Russian novelist Count Leo Tolstoy, 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.

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.

A short story from Focus on the Family Radio Theaters', “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.

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.

Once again Family Life is bringing back this Moody Broadcasting production that has been a staple in our Christmas programming for a number of years.  It’s a dramatic story of Manassa, a Roman centurion, who is confronted with the reality of the birth of the Messiah.  He is torn between two worlds as he is asked to prove his allegiance to the king by killing all the babies born in the past two years while at the same time realizing that the baby Jesus is indeed the Messiah.

Dennis Swanberg is known as “America’s Minister of Encouragement”. Most people think of “The Swan” as one who has makes them laugh – and laugh a lot. However, there’s a serious side to Dennis Swanberg as you will hear with, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. Dennis tells the story of little Harley, a young boy who was born with severe problems.  He impersonates Jimmy Stewart in telling the story, and does so in such a way that every listener should make sure to have the Kleenex box close by!

This is a beautifully told first-person encounter with the Baby Jesus as told by one of the shepherds the angels visited. On a very normal night, Phillip, a lonely shepherd, suddenly found himself surrounded by Heaven’s glory when angels came to announce the birth of Christ—and later came face to face with the Son of God Himself! Experience the awe-inspiring moment when the Heavenly Hosts declared “Glory to God in the highest!” and walk through that unimaginable night with a shepherd whose life was forever changed. Featuring Adventures in Odyssey co-producer Phil Lollar as the voice of Phillip, re-discover this timeless story of Christ’s awesome, and humble, birth.

This dramatic production has been part of past Family Life Christmas programming and will be heard again this year as part of the Family Hour. You Are There was recently purchased by our friends at Lamplighter Theater who desire to restore it to use once again. The story is an audio re-enactment of the very first Christmas. Experience the birth of Jesus, the shepherds, the wisemen and even some events of Jesus as a young boy as if you were right on the scene. Feel the personal touch of what Mary and Joseph experienced from the announcement by Gabriel to the birth of Jesus to the hiding from Herod.

Every year when Christmas rolls around, we hear that old, familiar story — that Jesus came to earth and took on human flesh, born under the humblest of circumstances. But too often, our familiarity with the story causes us to lose the wonder and awe of the mystery and the miracle. Insight for Living would like to help bring to life the Christmas story for you and your family through a captivating radio theater production titled A Bethlehem Christmas, based upon Charles R. Swindoll’s book, A Bethlehem Christmas: Celebrating the Joyful Season.

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.

An 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.

Enjoy this “radio present” from the folks at Focus on the Family as they creatively retell the story of the very first Christmas. Most people are probably familiar with details given in Luke 2, but there may be a few parts of that story that haven’t been considered before. Nine Months in Nazareth is told by a shepherd named Eliazer. He gives insightful looks at the people involved with that first Christmas and the issues that they faced in the months leading up to the birth of the baby Jesus.

This is a production from Lamplighter Theater. Candle in the Window is the story of Tully who wants more than anything to make his teacher smile. But no one knows that Miss Ravenstow is trying to escape the pain from her past. No one that is, except for Todd the mailman, who holds in his hands something far more valuable than a special delivery. This Christmas the entire family can be inspired with a story that makes love real, that brings hope home that points us all to the Light of the World.

Meet a man who died long before he truly lived. Robert Redfern is successful in businessman, but when it comes to family he says, "Love leads to loss and loneliness, and unless you’re strong enough to overcome it, it will ruin you...bankrupt you!" He develops this philosophy when his wife dies, and he blames God. He refuses invitations from his brother. He pushes his daughter away because she wants to marry someone who he says is "unable to give her the life that money can buy!" But the Lord reaches Robert through a little girl, a lamb, a clever butler, and some letters. Follow Robert Redfern on an unforgettable journey and learn the value of giving, family, and true faith in God. Lamplighter Theatre presents The Unlikely Wise Man.

Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic takes on a fresh flavor in this touching family radio drama from the producers of "Adventures in Odyssey." 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.

Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic takes on a fresh flavor in this touching family radio drama from the producers of "Adventures in Odyssey." 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.

Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic takes on a fresh flavor in this touching family radio drama from the producers of "Adventures in Odyssey." 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.

The Middle East.  Political unrest… an oppressive government… heavy taxation… violent radical factions seeking the government’s overthrow… and   freedom threatened by a foreign government because of a religious culture that refuses to bow to outside pressure to conform. It’s a picture that could be cut from today’s news clippings of the Middle East.   But this is a picture more than 2000 years old… the picture of Israel at the birth of its Messiah, Yeshua bar Joseph… the birth of Jesus, the Christ.  History Live - The Messiah Report brings the reality of late breaking news to the troubled, exciting and revolutionary time of birth of the Son of God.  We join real people, in a real place and time as they watch prophecy unfold before their eyes.  The past becomes the present as Family Life presents History Live – The Messiah Report as part of the Family Hour

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

Everyone knows Christmas Carols, but not everyone knows the stories behind them. Mr. Jacobs and the Kids Corner kids are getting ready to go out into the neighborhood and spread some Christmas cheer, and a new visitor has come to join them!  It’s Joy’s cousin, Noel, but she’s not so sure there’s much joy in the world, or peace on earth for that matter. Join us as Mr. Jacobs explains what the Bible has to say about these things and more!