up thinking
that life was so sad,

it was better to be dead.

I don't know.

Those are mighty strong words.

Well, if he loved his
daughter, like I do Wayne...

Hello? Is anybody home?

Tess.

Oh, Edna, what a storm.

It's a downright blizzard.

Hi, baby.

Tess, Wayne's out
there in that storm.

I know he is, Joey.

Someone came with me.

Edna, Joey.

Evening.

Um, we found Wayne's truck

by the side of the road.

Oh, good.

No, Joey. It was empty.

He must have tried
to make it on foot.

So I'm going to put
on my snowshoes

and open up my umbrella

and go out there and find
him, one way or the other.

It's very cold out there, Tess.

Maybe I should go?

No. You stay here, angel girl.

Don't you have
a story to finish?

Joey, what kind of clothing

was Wayne wearing?

Uh, he had on, uh,
uh, uh, a black jacket.

But he-he didn't have

any gloves. He gave them to me.

You keep the faith, baby.

And you stay here and listen
to what Monica has to say.

It's very important.

Ooh.

I don't understand
why bad stuff happens.

I mean, stuff that not
even an angel can fix.

Go on with the rest
of your story, Monica.

We want to hear
it, don't we, Joey?

Well, Mark Twain
was very unhappy

that Christmas Eve,

just as you're very
unhappy tonight.

You're an angel?

Yes, I am.

You've seen the throne of God?

Yes, I have.

You've known celestial glory?

Yes, I do.

Is heaven a beautiful place?

Oh, yes, it is.

Is there eloquence up there,
or are you the best they've got?

I'm sorry.

Well, heaven for climate,
and hell for society.

I don't doubt you're an angel.

When the world ends,
I expect to see angels.

I went up to her room.

They've laid her out there,

Christmas presents
all around her.

They're all unmarked.

Presents all over her
desk, the chair, the floor.

Hmm.

She thought of everyone.

All half-done, like her life.

I won't touch a thing.

I won't desecrate it.

Her hand touched this,

just a few hours ago.

And now she lies yonder.

That's strange.

Marvelous.

Incredible.

I've had this experience before.

But it would still be incredible

if I'd had it 10,000 times.

She's at peace now.

Yes. Her cares are
over, like her sister's.

Like Livy.

Can I ask you a question?

Of course.

I've wondered
about this for years.

Tell me, why did
God create humanity?

He has so much to share,
He needed someone to love.

To love?

Yes.

He needs someone
to love just as men do.

We do.

We do.

And He's taken her away from me.

God has stolen her away.

God does not steal.

No. I can't accept your answer.

I cannot think

why God invented
this human race.

Why didn't he create
something credible instead?

Uh, God had His chance.

He could have
made His reputation.

But, no, He created us instead.

And made each
individual a nest of disease,

a tub of illness. Why?

Can you tell me why the
human race was created?

To share His love.

Illness and disease were
not part of the original plan.

Plan?

Setting a poor girl
up with epilepsy

and watching her die?

He calls this a plan?

Mr. Twain, your
pain is enormous,

but I promise you,
there's more to the plan

than you can see
or feel right now.

Won't you pray with me

to the one who
knows all the answers?

For after all, it
is Christmas Eve.

No.

No prayers and no Christmas.

I will not bow my head to a
God who would let this happen.

I want His messenger and
His holiday out of my house.

Get out!

Get out!

I was devastated.

I went out into that
cold, clear night,

and I prayed.

Wayne. That's got to be Wayne.

He's back.

Hello, Joey.

Well, who are you?
Are you from the sheriff?

No, no. I'm a... I'm
a friend of Monica's.

May I come in?

Okay.

Thanks.

Whoo.

Hello, Andrew.

What a surprise.

Do you have any
news about Wayne?

No. Not-not yet.

Are you an angel, too?

Yes, I am.

My, my, my.

Angels surely do watch
over this little town.

Tess is out looking
for my brother.

He's out in the snow.

Yeah, I-I know.

I know that,
but-but I also heard

that Monica here is
telling you a really terrific

Christmas story that
I actually remember,

and I was hoping
maybe I could come in

with you, and-and...
and listen to it

until I'm needed somewhere else.

Well, let's see.

Where were we?

Um...

So, Mark Twain threw
me right out of the house,

and I thought that was that.

But do you know what happened?

What?

God sent me back
the next morning.

Christmas morning.

I don't mean to
be difficult, Father.

I know you always
know what you're doing,

but I just can't understand

why you sent me back here.

I mean, I-I know
I saved the tree.

And rescued this.

That's my job...
rescuing things.

But don't you think
there's a better angel

to rescue Mr. Twain?

You know, someone
with more... experience?

Mr. Twain... he's a crotchety,

angry, brilliant,
sort of scary fellow.

I'll stay with it. I will.

It's just... I could
use a little help.

Right this way, please.

Just here is fine.

They said the carriage

would be here at 4:00, sir.

Thank you, Katy.

I'll have your coat ready.

I won't be going.

I said I never again
would see someone I loved

lowered into the
ground, and I won't.

Yes, sir.

Good pooch.

Good poochie.

Well, he followed
us right in here.

I guess he's her first mourner.

Then he'll stand in
my affections forever.

I'm deeply sorry
for your loss, sir.

You ever tried quitting?

Oh, quitting tobacco
is the easiest thing

in the world.

I ought to know.

I've done it a thousand times.

I feel I've known you.

Well, it's not completely
out of the question.

You have met
another angel recently.

Are there any more behind you?

Or are they passing out numbers

out there in the hallway?

No, sir. I'm the
second and last angel

you'll see this Christmas.

You don't seem to be
particularly surprised

to find yourself
conversing with an angel.

Why should I be surprised?

How can anything shock me now?

I think I like you better
than my first apparition.

It seems as though
the Almighty set her

in the pilothouse without a map.

She has a good heart.

Like Jean.

Like Jean.

You know,

every parent on
this benighted planet

hopes his child will bring
something special to the world.

And Jean...

Jean... Jean had
a talent for love.

Yes.

I was the chief
recipient of that gift.

Then I squandered my riches.

I squandered them.

Poor Jean, my poor little girl.

She was afraid of me.

Can you imagine?

For years, my damnable
temper scared her,

and she never dared tell me.

When I found out, it's...

All the lost years.

Lost.

Hopelessly lost.

I can see them in my mind.

Again.

My children.

Susy, Jean.

I see them on the stairs.

I sense them in the other room.

I hear them romping
on the lawn with George.

Yes, George, that's it.

George Griffin.

That's who you recall to me.

He came to our house
one day to wash windows

and stayed for 18 years.

The children's idol.

He was an ex-slave.

I've never been a
slave, but you have.

Yes.

I don't deny it.

A slave to temperament.

Temperament is
the master of man.

But God made me and my temper.

Well, that's the excuse
you've used for many years.

Your anger.

Your distance from
your daughters.

"Not my fault," you said.

Oh, I'm the worst
man who ever lived.

You'll never hear me deny that.

But even the worst human being
is morally superior to your God.

We have a God who
could make good children

as easily as bad, yet
preferred to make bad ones.

Who made men
prize this bitter life,

then stingily cut it short.

There are some things
that humans will find difficult

to fully understand on
this side of heaven, but...

I'm here to assure
you that God is faithful

and worthy of your praise.

Never.

I've thrown out one angel.

I'll throw out another.

Your heart is broken.

Your mind needs peace.

I can offer you that.

Get out of my house.
Leave me alone.

Well, I may leave
you, but God never will.

Then the devil take him!

I'll fight him!

I'll fight him to the end!

It was his darkest
hour, his midnight.

Like it is now.

It's Christmas.

Thank God the power's back on.

No. No, it-it can't
be Christmas yet.

W-Wayne's not here.

Tess never found him.

Tess and the police are
doing everything they can.

And, Joey, God is
taking care of Wayne.

When-when God takes
care of people, they die.

And that's what
happened to my parents.

And that's what happened
to Mr. Twain's kids,

and that's-that's what's
going to happen to Wayne.

We don't know that, Joey.

Christmas can't
come without Wayne.

Christmas

will always come
if you're ready for it.

And if you don't
think that you are,

that's when you
need it the most.

No.

No.

No.

Wayne is dead.

Christmas can't come.

Mr. Twain was right.

God is bad.

He lets people get hurt.

He's let them die.

He's lets them die!

He let's them die.

He lets them die.

This just in.

Four residents are missing
in this Christmas storm.

Police are now recovering
the body of one man

who still remains
unidentified... No, no, no!

Joey!

No, you can't go out there.

No, no, no, baby.

It's all my fault!

I did it.

I broke the angel.

I made Wayne go
out into the snow.

What's going to ha...?

What's going to happen to me?

What... what am
I supposed to do?

What am I supposed
to do without Wayne?

I love my brother.

I f... I forgot to tell him.

I forgot to tell him.
I tell him every day.

Every day, I tell
him that I love him,

but I forgot to tell him.

Now it's too late.

Joey, come on.

Let's go back, okay?

Wayne's... Wayne
is never coming back.

Why-why else are
there angels here?

Joey... you got to remember

that Christmas is a
season of miracles...

Big ones and... and little ones.

Mercy.

Look at the tree, Joey.

Monica...

I... I was just so scared.

I know you are, Joey.

Terrible things can
happen in your life,

but Christmas always comes...

and it brings hope.

Let me tell you
the rest of my story

so you can see why I
was sent here tonight

to tell it to you.

That Christmas, Jean's coffin
was lifted onto the carriage,

and Mr. Twain
was true to his word.

He stayed in the house,
and watched from the window

as the horses
disappeared into the snow.

Oh, Mr. Twain.

She's been released, Katy.

We're the ones in pain now.

Might I fix up the
Christmas tree?

Jean is dead... and
Christmas is dead, too.

I shall do without
it now and forever.

That's blasphemy, Mr. Twain.

Only if God were alive,

dear lady... but he's dead.

Oh, no. Oh...

You know... that it usually
only takes one angel

to help a human
being in a case like this.

You've sent two...

but poor Mr. Twain
is more lost than ever.

The sad thing is
that the only person

who could help him is
the one person who can't...

Jean.

We human beings...

we're blown upon the world.

We float on the air a while,
showing off our grace of form.

Then a little puff,
and we vanish,

leaving nothing
behind but a memory.

Sometimes not even that.

What is it, Pooch?

I came to offer con...
con... Condolences.

Enough. I need to be alone.

No, sir, you don't.

Helen is here with
what you really need.

I've brought Jean's gift.

Jean's gift?

Yes. It's right there.

I'm not much of a singer,

so Helen is going
to help me out.

♪ I heard the bells
on Christmas day ♪

♪ Their old familiar
carols play ♪

♪ And wild and sweet
the words repeat ♪

♪ Of peace on earth ♪

♪ Good will to men ♪

♪ I thought 'tis now
this day had come ♪

♪ The belfries of
old Christendom ♪

♪ Had rung so long
the unbroken song ♪

♪ Of peace on earth ♪

♪ Good will to men. ♪

Thank you.

That was my favorite
Longfellow poem.

I never could find
the other verses.

Jean did. She wanted
you to have these words.

She meant to sing
them to you herself.

She's singing them to you now.

"And in despair, I bowed my head

"There is no peace
on earth, I said

"For hate is strong
and mocks the song

"of peace on earth,
good will to men

"Then peel the bells
more loud and deep...

"God is not dead...
"Nor doth he sleep

"The wrong shall
fail, the right prevail

"With peace on earth...
Good will to men."

Merry Christmas, Mr. Twain.

Merry Christmas, Helen.

Christmas comes, Mark Twain,

no matter what we do.

Christmas... the birth
of hope, of a new spirit...

Will always come,
especially in our darkest hour.

I am a great and sublime fool,

but yet I am God's fool,

and all his works must be...

contemplated with respect.

No one is alone, Joey.

We don't know when our
loved ones will be taken,

but you can't live
your life in fear.

That is God's gift to you,

and to everyone at Christmas.

Fear not. Live in peace.

I don't know how.
I'm not an angel.

You don't have to be an angel.

You just have to believe.

That's all that God asks of you.

He'll take care of the rest.

I'll try.

Edna, you know
that carol, don't you?

I think I do.

Joey, Mark Twain
found the courage

to hear these words
and believe them.

Can you find that?

♪ Then peel the bells
more loud and deep ♪

♪ God is not dead,
nor doth he sleep ♪

♪ The wrong shall fail ♪

♪ The right prevail ♪

♪ With peace on earth,
good will to men. ♪

Well, that was pretty.

Wayne!

Oh, Wayne, you're okay.

You're back.

Just by the grace of God.

Hello, Monica.

Hello, Wayne.

I honestly thought

I was going to freeze
to death out there.

But you didn't, 'cause
God sent an angel.

A very cold angel.

Oh, Joey, I-I slid off the
road before I got to the mall,

so I didn't get your angel.

Yes, you did.

You always have an
angel with you, Wayne,

and so do you, Joey.

Sometimes you can see them,

and sometimes you can't,

but if you listen really hard,

you can always hear them.

Well, what do they say?

God loves you.

Well, I won't forget
that ever again,

no matter what happens.

Well, since we are angels,
and since it's Christmas,

shouldn't we be singing?

♪ Angels we have on heard high ♪

♪ Sweetly singing
o'er the plains ♪

♪ And the mountains in reply ♪

♪ Echoing their joyous strains ♪

♪ Gloria... ♪

♪ In excelsis Deo ♪

♪ Gloria... ♪

♪ In excelsis Deo. ♪

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