Happy Easter and Resurrection Sunday 2023

Christmas Library 2021: Treasures From The Library

In researching the history of Bible Storytelling Media, I have come across many unique books, movies and other comics about Christmas, specifically the birth of Christ. They make for wonderful gifts and keepsakes.

It is impossible to read or view them all in one holiday season. The Christmas Library theme is a way to share some of these findings. In the image above I have VHS tapes of Christian Christmas Specials, books, a mini Nativity, an Al Hartley Spire Comic book and a rare set of cards on behalf of the Orphan Children of Bethlehem with artifacts from the Middle East.

My beautiful wife is Shavon is a doll collector. An extra special treasure from her collection are these dolls of Jesus and little children. 

May God Bless You and Yours This Christmas Day, and in the Days to Come.

- James

Christmas Library 2021 - Christmas Lights In The Darkness

 

Christmas is celebrated each year with an uncountable number of lights, flickering candles, luminarias, and even fireworks. Christmas to me is the world's largest birthday party. It is amazing that more lights are lit in the darkest nights of the year than in any other season. He is light in the darkness. The lights of Christmas can be a strong reminder that Jesus Christ is The Light Of The World.......and we are to let our light shine in a dark world. Collectively, the body of Christ can glow like a giant strand of Christmas lights.

Please feel free to share these devotional flyers this Christmas Season.

A Cathedral Films Easter with the "Living Christ" Series

Cathedral Films was the audiovisual ministry of the Rev. James K. Friedrich a pioneering of Christian filmmaking. The ministry's filmmaking peaked in the 1950s with the production of the "Living Christ" series, a 12 episode dramatization of the life of Christ that aired on television in 1951. According to some sources, it was the first miniseries produced for television. This series may have aired for years on television since it was produced in color. 

10 of the 12 episodes starred Robert Holton a minister's son (sometimes credited as Robert Wilson) as Christ with many reliable Hollywood supporting actors in the cast like Tyler McVey as Simon Peter, silent film veteran Gayne Whitman as Judas Iscariot, Jeanne Bates as Mary (sister of Lazurus) and Mel Marshall as John the Disciple. 

Posted below are the final 3 chapters for Easter Sunday.

Here is Chapter 10 "Retreat and Decision"

Chapter 11 is called "Triumph and Defeat"

The 12th and final chapter is called "Crucifixion and Resurrection".

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)

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 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:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 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.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 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

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.