Christmas Stories

The weather is warm outside, and it's the perfect time to celebrate Christmas in July! Join John Fuller, Georgia Dunham, and Diane Ingolia as they share some ideas for how to enjoy Christmas in July. You'll also hear from Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James who will discuss ways for parents to enjoy Christmas in July with their kids. Then, Greg and Erin Smalley give a few fun tips for couples.   Receive the book 25 Days of the Christmas Story: An Advent Family Experience for your donation of any amount!   Celebrate Christmas in July   Practice Makes Parent   Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage   If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

As we conclude season 7 of Christmas Stories, we decided to take a fun look at how Jesus interacted with kids. Kim, Jesse and John share how the tender ways Christ treated children inspires them today, and Jim Daly explains why the Christmas story encourages him to make a difference.     Receive the book 25 Days of the Christmas Story: An Advent Family Experience for your donation of any amount!   Sign up for Our 2023 Advent Content   RezilientKidz   Adventures in Odyssey   Clubhouse Magazine   Clubhouse Jr. Magazine   How to Serve Others this Christmas   If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

How has parenting changed your perspective of Christmas? John, Jesse and Kim recount what each of their first Christmases were like as parents. Plus, we interviewed several people on what helps them keep a childlike wonder during the season. 1976701   Receive the book 25 Days of the Christmas Story: An Advent Family Experience for your donation of any amount!   Sign up for Our 2023 Advent Content   RezilientKidz   Adventures in Odyssey   Clubhouse Magazine   Clubhouse Jr. Magazine   How to Serve Others this Christmas   If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Many boys wake up excited for Christmas day. To celebrate boys during the holidays, Kim, Jesse and John reflect on ways their sons have celebrated Christmas. You'll also hear Focus President Jim Daly read a story about a Christmas present he got as a young child.   Receive the book 25 Days of the Christmas Story: An Advent Family Experience for your donation of any amount!   Sign up for Our 2023 Advent Content   RezilientKidz   Adventures in Odyssey   Clubhouse Magazine   Clubhouse Jr. Magazine   How to Serve Others this Christmas   If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Little girls have a special and unique way they contribute to Christmas. You'll hear a few girls share about what they're most excited about for Christmas this year. Plus, John, Kim and Jesse discuss lessons we can learn from Mary in the original Christmas story.   Receive the book 25 Days of the Christmas Story: An Advent Family Experience for your donation of any amount!   Sign up for Our 2023 Advent Content   RezilientKidz   Adventures in Odyssey   Clubhouse Magazine   Clubhouse Jr. Magazine   How to Serve Others this Christmas   If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

What are some of your favorite Christmas memories as a kid? For a lot of us, it was the simple things such as being with family, or even an unexpected surprise. John, Kim and Jesse discuss a few of their favorite Christmas memoires, and share why it's good to be reflective during the holidays. You'll also hear from a number of guests on what they loved about Christmas as a child.   Receive the book 25 Days of the Christmas Story: An Advent Family Experience for your donation of any amount!   Sign up for Our 2023 Advent Content   RezilientKidz   Adventures in Odyssey   Clubhouse Magazine   Clubhouse Jr. Magazine   How to Serve Others this Christmas   If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Welcome to Season 7 of the Christmas Stories podcast! Join John Fuller and his fellow co-hosts, Jesse Florea and Kim Trobee, as they preview the upcoming podcast season, and share some of their favorite childhood Christmas traditions. Throughout this season, we'll be exploring what it means to have a childlike faith during the holidays.   Receive the book 25 Days of the Christmas Story: An Advent Family Experience for your donation of any amount!   RezilientKidz   Adventures in Odyssey   Clubhouse Magazine   Clubhouse Jr. Magazine   How to Serve Others this Christmas

What helps you remember Jesus during the Christmas season? As we wrap up Season 6 of Christmas Stories, we'll hear Kati read Luke 2: 22 – 40, and our hosts share why this passage reminds us of the kind of life Jesus would live on earth.Receive the book "25 Days of the Christmas Story" for your donation of any amount: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-daily-broadcast-product-2022-11-24-2?refcd=1299907Prepare Yourself for Advent 2022: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/advent-2022/If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

The birth of Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas. And yet, more than two thousand years later, it still inspires us to make a difference. You'll hear Megan read Luke 2: 1 – 21, and some stories from John and the co-hosts about how Christmas inspires them today.Receive the book "25 Days of the Christmas Story" for your donation of any amount: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-daily-broadcast-product-2022-11-24-2?refcd=1299907Prepare Yourself for Advent 2022: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/advent-2022/If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

The characters of the first Christmas all played a role in helping bring Jesus to earth. John, Paul, Diane, and Lisa reflect on some of their favorite characters of Christmas. Plus, you'll hear from some of our friends of the ministry who'll discuss things they've learned from the characters of Christmas. Plus, Kennedy will read Luke 1: 57 – 80.  Celebrate Christmas: Giving My Kids a Holiday Legacy: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/celebrate-christmas-giving-my-kids-a-holiday-legacy/Prepare Yourself for Advent 2022: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/advent-2022/If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Becoming an adult has a unique way of helping you gain new perspectives on the story of Christmas. Our friend Kristin reads Luke 1: 39 – 56, and you'll hear from some Focus staff and broadcast guests about things they now see in the Christmas story as they've gained life experience.Prepare Yourself for Advent 2022: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/advent-2022/Celebrate Christmas: Giving My Kids a Holiday Legacy: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/celebrate-christmas-giving-my-kids-a-holiday-legacyIf you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey

How did you first hear about the story of Christmas? For many people, it was in church or some other type of Christmas activity. John, Diane, Paul, and Lisa share what they're looking forward to this year. And you'll hear from a variety of guests on how they first learned about Christmas. Plus, Emerson, who works on our staff, reads Luke 1: 5 – 38.Receive the book "25 Days of the Christmas Story" for your donation of any amount: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-daily-broadcast-product-2022-11-24-2?refcd=1299907Prepare Yourself for Advent 2022: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/advent-2022/If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Welcome to Season 6 of the Christmas Stories podcast! Join John Fuller and his fellow co-hosts, Diane Ingolia, Lisa Anderson, and Paul Batura, as they preview the upcoming podcast season, and recall the first time they heard about the original Christmas story. Throughout this season, we'll be reading portions of Luke chapters 1 and 2 and discuss how it still encourages us today. 

Christmas has a way of bringing family together like no other time of the year. As Season 5 of Christmas Stories concludes, we'll hear some encouraging stories about how family traditions bring people together and help families find meaning. Plus, John Fuller and Paul Batura chat about why they've loved spending time with their families. Get the book "Keeping Christmas: 25 Advent Reflections on a Christmas Carol": https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/christmas-stories-podcast-2021-11-19?refcd=569601 Read the article "Welcome to Advent 2021": https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/welcome-to-advent-2021/ Get more episode resources: https://bit.ly/3nbMHi0 If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Having grandchildren has a way of bringing things full circle. To help bring a fun perspective on grandparenting, John Fuller talks with Roger and Diane Ingolia about their experiences as grandparents. We'll also hear from children on why they love grandma and grandpa. Get the book "Keeping Christmas: 25 Advent Reflections on a Christmas Carol": https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/christmas-stories-podcast-2021-11-19?refcd=569601 Read the article "No-Stress Grandparenting During the Holidays": https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/no-stress-grandparenting-during-the-holidays/ Read the article "Welcome to Advent 2021": https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/welcome-to-advent-2021/ Get more episode resources: https://bit.ly/3nbMHi0 If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

There's nothing like celebrating the Christmas season as a newlywed. To reflect back on those early years, John Fuller chats with Greg and Erin Smalley about their first Christmas as a married couple. They'll also explain how those first few years together have set the tone for holidays since then. Get the book "Keeping Christmas: 25 Advent Reflections on a Christmas Carol": https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/christmas-stories-podcast-2021-11-19?refcd=569601 Read the article "Our Newlywed Christmas": https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/our-newlywed-christmas/ Get more episode resources: https://bit.ly/3nbMHi0 If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Singles have a special place in God's family during the holidays. While it may feel lonely at times, Christmas can also be a season to create rich memories. Lisa Anderson joins John Fuller to discuss the unique opportunities singles have during the most wonderful time of the year. Get the book "Keeping Christmas: 25 Advent Reflections on a Christmas Carol": https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/christmas-stories-podcast-2021-11-19?refcd=569601 Read the article "A Single Adult's Christmas Bucket List": https://www.boundless.org/blog/a-single-adults-christmas-bucket-list/ "Welcome to Advent 2021" article: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/welcome-to-advent-2021/ Get more episode resources: https://bit.ly/3nbMHi0 If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

There's something special about hearing why a child loves Christmas. John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta reflect back on the joys of Christmas as a child, and lessons they've learned now as parents. You'll also hear children tell what they're most looking forward to this year. Get the book "Keeping Christmas: 25 Advent Reflections on a Christmas Carol": https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/christmas-stories-podcast-2021-11-19?refcd=569601 Get more episode resources: https://bit.ly/3nbMHi0 "Welcome to Advent 2021" article: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/welcome-to-advent-2021?refcd=569601 If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Welcome to Season 5 of the Christmas Stories podcast! Join John Fuller as he chats with a variety of Focus on the Family friends about why each member of the family plays a special role in making the holidays special. Throughout each episode, you'll also hear from some of our friends and broadcast guests as they share memories and heart-warming stories. Get the book "Keeping Christmas: 25 Advent Reflections on a Christmas Carol": https://store.focusonthefamily.com/keeping-christmas-25-advent-reflections-on-a-christmas-carol?refcd=569601 Get more episode resources: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/shows/christmas-stories-podcast/#resources If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Like a director behind a curtain, God is working in your life even when you can’t see it. Today, John and Diane share stories about being surprised at Christmas; and you’ll hear the incredible story of, “The Innkeepers Dream,” portrayed by the late David Shelton.

Serving God at Christmastime is a beautiful opportunity to shine light into a dark world. But you might be asking how? Today on Christmas Stories, you’ll hear a powerful drama called, “Shoemaker Martin;” and John, Diane and Paul share encouraging stories about serving God in simple ways.

With Christmas approaching soon, we continue to remember the story that gave us this holiday. You’ll hear the second part of, “Nine Months in Nazareth,” as Mary and Joseph welcomed Jesus into the world; Liz Curtis Higgs talks about God working through impossible circumstances; and John, Lisa and Diane share inspiring Christmas memories.

Have you ever wondered what it was like walking in Mary and Joseph’s shoes as they prepared for the birth of Jesus? John, Diane and Lisa share the first part of a drama called, “Nine Months in Nazareth,” retelling Mary and Joseph’s story; and author Liz Curtis Higgs describes how the Nativity story can give you hope today.

Like a strand of colorful lights brightening a tree, getting a Christmas present can spark gratitude within your heart. John, Lisa, Paul and Diane share stories about their favorite Christmas presents; and you’ll hear a heartwarming drama called, “Such As I Have,” about finding gratitude in a hospital room.

Christmas is almost here, and to celebrate we’re launching Season 3 of the Christmas Stories podcast! Join John, Paul, Lisa and Diane as they preview Season 3, and for a fun conversation about the Christmas songs they love, and the songs that drive them crazy.

What makes a Christmas meaningful? Diane and Paul talk about what makes Christmas meaningful to them; while Pam McCune, Kim Wier and Bob Welch share practical ways to add joy to the season.

Let’s face it: family get-togethers aren’t always so simple at Christmas. Diane will share how you can show the love of Christ to difficult family members, while Mike Becthle and the Smalley’s will explain ways to get along with your family members.