Paws & Tales

Insight for Living: What a joy it is to meet creative people. Dave Carl is one of those people. And I mean this, Dave, as I look you in the eye today. We have you to thank for creating the scripts for our Paws & Tales ministry over the years. You've written the stories and you've put them together in such a beautiful way with all the characters in it that people I know sit on the edge of their seats listening to them from one day to the next.

So catch us up for those that may not know what Paws & Tales refers to and then give us a little bit of an insight that you have regarding this ministry.

Dave Carl: I'd be thrilled to. Paws & Tales was born from your storytelling. As a young adult, I'm sitting listening to your sermons and your storytelling, and I think of Paws & Tales as an extension of your storytelling. This is a fictional world and there are all talking animals and we are using this story to sneak in biblical truths. The key is that God is just crazy in love with His children.

You can't hear that too much and we try to say it in a thousand different ways as we've created Paws & Tales. It has been around for a long, long time. We have four new episodes this last year and we have new projects in the works. We receive letters and I have one in front of me now I'd like to read to you and this just gives me pause.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you all for your ministry. I have five children and we've been listening to your podcast for years since my oldest, almost 12, was little. We love it. We waited for the new episodes with great anticipation. My fifth was born last year. She will be one at the end of this month. She was a birth diagnosis of Down syndrome.

You can imagine all of our amazement when we listened to the new episode yesterday. I was driving with them all and as the story was building, I knew something was going to be different with the baby. I did not expect it to be exactly what our family has experienced. We were all overcome with emotion. It was good and healing in a way that I can't quite explain. I know it's all God.

As we listened to the rest of the story, we were just in awe that it parallels ours so perfectly. Everything that was said, the way the church responded, all of it. We were so blessed to have had this loving welcome for our baby girl who is also very healthy and normal in all of the ways any other baby would be. We felt like someone knew us personally and made this episode just for us.

I told the kids that if they ever doubt God is real, I want them to remember this day because God told the creators of Paws & Tales to make an episode just for them. That is how we feel and we praise God for how He has worked through you all. Please pass this on to all who had a hand in making these new episodes happen. To God be the glory. Also, is there an address my kids could write to? I think they'd like to say something in their own words. Thank you so much, a family from North Dakota.

Insight for Living: When you first read that to me, Dave, some time ago, my eyes filled with tears as I thought about the remarkable fact that you created that story knowing nothing of this family and now they are hearing it and it feels like it was written, as they put it, just for them.

And that's the way God's word is. It's not truth for just generality or the open public. It's truth for you. And believe me, it's truth for me. Always relevant, always real, always on target. Thank you for your wonderful support of our ministry. As you give financially, we're able to continue touching lives that reaches people that will realize the truth is just for them.

Guest (Wildwood Narrator): Welcome to the world of Paws & Tales. Wild Mountain can be a pretty dangerous place. If you stay on the trails and stick with me, there's adventures to be had there too.

Guest (CJ Brown): Come on, CJ, jump!

Guest (Marsha Muffin): It's too far!

Guest (CJ Brown): It wasn't too far for me!

Insight for Living: Insight for Living is proud to present Paws & Tales.

Guest (Wildwood Narrator): Howdy and welcome to Wildwood. On this December afternoon, it's quite possibly the coldest day yet this winter and the snowflakes are coming down bigger than silver dollars. Despite the weather, the Cannonball is faithfully making its Sunday afternoon run.

Papa Chuck, Miss Harbor, and the club are all headed to Modesty to perform their Christmas reading at the Wednesday evening church service. They have one entire passenger car to themselves although there is another car behind them taking some railroad workers home for the night. We're just a few miles away from Modesty now and the kids have all been models of good behavior until well, now.

Guest (Goos): You give!

Guest (Ned Cleaver): No, do you?

Guest (Goos): Say uncle and I'll let you go!

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Not till you say uncle and I'll let you go!

Guest (Goos): I sat here first!

Guest (Ned Cleaver): I called first dibs!

Guest (CJ Brown): Guys, give it a rest, will you? Double headlocks are always a draw.

Guest (Goos): You give now?

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Do you?

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): There's only one way to stop them.

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Yeah, let's all pile on.

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): Bring it, Marsha?

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Yes, three sprigs. Here, Stacy!

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): Bring what?

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Our secret weapon. Take yours!

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Oh, I get it. Hey, this is good. Girl good!

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): Okay, ready? Now!

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Come here. Give me a kiss. Come here.

Guest (CJ Brown): Look out!

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Oh no, uncle, uncle! Run for your life!

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Mistletoe! First dibs. Hey, nice seat, CJ.

Guest (CJ Brown): Thanks, Ned.

Guest (Papa Chuck): You should be back by noon tomorrow. Children, find your seats. Okay, back in your seats, guys. We're almost there. Just a couple more miles and... Papa Chuck, what's happening? Hold on, everyone! Something's wrong! Brace yourselves! Hold on!

Maybe something on the tracks.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Wait, what's on the tracks?

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Oh, I bet it's a stickup!

Guest (Goos): Yeah, stickup! Maybe one of those bandit gangs from the mountain.

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Do you really think so?

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): Ned, that is not helpful.

Guest (CJ Brown): They won't take me alive! I'll smash them in the nose! I'll kick them in the shins!

Guest (Papa Chuck): Calm down and stay in your seats.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Yeah, let's stay calm until the bandits come on. Then we'll panic.

Guest (CJ Brown): Can we open a window?

Guest (Papa Chuck): Yeah, let's have a look. I can see the conductor. Let me see. Morris, what's going on?

Guest (Morris): I'm afraid there's been a snowslide in the pass. Tracks are covered. We're going to have to dig out.

Guest (Papa Chuck): Really? How long are we going to be stuck?

Guest (Morris): Tough to say. Three, maybe four hours if folks are digging on the other side.

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Oh, we're all going to freeze!

Guest (Papa Chuck): Children, settle down. How do you know if they're digging?

Guest (Morris): Oh, they're digging all right. This happens about every winter. But I'll send one of the men over on foot to tell them that you are all here and safe.

Guest (Papa Chuck): So we just sit here for four hours?

Guest (Morris): That's not a good idea. Let me come up. You see that big house up there on the hill?

Guest (Papa Chuck): Well, hard to miss it.

Guest (Morris): It's the Range Mansion. I suggest you get Miss Harbor and the kids over there while we dig. It'll be warmer and a whole lot more comfortable if he lets you in.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Who's he?

Guest (Morris): Nathan Range and his son. He's a mean old elk. He's chased about everyone off his land one time or another.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Is that really the kind of person we should be asking for hospitality?

Guest (Morris): Well, even he wouldn't have the nerve to turn a bunch of kids out in the snow. I'd say give it a go. John, Hop, move the shovels over to the side. Well, the crew's leaving to dig out. I've got to go. I'll come get you when the tracks are clear. Good luck!

Guest (Papa Chuck): Okay, let's do what he says. Okay, bundle up.

Guest (Miss Harbor): We're not going to make it in time for the service, are we?

Guest (Papa Chuck): I don't know, sweetie. Don't forget your hat, Goos. Ned, your scarf.

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Oh, I got it. Thanks.

Guest (CJ Brown): This is just the kind of danger I've been preparing for. If he turns us away, we'll need to use all of our survival skills.

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): We're walking a couple hundred yards to a mansion. All we're going to need is good manners to charm our way in.

Guest (CJ Brown): If we're counting on your charm to get us in, we might as well start looking for shelter now.

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Hysterical, CJ.

Guest (Miss Harbor): That's enough. Let's go and stay together.

Guest (Papa Chuck): I'm going to go talk with Morris for a minute. I'll catch up with you.

Guest (Wildwood Narrator): Well, it took no time at all to march through the snow and up to a rather intimidating front door on a rather intimidating house.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Say a little prayer. Here it goes. Well, they should have heard that.

Guest (Marsha Muffin): I'm scared.

Guest (Miss Harbor): It's okay, Marsha.

Guest (Ned Cleaver): You just need to keep a stiff upper lip. In a minute, we'll be sipping cocoa by the fire and you'll be happy as a clam.

Guest (Marsha Muffin): How is a clam happy?

Guest (Ned Cleaver): How do you know a clam is happy? By their smile? I think not. Now I'm scared.

Guest (Chester Range): What are you doing here?

Guest (Miss Harbor): Hello. My name is Miss Harbor and we're from Wildwood. The train is stranded until the pass is cleared and I wonder if you would allow us to impose on you until they've dug through.

Guest (CJ Brown): Stacy is very charming.

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): CJ!

Guest (Marsha Muffin): You don't seem very mean.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Marsha!

Guest (CJ Brown): Stacy is charming. Marsha is a little...

Guest (Marsha Muffin): I think Marsha is charming too.

Guest (Chester Range): I'm Chester Range. Please come in.

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Marsha's charming. Who knew?

Guest (Papa Chuck): Hey, guys!

Guest (Kids): Hey, Papa Chuck!

Guest (Papa Chuck): Hello, I'm Papa Chuck.

Guest (Chester Range): Welcome, Papa Chuck. I'm Chester Range. Please come in. Wow, look at this place. Miss Harbor, do you think I'm charming?

Guest (Miss Harbor): We all do, Marsha. Very nice place.

Guest (Chester Range): Thank you. Sorry for my poor manners. Can I take your coats? We don't have guests often. Ever.

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): Why?

Guest (Nathan Range): What are you doing here?

Guest (Miss Harbor): It's all right, guys.

Guest (Chester Range): Father, I invited them in.

Guest (Nathan Range): Well, you can invite them out! Get your coats back on. I want you all out of here this minute!

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Oh Dave, I've had another flash of genius!

Guest (Dave Carl): Really, Ned? First the bread decruster and another one too? This is going to be a very big day for you.

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Bread decruster's still in development, so that doesn't really count. No, I'm thinking it would be just a little bit of Christmas magic if we put a Paws & Tales ball cap, a Paws & Tales T-shirt, a Paws & Tales pen made from a branch of a tree...

Guest (Dave Carl): How about adding a Paws & Tales activity book?

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Please don't interrupt me, I'm in the genius zone! And then we put a Paws & Tales activity book too and we put it all in a fashionable drawstring backpack. And then we call it, Joel, drumroll please...

Guest (Joel): I have no drumroll, Ned.

Guest (Ned Cleaver): And then we call it the Paws & Tales Christmas cornucopia bag of happiness!

Guest (Dave Carl): That's the swag bag, Ned. All ready to go in the warehouse. We planned that some time ago, the Paws & Tales swag bag.

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Oh! Well, way to take my idea and run with it, fellas. Good work. Just zip on over everybody to pawsandtales.org and get your Ned's genius idea swag bag. Oh, stop tape.

Guest (Wildwood Narrator): The scene could not have been more tense. The kids and Miss Harbor just stood there in this magnificent entryway watching a father and son having a battle of wills right in front of them.

Guest (Chester Range): They are my guests.

Guest (Nathan Range): I will not have strangers banging around the house, scuffing and who knows what all!

Guest (Chester Range): I'll take care of any scuffs. They are my guests and I can't just send them back out in the snow. It would not be Christian.

Guest (Nathan Range): I'm shoveling a path to the barn. When I get done, I expect you all to be gone!

Guest (Chester Range): I'm sorry. He's not as bad as he seems. Please take off your coats and come into the study.

Guest (Papa Chuck): I think I'll go out and give a hand to your father.

Guest (Chester Range): I wouldn't if I were you.

Guest (Papa Chuck): I'll take my chances. What is his name?

Guest (Chester Range): Nathan. Nathan Range.

Guest (Marsha Muffin): I can't move!

Guest (Chester Range): Why not? I'm sorry, what was your name?

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Marsha. I'm Marsha Muffin and I'm afraid to scuff. And I sure don't want to scuff.

Guest (Ned Cleaver): I'm Ned. Ned Cleaver.

Guest (Chester Range): Nice to meet you both. It's all right.

Guest (Goos): I'm Goos. Can I take off my boots?

Guest (Chester Range): Of course you may, Goos.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Why don't we all take off our boots?

Guest (CJ Brown): CJ Brown, nice to meet you.

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): Stacy Clemmer.

Guest (Chester Range): Welcome, CJ, Stacy. Oh nuts, Miss Harbor.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Yes, CJ?

Guest (CJ Brown): I've got pretty bad socks on. Mom said put on good socks. I didn't put on good socks.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Well, you are going to have to live with it. We clearly don't want any scuffs.

Guest (CJ Brown): When will I learn?

Guest (Chester Range): Just stack them there and follow me. Oh, the floor is slippery! Hey, watch me slide!

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Ned, don't! I recommend no sliding on the floor.

Guest (Chester Range): I agree. You all right? Chester seems much nicer than his father. Miss Harbor, what would make someone so mean?

Guest (Miss Harbor): I do not know, Marsha. Chester is very nice.

Guest (Marsha Muffin): And charming. Do you think he's 13 or 14 years old?

Guest (CJ Brown): Oh brother.

Guest (Marsha Muffin): What?

Guest (Miss Harbor): That's enough. Please have a seat.

Guest (Goos): Hey, this is amazing! Have you read all those books?

Guest (Chester Range): Most of them. I certainly have the time.

Guest (Goos): You have more books than the Wildwood Library! This is amazing. Chester?

Guest (Chester Range): Yes, Stacy?

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): This is a wonderful house.

Guest (Chester Range): Thanks. But why don't you have anything Christmassy around?

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Hey, she's right. It's like Christmas didn't come here.

Guest (Chester Range): Well, it's just that we don't have time for that sort of thing. Okay, everyone, let's rehearse our play.

Guest (CJ Brown): Isn't it going to be too late when we get there anyway?

Guest (Miss Harbor): We don't know that.

Guest (Ned Cleaver): CJ, those are the worst socks I have ever seen. Didn't your mom...

Guest (CJ Brown): Yes, she did. I'm a goofball who didn't listen to my mom. Can you just laugh at me all at once and get it over with?

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Okay, I got my laughing done.

Guest (CJ Brown): Thank you.

Guest (Miss Harbor): We will use this area for the stage. Okay, come on everyone, in your places.

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Miss Harbor?

Guest (Miss Harbor): Yes, Marsha?

Guest (Marsha Muffin): I need to really...

Guest (Miss Harbor): Me too. I can imagine. Chester?

Guest (Chester Range): Yes?

Guest (Miss Harbor): May we inquire as to where the ladies' room could be found?

Guest (Chester Range): Oh sure, just there down the hall.

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Be right back!

Guest (Goos): I'm coming!

Guest (Miss Harbor): You boys can set up.

Guest (Papa Chuck): Nathan, hi. Everyone calls me Papa Chuck. Can I give you a hand?

Guest (Nathan Range): Suit yourself. Shovels are in the barn.

Guest (Papa Chuck): Beautiful place you've got here and peaceful. Most of the time. I'll bet it is. We were on our way to Modesty so the kids could perform our Christmas play for the folks at the community church.

Guest (Nathan Range): I know them well.

Guest (Papa Chuck): Really? Do you go to the church?

Guest (Nathan Range): Used to.

Guest (Papa Chuck): Oh. Okay. Is it just you, your son, and your wife that live here?

Guest (Nathan Range): No, just me and my son.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Chester, this is a beautiful photo.

Guest (Chester Range): Oh, thank you.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Is this your mother?

Guest (Chester Range): It was. She died two years ago.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Oh, I'm so sorry.

Guest (Chester Range): That's why we don't have much to do with Christmas. She was the one who loved it most. She would turn this place into a winter wonderland. Garlands, decorations. She'd make Father bring home the most enormous tree he could find. Those were the good times.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Decorating for Christmas seems like a wonderful way to honor her and relive the memories you made together.

Guest (Chester Range): That's what we don't want to do. We don't talk about her and we don't do Christmas anymore. It hurts Father too much. We don't bring her up and we act like there is no more Christmas.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Chester, that's not right.

Guest (Goos): Okie dokie, let's get on with the show! CJ, your socks that I'm done laughing about?

Guest (CJ Brown): Yes?

Guest (Goos): I may not be as done laughing as I thought. You should always wear good socks. You never know when you need to take your shoes off.

Guest (CJ Brown): You can be sure that that's a lesson I have now learned. Can we get back to rehearsal?

Guest (Miss Harbor): Okay, get into your places and let's start from the last section. From where Jesus is reading from Isaiah in the temple.

Guest (CJ Brown): Got it.

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Then Jesus went into the synagogue as was his custom and stood up to read. The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him and he opened the book and found the place where it was written, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord." Throughout history, the nation of...

Guest (Chester Range): That is Jesus' job description.

Guest (Miss Harbor): I suppose it is. Very good, Chester. What are you thinking?

Guest (Chester Range): He came to set free those who are oppressed.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Yes, He did.

Guest (Chester Range): My father and I were oppressed.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Chester, there are terrible things that happen in life. Things you cannot get over by yourself. You need others to help you heal.

Guest (Chester Range): How would you know? You're just like the folks at the church. They say they know how you feel. No one knows how we feel.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Perhaps you're right. But we've had other losses, other pains that we've had to live through. I certainly have.

Guest (Chester Range): Like what?

Guest (Miss Harbor): Well, I was married once.

Guest (Chester Range): Really?

Guest (Miss Harbor): Six months after the wedding, he left home and never came back.

Guest (Chester Range): Why?

Guest (Miss Harbor): I'm not sure why. I don't know if I did something wrong or what the reason was. That kind of pain, that kind of wound, you can't heal by yourself. You need God and He uses others to help you.

Guest (Chester Range): Didn't folks look at you with pity?

Guest (Miss Harbor): I suppose they did. But then I was pretty pitiful. For the most part, it was a loving pity. They felt bad for me and they took care of me. They told me to do things that would help me heal.

Guest (Chester Range): Like what?

Guest (Miss Harbor): Like going to church, keep talking to God, and don't give up on things like Christmas. He also came to give us life and have it abundantly.

Guest (Chester Range): Does abundant life mean without pain?

Guest (Miss Harbor): It does not. But it does mean that even in the middle of the pain, you can have hope and peace, even joy.

Guest (Chester Range): We don't have any of that. We have boxes and boxes of Christmas stuff. You want to see?

Guest (Miss Harbor): I'd love to.

Guest (Nathan Range): Well, the path is shoveled. Now it's time for you all to be on your way.

Guest (Papa Chuck): You've suffered a great loss. You are a strong and good-hearted person. But you are wrong to have turned your back on God and on everyone who tried to help you.

Guest (Nathan Range): That's your opinion.

Guest (Papa Chuck): To get over something like this, you need help. You need...

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Papa Chuck! Mr. Range! Chester's been hurt!

Guest (Nathan Range): He's what?

Guest (Ned Cleaver): He fell! I think he's hurt bad!

Guest (Goos): It's almost Christmas!

Guest (Dave Carl): It is, Goos. I love this time of year. The music, the cooler weather.

Guest (Goos): And Jesus, Dave!

Guest (Dave Carl): Yes, of course. It is all about Jesus. And the best way to keep that top of mind is to listen to the Paws & Tales Christmas episodes. They're coming up soon or you could just hop over to pawsandtales.org and listen to them today and tomorrow and the next...

Guest (Goos): That is a great idea, Goos. The Paws & Tales Christmas episodes are a great way to focus on the giving, the receiving from God, and yes, the remembering that it's all about Jesus. So put on your woolies, get a cup of cocoa, and snuggle up for some great music and fun! And don't forget about the cocoa, super important!

Guest (Dave Carl): That's pawsandtales.org.

Guest (Goos): And cocoa!

Guest (Dave Carl): Thanks, Goos.

Guest (Nathan Range): Chester! Where is he?

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): He's in the hallway!

Guest (Nathan Range): Chester! What happened?

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): He was trying to get some boxes down and I think they fell on him, knocked him off the ladder. Let's go. Try not to move it.

Guest (Chester Range): Oh, it hurts! It hurts bad!

Guest (Nathan Range): Chester, are you all right?

Guest (Chester Range): I was getting the Christmas decorations down. I'm sorry, Father.

Guest (Nathan Range): That's all right. Where does it hurt?

Guest (Chester Range): My shoulder! I think it's broken!

Guest (Papa Chuck): We've got to get him to a doctor.

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): The train should be able to get through soon.

Guest (Papa Chuck): How is he?

Guest (Miss Harbor): He thinks he's broke his shoulder.

Guest (Chester Range): Am I going to be all right?

Guest (Nathan Range): Of course you are. Just try and be still. Maybe ice? Should we get some ice on it?

Guest (Papa Chuck): Let me take a look. I've taken a few falls in my time. Chester, it's all right. I need to press here.

Guest (Nathan Range): Stop it! That's enough!

Guest (Papa Chuck): It's not broken.

Guest (Nathan Range): It's not? How do you know?

Guest (Papa Chuck): I did the same thing once. His shoulder's out of the socket. It hurts like crazy, but it's not broken.

Guest (Nathan Range): What do we do?

Guest (Papa Chuck): We put it back in.

Guest (Nathan Range): How do we do that?

Guest (Papa Chuck): Nathan, you hold him down and I'll pull on his arm and pop it back in place.

Guest (Nathan Range): You're going to pull on it?

Guest (Nathan Range): You'll do no such thing!

Guest (Miss Harbor): You can't just leave it like it is.

Guest (Nathan Range): If it's not broken, it'll take care of itself.

Guest (Papa Chuck): No, it won't. It'll get worse. It'll hurt awful bad when I pop it back in and then it'll be over. He'll feel better and it'll heal fine. There's no other way.

Guest (Nathan Range): I don't know.

Guest (Chester Range): He's got to do it, Father. Just let him do it.

Guest (Nathan Range): How do I hold him?

Guest (Papa Chuck): Let him lie down and you keep his back to the floor. Ready, son?

Guest (Chester Range): Yep.

Guest (Papa Chuck): One, two, three! It's back in. He'll be fine. That hurt.

Guest (Chester Range): I know it did. It already feels better. Papa Chuck, thank you.

Guest (Nathan Range): Welcome.

Guest (Papa Chuck): You're not going to want to move that for a few days. You probably want to get a sling.

Guest (Miss Harbor): I think we can take care of that. Mr. Range, do you have an old sheet or linens that we could make a sling out of?

Guest (Nathan Range): Of course. In the closet around the corner. Let's get you to your room. Here we go. Don't cry, Father. I'm fine.

Guest (Nathan Range): Yes, you are.

Guest (Wildwood Narrator): Well, they got Chester all fixed up in his room. Between Miss Harbor and the kids, Chester was being served hand and foot. Papa Chuck and a very tired Nathan Range sat in the study staring into the fire, just thinking some serious thoughts.

Guest (Nathan Range): I needed you.

Guest (Papa Chuck): Excuse me?

Guest (Nathan Range): I couldn't have cared for him without you.

Guest (Papa Chuck): Just glad we were here. Maybe the train is clear.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Is it the train?

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Maybe so!

Guest (CJ Brown): Is the train ready to go?

Guest (Papa Chuck): We'll know here in a minute. CJ, you really ought to wear better socks.

Guest (CJ Brown): I will, from now on, forever.

Guest (Pastor Nash): Oh hey, Nathan. Sorry to bother you, but we heard that the group from Wildwood is here.

Guest (Nathan Range): Welcome, Pastor Nash. It's no bother and come on in.

Guest (Pastor Nash): Well, there's a whole lot of us out here.

Guest (Nathan Range): Did you bring the whole church?

Guest (Pastor Nash): Almost! Hey, Papa Chuck!

Guest (Papa Chuck): Pastor Nash, good to see you! What are you doing here?

Guest (Pastor Nash): Well yes, we heard that you were stranded here, so I wanted to get a couple of sleighs together and come out to your rescue. Well, as it turned out, almost everyone wanted to come too. Hello, Miss Harbor.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Pastor Nash!

Guest (Nathan Range): Well come on in, all of you, and warm up by the fire.

Guest (Pastor Nash): You really mean it?

Guest (Nathan Range): I do mean it. You're welcome here. You're all welcome here. Nathan, you look good.

Guest (Chester Range): Father, what is it?

Guest (Nathan Range): Well, it seems it's the whole church. They came to get Papa Chuck, Miss Harbor, and the kids.

Guest (Pastor Nash): Hey there, Chester. What's wrong with your arm, son?

Guest (Nathan Range): We'll tell you all about it. Everyone, find a seat and I'll put on some coffee.

Guest (Stacy Clemmer): We'll help!

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Yeah, we'll help!

Guest (Nathan Range): Thank you, girls.

Guest (Miss Harbor): Well, we couldn't get to the church, but the church came to us. Should we perform here?

Guest (Chester Range): Please do! The study is big enough to hold everyone.

Guest (Nathan Range): I don't see why not.

Guest (Papa Chuck): That would be splendid. Nathan?

Guest (Nathan Range): Let's move some chairs into the study.

Guest (Marsha Muffin): Look at all the Christmas decorations! There's boxes of them. Mr. Range, would you allow us to put up some of the decorations?

Guest (Chester Range): Can they, Father?

Guest (Nathan Range): I would be very grateful if you would.

Guest (Kids): Let's get to work, ladies!

Guest (Nathan Range): Papa Chuck, thank you for your help. Thank you for everything.

Guest (Papa Chuck): Merry Christmas, Nathan.

Guest (Ned Cleaver): Hey, where's the Christmas tree?

Guest (Nathan Range): I guess we'll need to go out and get one!

Guest (Kids): Can we help?

Guest (Nathan Range): Yes, you may. Chester, can we get some good socks for CJ?

Guest (CJ Brown): This is so embarrassing.

Guest (Papa Chuck): Merry Christmas, everyone!

Guest (Wildwood Narrator): Nathan and Chester turned the corner that year. They had asked Jesus to forgive them and save them from their sins years ago. But that Christmas, they let Jesus show them how to live. How about this Christmas you quit just getting by? Maybe this is your Christmas to let Jesus set you free.

Guest (Singer): In Bethlehem was born a holy baby all the faithful had been waiting for that night. As Emmanuel was lying in a manger, they knew He'd come to bring His glorious light. Shining in the darkness, He sets the captives free. Because of His great love for us, there's new life for you and me.

He is the peace that stills our souls. He is the joy that makes us whole. He is the hope of every lonely heart that's broken. And in Him, we will never be alone. So let your heart become His home. Come to His manger and see Jesus Christ the Lord, the Savior He was born to set you free.

When you find the world's left you forsaken, He's the one who knows your sorrows and your fears. No matter how your life's been torn or shaken, He'll be there to help you through the tears. Shining in the darkness, He comforts like a friend and offers us His healing touch so we can live again.

He is the peace that stills our souls. He is the joy that makes us whole. He is the hope of every lonely heart that's broken. And in Him, we will never be alone. So let your heart become His home. Come to His manger and see Jesus Christ the Lord, the Savior He was born to set you free.

He is the peace that stills our souls. He is the joy that makes us whole. He is the hope of every lonely heart that's broken. And in Him, we will never be alone. So let your heart become His home. Come to His manger and see Jesus Christ the Lord, the Savior He was born to set you free. Oh, He came to set you free.

Dave Carl: The Road to Christmas was written by Gary Armstrong and Dave Carl and directed by Dave Carl. The song, Set You Free, was written by Sandy Howell and Jody Franklin. Music was by Tim Hosman and our sound designer was Eric Baez.

Insight for Living: Don't miss the Paws & Tales Christmas special.

Guest (Miss Harbor): It's about Christmas. It's about your parents giving and you receiving.

Guest (Nathan Range): You don't say. All my life, I've been working under the assumption that Christmas was about Jesus.

Guest (Miss Harbor): It is about Jesus.

Guest (Papa Chuck): Wipe that frown off your face, you grouch! Christmas just came to Wildwood.

Insight for Living: Be sure to join us next week for another episode of Paws & Tales.