Family Life

This Year's Christmas Programs

THE MARRIAGE CAROL

Adapted from the Moody Publishers title by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman, A Marriage Carol is a new drama for Family Life created last year by Moody Radio.  The story follows Marlee and Jacob, a couple on their way to sign divorce papers.  But a snow storm spins their car across the ice, and the collision that follows puts everything on ice.  This powerful drama is a must listen for those whose marriage is facing an uncertain future.  It will bring both tears and joy to the listener.  So powerful is the message of A Marriage Carol that Family Life will be airing it twice.  It begins the Family Hour Christmas specials on Monday, November 26 and Tuesday, November 27 at 7:30 PM.

SHOEMAKER MARTIN (THE SHOEMAKAKER’S GIFT)

Russian novelist Count Leo Toltsoy, known for masterpieces such as “War and Peace” wrote a number of short stories also.  One of his most endearing stories is one that has been given many names.  Shoemaker Martin embodies the message of the season that the greatest gift is the one that’s given from the heart.  It’s a heartwarming story of how everyone can use the gift that God has given them to encourage others.  Listen to this Focus on the Family Radio Theatre production on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:30 PM.

HOLDING HEAVEN

Taken from Jerry Jenkins’ book, Holding Heaven focuses on two conversations, 30 years apart, between the most celebrated person in history, Jesus, and his earthly father, Joseph.  In the first, the father tells the son the details of his birth. God has invaded earth in the most unlikely place and under the most unusual of circumstances.  In the second, the son tells the father – now on his deathbed – what is to come. Miracles will turn many from darkness to light. Yet how painful for the father to learn what the enemy will do with the very raw materials with which he has fashioned his living. An instant classic, two audio segments of Holding Heaven will be heard on the Family Hour on Thursday, November 29 and Friday, November 30 at 7:30 PM.

CHRISTMAS DAY AT KIRKBY COTTAGE

Written by Anthony Trollope in the 1800s, this love story, or as we would call today, a romantic comedy, has the tone and feel of Jane Austin’s “Pride & Prejudice”.  The Christmas theme provides not only a charming background of holly and ivy and seasonal cheer, but also forms the heart of the story.  Enjoy the thrill of young love as you listen to Christmas Day at Kirkby Cottage during the Family Hour on Monday, December 3 at 7:25 PM.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic takes on a fresh flavor in this touching family radio drama from the producers of "Focus on the Family Radio Theater."  True to the original content of Dickens' masterpiece, this presentation vividly contrasts the age-old struggle between earthly gain and eternal treasure.  As the stirring story unfolds, you and your family will be challenged anew to examine your own hearts, and re-evaluate where your treasure really is.  A Christmas Carol, a 90-minute Christmas drama will be aired on three successive nights during the Family Hour: Tuesday, December 4; Wednesday, December 5; and Thursday, December 6 each around 7:30 PM.

ALL IS WELL

This is a classic work by Frank Peretti.  All is Well is the story of a little girl in a single-parent home.  She wants so desperately to make some money so that her mother won’t feel badly about not having a good Christmas.  She tries to sell older odds and ends to the neighbors, but they’re not interested in buying until one man changes everything.  You’d better have the tissue box handy when listening to this story!  All is Well can be heard as part of the Family Hour on Friday, December 7 at 7:40 PM.

CHRISTMAS BY INJUNCTION

A short story from Focus on the Family Radio Theatre’s, “Traveling Home for Christmas”, Christmas by Injunction by famous short story writer O. Henry, tells of a prospector who comes into some money and decides to play Santa for his home town.  You’ll be warmed by the kindness of one individual as he seeks to bring Christmas to the children.  The dramatic creation of O.Henry’s short story will be aired during the Family Hour on Monday, December 10 at 7:35 PM.

THE CHRISTMAS CHILD

This is from Max Lucado’s book with the same title.  This is a re-release of what was originally titled “The Christmas Cross”.  It’s a story about finding your way home for the holidays.  It is a very emotional and touching story that already has become a family classic.  Reg Grant narrates the story and causes the listener to be glued to the radio throughout the entire tale.  It is aired in two parts during the Family Hour on Tuesday, December 11 and Wednesday, December 12 at 7:40 PM.

THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

Another offering from Focus on the Family for its Radio Theatre, this short story by O. Henry tells of two struggling newlyweds who each sell the one thing that they hold most dear in order to purchase the other a Christmas gift.  Brought to stage by the Family Life Performing Arts Department a few years ago, this story of sacrificial love is indeed a classic.  Listen to the Family Hour on Thursday, December 13 at 7:40 PM as Family Life continues its special Christmas programming.

ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS

Frank Peretti, the master storyteller, is Mr. Henry, a substitute Sunday School teacher who goes wherever he can to tell stories.  Mr. Henry is disorganized and clumsy, but he knows exactly what he’s doing and can make the dullest story come alive.  Well, Mr. Henry has another story to tell - this one with a Christmas flavor.  All About Christmas is from the Wild & Wacky Totally True Bible Stories collection.  It’s the Christmas story like you’ve never heard before, and it is part of the Family Hour on Friday, December 14 at 7:30 PM as Family Life concludes its special Christmas programming.

THE SHEPHERDS’ PRAYER

A young man, orphaned as a baby, sets off to discover the truth about the circumstances of his birth, the fate of his parents, and his heritage.  Having been raised in a culture where bloodlines mean everything, he seems forever condemned to live as an outsider on the fringes of society until he discovers his true heritage.  His only clue is a cryptic message on a lambskin blanket about a child born in a stable in Bethlehem.  Who is this mysterious child?  And what could such a child have to do with his own birth and destiny?  The answers will change his life forever…and maybe yours.  This exciting radio drama is based on the book by Richard Barry and adapted for radio by Dave Arnold, Executive Producer of Adventures in Odyssey.  Take a journey to Bethlehem and experience the birth and life of Jesus Christ in a fresh and thought-provoking way.  The Shepherds’ Prayer will be broadcast during the Family Hour on three successive nights: Monday, December 17; Tuesday, December 18; and Wednesday, December 19 beginning at 7:30.

HELP PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAMMING BY PASSING OUT FLYERS TO FRIENDS: