It's wonderful to recount your story before you and your spouse fell in love. Jim Daly talks with Rebecca St. James and her husband Cubbie on what their lives were like before they met. Plus, John asks Greg about why it's good for couples to reminisce on how God has worked in your lives.

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Hope Restored

Finding God's Love in Marriage and Life 

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Practice Makes Parent

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Think parenting is about shaping your kids? Surprise — it’s God shaping you. On FamilyLife Today's lively, laugh-and-groan episode, Dave and Ann Wilson chat with Bruce and Maria Goff, parents of four, about how kids expose our idols of control, image, and comfort. With humor and honesty, they reveal how gospel-centered parenting means dying to self, finding joy in Jesus, and letting grace — not perfection — lead the home.

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Is it possible to be a good listener, even if that wasn't modeled for you growing up? Jim Daly joins Michelle Nietert, who encourages you to listen to your kids with your eyes. Plus, Danny addresses what to do if you find yourself repeating the same mistakes your parents made.

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FROM TODAY’S RECAP:

Long before Christmas lists, shopping carts, and wrapping paper, there were gifts given for one reason alone: worship.

Sophia Bricker opens this devotional with the story of Saint Nicholas—a man whose quiet, selfless generosity became the seed of a much later legend. His life reflects the heart of someone whose giving flowed out of devotion to Christ, not cultural expectation.

But even before Nicholas, Scripture gives us another unforgettable picture of joyful generosity: the wise men.

The Magi traveled far, guided by a star and propelled by hope. When they finally reached the child Jesus, they didn’t debate whether the gifts were too costly or wonder if He “needed” them. They simply bowed in awe and opened their treasures.

Their gifts were symbolic—and sincere:

• Gold for His kingship.

• Frankincense for His priesthood.

• Myrrh for His sacrificial death.

But more than symbolism, their offering revealed their hearts. They gave because they loved. They gave because they believed. They gave because worship compelled them.

Jesus later taught, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
Our spending, our giving, our serving—they all reveal what we value most.

For the follower of Christ, generosity is not an obligation. It is an overflow.

Like Saint Nicholas, we feel convicted when our resources center on ourselves. Like the wise men, we long to lay what we have at Jesus’ feet. Like those early givers, our generosity flows from beholding the Savior for who He truly is.

And the way generosity looks will be unique for each of us. Not everyone gives gold or frankincense. Not everyone tosses gifts through windows. But every believer has something to offer—time, talent, resources, compassion, presence, or encouragement.

Generosity begins with worship.
Worship leads to open hands.
Open hands lead to lives that honor Christ.

Bible Reading:
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:10–11 (NIV)

Takeaway Truths

• The wise men’s gifts were rooted in joyful worship, not duty.

• Generosity reveals what we treasure most.

• Followers of Christ give from abundance, not scarcity.

Is there a spiritual awakening happening right now? Join Matthew in the Story House for an incredible conversation with worship leader and songwriter Josh Baldwin.You know Josh from massive anthems like "Stand in Your Love," "Evidence," and the viral hit "Made for More," but today he’s sharing a side of his artistry you might not have seen before. Josh opens up about his new EP, Full Grown Man, and the journey of embracing his country/Americana roots after years of feeling like he had to fit a specific "worship leader" mold.

Isaiah 7:13-14 and 9:6-7 

Welcome to our very first Christmas episode of 2025! Whether you’re a long-time listener or brand-new, we’re so glad you’re here.

Today we begin Advent, a special four-week season where Christians prepare their hearts to celebrate Jesus’ birth and look forward to His promised return. We’ll explore what “Advent” means, why it’s important, and how this season invites us to slow down, reflect, and wait with hope.

We’ll also hear an incredible true story from 1947—when a young shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls, some of the oldest copies of the Bible ever found. Among them was the Book of Isaiah, matching what we read today almost word for word. This amazing discovery reminds us that God’s Word has been faithfully preserved for thousands of years and that we can trust His promises.

Through Isaiah’s ancient prophecies, we’ll see how God foretold the coming of Jesus long before He was born—and how Advent helps us celebrate that promise fulfilled.

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It's beginning to look a lot like Good Christmas Fun! Kicking off the holiday season, Rebecca Bulnes (Classroom Crush) joins Kevin and Caroline for The Hunt For The Worst Christmas Song of All Time: Paul McCartney vs Plus One!

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