Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "3 True Confessions." Enjoy!

Is the Bible really the only holy book, and how can a loving God send people to hell? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld explores two foundational questions about God's ways: that He speaks through Scripture, and that He holds humanity accountable. He examines what makes the Bible utterly unique among all books in human history, then tackles the difficult doctrine of hell, explaining that the severity of sin is determined by the infinite worth of the One we sin against.

I've Got Questions: In this thought-provoking series, Dr. John Neufeld tackles the real questions people are asking today—from the exclusivity of Christ to the problem of suffering, from biblical authority to assurance of salvation. Rather than offering quick answers, he uses each question as a bridge back to the foundational truths of Scripture. Dr. Neufeld equips believers to build their faith on solid ground while engaging honestly with the challenges of our contemporary world.

In this episode of Pray the Word on Hebrews 6:17–18, David Platt emphasizes God's unchangeable purposes on behalf of his people.

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Married couples have a hard time settling their disagreements when they both think they’re right. Jim Daly shares why the solution to overcoming marital conflict is learning to see through your spouse’s eyes.

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FROM TODAY’S RECAP:

Some Christmas memories arrive wrapped in nostalgia. Others arrive wrapped in ache. Rachel Wojo shares a tender story of opening her parents’ old nativity set—one that carried decades of meaning. As she unwrapped each figurine, the gap between the serene scene in her hands and the messy reality of her life felt impossibly wide.

Many of us feel that gap at Christmastime.

The nativity scenes we display look peaceful:
Mary is calm.
Joseph confident.
The shepherds composed.
Baby Jesus is quiet and glowing.

But the real manger wasn’t polished or picturesque:

• It smelled like livestock.

• It echoed with labor pains.

• It held a newborn King in a feeding trough.

• It was full of fear, sweat, uncertainty, and miracles wrapped in humble cloth.

The beauty of the manger is not that it was perfect—it’s that God entered the imperfect.

Luke tells us the shepherds’ announcement left people “amazed”—a word meaning wonderstruck, stunned, stopped in their tracks. Not because circumstances were ideal, but because God Himself had stepped into the world through the messy, the ordinary, and the unexpected.

We often think God will meet us once our life feels more peaceful, more put-together, more “holiday ready.” But the manger whispers another truth:

God does His most breathtaking work in the low places.
God shows up in stables.
Glory often comes wrapped in straw, fear, and the unplanned.

If this season feels far from picture-perfect—if grief, transition, financial strain, illness, or loneliness shadow your December—remember this:

The first Christmas was not perfect.
But Emmanuel came anyway.

And He still does.

Bible Reading:
“And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” – Luke 2:18 (NIV)

Takeaway Truths

• The real nativity scene was messy, imperfect, and full of holy wonder.

• God is present when life is not peaceful or predictable.

• The manger reminds us that Christ enters the world right into our mess.

• We rediscover wonder when we stop trying to make life perfect and start looking for God in what’s real.

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being the God who e

Martin might be in the doghouse, but Uncle Si steals the show when he reveals the playful little ritual he and Christine share that keeps their love alive, even at his age. John-David seems determined to install a fridge in every room of his house—including a few that absolutely should not have one. Phillip finally explains the long-running mystery of why he was banned from the Robertson duck blind 35 years ago and hasn’t been invited back since. Si also laughs about the surprisingly simple and honestly kinda weird reason he and Christine struggled to start a family early in their marriage. The boys agree that the baby born in a Buc-ee’s parking lot is already off to a legendary start in life.

Duck Call Room episode #505 is sponsored by:

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J.D. Greear shares the tension every pastor feels over when to speak out, how to speak out, and which issues should command a pastor's voice.

J.D. also discusses Charlie Kirk, the culture wars, and...

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