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Courtship is the time in a relationship to lay the foundation. It’s the time you discuss children, finances, work, in-laws, faith, stress, goals... everything!

How do the unpredictable life events challenge and transform us? Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James speak with Sheila Walsh, an author, bible teacher, and speaker, whose life story revolves around overcoming adversity. Sheila discusses the importance of gratitude, forgiveness, and trust in God, sharing personal anecdotes and insights on how to instill these values in children. We'll also answer a listener's question about how to handle unfairness and fostering a household culture of gratitude and service.

The Little Drummer Girl

Holding On When You Want to Let Go

Article: Raising Resilient Kids

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J.John explains why we need to take the Great Commission seriously and share Jesus Christ with our friends and neighbors in a ‘natural’ way. He encourages us to invest in others through prayer, small acts of caring, and by reaching across social barriers.

It was the biggest night of the year in a little town called Cornwall. It was the night of the annual Christmas pageant. Since there are no nearby malls or cities to compete with, the pageant is pretty much packed out every year. It's an especially big deal for the children in town. They get to try out for the roles in the Christmas story, and everybody wants a part.

Which leads us to the problem of Harold. See, Harold wanted to be in the play, too, but he was...well, he was kind of a slow and simple kid. The directors were ambivalent, I mean, they knew Harold would be crushed if he didn't have a part, but they were afraid he might mess up the town's magic moment if he did. Finally, they decided to cast Harold as the innkeeper - the one who turns Mary and Joseph away the night Jesus is to be born. He only has one line: "I'm sorry, we have no room." Well, no one could imagine what that one line was going to do to everyone's Christmas.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Christmas Invitation."

The night of the pageant the church was packed, as usual. I mean, the set was in place, and there was an entire wall with scenes of Bethlehem painted on it, including the door of the inn where Harold would greet - and then turn away - the young Jewish travelers.

Backstage, the angels were playing Frisbee with their halos, and the shepherds were waiting 'till the last minute to put on their annually laundered bathrobes, and Harold was being personally coached by the nervous directors. "Now remember, Harold, when Joseph says, 'Do you have a room for the night?' you say...you say..." Hesitantly, Harold said, "I'm sorry. We... We have no room." The directors looked at each other somewhat hopefully. They'd done all they could.

Well, the Christmas story unfolded according to plan - angels singing, Joseph's dream, the trip to Bethlehem. Finally, Joseph and Mary arrived at the door of the Bethlehem Inn, looking appropriately tired, discussing whether the baby might come tonight. Joseph knocked on the inn door. Backstage, the directors were just out of sight, coaching Harold to open the door now. And wouldn't you know it - the door was stuck! The whole set shook; Harold tried to get that door open. When he finally did, Joseph asked his question on cue: "Do you have a room for the night?"

Harold froze. From backstage, a loud whisper: "I'm sorry. We have no room." And Harold mumbled, "I'm sorry. We have no room." And, with a little coaching, he shut the door. Well, the directors heaved a sigh of relief - prematurely. As Mary and Joseph disappeared into the night, the set suddenly started shaking again, and the door opened. Harold was back! And then, in an unrehearsed moment that folks would never forget, Harold went running after the young couple, shouting as loud as he could, "Wait! Wait! You can have my room!"

I think little Harold may have understood the real issue of Christmas better than anyone there that night. How can you leave Jesus outside? You have to make room for Jesus. And that may be the issue for you this Christmas season. What will you do with this Son of God who came to earth to find you? This One who trades a throne room for a stable, angel praise for human mockery, this Creator who gives Himself on a cross? The Bible gives us the only appropriate response in Galatians 2:20, our word for today from the Word of God: "The life I now live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." You look at what Jesus did to pay for your sin on that cross, and you say those life-changing words - "For me."

Jesus is at your door this Christmas. Maybe He's been knocking for a long time and maybe He won't keep knocking much longer. All your life - even in the events of the last few months - it's been to prepare you for this crossroads moment w

Read: Isaiah 9:1-7; John 3:16

Christmas presents made Sam nervous. Santa’s “nice” list made him worried. As the days drew closer to Christmas, Sam’s anxiety about presents increased.

Maybe it was the wondering—is Santa coming? Maybe it was the worry—was I good enough this year? Or maybe Sam was afraid he couldn’t buy the perfect gifts for his family with the little money he had.

“Homemade gifts again,” he said sadly.

On Christmas Eve, Sam’s parents took him and his brother, Bobby, on an outing to the zoo to help get their minds off presents. As they walked around, the family noticed the animals were being extra active and noisy in their enclosures. The eagles squawked. The mountain lions grunted, pacing back and forth. The black bears huffed, as one clawed up a tree stump and the other scratched its backside along the fence.

Then the parrot said, “Hi, Bobby.”

“Did he say my name?” asked Bobby in amazement.

The petting zoo sheep and goats were baaing and maaing louder than ever.

“Why are the animals acting so funny?” Sam finally asked.

“I think animals talk on Christmas Eve,” said Dad, grinning. “I think they’re excited for the birth of baby Jesus, just like the barn animals were on the night He was born!”

Sam was old enough to know the animals couldn’t really talk, but he was warmed by the idea of it. The animals were God’s creation, and perhaps they wanted to celebrate Christmas too.

“It’s not about the presents, it’s about God sending Jesus into the world to save us because He loves us,” said Sam. “He’s the present!”

“You got it! Spending time together at Christmas and giving thanks to God for His wonderful gift is what really matters,” said Mom.

Dad nodded. “Jesus died for our sins and rose again to give us eternal life, and He fills our lives with love, joy, peace, and many other good things. There’s nothing better than that!”

That night, Sam slept peacefully and awoke to a beautiful Christmas morning. He jumped out of bed, ready to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

–Elizabeth Janczyk

How about you? Do you worry about presents at Christmas? Maybe you don’t know what will be under the tree or if you’ll be able to buy others the gifts they want. The good news is that the best gift of Christmas isn’t anything anyone can buy. It’s Jesus, and He doesn’t have a “nice” list—He offers eternal life to everyone, even though none of us deserve it. Have you received that gift? Trust in Him today so you can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Celebrate the gift of Jesus

The one gift that will never lose its value is God's gift to humanity—Jesus Christ.

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Many historians believe that the first-ever radio broadcast of music and speech was heard by radio operators on US Navy and other ships in the Atlantic on Christmas Eve, 1906. Instead of the usual beeps and pulses to transmit codes, they listened to Reginald Fessenden play a violin solo of the Christmas carol, “O, Holy Night.” Fessenden closed his broadcast by echoing the angels’ praise: “Glory to God in the highest heaven!” (Luke 2:14). The listeners must have been startled by the evocative music and statement of praise over the birth of Jesus.

The first people surprised by Jesus’ birth were the shepherds who’d been keeping to their usual business of watching their sheep at night. Then an angel appeared, shining with the glory of God and giving the shepherds a fright. The angel urged them not to be afraid and declared: “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (vv. 10–11). The shepherds left their sheep to investigate the angel’s words and found the baby lying in a manger, just as they had been told (vv. 16, 20). 

The shepherds accepted this good news of great joy. May we too rejoice and share the wonders of Jesus’ birth and life.

Are you feeling the pressure to buy just one more thing? With deadlines, expectations, and last-minute sales, impulse spending can quietly take hold. God offers a wiser, more liberating approach to giving—one rooted in love, rather than pressure. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West talks about emotional buying and how to stay intentional. Then, it’s your calls. That’s Faith and Finance Live . . . biblical wisdom for your financial decisions, weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

Faith & Finance Live is a listener supported program on Moody Radio. To join our team of supporters, click here.

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To learn more about Rob West, click here.

To learn more about Faith & Finance Live, click here.

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Todd has Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Jason Lisle back in the studio today for Wretched Radio.

Segment 1

• UFOs are a perennially hot topic, but most have a reasonable explanation.

• Belief in aliens often fills a void for people in the realm of ultimate questions.

• We’re not alone, because God is already here—and He’s revealed the truth.

Segment 2

• Most UFO sightings are predictable science, not extraterrestrial visitors.

• Scripture makes Earth the center of God’s plan—no need for alien saviors.

• The burden isn’t on Christians to disprove aliens, but on skeptics to prove them.

Segment 3

• The world’s climate has always changed, and warming has historically been a positive thing.

• Modern panic relies on conjectural models, not measurable facts.

• Carbon isn’t the enemy; it fuels food, life, and growth.

Segment 4

• Climate alarmism thrives on fear because fear drives power and control.

• God promised stable seasons—global collapse isn’t coming.

• Using technology to heal honors God; using it to replace Him repeats Babel.

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