A Very Special Christmas 

What If You Had Been There When Jesus Was Born?

Put yourself at the cradle and consider what your heart feels. Set your eyes on Jesus.  Consider what it might have been like if you had been there that first Christmas morning. What might you have said?

The Story Behind the Filming of the Beautiful Nativity Scene in Mr. Krueger’s Christmas 

Jimmy Stewart agreed to do the Mr. Krueger’s Christmas (1980) because he believed it would promote the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas “has come to be connected with Santa Claus, gifts, lights, decorations, trees,” Stewart said. “We may be guilty of forgetting that Christmas is really the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.”

During the filming of the movie, the actor approached one scene with great solemnity. It was the scene of him talking to Jesus. Before the filming of that scene began, he announced, “I’ve got only one of these in me. Everyone who doesn’t need to be here, get them out. Tell them I want this to go well. I can do other takes, but this will be the right one. There will only be one.”

After he finished the scene, [the producer] asked the cameraman, “Did you get it?”

“I hope so,” he replied, “because I was crying.”

Later, after production was finished, [the producer] took the final product to Stewart’s house. He watched the movie with Stewart and his wife Gloria. When it was finished, Gloria left the room in tears.

“So, what do you think?” he asked Stewart.

“Well,” he said after a long pause, “Gloria is my best critic. I guess we did good.” ¹

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While “Mr. Krueger’s Christmas” is a great Jimmy Stewart Christmas movie, the actor is best remembered for his portrayal of George Baily in “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  In that movie, Stewart’s character went from despair to joyful hope after considering what it might have been like if he had died at a young age.  Seeing the impact his life had on family and friends, Stewart’s character George Baily was thankful. He came to understand that God is always with us and has a plan and purpose for our lives.

Similarly, in “Mr. Krueger’s Christmas,” Stewart’s character exhibited a grateful heart. He gives thanks for the Lord Jesus Christ’s presence throughout his life.  This clip is just as moving, as meaningful, as joy-filled, and as thankful as the message of George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Making it Personal

Remember, Jesus came for every one of us.

For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16).

Jesus came to live among His creation and to show us what it means to sacrificially love and serve others. And then He willingly went to the cross and gave His life to pay for our sins so one day we can enter into the presence of God in Heaven.

In the first coming of Jesus, God sent His Son into our world (John 3:16).  But the verse doesn’t stop there. The verse tells that in order to have eternal life one must believe on Jesus.  That means to believe in one’s heart and confess with one’s mouth to receive salvation (Rom 10:9-10).

Chances are, if you are reading this, that you belong to Jesus.  But what about your friends, family, neighbors, business associates, etc?

Everyone needs to know Jesus to receive the eternal life Jesus spoke of in John 3:16.

Commit today to share the love of Jesus and the saving grace He offers to all.  Start the New Year off right by being an ambassador of hope to tell everyone about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember, Jesus will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5).  He’s always with you (Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:38-39).  Show your love for Jesus by being ready always to give a reason for the HOPE that you have (1 Peter 3:15).  Visit our Salvation Page for verses to share. We’ve had many people visit the page and then email us that they prayed the prayer of repentance of sin and faith in Jesus.

Get equipped. Be encouraged.  Be bold.
Share JESUS with a lost and dying world.

¹ https://www.deseretnews.com/article/565037415/Jimmy-Stewart-brought-life-to-Mr-Krueger.html