Wednesday, December 25, 2019

The Christmas Story According to Luke, Accompanied by Classic Films

"Star of Bethlehem" (1954). Silhouette Film by Lotte Reiniger

Luke 2 :1-39King James Version (KJV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
"O Little Town of Bethlehem" by the ADA Crusaders c. 1945

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

"The First Christmas" Classic Marionette Film

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Christmas Library 2019: Upcoming Radio Dramas.

"Adventures in Odyssey" will begin Christmas radio programs Monday with the 3 part story "Back to Bethlehem".
Whitsend.org

"Patch the Pirate's serialized story "Christmas Carol" began December 7th.
Patchthepirate.org

Please check their websites for broadcasts in your area. Both series air on BBN Radio stations. Also check my Christmas Library page for these and other updates.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Classic Jack Hamm Cartoon: "Welcome In"


"Welcome In" December 20, 1953 by Jack Hamm.

The scripture in this illustration is from 1st Peter 3:8, "....You should be all of one mind living like brothers with true love and sympathy for each other, generous and courteous at all times."

Jack Hamm was a master of drawing parable like scenes to explain scriptures. I like how Hamm shows the Bible as a shelter from the frigid outside world, with Jesus as the source of light, truth, and warmth. The man in the cold (could it be you?) has only to come in and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. 

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Christmas Library 2019: "Brightest Night" (1952)



Brightest Night is a 1952 short film produced by Church-Craft Pictures, Inc. under the ministry of the Rev. Paul G. Kiehl. Church-Craft was a multimedia ministry based in St. Louis, Missouri that produced films strips, for homes, churches and schools.  Their "Storiview" items, similar to the Viewmaster toys, are still collected around the world. In Brightest Night, a mother and father explain to their children the story of the birth of Christ, which is re-enacted with colorful miniatures. Church-Craft would use this technique several times in their film strip productions.

It is a personal favorite among vintage Christmas films, and I would love to know if the family depicted were actually related or just actors. 



Christmas Library 2019: Toy Drives Are Still In Need

"Warmth From A Toy Shop" by James R. Stewart Jr. Colored pencil and marker on card. 
Around the country, the vast majority of Christmas toy drives had deadlines during the end of November to the first week of December. However I am hearing stories of toy drives for children that still need supplies or volunteers, even beyond their deadlines. These drives may be church affiliated, or from your local media station, businesses, or your employer.

Be aware of needs for children in your community this Christmas season, not just gifts, and seek and pray for way to fulfill those needs.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

The Christmas Library is Back for 2019!

Inside of "My First Book About Jesus" by Mary Alice Jones

After several updates, I have reposted the "Christmas Library" guide to radio, TV and movies specials that acknowledge the birth of Christ as central to the Christmas holiday.

https://familybiblemedia.blogspot.com/p/christmas-library.html

Throughout the month of December I will feature special articles about how you can share the good news with your children and special media from the past.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

"TV Bible School" of KEYL-TV

TV Bible School
KEYL-TV [KENS-TV today] San Antonio, Texas area.
1952 - ????

The "TV Bible School" was the Ministry of Rev. Willard Ernest Schlecht (1914-1976) and the Lutheran Inter-Parrish Council. The stories featured in the program were based on "Stories Jesus Told" "as narrated and illustrated" the Rev. Schlecht, although it is not clear if this was a children's book or an instructional Sunday School supplement.

Dixie Shelton O'Leary a "KEYL sketch artist" provided artwork for the series.

If anyone has more information on the TV ministry of Rev. Schlecht or Dixie Shelton O'Leary, I would love to hear from you. Email jrstewa4@gmail.com with "TV Bible School KEYL" as a subject heading.


Vintage Bible Teaching Tools: Cathedral Films' Story Of Jesus, The Calling of the Four

"Cathedral Films Presents, Story of Jesus, Series 2. Cathedral Films, Inc. 

Filmstrip 7 - The Calling of The Four

The Calling of the Four - Slide panel 2

The first frame of the filmstrip. 

After several years of hunting and waiting the Lord has blessed me with a film scanner. Here are a few scans from a vintage educational strip from Cathedral Films, the ministry of the Rev. James Friedrich. "The Story of Jesus" was made available across several sets, and seems to be made of images from their "Living Christ" series. They are more famous today for their short films, and feature films like "The Great Commandment" (1939), but Cathedral provided instructional media for classrooms and Sunday Schools for decades.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Circuit Riders on Early Television


Newspaper Ad for "The Circuit Rider" from a Chicago area newspaper, March 18, 1951.

A few years ago I purchased an LP record album called the "The Story presents Bob Gibbons". It drew my attention, and some money from my wallet, when I realized that I had found a record album based on a unique television program.

Bob Gibbons was a vocalist and evangelistic singer. He would later join the television and crusade ministries of Ford Philpot and appeared regularly on "The Story" TV series. At some point while attending Duke University in Durham, NC in the early 1960s, Bob teamed up with the Rev. J. Mallory Owen, at that time pastor of Horne Memorial Methodist Church, to create a local TV show called "Circuit Rider", which dramatized the lives of early frontier preachers in North America.

While searching for this series, I learned about an earlier television drama, also called "Circuit Rider" that aired on ABC-TV, in 1951.

Circuit Rider (March 5, 1951 - May 7, 1951. ABC-TV, Sundays 11:00pm EST)
Very little is known about this early TV series which dramatized the lives of the evangelical clergymen who ventured all over the nation following the Revolutionary War. It was produced by the Methodist ministry America For Christ, Inc., and was developed for 52 episodes to run on ABC's late Sunday night schedule. Each episode was narrated by Rex Marshall and Rev. George Pigueron served as moderator. Episodes would also feature a guest speaker who would address a current topic.
What makes Gibbons and Owens series unique from the ABC 1951 series of the same title, (see Television page) which was likely a fully dramatized series, is that Owen would preach on the program and Gibbons would sing to tell the stories of the circuit riders.

As I researched this series I discovered another locally produced program that told the history of the Circuit Riders, and I will save that for another post.

Sources for this post:
Gibbons, Bob. (19??). The story presents bob gibbons. Lexington, KY. The Story, Inc.

Lenten services to be held. 1964, March 20. Warren Record [Warrenton, North Carolina]
http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073168/1964-03-20/ed-1/seq-12.pdf

Monday, September 16, 2019

Classic Jack Hamm Cartoon: In Proper Order

"In Proper Order" by Jack Hamm. 
This Jack Hamm panel was distributed to newspapers the week of December 13, 1953. The scripture is Matthew 6:33, which states:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Television Page Reaches 500 Views!!!


The Television Programs page which was launched nearly 4 years ago hit 500 views sometime before May 22, 2019. Along with the Radio Programs page which reached 2500 views this month, the of views for this resource has almost doubled beginning in 2018.

I hope and will pray the programs and ministries listed on the TV page will continue to encourage people to find quality Biblical dramatic & creative programming, and that it will showcase the history of Christian broadcasting.

To visitors from 6 continents who use this resource each week, God Bless and Thank You!

- James R. Stewart Jr.

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Radio Page Reaches 2500 Views!!! Thank You!




The Radio Programs page which was launched nearly 4 years ago hit 2500 views sometime before May 3, 2019. The number of views for this resources has almost doubled beginning in 2018.

I hope and will pray the programs and ministries listed will continue to encourage people to find quality Biblical dramatic radio programming. I am also aware that people from 6 continents use this resource each week from many nations including Russia, Canada, India, Krygyzstan, Poland, China and many more nation.

God Bless and Thank You!

- James R. Stewart Jr.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Vintage Bible Teaching Tools: Canon Bible Programs/Double Sixteen Company



Double-Sixteen or "DOSIX" was an educational A/V company based in Wheaton, IL that was founded as early as 1957 and incorporated in 1960 by brothers James Canon and Thomas W. Canon. They developed Bible story films strips known as the "Canon Bible Programs" around 1966. Available as classroom 35mm filmstrips and for the General Electric Show N’ Tell Phono-Viewers, the Canon Bible kit reportedly sold over 2 million copies from 1966 to 1981. The company was later renamed Canon Publishing LTD. I have been fortunate to acquire 6 of the Canon Instructional Modules that include filmstrips, booklets, with audio-cassettes.

From WorldCat.org here is list of 49 known titles:

Zacchaeus meets Jesus.
The Walls of Jericho fall.
Jesus stills the storm.
Jesus is alive again.
Boy Jesus visits the temple.
The Last Supper.
Joseph has strange dreams.
Jesus raises Lazarus to life.
Naaman's leprosy is healed.
Noah builds an ark.
Elisha helps a poor widow.
Paul is shipwrecked.
Jesus feeds 5,000 people.
Israel crosses the Red Sea.
A Samaritan helps a traveler.
Samuel lives in God's house.
God made the first family.
Timothy learns to serve God.
The Lost lamb.
Jesus blesses the children.
Paul and Silas sing in jail.
The People build a Tabernacle.
Baby Moses is kept safe.
Ezra teaches God's word.
Joseph is kind to his brothers.
God creates living creatures.
Jesus chooses helpers.
Jesus ascends to heaven.
Jesus visits Mary and Martha.
Saul sees a great light.
David spares Saul's life.
Rebekah is a willing helper.
David is chosen to be King.
The Prodigal son returns.
Peter meets Cornelius.
Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem.
Joseph is sold by his brothers.
Abraham lets Lot choose first.
Dorcas helps others.
Peter walks on the sea.
Elijah meets Baal's priests.
The Unforgiving servant.
David meets Goliath.
God sends plagues to Egypt.
David is a shepherd boy.
Jesus heals Jairus's daughter.
Friends bring a sick man to Jesus.
God creates land, water and plants.
Jesus goes to Calvary.

For more information on the Double-Sixteen, Canon Bible Programs:

WorldCat listing of Double-Sixteen, Canon Bible Programs (they seem to be unavailable at most libraries) - https://www.worldcat.org/profiles/archivebuilder/lists/3883604

Obituary for Thomas William Canon - Hultgren Funeral Home
https://www.hultgrenfh.com/obituaries/print?o_id=2518619

""Moganga" Wins Award At Missionary Film Festival". Business Screen Magazine Vol. 6, No. 18, 1957 that mentions James Canon of Double-Sixteen as a film judge.
http://www.archive.org/stream/business1957screenmav18rich#page/n572/mode/1up



Sunday, April 21, 2019

Vintage Bible Teaching Tools: Broadman Films "The Easter Story"


An amazing find for my growing Bible audio-visual collection is a number of classroom filmstrips and cassettes from the 1960s and 1970s. One of these sets was found just in time for this Easter or Resurrection Sunday. 


Broadman Films was the A/V division of Broadman Publsihing, today known as Broadman-Holman Publishing. Scores of filmstrips and audio materials were produced for home, church and classroom use by Broadman. 


The complete film strip "The Easter Story" from 1966 has a remarkable amount of its original color illustrations by Ralph McDonald intact. The instructors books overviews story with black & white copies of the images, and gives lines for the narration, anthems, cantatas, hymns, and songs to used to present the story of Easter.

Friday, April 19, 2019

Classic Jack Hamm Cartoon: Grave Torn Asunder


This Jack Hamm illustration was published Sunday, April 18, 1954, 65 years ago. The scripture used is John 11, verses 25-26 (KJV), words Jesus spoke to Martha the sister of Lazarus shortly before raising him from the dead:

"...I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."




Sunday, March 17, 2019

Vintage Bible Teaching Tools: New Testament Scripture Box


This interesting wooden box was found in a thrift store over a year ago. It is hard to say when it was made and no manufacturer's name was found within. The front featured a very cracked and faded image of Christ in the Garden of Gesethamine.  


About 20 1" X 2" inch scripture cards with New King James Version translated text were located inside. 

He has made everything beautiful in its time - Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NKJV)

I hope to learn more about this box and how it was made, and also hope that sharing these images has been inspirational to someone. 


Sunday, March 10, 2019

Vintage Bible Teaching Tools: Scripture Stamps

"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." - John 3:7.

It has been a while since my last post, but I have no plans of closing shop. In my research on Bible-based drama across various audio-visual media I run into fun examples of Sunday School tools and instructional media from the past.

Cover for a "Scripture Stamps" booklet. Date unknown. Warner Press. Anderson, Indiana. 


"Scripture Stamps" were a product of the Warner Press company that were distributed as early as the 1930s. This booklet in my collection may be from the 1960s or 1970s. The ideas was to attach these one inch scriptures with your cards, letters, and packages in the hopes that they would "produce eternal revenue through the silent effective preaching of the Gospel."

The original size of each of these stamps is about 1.25" inch by 12/16" inch.
"The Father sent the Sone to be Saviour of the World" - 1 John 4:14


I think materials like these stamps are still every effective (think about all the memes and other Gospel spreading graphics used in social media today). Stamps can still be used when sending out your cards, invitations, care packages and other materials in the mail or in person. Today there are rubber stamps and scrapbooking products similar to these stamps, but I am not aware of anything close to the original "Scripture Stamps" on the market today. These could be made today by a church ministry using desktop publishing and/or illustration software when making care packages.

A set of green and red "Scripture Stamps". 

This last group of stamps may not have belonged to the "Scripture Stamps" series and were found in the back of the booklet. However I can think of no better image or question to end this post. 

If anyone recalls using the "Scripture Stamps" please leave a comment with this article.