(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. Iโm John Fuller
Jim Daly: John, our Adventures in Odyssey team is so creative and talented, and I think itโs 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 todayโs drama takes a unique spin on “Itโs 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 itโs 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 Heโs doing in and through us. And so, I hope in the midst of your celebrations today, as youโre tryinโ to get everything together, you can sit down with your family to hear the first part of this heartwarming message.
John: And Iโll encourage you to stick with us all the way through. Weโll have a special opportunity for you to learn about the Odyssey Adventure Club later on. Letโs go ahead and hear now this special presentation from our Adventures in Odyssey team. Itโs called โItโs a Pokenberry Christmasโ on todayโs 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 arenโt going very well in Pokenberry Falls.
Eugene: Oh, thatโs too bad. What exactly is the problem?
Whit: Well, George is terribly discouraged. Heโs had a hard time pastoring the church there, attendance is low, and heโs 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 heโs 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 friendโfrom Odyssey.
Eugene: Ah, but… but Christmas is only two days away. What about your family?
Whit: Well, Jason and I werenโt supposed to rendezvous at Janaโs 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 donโt have any plans, Iโd love to have you join me.
Eugene: Iโll pack immediately.
Scene 2
(Music)
Jimmy: And here comes the scare-baby, my big sister, Donna Barclay!
Donna: Iโm not scared. And Iโll go a lot farther than you did.
Jimmy: Youโre just getting aย bigย head โcause you got thatย bigย college scholarship and theyโre having aย bigย party for you later. Big deal.
Donna: Jealous?
Jimmy: Yeah, right. (Announcer-like) Weโre here at the Pokenberry Falls Winter Olympics and Jimmy Barclay has just set the worldโs recordโin Pokenberry Falls, at leastโfor sledding down Potterโs Hill and halfway across the ice of Violet Lake to, whereโs my marker? Oh, the big oak tree of No Fixed Name. And the question on everybodyโ s lips: Can Donna Barclay beat Jimmyโs record?
Donna: No sweat!
Mary: Be careful! Watch, Stewart, Donnaโs going to sled down the hill.
Stewart: I want to build a snowman.
Donna: Here I go!
Jimmy: Yes, but can she beat Jimmyโs record while being pelted with snowballs.
Donna: Jimmy, come on. Jimmy, thatโs not fair. Come on.
Jimmy: Whoa! She beats Jimmyโs record sheโs broken through the ice! Ladies and gentlemen, sheโs broken through the ice!
Mary: Donna? Donna!
Donna: Iโm all right; itโs not deep. I just got my sleeves wet.
Mary: Well, be careful. Donโt catch a cold.
Donna: Help me up, Jimmy.
Jimmy: Help you up?
Mary: Oh, letโs see about that snowmanโokay, Stewart?
Stewart: Okay. Mommy, why wonโt 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. Itโs 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 donโt have a lot of money.
Mary: No, Stewart, we donโt.
Jimmy: Okay, now itโs my turn!
Donna: Go aheadโwhile Iย wrap some rocks up in snowballs!
Jimmy: Bonzai!
(Change of Scene)
Mr. Lionel: (Grumbling) Well, whatโs this? You need more money for music? Itโs 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 canโt get anyone else to. Music livens up the service; it helps the worship.
Mr. Lionel: Yeah, youโre not paid to be a canary, George.
George: No, sir, Iโm not…
Mr. Lionel: Whatโs this item here, โThe Christmas banquet?โ
George: You knowโevery Christmas we have a banquet for the homeless and the unemployed? The people who canโt afford to feed themselves a nice Christmas meal.
Mr. Lionel: Thatโs a lot of money, son.
George: But itโs 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: Iโll be honest with you, George. I havenโt been terribly happy with your work here as a pastor. You come up with programs like this that donโt come close to paying for themselves and what happens? You come back to me, crying for more money โ
George: Iโm not crying, Mr. Lionel.
Mr. Lionel: Well, youโre begging; thatโs a whole lot worse.
George: All Iโm asking for is another monthโs 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, thatโs not my problem.
George: But it has to be somebodyโs problem, otherwise what good is the church?
Mr. Lionel: Aha! An excellent question.
George: I just donโt understand you, Mr. Lionel. You have no family, no children. You canโt begin to spend all the money youโve 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: Youโre our head elder. If we canโt 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 theyโre thriving, George. Do you understand the concept of a thriving church?
George: Iโm doing the best I can, but weโre a small congregation. You know that. Thereโs only so much I can do to draw people in.
Mr. Lionel: Well, itโs 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 resortโs golf course.
Mr. Lionel: What are you implying?
George: Iโm saying that you have a lot to gain if you close down the church. You own everything else around hereโwhy 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 Heโs given to you.
Mr. Lionel: I donโt mind tithing to God, but Iโm getting fed up with supporting the rest of the lazy rabble around here who wonโt pull their weight. And I donโt think youโre 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 donโt know. But when you talk about the peopleโthe congregationโlike theyโre nothing but rabble,ย well, just because they donโt have money like you do, or drive around in a big limo or run a resort, that doesnโt mean theyโre lazy or donโt pull their weight.
Mr. Lionel: Well…
George: In the time Iโve been here, Iโve 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 youโre talking about are your fellow Christians who are good and decent and caring. But thatโs not good enough for you, is it? To you, a warped, frustrated, rich, old man, theyโre sheep. But in my book, theyโre men and women of God, loved by Him and willing to do their best for Him with what little they haveโwhich makes them richer than youโll ever be!
Mr. Lionel: Sentimental hogwash! Iโm not interested in your book or your dramatic speeches. Iโm talking about the church.
George: I know exactly what youโre talking about, Mr. Lionel. Now, if youโll excuse me, my family is waiting for me.
Mr. Lionel: Iโm not bailing you out this month, Barclay. And if you canโt pay the bills, then youโll have to close the church down. Do you understand? Youโll 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: Iโm sorry, everybody, but I think Iโll 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, weโll meet you at home later. Oh, and donโt 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 didnโt 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: Noโactually, I did this. I โฆ Iย lost something.
George: What?
Ellis: The deposit slip for the $800 dollars I thought I put in the bank last week.
George: I donโt understand.
Ellis: I thought I deposited the money, but the bank statement came, and it wasnโt on there. So, I called them-and they have no record of the deposit at all. They checked everywhere. So, Iโve been looking for the deposit slip.
George: No, this isnโt possible.
Ellis: Iโm sorry, pastor. I think I deposited the money; I think โฆ I mean, where else would it be? But I canโt find that slip.
George: Iโll help you look for it.
Ellis: Maybe itโs โฆ maybe itโs 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? Iโm so sorry. I feel terrible.
George: All right, all right. Letโs think about this. Weโll go over everything youโve 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 donโt know. Maybe it was a lollipop instead of gum.
George: I donโt care about what you bought, Ellis. Weโve got to find that money, donโt you understand?
Ellis: Yeah…
George: We canโt pay our bills this month! Are you sure you didnโt hide it somewhere, maybe in a secret place?
Ellis: Iโve gone over the whole entire town, Pastor. Even in places that have been locked ever since I lost my pilotโs license. Hangar 4 at the airfield โฆ
George: Listen to me, Ellis, you have to think! Think!
Ellis: I canโt think anymore, Pastor. I cannot think. It hurts.
George: Donโt 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, itโs not gonna be me!
Program Note:
John: On this special Christmas Eve presentation weโre right in the middle of Part One of a story called โItโs 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 childrenโs 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 todayโs 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: Whereโs your coat?
George: What, is this some kind of interrogation? I mustโve left my coat at the officeโalong with the wreath and everything else we hold so dear.
Mary: Whatโs the matter?
George: Nothing. Oh, nothing. Another red-letter day for the Barclays, thatโs all. Jimmy, do you have to play that thing now?
Jimmy: Iโm practicing for tonight. Itโs my debut. You donโt 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. Weโre doing it here? I donโt 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? โAsk your mother.
Donna: Whoa.
Mary: Why donโt you tell us whatโs wrong?
George: Whatโs wrong? Iโd like somebody to tell me whatโs 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: Whereโs Stewart? Why isnโt he down here to witness his fatherโs nervous breakdown?
Mary: Heโs 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: Itโs not like it was new, George. Anyway, he fell off and hurt his ankle. The doctor said heโll be fine.
George: The doctor! You took him to the doctor? Why was Tommy teaching him to ride a bike anyway?
Mary: Because you didnโt have time this afternoon. Remember? You promised youโd 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, whatโs this?
Stewart: The pedal broke.
George: You brought the pedal to bed with you?
Stewart: Fix it.
George: Give it here; Iโll see what I can do.
Stewart: Give it some oil.
George: Just leave it with me, Stewart. Nowโdo you know what I want you to do?
Stewart: What?
George: I want you to take it easy; โstay off your ankle so it wonโt swell up.
Stewart: I want to ride my bike.
George: I know. But if youโll rest, then maybe youโll fall asleep and dream about it. Then youโll 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: Isnโt somebody gonna answer that? Never mind, Iโll get it. Hello? Who? Mrs. Welsh? Oh yeah, Stewartโs 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: Whatโis he an expert?
Mary: George.
George: Didnโt 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 canโt afford a new bike for Stewart, but that doesnโt mean thatโฆ Hello? Hello? She hung up the phone.
Mary: Well, can you blame her? Whatโs gotten into you?
George: Nothingโs gotten into me!
Donna: Dad, you know I took a psychology course this past year and oh, Iโd say your suffering from โฆ
George: I know what Iโm suffering from! Iโm fed up, do you understand? Iโm sick and tired of all the โฆ 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… Iโm sorry, Mary. Everybody. You just have no idea.
Mary: Where are you going? Wait.
Donna: What was that all about?
Mary: I donโt know, but I think your father needs our prayers.
Scene 6
(Small motel in Pokenberry Falls)
Whit: Uh huh, yeah. Oh,ย weโre here at the Twin Peaks Motel.ย So, you have no idea where he went, huh? Heโs been gone how long?ย I see; well, he canโt exactly hide in a town this size. Eugene and I will take a stroll and maybe weโll just bump into him. Okay, Mary. Now… nowย donโt worry. Iโll 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 hasnโt 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 canโt pay its bills and theyโll probably have to close down.
Eugene: Oh, thatโs terrible. No doubt Mr. Barclay feels responsible.
Whit: Yep, Iโm sure he does.
Eugene: Mr. Whitaker, do you think heโs in a frame of mind to do something drastic?
Whit: Well, I honestly donโt 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. Lionelโs Home)
George: Please, Mr. Lionel, Iโm in trouble.
Mr. Lionel: How ironic. This morning I was a warped frustrated old man. What am I now?
George: Youโre 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 โฆ
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 donโt believe that for a minute. Besides, why would I hand over any money when youโd probably just lose it again? Look at you, crawling in here, clutching a broken bike pedal like a good luck charm. Why donโt you go to the rabble you believe in so much and ask them for help?
George: You know they donโt have that kind of money. Only you can help me.
Mr. Lionel: Thatโs right, George. Thatโs right. And Iย wonโtย help you. It’s time to put this thing out of our misery, right? Be honest. Youโve hated working at this church almost as much as Iโve hated keeping it going. Letโs call it a day, shall we, son? Let it die. Youโll 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, Iโll 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. Itโs over, George. Youย failed. Itโs time to face up to the truth, son.
(Music)
Scene 8
George: Well, Lord, Iโm at the end of my rope. I thought You called me to be a pastor here, but itโs been nothing but an uphill climb every step of the way. Maybe Mr. Lionelโs 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. Iโve failed at everything. Iโm sorry, God. Just help me.
Mr. Welsh: Sorry, buddy, Iโm closing up for the night.
George: This uh โฆ this should only take a minute. Iโd like to get a new pedal for my sonโs bike. So, heโll have it for Christmas.
Mr. Welsh: What kind of pedal?
George: Itโs uh… it’s this one.
Mr. Welsh: I see. Tell you what. Even though itโs Christmas Eve tomorrow, Iโm gonna be open part of the day. Leave it with me and Iโll 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 bikeโand what did we get? Abuse on the phone fromย youย about it. What kind of Pastor are you that youโd talk to my wife like that? She cried for an hour!
George: Look, Iโm terribly sorry.
Mr. Welsh: Forget it. Donโt 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: Iโm going. Iโm going.
(Music)
Scene 9
Eugene: Mr. Whittaker?
Whit: Hi, Eugene. Well, have you seen him?
Eugene: Not at all. Evidently you havenโt either.
Whit: No, no. I just wonder where he couldโve gone.
Eugene: Well, we have, by process of elimination, checked all of the places that Mary Barclay thought he would go.
Whit: Yeah. Well, letโs think of the places we would never suspect that he would go.
Eugene: Where do you suggest? The snowfall is increasing and itโs getting quite cold.
Whit: Yeah, I donโt 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 himโand just think of a desperate man who may feel as if heโs reached rock bottom.
Eugene: In that case, I would be inclined to go to that bridge over there, approach the railโand 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, โthat man?โ
Eugene: Yes, there on the bridge.
Whit: Thatโs no man; โthatโs 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, donโt do it! Think of your family, your friends!
Whit: Eugene, โGeorge!
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 โฆ 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. Weโve heard the first part of an Adventures in Odyssey episode called, โItโs a Pokenberry Christmas.โ And Jim, this has been such a creative and fun twist on the Christmas classic, “Itโs a Wonderful Life.”
Jim:ย ย It has, John. And I canโt 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. Itโs part of a project called The Public Reading of Scripture.ย The Scripture comes in audio form, and itโs 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 Hereโs a sample from a reading that features Whit himselfโฆ.
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, weโre excited about this great opportunity to help families engage with Godโs Word in a family setting, along with these well-loved characters from Adventures in Odyssey.ย Itโs our Christmas present to you.
John: Yeah, and the free audio readings can be accessed in a couple of different ways. If youโre 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 Itโs 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.








