Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: KNX The Heart To Heart Hour 1935-12-22 – Christmas Program
Date: November 29, 2025 (Original broadcast: December 22, 1935)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of the Heart to Heart Hour, presented by Reverend Charles E. Fuller and broadcast on KNX, “The Voice of Hollywood,” is a special Christmas program. The episode is dedicated to sharing the spirit of Christmas through music, prayer, and heart-to-heart ministry, with a particular focus on the biblical theme of “gifts”—especially the spiritual gift of the Holy Spirit. Reverend Fuller offers encouragement, comfort, and spiritual reflection to listeners scattered across the western United States and Canada, drawing together a virtual congregation for the holiday season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening and Dedications

[01:03–07:00]

• Reverend Fuller opens the Christmas broadcast by extending a “big hearty Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” to the radio audience, dedicating this program to the Baptist young people of Albany, Oregon and Lenore, Idaho, as well as other listeners.
• He shares that groups are gathering in homes, decorating with fireplaces and Christmas trees to recreate a family atmosphere and foster fellowship.
• Special mentions to listeners, including visitors in the studio from Saskatchewan, as an example of the far reach and community formed by the program.

Christmas Music and Community

[07:00–11:00]

• The Fountain Avenue Baptist Choir performs “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Oh, Come All Ye Faithful,” directed to specific individuals and families, fostering a sense of personal connection.
• The mood is festive and filled with shared joy, with stories of congregation members fixing up their rooms “to give it the appearance of a home.”

Program Notices and Listener Engagement

[11:00–15:00]

• Fuller announces upcoming programs, studies on biblical books, and the “Prophetic Lamp Hour.”
• Listeners are encouraged to write in for devotional leaflets, the “Heart to Heart talks,” and photographs. The host notes the overwhelming appreciation received from listeners.
• Special thanks are extended for the letters and interest from “far and wide.”

Comfort and Compassion in the Holiday Season

[13:00–17:49]

• Acknowledges that for many, Christmas is a time of solitude or grief, mentioning “lonely hearts” and “empty chairs” for those who have lost loved ones.
• The choir sings “God Will Take Care of You” dedicated to specific individuals who were recently bereaved—including “Grandma Garnett of Leavenworth, Washington.”
• Fuller offers reassurance:

  “Yes he will, my friend, God will take care of you. And we're thankful tonight that we have a high priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” [17:49]

Stories of Changed Lives

[17:50–22:00]

• Reverend Fuller shares moving testimonies from veterans who were touched by previous broadcasts and experienced spiritual transformation.
• Emphasizes that such stories and letters bring the hosts great joy and underscore the impact of radio ministry.

  “It just rejoices our heart and just makes us bubble over with joy when we get letters and cards like that.” [18:10]

Musical Tributes and Prayer

[22:00–26:00]

• The choir sings classic hymns such as “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” for listeners celebrating special occasions and facing challenges.
• Fuller leads a heartfelt prayer, giving thanks for “the unspeakable gift, the gift of Thy Son.”

  “For if thou hast told us in Thy word that thou didst so love the world that thou didst give thine only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” [23:34]

Emphasis on Christ as the Source of Peace

[26:00–33:00]

• The host encourages listeners facing uncertainty or sorrow to turn to Christ.

  “Is there anyone can help us? One who understands our hearts…just the very, very blessing that we need… Yes, there’s one. Only one. The blessed, blessed Jesus. He’s the One.” [28:30]

• Choir performs “He’s the One,” aiming to bring comfort to troubled hearts.
• Fuller points out that all efforts are for “those that are outside of Christ and to build up the saints in the faith.”

Main Sermon: The Gift of the Holy Spirit

[32:13–52:26]

Introduction to the Theme

[32:13–34:00]

• Drawing from Acts 2:38, Fuller introduces “the gift of the Holy Spirit” as the main scriptural focus.

  “I want to speak upon those few words... the gift of the Holy Spirit.” [32:30]

Four Great Biblical Gifts

[34:05–36:30]

• 1. The gift of Christ by God to the world (John 3:16)
• 2. The gift of the Church by the Father to Christ (John 17:6)
• 3. The gift of the believer’s self to God for service (Ephesians 2:10)
• 4. The gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Luke 11:13)

Encouragement to Young People

• Speaks directly to the young people listening, urging them to “present your body as a living sacrifice” and to find joy in serving God’s purposes.

Personal Testimony

• Shares his own experience of surrendering to God’s plan, emphasizing that God takes “weak things, despised things, to bring to naught the things that are.”

The Holy Spirit: Promised, Powerful, Peculiar, Poured-Out, Purchased

[38:00–51:30]

• Promised Gift: Jesus promised to send the Comforter (John 14:16).
  “We find that he was promised a gift to the church and that the Holy Spirit is here tonight.” [39:00]
• Powerful Gift: Symbolized by wind and fire at Pentecost; brings conviction, courage, and purpose.
• Peculiar Gift: Transforms ordinary people—“Peter, that once a coward, now a man of courage.”
• Poured-Out Gift: “The Holy Spirit was poured out without measure… a mighty ocean of power.”
• Purchased Gift: The most costly gift, made possible through Christ’s sacrifice.

  “It cost God's heart to give his son...there's a gift tonight that far outshines the diamonds and the rubies and the gold and the silver and all the precious stones. That's the gift of the Holy Spirit.” [46:44–51:56]

Personal Anecdote on Gift-Giving

[52:26–54:40]

• Shares a story about a hard-working father buying a Christmas toy for his child, illustrating the concept of sacrificial giving and tying it to God’s gift of the Holy Spirit.

How to Receive the Gift

[54:40–55:30]

• “Repentance towards God precedes the reception of the Holy Spirit. And repentance is taking God’s side against oneself.”

Closing Reflections & Prayer

[55:30–end]

• The effects of receiving the Holy Spirit: confession of Christ, steadfastness, consecration, and transformation.
• Reverend Fuller’s final plea:

  “May tonight, the Sunday evening prior to Christmas, when men and women are receiving gifts by the score, may you and I receive the Holy Spirit in all of his fullness and go out and be a firebrand, an ambassador for him.” [52:26–end]

• Ends with prayer for hundreds to “desire and hunger and thirst for the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dedication to Listeners:
  “We dedicate graciously and gladly the services tonight to you dear young people out in radio Land.” [03:16]

• On Community:
  “My, how rich we are tonight. Mrs. and I, Rich in your friendship. I don't know when we received so many appreciative letters.” [11:00]

• Christmas Comfort:
  “Some of you have some empty chairs. Some loved ones have gone on spending their first Christmas in the glory above.” [13:40]

• Testifying to Transformation:
  “He said, ‘I am a disabled war veteran and I'm giving my heart to the Lord tonight…’ It just rejoices our heart and just makes us bubble over with joy.” [18:00]

• Main Message Summed Up:
  “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” [32:13]

• Call to Sacrifice:
  “The greatest business this side of glory is to be a humble child of God, an ambassador carrying the good news of salvation.” [35:29]

• On Costly Gifts:
  “It cost God's heart to give his son. It cost God all that he had to give his precious Son. For you and for me, it's a purchased gift, a costly gift.” [51:20]

• Encouragement for Spiritual Renewal:
  “May you have the joy of experiencing his fullness by opening up your heart and letting him come in.” [End]

Important Timestamps for Reference

• Dedication & Holiday Wishes: 01:03–03:30
• Choir: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”: 04:00–05:15
• Announcements and Listener Requests: 07:00–11:00
• Choir: “O Come All Ye Faithful”: 07:50–08:40
• Dedication and community stories: 11:00–13:00
• Choir: “God Will Take Care of You”: 14:00–15:30
• Story of Converted Veteran & Letters: 17:49–19:30
• Choir: “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”: 21:00–22:00
• Prayer: 23:34–25:00
• Host's main sermon begins (“Gift of the Holy Spirit”): 32:13
• Personal Testimony: 36:45–37:40
• Reflections on the cost of giving: 52:26–54:40
• Closing prayers and scripture: 54:40–end

Tone and Style

The tone is warm, pastoral, and direct, often speaking straight to listeners as “friends in radio land.” The broadcast is a blend of personal storytelling, scriptural teaching, musical worship, and practical encouragement, with a focus on comfort, spiritual uplift, and Christmas goodwill.

For those who missed it:
This episode delivers a timeless Christmas message of hope, comfort, and spiritual renewal, using heartfelt stories, classic hymns, and intimate biblical teaching to bring listeners together in the true spirit of the season. Reverend Fuller’s reflections on the “gifts” of God—culminating in the gift of the Holy Spirit—are as relevant today as they were in 1935, offering both solace and challenge to live in faith and service.