Well, that was Frank Capra... he was a genius. And, you are right, of course...
What may be interesting to our European friends, is that around this time of year there were two movies that were played over and over again, "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street" it got to be that we, as Americans got sick of them...
But, that did NOT diminish the quality of the films, naturally. Now, on the cable channels, around xmas, we get "Saw" movies... oh lord take me now...