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Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

It’s a Pokenberry Christmas (Part 1 of 2)

On this special Christmas broadcast, we're featuring the episode "It's a Pokenberry Christmas" from our children's radio series, "Adventures in Odyssey." Listen in with your family as Whit and Eugene travel to Pokenberry Falls to help George Barclay, who has lost faith that he should be a pastor โ€“ which leads to a bizarre series of events! (Part 1 of 2)
Original Air Date: December 24, 2015

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

It’s a Pokenberry Christmas (Part 1 of 2)

On this special Christmas broadcast, we're featuring the episode "It's a Pokenberry Christmas" from our children's radio series, "Adventures in Odyssey." Listen in with your family as Whit and Eugene travel to Pokenberry Falls to help George Barclay, who has lost faith that he should be a pastor โ€“ which leads to a bizarre series of events! (Part 1 of 2)
Original Air Date: December 24, 2015

It’s a Pokenberry Christmas (Part 1 of 2)

(Music)

John Fuller: On today’s special Christmas Eve edition of Focus on the Family you’re going to hear an engaging presentation from our Adventures in Odyssey team.

Excerpt:

Mr. Lionel: What’s this item here? The Christmas banquet?

George: You know, every Christmas we have a banquet for the homeless and the unemployed…the people who can’t afford to feed themselves a nice Christmas meal.

Mr. Lionel: That’s a lot of money, son. I’ll be honest with you, George. I haven’t been terribly happy with your work here as a pastor. You come up with programs like this that don’t come close to paying for themselves and what happens? You come back to me, crying for more money.

End of Excerpt

John: Well, this is going to be a fun and lively presentation for you on today’s Focus on the Family. And your host is Focus president and author, Jim Daly. Iโ€™m John Fuller

Jim Daly: John, our Adventures in Odyssey team is so creative and talented, and I think itโ€™s one of the best things we do here at Focus on the Family to reach children and their parents. And especially with the Gospel message. And todayโ€™s drama takes a unique spin on “Itโ€™s a Wonderful Life,” one of my favorites, as we hear the story of George Barclay, a pastor in Pokenberry Falls, who is discouraged about his struggling church and his ability to do what God has called him to do.

And itโ€™s a great reminder that even when we feel inadequate, which you know, is probably most of us at different times in our lives, God will put people into our lives and allow situations to occur where we can see glimpses of what Heโ€™s doing in and through us. And so, I hope in the midst of your celebrations today, as youโ€™re tryinโ€™ to get everything together, you can sit down with your family to hear the first part of this heartwarming message.

John: And Iโ€™ll encourage you to stick with us all the way through. Weโ€™ll have a special opportunity for you to learn about the Odyssey Adventure Club later on. Letโ€™s go ahead and hear now this special presentation from our Adventures in Odyssey team. Itโ€™s called โ€œItโ€™s a Pokenberry Christmasโ€ on todayโ€™s Focus on the Family.

PART ONE:

(Christmas Music)

Whit: Turn off the radio for a minute, will you, Eugene?

Eugene: Yes, sir, Mr. Whittaker. Is something wrong?

Whit: I got a letter from Mary Barclay this morning. Things arenโ€™t going very well in Pokenberry Falls.

Eugene: Oh, thatโ€™s too bad. What exactly is the problem?

Whit: Well, George is terribly discouraged. Heโ€™s had a hard time pastoring the church there, attendance is low, and heโ€™s having constant battles with one of the elders – a very wealthy leader in town named Barry Lionel. According to Mary, George feels so bad that heโ€™s thinking of giving up his work there.

Eugene: Oh, my that sounds terribly serious. Is there anything we can do?

Whit: Well, I was thinking that it might help him to see an old friendโ€“from Odyssey.

Eugene: Ah, but… but Christmas is only two days away. What about your family?

Whit: Well, Jason and I werenโ€™t supposed to rendezvous at Janaโ€™s until the day after Christmas. What about you?

Eugene: Well, I made no particular plans this Christmas. Mr. Shanks decided to take his entire family to London for the holiday.

Whit: Ah.

Eugene: Mr. Whittaker, do you think it would be advantageous for George Barclay to see two old friends from Odyssey?

Whit: Ha, ha…I think so, Eugene. If you donโ€™t have any plans, Iโ€™d love to have you join me.

Eugene: Iโ€™ll pack immediately.

Scene 2

(Music)

Jimmy: And here comes the scare-baby, my big sister, Donna Barclay!

Donna: Iโ€™m not scared. And Iโ€™ll go a lot farther than you did.

Jimmy: Youโ€™re just getting aย bigย head โ€™cause you got thatย bigย college scholarship and theyโ€™re having aย bigย party for you later. Big deal.

Donna: Jealous?

Jimmy: Yeah, right. (Announcer-like) Weโ€™re here at the Pokenberry Falls Winter Olympics and Jimmy Barclay has just set the worldโ€™s recordโ€“in Pokenberry Falls, at leastโ€“for sledding down Potterโ€™s Hill and halfway across the ice of Violet Lake to, whereโ€™s my marker? Oh, the big oak tree of No Fixed Name. And the question on everybodyโ€™ s lips: Can Donna Barclay beat Jimmyโ€™s record?

Donna: No sweat!

Mary: Be careful! Watch, Stewart, Donnaโ€™s going to sled down the hill.

Stewart: I want to build a snowman.

Donna: Here I go!

Jimmy: Yes, but can she beat Jimmyโ€™s record while being pelted with snowballs.

Donna: Jimmy, come on. Jimmy, thatโ€™s not fair. Come on.

Jimmy: Whoa! She beats Jimmyโ€™s record sheโ€™s broken through the ice! Ladies and gentlemen, sheโ€™s broken through the ice!

Mary: Donna? Donna!

Donna: Iโ€™m all right; itโ€™s not deep. I just got my sleeves wet.

Mary: Well, be careful. Donโ€™t catch a cold.

Donna: Help me up, Jimmy.

Jimmy: Help you up?

Mary: Oh, letโ€™s see about that snowmanโ€“okay, Stewart?

Stewart: Okay. Mommy, why wonโ€™t daddy come and play in the snow with us?

Mary: Because he has to talk to Mr. Lionel about things at the church.

Stewart: In that big car?

Mary: Yes, in the big car. Itโ€™s called a limousine.

Stewart: Why does he have such a big car?

Mary: Because Mr. Lionel has a lot of money and can afford to have a big car.

Stewart: We donโ€™t have a lot of money.

Mary: No, Stewart, we donโ€™t.

Jimmy: Okay, now itโ€™s my turn!

Donna: Go aheadโ€“while Iย wrap some rocks up in snowballs!

Jimmy: Bonzai!

(Change of Scene)

Mr. Lionel: (Grumbling) Well, whatโ€™s this? You need more money for music? Itโ€™s not like we have a choir or anything.

George: I need sheet music for the specials we occasionally do.

Mr. Lionel: Specials you and your family occasionally do.

George: We sing because we canโ€™t get anyone else to. Music livens up the service; it helps the worship.

Mr. Lionel: Yeah, youโ€™re not paid to be a canary, George.

George: No, sir, Iโ€™m not…

Mr. Lionel: Whatโ€™s this item here, โ€œThe Christmas banquet?โ€

George: You knowโ€“every Christmas we have a banquet for the homeless and the unemployed? The people who canโ€™t afford to feed themselves a nice Christmas meal.

Mr. Lionel: Thatโ€™s a lot of money, son.

George: But itโ€™s worth it, we think. Not only does it give them a hot meal, but I think it feeds them a little hope, too.

Mr. Lionel: Iโ€™ll be honest with you, George. I havenโ€™t been terribly happy with your work here as a pastor. You come up with programs like this that donโ€™t come close to paying for themselves and what happens? You come back to me, crying for more money โ€”

George: Iโ€™m not crying, Mr. Lionel.

Mr. Lionel: Well, youโ€™re begging; thatโ€™s a whole lot worse.

George: All Iโ€™m asking for is another monthโ€™s worth.

Mr. Lionel: Have you put any real pressure on the congregation to increase their tithes?

George: Times are bad. A lot of those people are out of work.

Mr. Lionel: Well, thatโ€™s not my problem.

George: But it has to be somebodyโ€™s problem, otherwise what good is the church?

Mr. Lionel: Aha! An excellent question.

George: I just donโ€™t understand you, Mr. Lionel. You have no family, no children. You canโ€™t begin to spend all the money youโ€™ve got.

Mr. Lionel: So, I suppose I should give it to a lot of miserable failures, like the church, to spend it for me.

George: Youโ€™re our head elder. If we canโ€™t turn to you, then who can we turn to?

Mr. Lionel: Another excellent question. And that leads to my real purpose for this meeting. I have come to the conclusion that this church is not necessary to this town. If people want to go to church, they can drive over to Rupert. That town has got plenty of them and theyโ€™re thriving, George. Do you understand the concept of a thriving church?

George: Iโ€™m doing the best I can, but weโ€™re a small congregation. You know that. Thereโ€™s only so much I can do to draw people in.

Mr. Lionel: Well, itโ€™s not good enough, George. Frankly, I am tired of keeping the church financially afloat. I’ve better things to do with my money.

George: And the land.

Mr. Lionel: What?

George: You have better things to do with the land the church is sitting on. It would make a nice addition to your resortโ€™s golf course.

Mr. Lionel: What are you implying?

George: Iโ€™m saying that you have a lot to gain if you close down the church. You own everything else around hereโ€“why not that, too?

Mr. Lionel: I may as well own it, too, for all the money Iย keep pumping into the thing.

George: Forgive me, but I thought you gave as a matter of duty, tithing back to God part of what Heโ€™s given to you.

Mr. Lionel: I donโ€™t mind tithing to God, but Iโ€™m getting fed up with supporting the rest of the lazy rabble around here who wonโ€™t pull their weight. And I donโ€™t think youโ€™re helping things at all.

George: Now wait a minute, hold on. Mr. Lionel. You can say whatever you want against me. I mean, why I ever came to this town, I still donโ€™t know. But when you talk about the peopleโ€“the congregationโ€“like theyโ€™re nothing but rabble,ย well, just because they donโ€™t have money like you do, or drive around in a big limo or run a resort, that doesnโ€™t mean theyโ€™re lazy or donโ€™t pull their weight.

Mr. Lionel: Well…

George: In the time Iโ€™ve been here, Iโ€™ve seen people who work hard just to survive. They give what they can to the church, not from their surplus like you, but from their hearts.

So just remember that this rabble youโ€™re talking about are your fellow Christians who are good and decent and caring. But thatโ€™s not good enough for you, is it? To you, a warped, frustrated, rich, old man, theyโ€™re sheep. But in my book, theyโ€™re men and women of God, loved by Him and willing to do their best for Him with what little they haveโ€“which makes them richer than youโ€™ll ever be!

Mr. Lionel: Sentimental hogwash! Iโ€™m not interested in your book or your dramatic speeches. Iโ€™m talking about the church.

George: I know exactly what youโ€™re talking about, Mr. Lionel. Now, if youโ€™ll excuse me, my family is waiting for me.

Mr. Lionel: Iโ€™m not bailing you out this month, Barclay. And if you canโ€™t pay the bills, then youโ€™ll have to close the church down. Do you understand? Youโ€™ll have to close the church!

(Sound of car door slamming and car pulling away.)

(Change of Scene)

Mary: Oh, George! George, over here! Come help us build a snowman!

Stewart: Come on, daddy!

George: Iโ€™m sorry, everybody, but I think Iโ€™ll walk over to the church for a minute and see Ellis.

Mary: Oh, George.

Stewart: Dad!

Mary: Do you have to now?

George: Yeah, I think I better.

Mary: Well, weโ€™ll meet you at home later. Oh, and donโ€™t forget to bring home a wreath!

(Music)

Scene 3

(The First Church of Pokenberry Falls)

George: Ellis? Ellis, are you here?

Ellis Burch: Oh, hi, pastor.

George: What is going on here?

Ellis: I didnโ€™t expect you back today. I thought you were sledding with your family.

George: I was until Mr. Lionel showed up. Forget about that. What are you doing? It looks like a tornado went through this place. Were we robbed?

Ellis: Noโ€“actually, I did this. I โ€ฆ Iย lost something.

George: What?

Ellis: The deposit slip for the $800 dollars I thought I put in the bank last week.

George: I donโ€™t understand.

Ellis: I thought I deposited the money, but the bank statement came, and it wasnโ€™t on there. So, I called them-and they have no record of the deposit at all. They checked everywhere. So, Iโ€™ve been looking for the deposit slip.

George: No, this isnโ€™t possible.

Ellis: Iโ€™m sorry, pastor. I think I deposited the money; I think โ€ฆ I mean, where else would it be? But I canโ€™t find that slip.

George: Iโ€™ll help you look for it.

Ellis: Maybe itโ€™s โ€ฆ maybe itโ€™s my bookkeeping. I never said I was a good treasurer for the church. They voted me into the position when I was out of town, remember? Iโ€™m so sorry. I feel terrible.

George: All right, all right. Letโ€™s think about this. Weโ€™ll go over everything youโ€™ve done since you took the money to the bank.

(Music)

George: Okay, okay, so you stopped to buy some gum and then you went to the bank.

Ellis: Yeah, yeah, I think so. Maybe, I donโ€™t know. Maybe it was a lollipop instead of gum.

George: I donโ€™t care about what you bought, Ellis. Weโ€™ve got to find that money, donโ€™t you understand?

Ellis: Yeah…

George: We canโ€™t pay our bills this month! Are you sure you didnโ€™t hide it somewhere, maybe in a secret place?

Ellis: Iโ€™ve gone over the whole entire town, Pastor. Even in places that have been locked ever since I lost my pilotโ€™s license. Hangar 4 at the airfield โ€ฆ

George: Listen to me, Ellis, you have to think! Think!

Ellis: I canโ€™t think anymore, Pastor. I cannot think. It hurts.

George: Donโ€™t you realize what this means?!

Ellis: No Christmas bonus?

George: It means going to Rupert for church! It means no more local worship, no community outreach, no personal contact, and a long tradition of Christian fellowship in Pokenberry Falls is gone completely!

Ellis: No…!

George: Well, one of us is going to Rupert. Well, itโ€™s not gonna be me!

Program Note:

John: On this special Christmas Eve presentation weโ€™re right in the middle of Part One of a story called โ€œItโ€™s a Pokenberry Christmas,โ€ and audio drama for kids produced by Focus on the Family Adventures in Odyssey team. And you can enjoy more of this award-winning childrenโ€™s drama by signing up for a free trial of the Adventures in Odyssey Club, which allows you to stream over 900 episodes online, anytime. Learn more about the free trial of the Adventures in Odyssey Club at focusonthefamily.com/broadcast. Let’s go back now to this exciting story on todayโ€™s episode of Focus on the Family.

End of Program Note

Scene 4

Mary: Hello, darling.

Jimmy: Hey, dad.

Mary: So, what do you think?

George: Ah-choo!

Mary: God bless you.

Jimmy: God bless you… everyone.

Donna: Wrong movie.

(Music โ€“ Jimmy Playing Guitar)

Mary: Did you bring the wreath?

George: Wreath?

Mary: The wreath to hang in the window.

George: Oh, I forgot it. Sorry.

Mary: Is it snowing?

George: Yeah, just started.

Mary: Whereโ€™s your coat?

George: What, is this some kind of interrogation? I mustโ€™ve left my coat at the officeโ€“along with the wreath and everything else we hold so dear.

Mary: Whatโ€™s the matter?

George: Nothing. Oh, nothing. Another red-letter day for the Barclays, thatโ€™s all. Jimmy, do you have to play that thing now?

Jimmy: Iโ€™m practicing for tonight. Itโ€™s my debut. You donโ€™t want me to embarrass myself in front of everybody, do you?

Donna: Why change now?

Jimmy: Ho, ho, ho.

George: Everybody? What everybody?

Mary: The combination Christmas and Scholarship Celebration for Donna.

George: I thought we were doing that at the church. Weโ€™re doing it here? I donโ€™t want everybody coming here.

Mary: The church is too cold since you started that utility savings program. Relax, George.

Donna: Do you think it would be appropriate to give a speech tonight?

George: How should I know? โ€“Ask your mother.

Donna: Whoa.

Mary: Why donโ€™t you tell us whatโ€™s wrong?

George: Whatโ€™s wrong? Iโ€™d like somebody to tell me whatโ€™s right! What are we doing here anyway? We gave up a nice situation in Odyssey to come to this, this crummy, drafty old town.

Jimmy: You forgot measly.

George: Crummy, drafty, measly old town.

Mary: George.

George: Whereโ€™s Stewart? Why isnโ€™t he down here to witness his fatherโ€™s nervous breakdown?

Mary: Heโ€™s up in bed.

George: In bed?

Mary: Little Tommy Welsh was trying to teach him to ride his bike and one of the pedals broke.

George: The pedal broke on that bike I just bought him?

Mary: Itโ€™s not like it was new, George. Anyway, he fell off and hurt his ankle. The doctor said heโ€™ll be fine.

George: The doctor! You took him to the doctor? Why was Tommy teaching him to ride a bike anyway?

Mary: Because you didnโ€™t have time this afternoon. Remember? You promised youโ€™d show him the basics and then left for the church.

George: I better go up and talk to him.

Jimmy: Good idea. Spread the joy.

(Music)

George: So, what happened to you, little man?

Stewart: I fell off my bike. I hurt my ankle. See?

George: Now lie still; I can see your ankle without you getting up. Ah, whatโ€™s this?

Stewart: The pedal broke.

George: You brought the pedal to bed with you?

Stewart: Fix it.

George: Give it here; Iโ€™ll see what I can do.

Stewart: Give it some oil.

George: Just leave it with me, Stewart. Nowโ€“do you know what I want you to do?

Stewart: What?

George: I want you to take it easy; โ€“stay off your ankle so it wonโ€™t swell up.

Stewart: I want to ride my bike.

George: I know. But if youโ€™ll rest, then maybe youโ€™ll fall asleep and dream about it. Then youโ€™ll have a whole room full of bikes, and motorcycles, and souped-up cars. Maybe even a mobile home.

Stewart: Will I?

George: In your dreams. Now,ย lie back and rest.

Stewart: Yes, daddy.

(Music)

Scene 5

(Music โ€“ Jimmy Playing guitar) (Telephone Rings)

George: Isnโ€™t somebody gonna answer that? Never mind, Iโ€™ll get it. Hello? Who? Mrs. Welsh? Oh yeah, Stewartโ€™s fine. No thanks to your son, though. I think you heard me. What kind of mother are you anyway, letting your son try to teachย myย son how to ride a bike?

Mary: George.

George: Whatโ€“is he an expert?

Mary: George.

George: Didnโ€™t he realize that the roads are icy out there?

Mary: George! What are you doing? Give me that phone!

George: Well, okay, so maybe I canโ€™t afford a new bike for Stewart, but that doesnโ€™t mean thatโ€ฆ Hello? Hello? She hung up the phone.

Mary: Well, can you blame her? Whatโ€™s gotten into you?

George: Nothingโ€™s gotten into me!

Donna: Dad, you know I took a psychology course this past year and oh, Iโ€™d say your suffering from โ€ฆ

George: I know what Iโ€™m suffering from! Iโ€™m fed up, do you understand? Iโ€™m sick and tired of all the โ€ฆ Jimmy, will you quit playing that ridiculous tune? You play it over and over again. Now stop it! Stop it!

Jimmy: Oh, daddy.

Mary: George, do I have to give you a time-out and send you to your room?

George: Humph… Iโ€™m sorry, Mary. Everybody. You just have no idea.

Mary: Where are you going? Wait.

Donna: What was that all about?

Mary: I donโ€™t know, but I think your father needs our prayers.

Scene 6

(Small motel in Pokenberry Falls)

Whit: Uh huh, yeah. Oh,ย weโ€™re here at the Twin Peaks Motel.ย So, you have no idea where he went, huh? Heโ€™s been gone how long?ย I see; well, he canโ€™t exactly hide in a town this size. Eugene and I will take a stroll and maybe weโ€™ll just bump into him. Okay, Mary. Now… nowย donโ€™t worry. Iโ€™ll call you back in an hour. Okay, bye-bye.

Eugene: That sounds ominous.

Whit: Well, George left the house a couple of hours ago and hasnโ€™t been heard from since.

Eugene: Are things that bad?

Whit: Apparently. It seems the church treasurer misplaced $800 dollars.

Eugene: How?

Whit: Yeah. And now the church canโ€™t pay its bills and theyโ€™ll probably have to close down.

Eugene: Oh, thatโ€™s terrible. No doubt Mr. Barclay feels responsible.

Whit: Yep, Iโ€™m sure he does.

Eugene: Mr. Whitaker, do you think heโ€™s in a frame of mind to do something drastic?

Whit: Well, I honestly donโ€™t know. Look, I suggest we split up and have a look around the town.

Eugene: An excellent suggestion! Huh. Where would a man who needs money go?

(Music)

Scene 7

(Mr. Lionelโ€™s Home)

George: Please, Mr. Lionel, Iโ€™m in trouble.

Mr. Lionel: How ironic. This morning I was a warped frustrated old man. What am I now?

George: Youโ€™re still a warped, frustrated, old man, sir, but I desperately need your help.

Mr. Lionel: Fat chance, Barclay. I told you my feelings about the future of the church. Why would I want to save it now?

George: Because deep inside of you there’s this a man just like me who โ€ฆ

Mr. Lionel: A warped frustratedย youngย man?

George: Yes. And you see the potential in this First Church of Pokenberry Falls. You know the ministry it could have with just a little more time and care.

Mr. Lionel: Oh, come off it, George. You know I donโ€™t believe that for a minute. Besides, why would I hand over any money when youโ€™d probably just lose it again? Look at you, crawling in here, clutching a broken bike pedal like a good luck charm. Why donโ€™t you go to the rabble you believe in so much and ask them for help?

George: You know they donโ€™t have that kind of money. Only you can help me.

Mr. Lionel: Thatโ€™s right, George. Thatโ€™s right. And Iย wonโ€™tย help you. It’s time to put this thing out of our misery, right? Be honest. Youโ€™ve hated working at this church almost as much as Iโ€™ve hated keeping it going. Letโ€™s call it a day, shall we, son? Let it die. Youโ€™ll find another church. A man of your skills is bound to be hired as a custodian or a part-time youth minister somewhere. You know, meanwhile, Iโ€™ll just direct the elders to bulldoze the place. That church is worth more dead than alive, you know. (Chuckling) The property is quite valuable. Meanwhile, son, you go home and enjoy Christmas with your family.

George: What?

Mr. Lionel: I said to go home. Itโ€™s over, George. Youย failed. Itโ€™s time to face up to the truth, son.

(Music)

Scene 8

George: Well, Lord, Iโ€™m at the end of my rope. I thought You called me to be a pastor here, but itโ€™s been nothing but an uphill climb every step of the way. Maybe Mr. Lionelโ€™s right. I failed at whatever it was You wanted me to do. Not only at the church, but with my family and my friends. It’s time to face up to it. Iโ€™ve failed at everything. Iโ€™m sorry, God. Just help me.

Mr. Welsh: Sorry, buddy, Iโ€™m closing up for the night.

George: This uh โ€ฆ this should only take a minute. Iโ€™d like to get a new pedal for my sonโ€™s bike. So, heโ€™ll have it for Christmas.

Mr. Welsh: What kind of pedal?

George: Itโ€™s uh… it’s this one.

Mr. Welsh: I see. Tell you what. Even though itโ€™s Christmas Eve tomorrow, Iโ€™m gonna be open part of the day. Leave it with me and Iโ€™ll see what I can do. What is your name and number?

George: George Barclay.

Mr. Welsh: George Barโ€“? Wait a minute. Your son is Stewart, right?

George: Right.

Mr. Welsh: Get out.

George: What?

Mr. Welsh: My son Tommy took time out of his busy day to try to teach your son to ride his bikeโ€“and what did we get? Abuse on the phone fromย youย about it. What kind of Pastor are you that youโ€™d talk to my wife like that? She cried for an hour!

George: Look, Iโ€™m terribly sorry.

Mr. Welsh: Forget it. Donโ€™t say a word. Just take your bike pedal and get out of my shop.

George: But sir.

Mr. Welsh: Get out! Or do I have to slip you a bicycle chain as a convincer?

George: Iโ€™m going. Iโ€™m going.

(Music)

Scene 9

Eugene: Mr. Whittaker?

Whit: Hi, Eugene. Well, have you seen him?

Eugene: Not at all. Evidently you havenโ€™t either.

Whit: No, no. I just wonder where he couldโ€™ve gone.

Eugene: Well, we have, by process of elimination, checked all of the places that Mary Barclay thought he would go.

Whit: Yeah. Well, letโ€™s think of the places we would never suspect that he would go.

Eugene: Where do you suggest? The snowfall is increasing and itโ€™s getting quite cold.

Whit: Yeah, I donโ€™t know.

Eugene: Well, if you were George Barclay and in dire straits, where would you go?

Whit: Maybe we better stop thinking about George Barclay as we know himโ€“and just think of a desperate man who may feel as if heโ€™s reached rock bottom.

Eugene: In that case, I would be inclined to go to that bridge over there, approach the railโ€“and think about throwing myself into that icy, rushing river…

Whit: Huh…

Eugene: … just as it appears that man is doing even while we speak.

Whit: What? What? Did you say, โ€œthat man?โ€

Eugene: Yes, there on the bridge.

Whit: Thatโ€™s no man; โ€“thatโ€™s George Barclay!

Eugene: Oh no! We have to stop him! Mr. Barclay! Wait! Stop! Wait! Stop!

George: What in the world? Who is that? Eugene?!

Eugene: No, no, donโ€™t do it! Think of your family, your friends!

Whit: Eugene, โ€“George!

George: Whit? Good grief, what is going on?

Eugene: Wait! Stop!

George: Eugene, slow down! The bridge is icy! Eugene, slow down!

Eugene: We can talk it over. Wh โ€ฆ ow! (Sounds of splashing as he falls into the water)

George: Eugene!

Eugene: Help!

George: Eugene!

Eugene: Help!

(Music)

John: Well, I’m sorry to say that for today we have to endย right there, in the middle of a reallyย exciting story as we wrap up this Focus on the Family broadcast for Christmas Eve. Weโ€™ve heard the first part of an Adventures in Odyssey episode called, โ€œItโ€™s a Pokenberry Christmas.โ€ And Jim, this has been such a creative and fun twist on the Christmas classic, “Itโ€™s a Wonderful Life.”

Jim:ย ย  It has, John. And I canโ€™t wait for everyone to hear the second part tomorrow! So, get the family together on Christmas for the rest of the great story.

John: And, of course, this is just one of more than 900 episodes available of Adventures in Odyssey. And you can find out more by visitingย focusonthefamily.com/broadcast.

Jim:ย Also, John, we want to tell our listeners about a very special opportunity to enjoy a 30-day scripture reading plan with some of the Adventures in Odyssey characters. Itโ€™s part of a project called The Public Reading of Scripture.ย The Scripture comes in audio form, and itโ€™s designed to be listened to as a family โ€“ at a meal, before bed, or any time!

Characters from Adventures in Odyssey, like Whit, Connie, and Jason, read selected passages of Scripture to you and your family.ย Hereโ€™s a sample from a reading that features Whit himselfโ€ฆ.

Whit: Hello. I’m Whit. Let’s read the bible together. “At that time, the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So, the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you and you will not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me. But you do not believe because you are not amongย myย sheep. My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish. And no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I, and the Father, are one.'”

Jim:ย John, weโ€™re excited about this great opportunity to help families engage with Godโ€™s Word in a family setting, along with these well-loved characters from Adventures in Odyssey.ย Itโ€™s our Christmas present to you.

John: Yeah, and the free audio readings can be accessed in a couple of different ways. If youโ€™re an Adventures in Odyssey Club member, you can get those readings from the Club App in Apple or Android. And thousands and thousands of families enjoy being part of the club, and you may want to consider joining, as well, so you can access to streaming episodes of Adventures in Odyssey and other great parenting tools.

And then, we will provide a link to the Bible reading plan from our website. And all the details are at focusonthefamily.com/broadcast.

And next time,ย you can look forward to the conclusion of Itโ€™s a Pokenberry Christmas.

On behalf of Jim Daly and the entire team, thanks for joining us for Focus on the Family. I’m John Fuller inviting you back tomorrow – on Christmas Day – as we once again help you and your family thrive in Christ.

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