Grace 809

My dad, a man of few words, told my brother and me, “Boys, Christmas is about Jesus.” In one of those bedtime, book-time moments, somewhere between the fairy tales and the monkey with the lunch pail, I thought about what Dad had said. I began asking the Christmas questions, and I’ve been asking them ever since.

God knows what it’s like to be a human. When we talk to him about deadlines or tough times, he understands. He’s been there. He’s been here. Because of Bethlehem, we have a friend in Jesus. Christmas begins what Easter celebrates. The child in the cradle became the King on the cross. And he doesn’t tell us, “Clean up before you come in.” He offers, “Come in and I’ll clean you up.” It’s not our grip on him that matters, but his grip on us. And his grip is sure.

Read more Because of Bethlehem

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Julie Lavender shares how she’s equipping parents to teach your kids about Jesus during the holidays.

Listen to the Full Program

Receive a copy of Children’s Advent Stories for Bedtime and an audio download of "Discover the Joy of Advent with Your Child" for your donation of any amount! Your Gift DOUBLES to Help Deliver Hope and Joy! Save 2X the marriages and families this Christmas with your life-changing gift today!

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family Minute, please give us your feedback.

The Christmas season often comes along with high expectations and chaos. But Julie and David Lavender want to help families slow down and contemplate the greatest gift that God gave mankind — the birth of His son, Jesus Christ. The Lavenders share stories and fun memories from their family.

Receive a copy of Children’s Advent Stories for Bedtime and an audio download of "Discover the Joy of Advent with Your Child" for your donation of any amount! Your Gift DOUBLES to Help Deliver Hope and Joy! Save 2X the marriages and families this Christmas with your life-changing gift today!

Get More Episode Resources 

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

What matters to you matters to God. You probably think that’s true when it comes to the big stuff like death, disease, sin, and disaster. But what about the smaller things? What about grouchy bosses or flat tires?  What about broken dishes, late flights, toothaches, or a crashed hard drive? Do these matter to God?

Let me tell you who you are. In fact, let me proclaim who you are. The Bible says you are an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ. You have a crown that will last forever. You were chosen before the creation of the world. But more than anything else is the simple fact you are God’s child.

1 John 3:1 (NCV) says, “We are called children of God. And we really are his children.” I love that: we really are his children. So, if something is important to you it’s important to God!

Read more The Lucado Inspirational Reader

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Jay Milbrandt shares his research about the Pilgrims’ journey from England to North America as they fled religious persecution. As a descendant of two early immigrants on the Mayflower, Milbrandt was curious about what the true story was behind their ocean voyage. He describes the harsh conditions that the Pilgrims and Puritans endured, as they barely survived the first couple of years, with the help of an Indian named Squanto and the native Wampanoag tribe, explaining how festivals in Plymouth, Massachusetts became connected to our modern-day Thanksgiving. He also shares about the significance of the Mayflower Compact, which in some ways laid a foundation for the U.S. Constitution.    

Receive Jay Milbrandt's book They Came for Freedom for your donation of any amount! And when you give today, your support will be DOUBLED to Give Families Hope!

Get More Episode Resources 

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

Jay Milbrandt shares the history behind the Thanksgiving holiday.

Listen to the Full Program

Receive Jay Milbrandt's book They Came for Freedom for your donation of any amount! And when you give today, your support will be DOUBLED to Give Families Hope!

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family Minute, please give us your feedback.

How does a person get relief from shame, embarrassment, anger? In Matthew 11:28-29 (NCV) Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives.”

I can see you shaking your head. “I’ve tried that. I’ve read the Bible, I’ve sat on the pew, but I’ve never received relief.” Could it be you went to religion and you didn’t go to God? Could it be you went to a church, but never saw Christ? “Come to me” the verse reads. Jesus is the solution for weariness of soul. Go to him. Admit you have soul secrets you’ve never dealt with. He already knows what they are. Go to him! He’s just waiting for you to ask him to help.

Read more When God Whispers Your Name

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Cheri Gregory reflects on how her family made the holidays a more pleasant and less stressful experience.

Listen to the Full Program

Receive the book Overwhelmed and an audio download of "Reducing Drama in Your Relationships" for your donation of any amount! Your Gift DOUBLES to Help Deliver Hope and Joy! Save 2X the marriages and families this Christmas with your life-changing gift today!

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family Minute, please give us your feedback.

When you feel overwhelmed by others this holiday season there are things you can do to find hope. Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory talk about how to quiet the chaos and find peace. They share what being overwhelmed by others feels like, how we can “pre-decide” and set boundaries before we interact with family, how to practice self-care, and how to deal with “crisis creators.” They also share how to determine if something is a “big deal” or a “deal breaker.” A final reminder is given that with God’s help you can find peace at the holidays and throughout the year.

Receive the book Overwhelmed and an audio download of "Reducing Drama in Your Relationships" for your donation of any amount! Your Gift DOUBLES to Help Deliver Hope and Joy! Save 2X the marriages and families this Christmas with your life-changing gift today!

Get More Episode Resources 

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

Maybe your past isn’t much to brag about. Maybe you’ve seen evil and you have to make a choice. Do you rise above the past and make a difference? Or do you remain controlled by the past and make excuses? Many choose the convalescent homes of the heart. Healthy bodies, sharp minds, but retired dreams. Lean closely and you’ll hear, “If only.” The white flag of the heart. “If only…”

Maybe you’ve used those words. Maybe you have every right to use them. Perhaps you were hearing the ten count before you even got into the ring. Can I show you where to turn? Go to John’s gospel and read Jesus’ words in John 3:6 (NCV). “Human life comes from human parents, but spiritual life comes from one Spirit.” Your parents have given you genes, but God gives you grace. God is willing to give you what your family didn’t.

Read more When God Whispers Your Name

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.