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!

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.