Category Archives: Truth

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2003 movie “Elf”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told, Luke 2:13-20.

Biblical Connection:

A baby left in a Santa’s sack is accidentally taken to the North Pole. Raised by elves, when Buddy becomes too big, he heads to New York to find his parents. Buddy finds a job at Gimbels where he meets Jovie who has just as much Christmas spirit. Sensing an absence of Christmas spirit, Jovie begins singing a Christmas carol. This spirit slowly spreads until it fuels Santa’s sleigh.

A group of shepherds have an encounter with an angel and heavenly hosts. After an initial shock and fear following their departure, the shepherds are excited to find out if what was unveiled is true. Luke highlights that the shepherds rushed to Bethlehem, amazed at the sight of Mary with baby Jesus. This one event reignited their faith in God on the first Christmas.

Closing Song:

As a former substitute preacher, presenting a unique Christmas message is difficult. Yet, emphasizing passages about the first Christmas can bring the Bible to life. May a specific song or verse recapture your faith this Christmas.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Trailer from the 2019 movie “The Best Christmas Gift”

Bible Verse of the Day:

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register. ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger,” Luke 2:1-12.

Biblical Connection:

When my 3 children were younger, Veggie Tales entertained and educated them with basic truths from the Bible. Although Veggie Tales’ popularity has faded, the Greatest Christmas Gift revisits the birth of Jesus on that very first Christmas. Since human beings tend to be distracted by the commercialization of Christmas, it’s nice to be reminded of the true reason for this special season.

The events of Luke 2 have been reenacted on numerous occasions by Hollywood. My favorite is the Bob Newhart version hosting a doctor’s conference at their hotel over Christmas. When a pregnant wife and nervous husband search for a vacancy, Bob welcomes them in as doctors are excited to help usher this child into the world. In the same way, shepherds are ecstatic about the Savior’s birth.

Closing Song:

When certain stories are told over and over again, this message may be lost in translation. Yet, when angels revealed the news of the birth of Jesus to lowly shepherds, excitement spread throughout these men. As Christmas draws near, may this same joy continue to build and grow in your heart.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1946 movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. ⁴¹ And because of his words many more became believers. ⁴² They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world,” John 4:39-42.

Biblical Connection:

When Uncle Billy loses a $8000 deposit, George Bailey’s Savings and Loans is in danger of going out of business. This financial strain causes George to attempt suicide, jumping off a bridge before the guardian angel Clarence saves his life. Clarence then shows George what life in Bedford Falls would have been like if George was never born. George learns the impact that he made on other people.

Jesus turned a simple conversation about water on a hot summer day into a moment of ministry for a woman looking for love in all the wrong places. When Jesus meets her family and friends, a spiritual revival breaks out in Samaria. This is the impact Jesus made during His 3-year earthly ministry. Therefore, don’t throw your life away. Rather, seize the opportunities that God gives you this Christmas to share your faith.

Closing Song:

Christmas is a time of reflection, looking back throughout the year to see where God has taken you. Instead of worrying about who got better or more presents than you, be thankful for the individuals that you’ve met in life. When you focus on the positive, you’ll have a better chance of impacting others like George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 movie “The Nativity Story”

Bible Verse of the Day:

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about^[d]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet^[e] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,^[f] because he will save his people from their sins,” Matthew 1:18-21.

Biblical Connection:

In an earlier scene, Mary mentions to Elizabeth that she is betrothed to Joseph, similar to being engaged a full year before your wedding in modern terms. According to Jewish law in the first century, Joseph could have had Mary stoned to death in public after discovering that she was pregnant. This is the complexity of the first Christmas.

An angel of the Lord intervened, changing Joseph’s mind. This change of heart saved their future marriage and protected Jesus by preventing Jewish friends from having Mary stoned. A census 3 months later further complicated the birth of Christ. Modern doctors would have not allowed Mary to travel to Bethlehem 9 months pregnant, stopping the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

Closing Song:

In times of chaos, God often works behind the scenes in the supernatural realm. This is what Matthew describes in chapter 1 and 2 of Matthew, staying one step ahead of the schemes of the Devil, Ephesians 6:10-12. These are the complications that God ushered angels into action to make the first Christmas a successful celebration.

by Jay Mankus