Theological Status: Theological Weakness
Biblical Parallel(Archetype): Sardis
❓ What do these grades mean?
🔍 Biblical Discernment: The 7 Church Parallels
The Cold Orthodox Parallel
Ephesus
Teaching that upholds doctrinal precision yet parallels the loss of the "first love"—the vital, motivating power of the Gospel (Rev 2:4).
Why strictly "Mark & Avoid"?
We do not issue this rating to attack the speaker, but to protect the listener. This church's overall teaching trend consistently deviates from sound doctrine. As per Romans 16:17, we identify these patterns so believers can guard their hearts.
We do not issue this rating to attack the speaker, but to protect the listener. This church's overall teaching trend consistently deviates from sound doctrine. As per Romans 16:17, we identify these patterns so believers can guard their hearts.
🧐 Overview
Sermon Summary: This Christmas play seeks to highlight the urgency of faith by imagining a family's terror when they believe the Rapture has occurred. While passionate in its call for conversion, the presentation raises important questions about whether salvation is a response to God's grace or a decision made out of fear.
Big Idea: The true meaning of Christmas is found in Jesus Christ, and the urgency of accepting Him as Lord and Savior is paramount, as one must be ready for His imminent return (the Rapture). [00:53:08 ▶️ 📄]
Pastoral Analysis: This sermon, delivered as a dramatic play, is orthodox in its basic affirmations but theologically anemic. Its primary weaknesses are a soteriology rooted in fear-driven decisionism (via a formulaic 'Sinner's Prayer') and a fragmented hermeneutic that prioritizes a speculative eschatological event (the 'Christmas Rapture') over the theological substance of the incarnation. The result is a message that has the form of godliness but lacks its power, motivating by terror of being 'left behind' rather than affection for Christ.
Biblical Parallel(Archetype): Sardis — The presentation has a reputation for being spiritually alive (evangelism, conversions) but is theologically weak, relying on fear-driven decisionism and a formulaic prayer rather than the sovereign, regenerative work of God.
🧭 Biblical Alignment Dashboard
Overall Verdict: Theologically Weak
| Category | Status | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Soteriology | ⚠️ WEAK | Salvation is presented as a human-initiated act (reciting a prayer) prompted by fear, rather than a sovereign work of God. This decisionistic model functionally obscures the biblical doctrine of regeneration, where God makes the sinner alive, which then results in faith and repentance. |
| Bibliology | ✅ PASS | The presentation affirms the truthfulness and authority of Scripture, quoting it as the final word on matters of faith. |
| Hermeneutic | ⚠️ WEAK | The hermeneutic is fragmented and imbalanced. It prioritizes a speculative eschatological event (the Rapture) over the Christ-centric meaning of the incarnation, effectively allowing a minor, debated point of theology to become the central message of Christmas. This is a failure to see how Old Testament promises are fulfilled in Christ's first coming. |
| Theology Proper | ✅ PASS | The presentation does not contain errors regarding the character or attributes of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. |
| Sacramentology | ⚪ N/A | No sacraments (Baptism or Communion) were observed in the presentation. |
📖 How they Handle Scripture & Jesus
Primary Text: John 3:16 (Topical (Safe))
Scripture Saturation: Verses Read: 3 | Referenced: 4 | Alluded: 5
Passages Read Aloud:
Key References: Proverbs 3:5-6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9, John 3:16
Christological Connection: Redemptive Trajectory: The sermon connects the historical event of Christ's birth (Christmas) with His redemptive purpose to save humanity from sin and the future event of His return (the Rapture), emphasizing the urgency of accepting Him as Savior.
🧱 Sermon Outline
- Introduction: The Worldly Murphy Family [00:00:29 ▶️ 📄] : Introduction of the Murphy family characters and their materialistic, secular Christmas values.
- The Arrival of Faith: Kyle and Katie's Witness [00:12:26 ▶️ 📄] : Kyle and his Christian fiancée Katie arrive, bringing their newfound faith and challenging the family's worldview.
- The Rapture Scare: Confronting Spiritual Reality [00:25:16 ▶️ 📄] : A power outage and the children's disappearance lead the adults to believe the Rapture has occurred, forcing them to confront their spiritual unpreparedness.
- Repentance and Salvation [00:41:07 ▶️ 📄] : The Murphy adults express deep regret for their past lives and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
- Transformed Lives and New Commitments [00:48:11 ▶️ 📄] : The family reconciles, expresses love, and commits to living their lives for Christ, including sharing their faith.
- Conclusion: The True Meaning of Christmas [00:53:04 ▶️ 📄] : Narrator summarizes the family's transformation and reiterates the message of salvation and readiness for Christ's return.
🗝️ Key Topics & Themes
- Christmas : The secular vs. spiritual meaning of Christmas.
- Materialism : The family's initial focus on money and presents.
- Rapture : The concept of Christ's imminent return and the church being taken.
- Salvation : The act of being saved through faith in Jesus Christ.
- Repentance : The act of turning away from sin and towards God.
✅ Commendations
Homiletics | Creative Engagement
The use of a dramatic play is a creative attempt to make theological concepts accessible and emotionally resonant with the congregation, demonstrating a desire to connect with people in a memorable way.
Evangelism | Zeal for the Lost
The entire presentation is structured around a clear and passionate desire to see the unconverted come to faith in Christ. The urgency and sincerity of this goal are commendable.
Bibliology | Affirmation of Scriptural Authority
Throughout the play, Scripture is treated as the authoritative source of truth, with key doctrines being supported by direct quotes from the Bible (e.g., Romans 10:9, John 3:16).
⚠️ Theological Concerns
🟠 Decisionism / Formulaic Salvation
Root Cause: Semi-Pelagianism / Synergism. (Reason: This view violates the doctrine of Total Depravity by assuming man has the inherent ability to initiate or complete the act of salvation by his own will, making it a cooperative effort between God and man rather than a monergistic work of God.)
"Mom, Dad, Grandma, would you like me to lead you into the sinner's prayer? ... Repeat this prayer. Lord, I'm a sinner." [00:47:11 ▶️ 📄]
Correction: Salvation is a work of God from beginning to end. Man is dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1) and cannot initiate his own salvation. It is God who grants repentance (2 Timothy 2:25) and faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). True conversion is the result of regeneration, where the Holy Spirit makes a person alive, enabling them to willingly repent and believe (John 3:3-8; Ezekiel 36:26-27).
🟠 Hermeneutical Fragmentation (Eschatology over Christology)
Root Cause: Hermeneutical Fragmentation (Missed Typology). (Reason: This approach fails to see how Old Testament promises are 'universalized' and 'expanded' in Christ's first coming. It creates a fractured narrative that prioritizes speculative applications to future events over the substance of Christ's finished and ongoing work.)
"Just think, Candy, what would have happened if you really wasn't ready and Jesus really did come this Christmas? After all, how many people are expecting a Christmas rapture?" [00:52:13 ▶️ 📄]
Correction: The focus of the Christmas narrative is the incarnation of the Son of God to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21-23). The New Testament interprets all of Old Testament history and prophecy as finding its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's person and work (Luke 24:27, 44). While His second coming is a vital doctrine, it is not the interpretive key to His first coming.
📜 Full Sermon Transcript (Audit)
Use the 📄 icons next to quotes above to automatically jump to their location in this raw transcript.
[00:00:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Welcome to Christmas Eve at the Murphys.
[00:00:36] Candace Murphy, mother to Kyle, Dena, and Jamie, is putting finishing touches on the tree and is full of Christmas spirit.
[00:00:45] She's energetic, youthful, and a bit snobby.
[00:00:50] Grandma, the mother of Candace, is a plump, overbearing, gossipy old lady.
[00:00:58] She is obsessed with her famous rum balls.
[00:01:02] Jack Murphy, the dad, his focus is running his business.
[00:01:07] He charges outrageous amounts so that he can make all the money he can.
[00:01:13] He's not a bad man altogether, but blinded by his love of money.
[00:01:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bells Swing and Jingle Bells Ring.
[00:02:00] And just look!
[00:02:01] Look at all these beautiful presents!
[00:02:04] Doesn't it just make you want to dance?
[00:02:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Jingle bell, jingle bell!
[00:02:08] I think you've been eating too many of these rum balls.
[00:02:11] I'm already going to have to make some more.
[00:02:13] How many of these things have you had anyway?
[00:02:35] You know, it won't be long before Kyle will be here.
[00:02:37] It is going to be so nice to see him.
[00:02:42] What are you expecting them anyway?
[00:02:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
It has been six months since I have seen my precious baby.
[00:03:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I didn't say when you were expecting him.
[00:03:05] I said when you were expecting them.
[00:03:09] You do remember about Katie, don't you?
[00:03:26] The boy's nearly 23 years old, Candy.
[00:03:29] The way you're talking, it sounds like he's coming home from kindergarten.
[00:03:33] No, this is the big cheese.
[00:03:37] He's bringing home the girl that he intends to marry.
[00:03:40] What has gotten into that boy, Candy?
[00:03:52] How can he bring home such an embarrassment to this family?
[00:03:57] You do realize that the bride-to-be's father is the pastor of that full gospel fanatical church on the other side of town, don't you?
[00:04:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
You would really be doing me a favor.
[00:04:10] You would just stop talking about it.
[00:04:17] Come on.
[00:04:19] You don't go to church there, do you?
[00:04:23] I mean, all his talk and his letters, it terrifies me.
[00:04:32] The Ladies Luncheon Committee?
[00:04:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
What about my hair appointments at the beauty shop?
[00:05:02] What will the girls say?
[00:05:03] You know, it was just last week Mary Louise Phelps was talking about that church.
[00:05:12] She said her brother Ernie was peeping in through the windows and he got the scare of his life.
[00:05:18] That's right.
[00:05:19] He said people were in there with their hands raised up in the air singing, Praise the Lord!
[00:05:23] Hallelujah!
[00:05:25] And do you know what else?
[00:05:27] That good-for-nothing drunkard, Jake Thomas, was down at the altar, just a-cryin' and a-prayin', and to make it worse, folks were down there cryin' and prayin' with him!
[00:05:39] Can you imagine a drunkard in the house of God?
[00:05:45] What me?
[00:05:47] This is a disgrace to us clean-livin' folks!
[00:05:52] I have to talk to him, Candy.
[00:05:55] Otherwise, I'm just going to have to get you to come over here every Thursday and fix my hair.
[00:06:03] And you know how your husband hates the smell of my hairspray.
[00:06:09] Don't worry.
[00:06:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I'm going to talk to Kyle as soon as I can.
[00:06:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I'm sure he's healthy and always.
[00:06:21] Well, you better hope so.
[00:06:24] What a day on my holiday!
[00:06:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I better go home.
[00:06:32] I should be home with all those ingredients.
[00:06:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
No, Candy.
[00:06:39] Let me do it.
[00:06:42] You finish what you got going on in here.
[00:06:44] I know you want everything to be just right for when Kyle gets home.
[00:06:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Thanks, Mom.
[00:06:50] Then I'll go down to the basement and get some more garland.
[00:06:54] This place needs to shine.
[00:06:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I guess I'll go stir up my arthritis and make some more of these silly rum balls.
[00:07:04] I can't imagine who's eating them all.
[00:07:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Mom!
[00:07:14] Where are you?
[00:07:16] Mom, are you here?
[00:07:17] Mom!
[00:07:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Dana, my darling, what brings you home so excited?
[00:07:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Oh my goodness, I was just at Lester's after our cake, and we got to compare some Christmas lists.
[00:07:33] And also, after looking at it, I forgot to put down something so important.
[00:07:40] I forgot to put down a new bicycle.
[00:07:43] What did you say?
[00:07:44] A new bike.
[00:07:46] I forgot to put down a new bike.
[00:07:48] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Look, look, look.
[00:07:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Dana, don't you think it's too late to be asking for a bicycle?
[00:08:01] Why don't you just ask next Christmas?
[00:08:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Mom said that Santa would bring me whatever I wanted.
[00:08:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I did?
[00:08:16] Oh, so I did.
[00:08:18] Well, what I meant was...
[00:08:24] was that Santa would renew anything you wanted if you asked for it in time.
[00:08:31] Christmas Eve is just too late, Dana.
[00:08:35] I mean, his sleigh is already packed and his reindeer is already harnessed.
[00:08:41] I mean, it sure would make it hard on those elves to have to build another bicycle tonight.
[00:08:48] I mean, they might even have a nervous breakdown.
[00:08:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Okay, Mom.
[00:08:56] I'll wait until next year.
[00:08:57] But that means I have to go back to Daddy's store and tell Santa to forget it.
[00:09:03] He was there today, and I sat on his lap.
[00:09:05] Again?
[00:09:06] I had to tell him about the new bicycle.
[00:09:10] Oh, Mom, can you take me there?
[00:09:11] I would hate to, but I want to pick his elves to go nuts again.
[00:09:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Dina, I have too much to do, darling.
[00:09:20] But I'll call your father and tell him to give Sandy her message, okay?
[00:09:23] Okay, thank you, Mom!
[00:09:29] Whew, I tell you, kids do not forget anything these days.
[00:09:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
You know, Mom, I think Kyle's really serious.
[00:09:40] You can tell just by his letters that something's changed in his life.
[00:09:44] He says he's become a new creature in Christ.
[00:09:47] Old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become new.
[00:09:51] I thought Christmas was just a bunch of dry old humbug, but Kyle's religion's alive.
[00:10:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
You would think we have never been in church the way he preaches to us in these letters.
[00:10:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Well, Mom, it has been at least three years since we've darkened any kind of church door.
[00:10:19] Plus, Kyle's not preaching.
[00:10:22] He's just telling us what happened in his life.
[00:10:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Kyle has taken religion to the extreme, Jamie!
[00:10:30] I mean, the Bible is true and all, but I don't believe that God expects us to obey every jot... We've got to work out our own salvation?
[00:10:43] With fear and trembling, you know?
[00:10:44] I mean, this is ridiculous.
[00:10:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Yeah.
[00:10:48] I guess so, but isn't it weird that our salvation has no time for God or even the mention of his name?
[00:10:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Don't you talk to me like that, Jamie!
[00:10:59] We say grace at meals!
[00:11:02] I mean, Dana, she looks so sweet saying her little prayers.
[00:11:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Thank you, Lord, for what I've got, so now let's eat while it's hot.
[00:11:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Enough of that smart mouth, young lady.
[00:11:18] If you know what's good for you, you'll go down to the basement and find my big plastic Santa Claus I usually have sitting at the yard at Christmas.
[00:11:27] And stop lecturing on me on how to live.
[00:11:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Yes, ma'am.
[00:11:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Where in the world is your husband?
[00:11:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
I'm so done.
[00:11:51] Ho, ho, ho!
[00:11:53] Merry Christmas!
[00:11:56] Bah humbug!
[00:12:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
It's that time of year, you know.
[00:12:03] It just makes her feel so bubbly.
[00:12:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
It's late afternoon and Kyle is soon to arrive with his radical Christian fiance Katie.
[00:12:33] As you've heard, the Murphys are not excited about it.
[00:12:37] Kyle and Katie are a little anxious about the visit considering Kyle's parents aren't too keen on Katie and her fanatical religious beliefs.
[00:12:48] They've read all about his new Christian experiences from the letters he sent home.
[00:12:55] Of course, it's all Katie's fault.
[00:12:57] Their son has changed and they do not agree.
[00:13:01] All this talk about Jesus just might put a damper on their holidays.
[00:13:07] However, Kyle's sisters, Jamie and Dina, are already impacted by the newfound salvation.
[00:13:15] Dina is still obsessed with presents, but her and Jamie are also intrigued by the story of Christ's love and sacrifice.
[00:13:25] Candy, Grandma, and Jack
[00:13:28] Think they'll be able to talk Kyle out of all this talk about Jesus, but they have another thing coming.
[00:13:35] Kyle's reply to their talking to ends up being a major upset for them all.
[00:14:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
I wonder where everyone's at.
[00:14:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
We are a little early, Kyle.
[00:14:06] They probably weren't expecting us for a few more hours.
[00:14:08] You know, I'm still a little nervous.
[00:14:11] I want your family to accept me and all, but... Don't you worry about my family, Katie.
[00:14:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
I love you and that's enough.
[00:14:19] Besides, I don't think they're very accepting of my life too well anyway.
[00:14:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
I know that we've prayed about it before, Kyle, and I know that God will give us grace and will give us wisdom for this situation, but can we pray one more time before they find out we're here?
[00:14:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Those are my thoughts exactly, Katie.
[00:14:35] Father God, Lord, we come before you in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
[00:14:40] Lord, we come boldly before your throne room of grace.
[00:14:44] Lord, we ask that you will take care of this situation for us, Lord.
[00:14:47] I pray that you give Katie grace, Lord, help her, give her strength.
[00:14:52] Lord, I pray that you will fill us with your love, that your light may shine through us, Lord, and that it will glorify you.
[00:15:00] And Lord, touch my family.
[00:15:02] I pray that you will make yourself real to them, that they may know you, God.
[00:15:07] Lord, whatever it takes, we're trusting you.
[00:15:11] Lord, I pray that you will give Katie and I a special anointing, that we may follow your will.
[00:15:17] In Jesus' name, amen.
[00:15:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Kyle!
[00:15:23] You're home!
[00:15:25] Oh, it's so good to see you!
[00:15:28] You look so good!
[00:15:31] You even look like you've added a few pounds.
[00:15:34] I mean, the last time I seen you, you just looked like you could shrink up and blow away.
[00:15:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
That's what love will do to you, Mom.
[00:15:40] Mom, meet Katie McCall, the love of my life.
[00:15:43] God really blessed me when he gave me Katie.
[00:15:46] Katie, meet my mom.
[00:15:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Miss Murphy, I'm so pleased to finally meet you.
[00:15:52] Kyle has told me amazing things about the family, especially you.
[00:15:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
It's a pleasure to meet you, Katie.
[00:15:59] Isn't it, Mother?
[00:16:02] Isn't it, Mother?
[00:16:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
It's nice to meet you.
[00:16:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Katie, this is my grandma Guthrie, another lady dear to my heart.
[00:16:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Kyle, honey, you look so good.
[00:16:17] This is so nice to have you home.
[00:16:21] Now,
[00:16:22] What is all this nonsense I hear about you getting married?
[00:16:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Mother!
[00:16:26] Now, Grandma, don't be getting all upset.
[00:16:28] I'm making one of the smartest moves of my life.
[00:16:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
And what makes you think this is such a smart move?
[00:16:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Of course the Lord told me so.
[00:16:36] Who?
[00:16:37] Grandma, haven't you read in the Bible where it says trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge him and he'll direct your path?
[00:16:46] Of course we have.
[00:16:48] Haven't we, Mother?
[00:16:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I think I smell that castle in the kitchen, Mom.
[00:16:59] We better go finish our business.
[00:17:02] Now, Kyle, you just sit there and relax.
[00:17:04] And it's so good to have you home.
[00:17:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Thanks, Mom.
[00:17:08] Hey, by the way, where's everyone else at?
[00:17:10] I want them to meet Katie.
[00:17:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well, they're in the basement looking for my big plastic Santa Claus I usually have sitting in the yard at Christmas.
[00:17:18] But I'll send them up.
[00:17:23] I don't smell nothing.
[00:17:25] Shh!
[00:17:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Don't you worry about my grandma, Katie.
[00:17:32] Her bark is way worse than her bite.
[00:17:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
I'll keep that in mind when she's chewing me up.
[00:17:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Kyle!
[00:17:43] You're finally home!
[00:17:44] I've been anxious to see you, and boy, you sure do look good.
[00:17:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Thanks, Dad.
[00:17:50] It's great to be home.
[00:17:52] Hey, I want you all to meet Katie.
[00:17:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Howdy, brother.
[00:17:55] Oh, this is Katie?
[00:17:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Say, Dina, not even a howdy for your long-lost brother?
[00:17:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Oh, sorry.
[00:18:00] Howdy.
[00:18:02] This is Katie.
[00:18:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Yeah, this is Katie.
[00:18:03] What do you think about her?
[00:18:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Oh, Kyle, she's so pretty.
[00:18:07] From the way Mommy and Grandpa were talking, I thought she had horns.
[00:18:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Dina, you must have misunderstood your mother and grandmother.
[00:18:17] They was talking about that bull and Mr. Hopper's pastor.
[00:18:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
If you say so, Daddy.
[00:18:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Oh, so this is Katie?
[00:18:28] Nice to meet you.
[00:18:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Murphy.
[00:18:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Wow, Jamie, I bet you've grown five inches since the last time I saw you.
[00:18:38] Five and a half, to be exact.
[00:18:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Hey, Katie, do you want to see the rest of the American Girl dolls I have in my room?
[00:18:49] Dina, just lead the way.
[00:18:50] Oh, and Daddy, thank you so much for giving Santa Claus my message.
[00:18:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Dina, what message you're talking about?
[00:18:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
You know, the one that Mommy told you about with the new bicycle?
[00:19:03] Because I decided to let him off the hook this year.
[00:19:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Oh, that message.
[00:19:09] Santa Claus was really relieved to hear about that.
[00:19:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
So, my big, tough brother has been tamed at last.
[00:19:21] I have to admit, she's every bit as pretty as you said in your letters.
[00:19:26] You know, Kyle, your letters have really got me started thinking about God and about my life.
[00:19:33] I'd sure like to talk to you about it sometime.
[00:19:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Yeah, sure, Jamie.
[00:19:36] Anytime you want.
[00:19:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Jamie.
[00:19:40] Go get Kyle's stuff and Katie's and take it upstairs and put Katie's in the guest bedroom and go downstairs and see if you can find that old silly Santa Claus your mother has been worrying me to death about.
[00:19:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Okay, Dad.
[00:19:56] We'll talk later, Kyle.
[00:20:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
So, Dad, how's it been going?
[00:20:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Great, son.
[00:20:12] Great.
[00:20:12] Boy, we have made a profit at that store this year.
[00:20:16] You know, I sold my last Cabbage Patch doll for $100 and my last American Girl doll for $150.
[00:20:23] I decided to have this big auction so everybody will have a chance to win.
[00:20:30] I had two women to get in a skirmish.
[00:20:33] I had to call the police to break up a fight.
[00:20:36] Boy, we done made so much money at that store.
[00:20:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Wow.
[00:20:42] That's really sad, you know.
[00:20:44] People have forgotten what Christmas is really about.
[00:20:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
What was that you were saying, Kyle?
[00:20:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Well, I was just saying that people have forgotten what Christmas is really about.
[00:20:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
And what might that be?
[00:21:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Mom, don't you know?
[00:21:06] Jesus is the only reason for the season.
[00:21:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Jesus?
[00:21:13] Yes, Jesus.
[00:21:16] Of course.
[00:21:17] I knew that.
[00:21:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I made your favorite cookies, Kyle.
[00:21:22] How about a rum ball?
[00:21:25] You know that this is the second batch that I've made just since yesterday?
[00:21:29] Somebody keeps eating them all.
[00:21:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Cookies are great as usual, Grandma.
[00:21:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Oh, for Pete's sake, Candy, why don't you just go ahead and spit it out?
[00:21:50] You're starting to sound like an old A-model that can't hardly crank.
[00:21:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Kyle, honey, we want to talk to you.
[00:22:04] What has gotten into you?
[00:22:06] How did they brainwash you, son?
[00:22:10] Now, there is such a thing as carrying religion too far.
[00:22:16] Now you just tell us right now what is going on.
[00:22:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Candy, I told you that Cal is just going through a phase.
[00:22:23] Everybody go through him, and he'll get over it.
[00:22:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Whoa, whoa, wait a minute.
[00:22:28] One of all used to listen, three used to listen to me.
[00:22:32] I made a decision to follow Christ one Sunday morning when I was at chapel service when I was away at college.
[00:22:39] Katie wasn't even in the picture then.
[00:22:41] She's just an added extra blessing from the Lord.
[00:22:44] No, Dad.
[00:22:46] This isn't just another phase.
[00:22:47] I've decided to give Christ all my life for the rest of my life.
[00:22:51] How could I call him Lord if I fail to do the things he tells me to do?
[00:22:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Well, you would think we were just heathens that hadn't even heard a sermon before, by the way you're preaching to us.
[00:22:59] Grandma Guthrie, I'm not.
[00:23:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Oh, Kyle, it's snowing outside.
[00:23:04] It's so beautiful.
[00:23:05] Wouldn't it just be the most perfect year for the Lord to come?
[00:23:08] How wonderful it would be if the Lord came this year.
[00:23:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
No way.
[00:23:14] You okay, Grandma?
[00:23:17] What did you just say?
[00:23:18] Grandma, she was talking about the rapture of the church.
[00:23:21] How great of a time it would be if Jesus came back.
[00:23:24] That is, if we're ready.
[00:23:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
What do you mean, if we're ready?
[00:23:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Well, Mr. Murphy, the Lord said he was coming back for those who are working and watching and waiting in a moment in the twinkling of an eye who will meet him in the air and will be changed forever.
[00:23:42] Have you ever heard about the rapture, Mr. Murphy?
[00:23:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Yes, of course I have, but it's been a minute since I was reminded about it.
[00:23:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
You're really serious about this, aren't you, Kyle?
[00:23:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
With all my heart, Mom.
[00:23:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
There go my hair appointments.
[00:24:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Mom!
[00:24:03] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Mom!
[00:24:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Can you just tell me the most wonderful Christmas story about the birth of baby Jesus and how there were shepherds and wise men that came to worship him?
[00:24:13] And she also said that I could learn all about it at her father's church at the Christmas Lane.
[00:24:19] Can I please go, Mom?
[00:24:21] Can I please, please, please?
[00:24:24] Please excuse me.
[00:24:26] I don't feel too well.
[00:24:28] Hey, Kyle, can you and Katie please show me where I can also find a Christmas story in the Bible for myself?
[00:24:36] I didn't even know it was in there.
[00:24:38] And Katie, you also said that there were many wonderful stories like that and that they were all true.
[00:24:44] I want you guys to show me lots of them.
[00:24:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Yeah, sure, Dina.
[00:24:47] Come on, let's go.
[00:24:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Well, Jack, I guess you better get used to the smell of my hairspray.
[00:25:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
It's now dark out.
[00:25:18] The adults are fed up with Kyle and Katie.
[00:25:21] And when the word rapture is mentioned,
[00:25:24] They are all about a breakdown.
[00:25:28] They would rather spend time in the basement than hear one more word.
[00:25:32] Soon the kids will head out into the snow and unexpectedly the house will have a power outage.
[00:25:40] And in the dark empty house the Murphys realize maybe this talk of the rapture has some truth to it.
[00:26:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I just can't believe it, Candy.
[00:26:08] How can you give Dina and Jamie permission to go to church with them?
[00:26:14] What if they come home talking like Katie and Kyle?
[00:26:18] You could have just let them go to the church uptown.
[00:26:20] Now their young people are having a full-on Christmas party, complete with Santa Claus and mistletoe and all kinds of games.
[00:26:31] I'm really starting to think you've got a loose wire up here or something.
[00:26:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Oh, Mother, they didn't want to go to the church uptown.
[00:26:39] I mean, was I just supposed to tie them up and throw them in the car and drag them down there and say, I love you, have a good time?
[00:26:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Well, that doesn't sound like such a bad idea to me.
[00:26:54] You need to take a firmer stand with those kids of yours, Candy.
[00:26:58] They can talk you into anything.
[00:27:02] Kids these days need to learn a little bit more respect.
[00:27:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well, when I was their age... Well, when you were their age, Mother, the horses and the buggies hadn't even been invented yet.
[00:27:15] Well, I never... You're just about to get on my nerves, Mother.
[00:27:20] I mean, I've about had enough of your...
[00:27:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
I've about had enough of both of you.
[00:27:27] I never heard so much bickering in my life.
[00:27:32] Can't we just have a little peace and love?
[00:27:36] After all, it is Christmas.
[00:27:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Whatever you say, dear.
[00:27:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Well, it's all Kyle's fault.
[00:27:56] All this talk about Jesus coming back, it's got us all a little edgy.
[00:28:01] and of all things, the Rapture.
[00:28:04] It's an awful strange thing to be associating with Christmas, don't you think?
[00:28:10] The way Kyle's talking, you'd think we weren't even Christians.
[00:28:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Oh.
[00:28:22] Candy, I'm about to go downstairs and look for that Santa Claus one more time.
[00:28:30] If he's lucky, maybe we won't find him and he can spend Christmas in peace down in the basement.
[00:28:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
What?
[00:28:45] Never.
[00:28:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well, Mom, we might as well help him.
[00:29:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Where you going, Mom?
[00:29:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
We're going back downstairs to look for that big plastic ball.
[00:29:10] One last time.
[00:29:12] I thought you would have left already.
[00:29:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Nah, the play doesn't start until 7.30.
[00:29:17] I figure we'll leave about 7 o'clock.
[00:29:20] The snow shouldn't hold us up too much.
[00:29:22] Speaking of the snow, isn't it beautiful, Grandma?
[00:29:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
It hurts my arthritis just thinking about the snow, much less standing in it.
[00:29:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Come on, Mom.
[00:29:36] If I know Jack, he's found the National Inquirer magazine and abandoned the search.
[00:29:43] Well, Kyle, don't forget to let us know when you're leaving for that play, okay?
[00:29:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
Yeah, sure, Mom.
[00:29:48] I won't.
[00:29:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
She will give birth to a son, and you ought to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
[00:30:06] Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet.
[00:30:12] See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Emmanuel, which is translated, God is with us.
[00:30:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
You know, I tried telling her we wouldn't be leaving for another hour yet.
[00:30:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
I'm just so excited!
[00:30:36] Didn't we start at 8 earlier?
[00:30:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Sorry, Dina, but you're gonna have to wait.
[00:30:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Is it time yet?
[00:30:44] Sorry, Jamie.
[00:30:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
You're gonna have to wait just like the rest of us.
[00:30:49] I guess I just can't wait to get there.
[00:30:51] For some reason, I'm really excited.
[00:30:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
I also wish that Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma could come too.
[00:30:58] They all seem so unhappy.
[00:31:00] And did you notice that when I was talking to them at supper about the Christmas play and the birth of baby Jesus, they all just stopped eating?
[00:31:09] Even Grandma stopped eating.
[00:31:10] I just wanted to cheer them up, you know.
[00:31:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Oh well.
[00:31:15] You know, I'm beginning to see that Jesus is real and he is worth living for.
[00:31:24] I see what he's done in your life, Kyle, and it just proves to me his love and his power.
[00:31:31] It's still hard for me to understand, though, why he sent his only son to die for us.
[00:31:38] We sure don't deserve a love like that.
[00:31:40] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Yeah, you're right, Jamie.
[00:31:42] But the Bible tells us in Ephesians 2, 8, and 9, we are saved by grace through faith.
[00:31:48] It's not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not of our works, lest any man should boast.
[00:31:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Amen.
[00:32:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Here, Ma, let me help you with that.
[00:32:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Thanks, Kyle.
[00:32:05] I found some more decorations I think I like to put up.
[00:32:08] Yep, just lay it right there.
[00:32:09] Thank you.
[00:32:16] What are you two doing with your coats on?
[00:32:19] Are you two cold or something?
[00:32:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
They were just excited about the plan, Ms. Murphy.
[00:32:23] They got ready too soon.
[00:32:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Oh, just think!
[00:32:26] The birth of baby Jesus!
[00:32:28] There's gonna be so many things there!
[00:32:30] There's gonna be shepherds there, and wise men, and angels, and- Yes, Dana!
[00:32:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
You told us all about it at supper.
[00:32:40] I better get down to the basement.
[00:32:43] If I know Mom, she's got your father rearranging the entire thing.
[00:32:48] Now, Kyle, don't forget to let me know when you're leaving that play, okay?
[00:32:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
Yeah, sure, Mom.
[00:32:54] We won't.
[00:32:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Girl, I don't like her.
[00:33:03] Poor Mama.
[00:33:04] She seems so unhappy.
[00:33:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
God's really answering our prayers, isn't he, Katie?
[00:33:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
He is.
[00:33:10] I don't understand, Kyle.
[00:33:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
That's okay, Dina.
[00:33:16] Say, Dina, why don't you take Katie out for a walk in the snow?
[00:33:20] It looks like it let up some.
[00:33:22] We still got a few minutes before we have to leave.
[00:33:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Okay, I'll go get your coat, Katie.
[00:33:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
You don't mind, do you, Katie?
[00:33:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Of course not.
[00:33:29] I've been waiting for a chance to get out and play in it myself.
[00:33:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Say, Jamie, I figured we'd go for a walk of our own, talk a little bit.
[00:33:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Sounds good to me.
[00:33:40] I guess you will be needing your coat, huh?
[00:33:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Is that an offer for you to go get it?
[00:33:44] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
No, but I will.
[00:33:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
While we're off, we'll see you in a few minutes, and I'll be praying for you and Jamie.
[00:33:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Well, shall we be on our merry way?
[00:33:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Reckon we ought to tell the basement dwellers where we're headed?
[00:34:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Nah, we'll be gone for a few minutes.
[00:34:04] They won't miss us.
[00:34:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Kyle!
[00:34:36] Kyle!
[00:34:39] Kyle!
[00:34:42] Are you guys all right?
[00:34:45] Why won't you answer me?
[00:34:46] Are you guys deaf?
[00:34:50] I have been calling and calling but... What in the world is going on?
[00:34:58] They were just here.
[00:35:01] I swear these kids!
[00:35:10] Kyle!
[00:35:12] Jamie!
[00:35:15] Dana!
[00:35:17] Katie!
[00:35:20] Please answer me!
[00:35:21] Now where could they be?
[00:35:31] They were just here a moment ago.
[00:35:36] This silence, it's just too loud.
[00:35:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Where's everybody?
[00:35:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I don't know Jack.
[00:35:47] They were just here when I was upstairs.
[00:35:51] And now?
[00:35:53] I just don't know.
[00:35:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I'm sure they just left for the play a little bit early is all.
[00:36:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
No, Mama.
[00:36:02] Kyle told me just before I went downstairs that he was going to let me know when they left.
[00:36:12] Besides, his car, his car is still outside.
[00:36:18] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Let me check upstairs and make sure they're not playing a trick on us.
[00:36:22] Candy, you know how Jamie likes to play jokes.
[00:36:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Kyle knows how frantic I get.
[00:36:29] He wouldn't play a trick on me like that.
[00:36:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
And he wouldn't let Jamie do either.
[00:36:34] Don't be silly, Candy.
[00:36:36] I'm sure Jack's right.
[00:36:38] They're probably just upstairs, hiding underneath the bed or something.
[00:36:43] No, Mama.
[00:36:45] Kyle, he wouldn't play a silly trick on me like that.
[00:36:49] And you know it.
[00:36:50] I know it.
[00:36:52] Jack's gonna find them, Candy.
[00:36:54] You just wait and see.
[00:36:56] Could they be...
[00:37:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Candy, they're not upstairs.
[00:37:03] I checked everywhere, under the bed, in the closet.
[00:37:10] Did you check outside?
[00:37:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I was outside when you two came up.
[00:37:15] There was no one, and no one answered me.
[00:37:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
No answer at all?
[00:37:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Isn't that what I was saying?
[00:37:25] There was nothing, nothing but empty silence.
[00:37:31] Where could they be, Jack?
[00:37:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
I don't know, but they'll show up, honey.
[00:37:38] They'll show up.
[00:37:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
It just doesn't make any sense.
[00:37:45] It's as if somebody just came in and snatched them away.
[00:37:48] They were here, and then just disappeared in a moment's time.
[00:37:57] No.
[00:37:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Is it possible?
[00:38:01] Can it be?
[00:38:03] Can it really be possible that they were snatched away?
[00:38:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Candy, what are you talking about?
[00:38:14] What's wrong?
[00:38:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
In a moment, in a twinkling, how odd.
[00:38:30] I haven't been a...
[00:38:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I've been to church in years, but I can't remember that phrase.
[00:38:36] Oh, no, Candy.
[00:38:38] You don't mean the rapture, do you?
[00:38:42] No.
[00:38:44] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
No.
[00:38:46] There was no warning.
[00:38:48] Not in my lifetime.
[00:38:51] No.
[00:38:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
This is real, Jack Murphy.
[00:38:58] And you know it.
[00:39:01] Goodness.
[00:39:03] Oh, Mama.
[00:39:04] They tried to tell us.
[00:39:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Jack?
[00:39:09] He tried to warn us.
[00:39:13] How could this have happened?
[00:39:18] If only we would have been ready.
[00:39:21] We could have gone with them.
[00:39:31] They listened!
[00:39:34] They listened!
[00:39:37] Why couldn't we have just listened?
[00:39:44] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Behold, in such an hour, as ye think not the Son of Man come.
[00:39:54] It's like every scripture I've ever heard is running through my mind.
[00:40:01] Only now it's too late.
[00:40:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
Oh, what a fool.
[00:40:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
What a fool I've been.
[00:40:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
No.
[00:40:14] No, we've been left.
[00:40:19] This happened so quick.
[00:40:24] Tell me, this is just a bad dream.
[00:40:29] Surely,
[00:40:31] It's a dream.
[00:40:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
This is real, Jack.
[00:40:37] The Lord tried to warn us, but we were too proud.
[00:40:46] I was too proud.
[00:40:49] Now my children, my children.
[00:40:58] Oh God, I was so wrong!
[00:41:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
It's only been a few moments and the power is back on.
[00:41:21] Candace, Jack, and Grandma are realizing how their lives are changed forever.
[00:41:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Now, where do we go from here?
[00:41:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
I don't know.
[00:41:45] If only I had a surgeon.
[00:41:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
What a shame.
[00:42:00] What a shame.
[00:42:03] I've waited 60 years to really give my heart to God.
[00:42:10] I thought that I was good enough to make it to heaven.
[00:42:17] I've been a member of that uptown church for as long as I can remember.
[00:42:22] And I look down on people like that old drunkard Jake Thomas.
[00:42:29] Only now, the roles are reversed.
[00:42:33] He had nothing, and now he has everything because he gave his heart to Jesus.
[00:42:42] And as for me, well, I've professed to a God that I never even had a personal relationship with.
[00:42:52] I was too blind to see that it was me that was lost.
[00:43:00] It was me that had nothing.
[00:43:04] If I would have only served him all that time that I had.
[00:43:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
I wasted a lot of years too, Mama.
[00:43:13] I also failed.
[00:43:18] I failed to be an example to my children.
[00:43:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_15]:
This has to be the hardest reality that I have ever faced in my life.
[00:43:41] I feel it too, honey.
[00:43:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
I feel it too.
[00:43:45] And so do I.
[00:43:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
The Katie's words were prophetic.
[00:44:00] And you know, I despised her, Jack.
[00:44:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
I thought she was a fanatic.
[00:44:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
You weren't alone, Mother.
[00:44:10] I just wish Katie was here so I could tell her how sorry I am.
[00:44:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Do you hear that, Jack?
[00:44:30] It sounds like angels singing.
[00:44:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
I must be hearing things.
[00:44:42] Candy, that sounds like our kids.
[00:44:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
It's Kyle.
[00:44:55] Mom?
[00:44:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_13]:
Why you been crying?
[00:44:58] What happened?
[00:44:59] What's going on?
[00:45:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Kyle, you're still here!
[00:45:05] It didn't happen!
[00:45:07] It didn't happen!
[00:45:08] We were left!
[00:45:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Mom, what are you talking about?
[00:45:12] Would someone please tell me what's going on?
[00:45:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Oh, Kyle, me and Mom, we heard you pray this evening, you know, the one you prayed when you first arrived.
[00:45:28] We walked in, but we hid behind the door, and you were saying something like, Father, let yourself be real to them.
[00:45:39] And he did.
[00:45:40] He did.
[00:45:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Wow.
[00:45:45] What a wonderful Lord we have.
[00:45:47] Wait a minute, I still don't know what happened.
[00:45:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
See Cal, we was down in the basement and all of a sudden the lights went out.
[00:45:57] So we came back upstairs without our flashlights.
[00:46:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
And then I came upstairs and you were gone.
[00:46:08] So I went outside thinking that maybe you guys had left.
[00:46:12] There was no one.
[00:46:15] And Jack went upstairs thinking that maybe you guys were playing some kind of trick.
[00:46:22] There was nothing and nobody.
[00:46:26] And I knew you guys had left for that play because your car was still outside.
[00:46:32] And it was just like you had disappeared.
[00:46:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
And then Katie's words, they felt like lead into our hearts.
[00:46:42] Jesus had come back for his church.
[00:46:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
And Cal, the terror that we experienced during those moments, all of a sudden we realized what fools we were for not living our lives for Christ.
[00:47:01] We were so blind and proud.
[00:47:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Well, this truly is an answered prayer.
[00:47:06] I prayed for so long that all of you would come to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior.
[00:47:11] Mom, Dad, Grandma, would you like me to lead you into the sinner's prayer?
[00:47:24] The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
[00:47:35] Repeat this prayer.
[00:47:37] Lord, I'm a sinner.
[00:47:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
Lord, I'm a sinner.
[00:47:40] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
And I need you to forgive me of all my sins.
[00:47:42] And I need you to forgive me of all my sins.
[00:47:45] I believe you died on the cross and rose again on the third day.
[00:47:48] I believe you died on the cross and rose again on the third day.
[00:47:52] Today I make you my Lord and Savior.
[00:47:54] Today I make you my Lord and Savior.
[00:47:57] And I want to serve you all of my days.
[00:47:59] And I want to serve you all of my days.
[00:48:02] In Jesus name.
[00:48:03] In Jesus name.
[00:48:05] Amen.
[00:48:05] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.
[00:48:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
He has redeemed us by His mercy, and we have been washed in His blood.
[00:48:19] And now, we've been given a second chance to live our lives for Him.
[00:48:28] But now, since God has forgiven me, Katie, I must ask you to forgive me also.
[00:48:41] For treating you so badly and horribly, could you ever forgive me?
[00:48:46] And I want to let you know how thankful I am that Kyle has someone like you in his life.
[00:48:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
All is forgiven, Ms. Murphy.
[00:48:56] I love you.
[00:48:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well then, no Ms. Murphy for you.
[00:49:01] Call me Candy.
[00:49:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Okay then, Candy.
[00:49:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Katie, sweetheart, I'm sorry for being such a sour old woman.
[00:49:18] Can you forgive me too?
[00:49:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
And Katie, I must say that I'm sorry also for being so rough on you.
[00:49:33] Can you forgive me as well?
[00:49:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Don't ever mention it again, and that goes for all three of you.
[00:49:39] I want you to know that I love you with all my heart, and you're not just going to be my family by marriage, but you're also already my family in Christ.
[00:49:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Wow, what a blessing.
[00:49:51] My heart feels like it's going to burst with joy.
[00:49:53] My whole entire family came to Christ on Christmas Eve.
[00:49:57] What a gift!
[00:50:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Hey, it's 7 o'clock, and if we're gonna make it to that play, we better get a move on it.
[00:50:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Wait, we?
[00:50:09] Does that mean, Mom, does that mean you're also going to the play too?
[00:50:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Huh?
[00:50:13] Does it?
[00:50:14] Yes, Dina, we wouldn't miss it for the world.
[00:50:18] And I want to let you know how thankful I am that you finally know the true and real meaning of Christmas.
[00:50:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Me too.
[00:50:26] Jesus is what makes Christmas worth having.
[00:50:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
You better believe it.
[00:50:30] I knelt outside in the snow with Kyle and asked him to come into my heart.
[00:50:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Oh, Jamie, that's the wisest decision you'll ever make.
[00:50:40] I am so proud of you.
[00:50:43] Thanks, Dad.
[00:50:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Well, is somebody gonna get my coat?
[00:50:48] Gotta get a move on.
[00:50:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
I'll go get all the coats.
[00:50:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Grandma, by the way, if you'd like, you can start having your hair done here at the house.
[00:50:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
No way!
[00:50:59] I can't wait to tell the ladies at the shop what Jesus has done for me.
[00:51:04] I'm gonna do it every Thursday.
[00:51:07] I can just hear them now.
[00:51:09] Poor old Thelma.
[00:51:11] Had so many permanents, they finally curled her brain.
[00:51:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Let me help you.
[00:51:24] Come on.
[00:51:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
You know what?
[00:51:30] I think I might live dangerously and ride with the kids.
[00:51:36] I might even walk in the snow.
[00:51:38] We'll be right behind you!
[00:51:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Candy, what a Merry Christmas.
[00:51:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
It sure didn't start out that way.
[00:51:54] Jack, I never would have believed that this Christmas would change our lives forever.
[00:52:02] God really does work in such miraculous ways, doesn't he?
[00:52:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
I believe his ways are past finding out.
[00:52:13] Just think, Candy, what would have happened if you really wasn't ready and Jesus really did come this Christmas?
[00:52:24] After all, how many people are expecting a Christmas rapture?
[00:52:31] I know we weren't.
[00:52:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
A Christmas rapture.
[00:52:36] Would you believe that?
[00:52:37] It could happen tonight.
[00:52:41] I'm just glad.
[00:52:42] We're ready whenever He does decide to come.
[00:52:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Amen.
[00:52:56] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Hurry, speak up for the joy you give, Lord.
[00:53:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
This truly has been a Christmas miracle.
[00:53:08] The Murphys will forever be changed by their ultimate realization that they were sinners in need of a Savior.
[00:53:16] They now will serve Jesus Christ and live their lives for Him daily.
[00:53:21] When the Murphys enter the church for the Christmas play, they are greeted with love, joy, and overwhelming peace, a peace that they had never felt before.
[00:53:33] They finally have the confidence that when Christ does come for the church, they will be ready to meet him.
[00:53:40] John 3.16 says that for God so loved the world that he has given his only son, Jesus, to save this world.
[00:53:55] Since the beginning of the story of Jesus we are certain that God had a perfect plan for us and it began with a tiny baby being born of a virgin girl in a humble stable.
[00:54:21] Far and wide
[00:54:23] There were many that came to see this baby.
[00:54:26] They stood in awe of his greatness.
[00:54:29] Even today, the story of his first visitor, the shepherd boy, has great significance.
[00:54:37] God chose the most overlooked and lowly, the shepherds, to witness the most important event known to mankind.
[00:54:47] God demonstrated his favor isn't just for the rich and powerful.
[00:54:52] But for the meek and lowly.
[00:54:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
This kind of thing shouldn't happen to me I'm just a boy who watches the sheep But I saw a miracle
[00:55:15] A star like the morning lit up the night A choir of angels filled up the sky They sang of a miracle Glory to God in the highest Peace to His people here on earth For the Savior is born
[00:55:46] Emmanuel God is with us And He will reign forevermore Jesus Christ the Lord of lords
[00:57:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
It was ordinary.
[00:57:32] I found this table.
[00:57:35] Just like the angel said, it smelled like livestock.
[00:58:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
A child was born to save a world so cold and hollow A sleeping town they did not know That lying in a manger low A Savior King who had no home Has come to heal our sorrow Jesus Christ was sent
[00:58:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Yes, as a baby, but more importantly to fulfill the divine purpose of salvation to all.
[00:58:42] He came to experience humanity while bringing salvation, hope, joy, and peace to all mankind.
[00:58:52] He came with humility and ultimately gave the greatest sacrifice of love for the Murphys and for you.
[00:59:00] Do you have room in your heart for Jesus?
[00:59:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Is there room in your heart?
[00:59:09] Is there room in your heart?
[00:59:13] Is there room in your heart for God to write His story?
[00:59:23] You can come as you are, but it may set you apart
[00:59:31] When you make room in your heart and trade your dreams for His glory
[01:01:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
And as we come into this world we live in a sinless world.
[01:03:30] and many more.
Welcome to Christmas Eve at the Murphys.
[00:00:36] Candace Murphy, mother to Kyle, Dena, and Jamie, is putting finishing touches on the tree and is full of Christmas spirit.
[00:00:45] She's energetic, youthful, and a bit snobby.
[00:00:50] Grandma, the mother of Candace, is a plump, overbearing, gossipy old lady.
[00:00:58] She is obsessed with her famous rum balls.
[00:01:02] Jack Murphy, the dad, his focus is running his business.
[00:01:07] He charges outrageous amounts so that he can make all the money he can.
[00:01:13] He's not a bad man altogether, but blinded by his love of money.
[00:01:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bells Swing and Jingle Bells Ring.
[00:02:00] And just look!
[00:02:01] Look at all these beautiful presents!
[00:02:04] Doesn't it just make you want to dance?
[00:02:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Jingle bell, jingle bell!
[00:02:08] I think you've been eating too many of these rum balls.
[00:02:11] I'm already going to have to make some more.
[00:02:13] How many of these things have you had anyway?
[00:02:35] You know, it won't be long before Kyle will be here.
[00:02:37] It is going to be so nice to see him.
[00:02:42] What are you expecting them anyway?
[00:02:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
It has been six months since I have seen my precious baby.
[00:03:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I didn't say when you were expecting him.
[00:03:05] I said when you were expecting them.
[00:03:09] You do remember about Katie, don't you?
[00:03:26] The boy's nearly 23 years old, Candy.
[00:03:29] The way you're talking, it sounds like he's coming home from kindergarten.
[00:03:33] No, this is the big cheese.
[00:03:37] He's bringing home the girl that he intends to marry.
[00:03:40] What has gotten into that boy, Candy?
[00:03:52] How can he bring home such an embarrassment to this family?
[00:03:57] You do realize that the bride-to-be's father is the pastor of that full gospel fanatical church on the other side of town, don't you?
[00:04:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
You would really be doing me a favor.
[00:04:10] You would just stop talking about it.
[00:04:17] Come on.
[00:04:19] You don't go to church there, do you?
[00:04:23] I mean, all his talk and his letters, it terrifies me.
[00:04:32] The Ladies Luncheon Committee?
[00:04:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
What about my hair appointments at the beauty shop?
[00:05:02] What will the girls say?
[00:05:03] You know, it was just last week Mary Louise Phelps was talking about that church.
[00:05:12] She said her brother Ernie was peeping in through the windows and he got the scare of his life.
[00:05:18] That's right.
[00:05:19] He said people were in there with their hands raised up in the air singing, Praise the Lord!
[00:05:23] Hallelujah!
[00:05:25] And do you know what else?
[00:05:27] That good-for-nothing drunkard, Jake Thomas, was down at the altar, just a-cryin' and a-prayin', and to make it worse, folks were down there cryin' and prayin' with him!
[00:05:39] Can you imagine a drunkard in the house of God?
[00:05:45] What me?
[00:05:47] This is a disgrace to us clean-livin' folks!
[00:05:52] I have to talk to him, Candy.
[00:05:55] Otherwise, I'm just going to have to get you to come over here every Thursday and fix my hair.
[00:06:03] And you know how your husband hates the smell of my hairspray.
[00:06:09] Don't worry.
[00:06:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I'm going to talk to Kyle as soon as I can.
[00:06:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I'm sure he's healthy and always.
[00:06:21] Well, you better hope so.
[00:06:24] What a day on my holiday!
[00:06:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I better go home.
[00:06:32] I should be home with all those ingredients.
[00:06:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
No, Candy.
[00:06:39] Let me do it.
[00:06:42] You finish what you got going on in here.
[00:06:44] I know you want everything to be just right for when Kyle gets home.
[00:06:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Thanks, Mom.
[00:06:50] Then I'll go down to the basement and get some more garland.
[00:06:54] This place needs to shine.
[00:06:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I guess I'll go stir up my arthritis and make some more of these silly rum balls.
[00:07:04] I can't imagine who's eating them all.
[00:07:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Mom!
[00:07:14] Where are you?
[00:07:16] Mom, are you here?
[00:07:17] Mom!
[00:07:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Dana, my darling, what brings you home so excited?
[00:07:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Oh my goodness, I was just at Lester's after our cake, and we got to compare some Christmas lists.
[00:07:33] And also, after looking at it, I forgot to put down something so important.
[00:07:40] I forgot to put down a new bicycle.
[00:07:43] What did you say?
[00:07:44] A new bike.
[00:07:46] I forgot to put down a new bike.
[00:07:48] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Look, look, look.
[00:07:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Dana, don't you think it's too late to be asking for a bicycle?
[00:08:01] Why don't you just ask next Christmas?
[00:08:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Mom said that Santa would bring me whatever I wanted.
[00:08:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I did?
[00:08:16] Oh, so I did.
[00:08:18] Well, what I meant was...
[00:08:24] was that Santa would renew anything you wanted if you asked for it in time.
[00:08:31] Christmas Eve is just too late, Dana.
[00:08:35] I mean, his sleigh is already packed and his reindeer is already harnessed.
[00:08:41] I mean, it sure would make it hard on those elves to have to build another bicycle tonight.
[00:08:48] I mean, they might even have a nervous breakdown.
[00:08:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Okay, Mom.
[00:08:56] I'll wait until next year.
[00:08:57] But that means I have to go back to Daddy's store and tell Santa to forget it.
[00:09:03] He was there today, and I sat on his lap.
[00:09:05] Again?
[00:09:06] I had to tell him about the new bicycle.
[00:09:10] Oh, Mom, can you take me there?
[00:09:11] I would hate to, but I want to pick his elves to go nuts again.
[00:09:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Dina, I have too much to do, darling.
[00:09:20] But I'll call your father and tell him to give Sandy her message, okay?
[00:09:23] Okay, thank you, Mom!
[00:09:29] Whew, I tell you, kids do not forget anything these days.
[00:09:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
You know, Mom, I think Kyle's really serious.
[00:09:40] You can tell just by his letters that something's changed in his life.
[00:09:44] He says he's become a new creature in Christ.
[00:09:47] Old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become new.
[00:09:51] I thought Christmas was just a bunch of dry old humbug, but Kyle's religion's alive.
[00:10:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
You would think we have never been in church the way he preaches to us in these letters.
[00:10:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Well, Mom, it has been at least three years since we've darkened any kind of church door.
[00:10:19] Plus, Kyle's not preaching.
[00:10:22] He's just telling us what happened in his life.
[00:10:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Kyle has taken religion to the extreme, Jamie!
[00:10:30] I mean, the Bible is true and all, but I don't believe that God expects us to obey every jot... We've got to work out our own salvation?
[00:10:43] With fear and trembling, you know?
[00:10:44] I mean, this is ridiculous.
[00:10:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Yeah.
[00:10:48] I guess so, but isn't it weird that our salvation has no time for God or even the mention of his name?
[00:10:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Don't you talk to me like that, Jamie!
[00:10:59] We say grace at meals!
[00:11:02] I mean, Dana, she looks so sweet saying her little prayers.
[00:11:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Thank you, Lord, for what I've got, so now let's eat while it's hot.
[00:11:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Enough of that smart mouth, young lady.
[00:11:18] If you know what's good for you, you'll go down to the basement and find my big plastic Santa Claus I usually have sitting at the yard at Christmas.
[00:11:27] And stop lecturing on me on how to live.
[00:11:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Yes, ma'am.
[00:11:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Where in the world is your husband?
[00:11:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
I'm so done.
[00:11:51] Ho, ho, ho!
[00:11:53] Merry Christmas!
[00:11:56] Bah humbug!
[00:12:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
It's that time of year, you know.
[00:12:03] It just makes her feel so bubbly.
[00:12:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
It's late afternoon and Kyle is soon to arrive with his radical Christian fiance Katie.
[00:12:33] As you've heard, the Murphys are not excited about it.
[00:12:37] Kyle and Katie are a little anxious about the visit considering Kyle's parents aren't too keen on Katie and her fanatical religious beliefs.
[00:12:48] They've read all about his new Christian experiences from the letters he sent home.
[00:12:55] Of course, it's all Katie's fault.
[00:12:57] Their son has changed and they do not agree.
[00:13:01] All this talk about Jesus just might put a damper on their holidays.
[00:13:07] However, Kyle's sisters, Jamie and Dina, are already impacted by the newfound salvation.
[00:13:15] Dina is still obsessed with presents, but her and Jamie are also intrigued by the story of Christ's love and sacrifice.
[00:13:25] Candy, Grandma, and Jack
[00:13:28] Think they'll be able to talk Kyle out of all this talk about Jesus, but they have another thing coming.
[00:13:35] Kyle's reply to their talking to ends up being a major upset for them all.
[00:14:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
I wonder where everyone's at.
[00:14:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
We are a little early, Kyle.
[00:14:06] They probably weren't expecting us for a few more hours.
[00:14:08] You know, I'm still a little nervous.
[00:14:11] I want your family to accept me and all, but... Don't you worry about my family, Katie.
[00:14:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
I love you and that's enough.
[00:14:19] Besides, I don't think they're very accepting of my life too well anyway.
[00:14:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
I know that we've prayed about it before, Kyle, and I know that God will give us grace and will give us wisdom for this situation, but can we pray one more time before they find out we're here?
[00:14:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Those are my thoughts exactly, Katie.
[00:14:35] Father God, Lord, we come before you in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
[00:14:40] Lord, we come boldly before your throne room of grace.
[00:14:44] Lord, we ask that you will take care of this situation for us, Lord.
[00:14:47] I pray that you give Katie grace, Lord, help her, give her strength.
[00:14:52] Lord, I pray that you will fill us with your love, that your light may shine through us, Lord, and that it will glorify you.
[00:15:00] And Lord, touch my family.
[00:15:02] I pray that you will make yourself real to them, that they may know you, God.
[00:15:07] Lord, whatever it takes, we're trusting you.
[00:15:11] Lord, I pray that you will give Katie and I a special anointing, that we may follow your will.
[00:15:17] In Jesus' name, amen.
[00:15:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Kyle!
[00:15:23] You're home!
[00:15:25] Oh, it's so good to see you!
[00:15:28] You look so good!
[00:15:31] You even look like you've added a few pounds.
[00:15:34] I mean, the last time I seen you, you just looked like you could shrink up and blow away.
[00:15:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
That's what love will do to you, Mom.
[00:15:40] Mom, meet Katie McCall, the love of my life.
[00:15:43] God really blessed me when he gave me Katie.
[00:15:46] Katie, meet my mom.
[00:15:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Miss Murphy, I'm so pleased to finally meet you.
[00:15:52] Kyle has told me amazing things about the family, especially you.
[00:15:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
It's a pleasure to meet you, Katie.
[00:15:59] Isn't it, Mother?
[00:16:02] Isn't it, Mother?
[00:16:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
It's nice to meet you.
[00:16:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Katie, this is my grandma Guthrie, another lady dear to my heart.
[00:16:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Kyle, honey, you look so good.
[00:16:17] This is so nice to have you home.
[00:16:21] Now,
[00:16:22] What is all this nonsense I hear about you getting married?
[00:16:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Mother!
[00:16:26] Now, Grandma, don't be getting all upset.
[00:16:28] I'm making one of the smartest moves of my life.
[00:16:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
And what makes you think this is such a smart move?
[00:16:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Of course the Lord told me so.
[00:16:36] Who?
[00:16:37] Grandma, haven't you read in the Bible where it says trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge him and he'll direct your path?
[00:16:46] Of course we have.
[00:16:48] Haven't we, Mother?
[00:16:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I think I smell that castle in the kitchen, Mom.
[00:16:59] We better go finish our business.
[00:17:02] Now, Kyle, you just sit there and relax.
[00:17:04] And it's so good to have you home.
[00:17:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Thanks, Mom.
[00:17:08] Hey, by the way, where's everyone else at?
[00:17:10] I want them to meet Katie.
[00:17:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well, they're in the basement looking for my big plastic Santa Claus I usually have sitting in the yard at Christmas.
[00:17:18] But I'll send them up.
[00:17:23] I don't smell nothing.
[00:17:25] Shh!
[00:17:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Don't you worry about my grandma, Katie.
[00:17:32] Her bark is way worse than her bite.
[00:17:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
I'll keep that in mind when she's chewing me up.
[00:17:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Kyle!
[00:17:43] You're finally home!
[00:17:44] I've been anxious to see you, and boy, you sure do look good.
[00:17:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Thanks, Dad.
[00:17:50] It's great to be home.
[00:17:52] Hey, I want you all to meet Katie.
[00:17:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Howdy, brother.
[00:17:55] Oh, this is Katie?
[00:17:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Say, Dina, not even a howdy for your long-lost brother?
[00:17:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Oh, sorry.
[00:18:00] Howdy.
[00:18:02] This is Katie.
[00:18:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Yeah, this is Katie.
[00:18:03] What do you think about her?
[00:18:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Oh, Kyle, she's so pretty.
[00:18:07] From the way Mommy and Grandpa were talking, I thought she had horns.
[00:18:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Dina, you must have misunderstood your mother and grandmother.
[00:18:17] They was talking about that bull and Mr. Hopper's pastor.
[00:18:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
If you say so, Daddy.
[00:18:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Oh, so this is Katie?
[00:18:28] Nice to meet you.
[00:18:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Murphy.
[00:18:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Wow, Jamie, I bet you've grown five inches since the last time I saw you.
[00:18:38] Five and a half, to be exact.
[00:18:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Hey, Katie, do you want to see the rest of the American Girl dolls I have in my room?
[00:18:49] Dina, just lead the way.
[00:18:50] Oh, and Daddy, thank you so much for giving Santa Claus my message.
[00:18:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Dina, what message you're talking about?
[00:18:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
You know, the one that Mommy told you about with the new bicycle?
[00:19:03] Because I decided to let him off the hook this year.
[00:19:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Oh, that message.
[00:19:09] Santa Claus was really relieved to hear about that.
[00:19:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
So, my big, tough brother has been tamed at last.
[00:19:21] I have to admit, she's every bit as pretty as you said in your letters.
[00:19:26] You know, Kyle, your letters have really got me started thinking about God and about my life.
[00:19:33] I'd sure like to talk to you about it sometime.
[00:19:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Yeah, sure, Jamie.
[00:19:36] Anytime you want.
[00:19:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Jamie.
[00:19:40] Go get Kyle's stuff and Katie's and take it upstairs and put Katie's in the guest bedroom and go downstairs and see if you can find that old silly Santa Claus your mother has been worrying me to death about.
[00:19:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Okay, Dad.
[00:19:56] We'll talk later, Kyle.
[00:20:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
So, Dad, how's it been going?
[00:20:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Great, son.
[00:20:12] Great.
[00:20:12] Boy, we have made a profit at that store this year.
[00:20:16] You know, I sold my last Cabbage Patch doll for $100 and my last American Girl doll for $150.
[00:20:23] I decided to have this big auction so everybody will have a chance to win.
[00:20:30] I had two women to get in a skirmish.
[00:20:33] I had to call the police to break up a fight.
[00:20:36] Boy, we done made so much money at that store.
[00:20:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Wow.
[00:20:42] That's really sad, you know.
[00:20:44] People have forgotten what Christmas is really about.
[00:20:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
What was that you were saying, Kyle?
[00:20:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Well, I was just saying that people have forgotten what Christmas is really about.
[00:20:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
And what might that be?
[00:21:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Mom, don't you know?
[00:21:06] Jesus is the only reason for the season.
[00:21:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Jesus?
[00:21:13] Yes, Jesus.
[00:21:16] Of course.
[00:21:17] I knew that.
[00:21:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I made your favorite cookies, Kyle.
[00:21:22] How about a rum ball?
[00:21:25] You know that this is the second batch that I've made just since yesterday?
[00:21:29] Somebody keeps eating them all.
[00:21:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Cookies are great as usual, Grandma.
[00:21:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Oh, for Pete's sake, Candy, why don't you just go ahead and spit it out?
[00:21:50] You're starting to sound like an old A-model that can't hardly crank.
[00:21:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Kyle, honey, we want to talk to you.
[00:22:04] What has gotten into you?
[00:22:06] How did they brainwash you, son?
[00:22:10] Now, there is such a thing as carrying religion too far.
[00:22:16] Now you just tell us right now what is going on.
[00:22:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Candy, I told you that Cal is just going through a phase.
[00:22:23] Everybody go through him, and he'll get over it.
[00:22:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Whoa, whoa, wait a minute.
[00:22:28] One of all used to listen, three used to listen to me.
[00:22:32] I made a decision to follow Christ one Sunday morning when I was at chapel service when I was away at college.
[00:22:39] Katie wasn't even in the picture then.
[00:22:41] She's just an added extra blessing from the Lord.
[00:22:44] No, Dad.
[00:22:46] This isn't just another phase.
[00:22:47] I've decided to give Christ all my life for the rest of my life.
[00:22:51] How could I call him Lord if I fail to do the things he tells me to do?
[00:22:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Well, you would think we were just heathens that hadn't even heard a sermon before, by the way you're preaching to us.
[00:22:59] Grandma Guthrie, I'm not.
[00:23:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Oh, Kyle, it's snowing outside.
[00:23:04] It's so beautiful.
[00:23:05] Wouldn't it just be the most perfect year for the Lord to come?
[00:23:08] How wonderful it would be if the Lord came this year.
[00:23:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
No way.
[00:23:14] You okay, Grandma?
[00:23:17] What did you just say?
[00:23:18] Grandma, she was talking about the rapture of the church.
[00:23:21] How great of a time it would be if Jesus came back.
[00:23:24] That is, if we're ready.
[00:23:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
What do you mean, if we're ready?
[00:23:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Well, Mr. Murphy, the Lord said he was coming back for those who are working and watching and waiting in a moment in the twinkling of an eye who will meet him in the air and will be changed forever.
[00:23:42] Have you ever heard about the rapture, Mr. Murphy?
[00:23:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Yes, of course I have, but it's been a minute since I was reminded about it.
[00:23:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
You're really serious about this, aren't you, Kyle?
[00:23:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
With all my heart, Mom.
[00:23:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
There go my hair appointments.
[00:24:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Mom!
[00:24:03] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Mom!
[00:24:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Can you just tell me the most wonderful Christmas story about the birth of baby Jesus and how there were shepherds and wise men that came to worship him?
[00:24:13] And she also said that I could learn all about it at her father's church at the Christmas Lane.
[00:24:19] Can I please go, Mom?
[00:24:21] Can I please, please, please?
[00:24:24] Please excuse me.
[00:24:26] I don't feel too well.
[00:24:28] Hey, Kyle, can you and Katie please show me where I can also find a Christmas story in the Bible for myself?
[00:24:36] I didn't even know it was in there.
[00:24:38] And Katie, you also said that there were many wonderful stories like that and that they were all true.
[00:24:44] I want you guys to show me lots of them.
[00:24:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Yeah, sure, Dina.
[00:24:47] Come on, let's go.
[00:24:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Well, Jack, I guess you better get used to the smell of my hairspray.
[00:25:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
It's now dark out.
[00:25:18] The adults are fed up with Kyle and Katie.
[00:25:21] And when the word rapture is mentioned,
[00:25:24] They are all about a breakdown.
[00:25:28] They would rather spend time in the basement than hear one more word.
[00:25:32] Soon the kids will head out into the snow and unexpectedly the house will have a power outage.
[00:25:40] And in the dark empty house the Murphys realize maybe this talk of the rapture has some truth to it.
[00:26:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I just can't believe it, Candy.
[00:26:08] How can you give Dina and Jamie permission to go to church with them?
[00:26:14] What if they come home talking like Katie and Kyle?
[00:26:18] You could have just let them go to the church uptown.
[00:26:20] Now their young people are having a full-on Christmas party, complete with Santa Claus and mistletoe and all kinds of games.
[00:26:31] I'm really starting to think you've got a loose wire up here or something.
[00:26:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Oh, Mother, they didn't want to go to the church uptown.
[00:26:39] I mean, was I just supposed to tie them up and throw them in the car and drag them down there and say, I love you, have a good time?
[00:26:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Well, that doesn't sound like such a bad idea to me.
[00:26:54] You need to take a firmer stand with those kids of yours, Candy.
[00:26:58] They can talk you into anything.
[00:27:02] Kids these days need to learn a little bit more respect.
[00:27:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well, when I was their age... Well, when you were their age, Mother, the horses and the buggies hadn't even been invented yet.
[00:27:15] Well, I never... You're just about to get on my nerves, Mother.
[00:27:20] I mean, I've about had enough of your...
[00:27:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
I've about had enough of both of you.
[00:27:27] I never heard so much bickering in my life.
[00:27:32] Can't we just have a little peace and love?
[00:27:36] After all, it is Christmas.
[00:27:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Whatever you say, dear.
[00:27:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Well, it's all Kyle's fault.
[00:27:56] All this talk about Jesus coming back, it's got us all a little edgy.
[00:28:01] and of all things, the Rapture.
[00:28:04] It's an awful strange thing to be associating with Christmas, don't you think?
[00:28:10] The way Kyle's talking, you'd think we weren't even Christians.
[00:28:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Oh.
[00:28:22] Candy, I'm about to go downstairs and look for that Santa Claus one more time.
[00:28:30] If he's lucky, maybe we won't find him and he can spend Christmas in peace down in the basement.
[00:28:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
What?
[00:28:45] Never.
[00:28:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well, Mom, we might as well help him.
[00:29:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Where you going, Mom?
[00:29:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
We're going back downstairs to look for that big plastic ball.
[00:29:10] One last time.
[00:29:12] I thought you would have left already.
[00:29:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Nah, the play doesn't start until 7.30.
[00:29:17] I figure we'll leave about 7 o'clock.
[00:29:20] The snow shouldn't hold us up too much.
[00:29:22] Speaking of the snow, isn't it beautiful, Grandma?
[00:29:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
It hurts my arthritis just thinking about the snow, much less standing in it.
[00:29:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Come on, Mom.
[00:29:36] If I know Jack, he's found the National Inquirer magazine and abandoned the search.
[00:29:43] Well, Kyle, don't forget to let us know when you're leaving for that play, okay?
[00:29:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
Yeah, sure, Mom.
[00:29:48] I won't.
[00:29:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
She will give birth to a son, and you ought to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
[00:30:06] Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet.
[00:30:12] See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Emmanuel, which is translated, God is with us.
[00:30:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
You know, I tried telling her we wouldn't be leaving for another hour yet.
[00:30:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
I'm just so excited!
[00:30:36] Didn't we start at 8 earlier?
[00:30:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Sorry, Dina, but you're gonna have to wait.
[00:30:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Is it time yet?
[00:30:44] Sorry, Jamie.
[00:30:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
You're gonna have to wait just like the rest of us.
[00:30:49] I guess I just can't wait to get there.
[00:30:51] For some reason, I'm really excited.
[00:30:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
I also wish that Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma could come too.
[00:30:58] They all seem so unhappy.
[00:31:00] And did you notice that when I was talking to them at supper about the Christmas play and the birth of baby Jesus, they all just stopped eating?
[00:31:09] Even Grandma stopped eating.
[00:31:10] I just wanted to cheer them up, you know.
[00:31:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Oh well.
[00:31:15] You know, I'm beginning to see that Jesus is real and he is worth living for.
[00:31:24] I see what he's done in your life, Kyle, and it just proves to me his love and his power.
[00:31:31] It's still hard for me to understand, though, why he sent his only son to die for us.
[00:31:38] We sure don't deserve a love like that.
[00:31:40] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Yeah, you're right, Jamie.
[00:31:42] But the Bible tells us in Ephesians 2, 8, and 9, we are saved by grace through faith.
[00:31:48] It's not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not of our works, lest any man should boast.
[00:31:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Amen.
[00:32:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Here, Ma, let me help you with that.
[00:32:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Thanks, Kyle.
[00:32:05] I found some more decorations I think I like to put up.
[00:32:08] Yep, just lay it right there.
[00:32:09] Thank you.
[00:32:16] What are you two doing with your coats on?
[00:32:19] Are you two cold or something?
[00:32:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
They were just excited about the plan, Ms. Murphy.
[00:32:23] They got ready too soon.
[00:32:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Oh, just think!
[00:32:26] The birth of baby Jesus!
[00:32:28] There's gonna be so many things there!
[00:32:30] There's gonna be shepherds there, and wise men, and angels, and- Yes, Dana!
[00:32:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
You told us all about it at supper.
[00:32:40] I better get down to the basement.
[00:32:43] If I know Mom, she's got your father rearranging the entire thing.
[00:32:48] Now, Kyle, don't forget to let me know when you're leaving that play, okay?
[00:32:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
Yeah, sure, Mom.
[00:32:54] We won't.
[00:32:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Girl, I don't like her.
[00:33:03] Poor Mama.
[00:33:04] She seems so unhappy.
[00:33:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
God's really answering our prayers, isn't he, Katie?
[00:33:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
He is.
[00:33:10] I don't understand, Kyle.
[00:33:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
That's okay, Dina.
[00:33:16] Say, Dina, why don't you take Katie out for a walk in the snow?
[00:33:20] It looks like it let up some.
[00:33:22] We still got a few minutes before we have to leave.
[00:33:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Okay, I'll go get your coat, Katie.
[00:33:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
You don't mind, do you, Katie?
[00:33:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Of course not.
[00:33:29] I've been waiting for a chance to get out and play in it myself.
[00:33:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Say, Jamie, I figured we'd go for a walk of our own, talk a little bit.
[00:33:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Sounds good to me.
[00:33:40] I guess you will be needing your coat, huh?
[00:33:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Is that an offer for you to go get it?
[00:33:44] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
No, but I will.
[00:33:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
While we're off, we'll see you in a few minutes, and I'll be praying for you and Jamie.
[00:33:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Well, shall we be on our merry way?
[00:33:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Reckon we ought to tell the basement dwellers where we're headed?
[00:34:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Nah, we'll be gone for a few minutes.
[00:34:04] They won't miss us.
[00:34:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Kyle!
[00:34:36] Kyle!
[00:34:39] Kyle!
[00:34:42] Are you guys all right?
[00:34:45] Why won't you answer me?
[00:34:46] Are you guys deaf?
[00:34:50] I have been calling and calling but... What in the world is going on?
[00:34:58] They were just here.
[00:35:01] I swear these kids!
[00:35:10] Kyle!
[00:35:12] Jamie!
[00:35:15] Dana!
[00:35:17] Katie!
[00:35:20] Please answer me!
[00:35:21] Now where could they be?
[00:35:31] They were just here a moment ago.
[00:35:36] This silence, it's just too loud.
[00:35:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Where's everybody?
[00:35:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I don't know Jack.
[00:35:47] They were just here when I was upstairs.
[00:35:51] And now?
[00:35:53] I just don't know.
[00:35:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I'm sure they just left for the play a little bit early is all.
[00:36:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
No, Mama.
[00:36:02] Kyle told me just before I went downstairs that he was going to let me know when they left.
[00:36:12] Besides, his car, his car is still outside.
[00:36:18] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Let me check upstairs and make sure they're not playing a trick on us.
[00:36:22] Candy, you know how Jamie likes to play jokes.
[00:36:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Kyle knows how frantic I get.
[00:36:29] He wouldn't play a trick on me like that.
[00:36:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
And he wouldn't let Jamie do either.
[00:36:34] Don't be silly, Candy.
[00:36:36] I'm sure Jack's right.
[00:36:38] They're probably just upstairs, hiding underneath the bed or something.
[00:36:43] No, Mama.
[00:36:45] Kyle, he wouldn't play a silly trick on me like that.
[00:36:49] And you know it.
[00:36:50] I know it.
[00:36:52] Jack's gonna find them, Candy.
[00:36:54] You just wait and see.
[00:36:56] Could they be...
[00:37:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Candy, they're not upstairs.
[00:37:03] I checked everywhere, under the bed, in the closet.
[00:37:10] Did you check outside?
[00:37:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I was outside when you two came up.
[00:37:15] There was no one, and no one answered me.
[00:37:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
No answer at all?
[00:37:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Isn't that what I was saying?
[00:37:25] There was nothing, nothing but empty silence.
[00:37:31] Where could they be, Jack?
[00:37:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
I don't know, but they'll show up, honey.
[00:37:38] They'll show up.
[00:37:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
It just doesn't make any sense.
[00:37:45] It's as if somebody just came in and snatched them away.
[00:37:48] They were here, and then just disappeared in a moment's time.
[00:37:57] No.
[00:37:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Is it possible?
[00:38:01] Can it be?
[00:38:03] Can it really be possible that they were snatched away?
[00:38:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Candy, what are you talking about?
[00:38:14] What's wrong?
[00:38:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
In a moment, in a twinkling, how odd.
[00:38:30] I haven't been a...
[00:38:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
I've been to church in years, but I can't remember that phrase.
[00:38:36] Oh, no, Candy.
[00:38:38] You don't mean the rapture, do you?
[00:38:42] No.
[00:38:44] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
No.
[00:38:46] There was no warning.
[00:38:48] Not in my lifetime.
[00:38:51] No.
[00:38:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
This is real, Jack Murphy.
[00:38:58] And you know it.
[00:39:01] Goodness.
[00:39:03] Oh, Mama.
[00:39:04] They tried to tell us.
[00:39:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Jack?
[00:39:09] He tried to warn us.
[00:39:13] How could this have happened?
[00:39:18] If only we would have been ready.
[00:39:21] We could have gone with them.
[00:39:31] They listened!
[00:39:34] They listened!
[00:39:37] Why couldn't we have just listened?
[00:39:44] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Behold, in such an hour, as ye think not the Son of Man come.
[00:39:54] It's like every scripture I've ever heard is running through my mind.
[00:40:01] Only now it's too late.
[00:40:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
Oh, what a fool.
[00:40:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
What a fool I've been.
[00:40:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
No.
[00:40:14] No, we've been left.
[00:40:19] This happened so quick.
[00:40:24] Tell me, this is just a bad dream.
[00:40:29] Surely,
[00:40:31] It's a dream.
[00:40:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
This is real, Jack.
[00:40:37] The Lord tried to warn us, but we were too proud.
[00:40:46] I was too proud.
[00:40:49] Now my children, my children.
[00:40:58] Oh God, I was so wrong!
[00:41:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
It's only been a few moments and the power is back on.
[00:41:21] Candace, Jack, and Grandma are realizing how their lives are changed forever.
[00:41:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Now, where do we go from here?
[00:41:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
I don't know.
[00:41:45] If only I had a surgeon.
[00:41:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
What a shame.
[00:42:00] What a shame.
[00:42:03] I've waited 60 years to really give my heart to God.
[00:42:10] I thought that I was good enough to make it to heaven.
[00:42:17] I've been a member of that uptown church for as long as I can remember.
[00:42:22] And I look down on people like that old drunkard Jake Thomas.
[00:42:29] Only now, the roles are reversed.
[00:42:33] He had nothing, and now he has everything because he gave his heart to Jesus.
[00:42:42] And as for me, well, I've professed to a God that I never even had a personal relationship with.
[00:42:52] I was too blind to see that it was me that was lost.
[00:43:00] It was me that had nothing.
[00:43:04] If I would have only served him all that time that I had.
[00:43:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
I wasted a lot of years too, Mama.
[00:43:13] I also failed.
[00:43:18] I failed to be an example to my children.
[00:43:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_15]:
This has to be the hardest reality that I have ever faced in my life.
[00:43:41] I feel it too, honey.
[00:43:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
I feel it too.
[00:43:45] And so do I.
[00:43:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
The Katie's words were prophetic.
[00:44:00] And you know, I despised her, Jack.
[00:44:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
I thought she was a fanatic.
[00:44:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
You weren't alone, Mother.
[00:44:10] I just wish Katie was here so I could tell her how sorry I am.
[00:44:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Do you hear that, Jack?
[00:44:30] It sounds like angels singing.
[00:44:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
I must be hearing things.
[00:44:42] Candy, that sounds like our kids.
[00:44:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
It's Kyle.
[00:44:55] Mom?
[00:44:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_13]:
Why you been crying?
[00:44:58] What happened?
[00:44:59] What's going on?
[00:45:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Kyle, you're still here!
[00:45:05] It didn't happen!
[00:45:07] It didn't happen!
[00:45:08] We were left!
[00:45:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Mom, what are you talking about?
[00:45:12] Would someone please tell me what's going on?
[00:45:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Oh, Kyle, me and Mom, we heard you pray this evening, you know, the one you prayed when you first arrived.
[00:45:28] We walked in, but we hid behind the door, and you were saying something like, Father, let yourself be real to them.
[00:45:39] And he did.
[00:45:40] He did.
[00:45:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Wow.
[00:45:45] What a wonderful Lord we have.
[00:45:47] Wait a minute, I still don't know what happened.
[00:45:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
See Cal, we was down in the basement and all of a sudden the lights went out.
[00:45:57] So we came back upstairs without our flashlights.
[00:46:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
And then I came upstairs and you were gone.
[00:46:08] So I went outside thinking that maybe you guys had left.
[00:46:12] There was no one.
[00:46:15] And Jack went upstairs thinking that maybe you guys were playing some kind of trick.
[00:46:22] There was nothing and nobody.
[00:46:26] And I knew you guys had left for that play because your car was still outside.
[00:46:32] And it was just like you had disappeared.
[00:46:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
And then Katie's words, they felt like lead into our hearts.
[00:46:42] Jesus had come back for his church.
[00:46:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
And Cal, the terror that we experienced during those moments, all of a sudden we realized what fools we were for not living our lives for Christ.
[00:47:01] We were so blind and proud.
[00:47:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Well, this truly is an answered prayer.
[00:47:06] I prayed for so long that all of you would come to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior.
[00:47:11] Mom, Dad, Grandma, would you like me to lead you into the sinner's prayer?
[00:47:24] The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
[00:47:35] Repeat this prayer.
[00:47:37] Lord, I'm a sinner.
[00:47:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
Lord, I'm a sinner.
[00:47:40] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
And I need you to forgive me of all my sins.
[00:47:42] And I need you to forgive me of all my sins.
[00:47:45] I believe you died on the cross and rose again on the third day.
[00:47:48] I believe you died on the cross and rose again on the third day.
[00:47:52] Today I make you my Lord and Savior.
[00:47:54] Today I make you my Lord and Savior.
[00:47:57] And I want to serve you all of my days.
[00:47:59] And I want to serve you all of my days.
[00:48:02] In Jesus name.
[00:48:03] In Jesus name.
[00:48:05] Amen.
[00:48:05] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.
[00:48:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
He has redeemed us by His mercy, and we have been washed in His blood.
[00:48:19] And now, we've been given a second chance to live our lives for Him.
[00:48:28] But now, since God has forgiven me, Katie, I must ask you to forgive me also.
[00:48:41] For treating you so badly and horribly, could you ever forgive me?
[00:48:46] And I want to let you know how thankful I am that Kyle has someone like you in his life.
[00:48:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
All is forgiven, Ms. Murphy.
[00:48:56] I love you.
[00:48:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well then, no Ms. Murphy for you.
[00:49:01] Call me Candy.
[00:49:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Okay then, Candy.
[00:49:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Katie, sweetheart, I'm sorry for being such a sour old woman.
[00:49:18] Can you forgive me too?
[00:49:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
And Katie, I must say that I'm sorry also for being so rough on you.
[00:49:33] Can you forgive me as well?
[00:49:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Don't ever mention it again, and that goes for all three of you.
[00:49:39] I want you to know that I love you with all my heart, and you're not just going to be my family by marriage, but you're also already my family in Christ.
[00:49:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
Wow, what a blessing.
[00:49:51] My heart feels like it's going to burst with joy.
[00:49:53] My whole entire family came to Christ on Christmas Eve.
[00:49:57] What a gift!
[00:50:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Hey, it's 7 o'clock, and if we're gonna make it to that play, we better get a move on it.
[00:50:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Wait, we?
[00:50:09] Does that mean, Mom, does that mean you're also going to the play too?
[00:50:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Huh?
[00:50:13] Does it?
[00:50:14] Yes, Dina, we wouldn't miss it for the world.
[00:50:18] And I want to let you know how thankful I am that you finally know the true and real meaning of Christmas.
[00:50:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Me too.
[00:50:26] Jesus is what makes Christmas worth having.
[00:50:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
You better believe it.
[00:50:30] I knelt outside in the snow with Kyle and asked him to come into my heart.
[00:50:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Oh, Jamie, that's the wisest decision you'll ever make.
[00:50:40] I am so proud of you.
[00:50:43] Thanks, Dad.
[00:50:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
Well, is somebody gonna get my coat?
[00:50:48] Gotta get a move on.
[00:50:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
I'll go get all the coats.
[00:50:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Grandma, by the way, if you'd like, you can start having your hair done here at the house.
[00:50:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
No way!
[00:50:59] I can't wait to tell the ladies at the shop what Jesus has done for me.
[00:51:04] I'm gonna do it every Thursday.
[00:51:07] I can just hear them now.
[00:51:09] Poor old Thelma.
[00:51:11] Had so many permanents, they finally curled her brain.
[00:51:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Let me help you.
[00:51:24] Come on.
[00:51:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_19]:
You know what?
[00:51:30] I think I might live dangerously and ride with the kids.
[00:51:36] I might even walk in the snow.
[00:51:38] We'll be right behind you!
[00:51:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Candy, what a Merry Christmas.
[00:51:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
It sure didn't start out that way.
[00:51:54] Jack, I never would have believed that this Christmas would change our lives forever.
[00:52:02] God really does work in such miraculous ways, doesn't he?
[00:52:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
I believe his ways are past finding out.
[00:52:13] Just think, Candy, what would have happened if you really wasn't ready and Jesus really did come this Christmas?
[00:52:24] After all, how many people are expecting a Christmas rapture?
[00:52:31] I know we weren't.
[00:52:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
A Christmas rapture.
[00:52:36] Would you believe that?
[00:52:37] It could happen tonight.
[00:52:41] I'm just glad.
[00:52:42] We're ready whenever He does decide to come.
[00:52:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_16]:
Amen.
[00:52:56] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Hurry, speak up for the joy you give, Lord.
[00:53:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
This truly has been a Christmas miracle.
[00:53:08] The Murphys will forever be changed by their ultimate realization that they were sinners in need of a Savior.
[00:53:16] They now will serve Jesus Christ and live their lives for Him daily.
[00:53:21] When the Murphys enter the church for the Christmas play, they are greeted with love, joy, and overwhelming peace, a peace that they had never felt before.
[00:53:33] They finally have the confidence that when Christ does come for the church, they will be ready to meet him.
[00:53:40] John 3.16 says that for God so loved the world that he has given his only son, Jesus, to save this world.
[00:53:55] Since the beginning of the story of Jesus we are certain that God had a perfect plan for us and it began with a tiny baby being born of a virgin girl in a humble stable.
[00:54:21] Far and wide
[00:54:23] There were many that came to see this baby.
[00:54:26] They stood in awe of his greatness.
[00:54:29] Even today, the story of his first visitor, the shepherd boy, has great significance.
[00:54:37] God chose the most overlooked and lowly, the shepherds, to witness the most important event known to mankind.
[00:54:47] God demonstrated his favor isn't just for the rich and powerful.
[00:54:52] But for the meek and lowly.
[00:54:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
This kind of thing shouldn't happen to me I'm just a boy who watches the sheep But I saw a miracle
[00:55:15] A star like the morning lit up the night A choir of angels filled up the sky They sang of a miracle Glory to God in the highest Peace to His people here on earth For the Savior is born
[00:55:46] Emmanuel God is with us And He will reign forevermore Jesus Christ the Lord of lords
[00:57:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
It was ordinary.
[00:57:32] I found this table.
[00:57:35] Just like the angel said, it smelled like livestock.
[00:58:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
A child was born to save a world so cold and hollow A sleeping town they did not know That lying in a manger low A Savior King who had no home Has come to heal our sorrow Jesus Christ was sent
[00:58:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Yes, as a baby, but more importantly to fulfill the divine purpose of salvation to all.
[00:58:42] He came to experience humanity while bringing salvation, hope, joy, and peace to all mankind.
[00:58:52] He came with humility and ultimately gave the greatest sacrifice of love for the Murphys and for you.
[00:59:00] Do you have room in your heart for Jesus?
[00:59:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Is there room in your heart?
[00:59:09] Is there room in your heart?
[00:59:13] Is there room in your heart for God to write His story?
[00:59:23] You can come as you are, but it may set you apart
[00:59:31] When you make room in your heart and trade your dreams for His glory
[01:01:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
And as we come into this world we live in a sinless world.
[01:03:30] and many more.
