Buddy Ebsen Remembers Powerful Prayer of Hope on New Year’s Eve in 1945
By Allen Rushing
Actor Buddy Ebsen’s recollection of the power of prayer at a New Year’s Eve party in 1945 reminds us to cherish prayer as we close one year and enter a new one.
Having entered a restaurant with his wife, Ebsen recalled of that memorable night in 1945:
Somewhere a piano tinkled. Nancy and I sat at a table and soon found ourselves caught up in the friendly atmosphere. Suddenly, a hush fell over the restaurant….“It’s a tradition,” whispered one of his waiters, leaning over to us. “He does this every New Year’s Eve.” As the big wall clock’s hands lifted straight up, Al began to sing without accompaniment. I was surprised by his rich, resonant voice; it didn’t seem to go with his cauliflower ear and broken nose. Our Father, Which art in Heaven, he sang, hallowed be Thy Name.
I was transfixed. Al, a Jew, was singing to the Father of us all.
…Thy kingdom come… he sang. I was taken back to the little white-frame church in Belleville, Illinois, where I first learned this prayer.…Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven… Give us this day our daily bread… And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…In a rush my thoughts turned back to my growing-up days in Orlando, Florida; to the dancing school my father ran; to our minister telling me after a school play that I must go into show business; to my sister Vilma and me whirling to “Tea for Two,” dancing our way across the country in shows and movies in those innocent-seeming years before the world was torn apart.…And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil…“Peace, dear Lord…” I silently prayed for the conciliation of all nations.…For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever…Al’s voice rose powerfully; his words rang with conviction; and then, as the last firm note drifted away, Al lowered his head and sang the last word as a benediction: Amen.
Tears streamed down my face. Without taking my eyes off Al Green, I said to Nancy, “Never let me lose faith in God, in myself, or in people.” From outside I could hear the noise of a city gone wild with celebration, but inside the restaurant there was a deep silence. It lasted only a moment, a moment in which I seemed to hear the noise and feel the confusion of the past three years. And then, as I came back to the present, back to a restaurant on 54th Street in New York City, the war seemed to fade. I felt calm, reassured. I felt God’s serenity.
Known to most as dancer and actor, Buddy Ebsen reflected on an experience which offers hope and an optimism, grounded in the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ. His unique style of stage dancing convinced Walt Disney to record him dancing on a grid to provide the animation for several classic Mickey Mouse shorts.
Ebsen us also known for successful series such as THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES and BARNABY JONES, and films such as THEY MET IN ARGENTINA, SING YOUR WORRIES AWAY, and BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S.
A new year is nearly upon us. 2022 – with its comings and goings, its births, deaths, marriages, hustle, and bustle – is on the edge of achieving that venerable but irrevocable status: history.
Let us remember the great gift of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the gifts God has given us all at the close of this year, as we look forward to the same in the coming year, 2023 A. D.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
