On this day in 1982 the movie E.T. opened in theaters.

E.T. was one of the most popular movies ever produced, setting box office records in 1982 and continuing to gain viewers and fans ever since.

E.T. stands for “extra-terrestrial”—a being from outside the earth, an “alien.” In the movie, a group of these aliens visit earth but have to leave quickly, leaving one of them behind. A 10-year-old boy, Elliot, finds the alien. The two begin to communicate and soon become friends. E.T learns about life on earth, and Elliot learns about the true meaning of friendship. E.T. wants to go home, but Elliot knows that if he helps E.T., he’ll lose a friend. And the adventure continues.

For many years people have wondered about life on other planets and possible alien visits. Occasionally, someone will report seeing a “flying saucer” (possible space ship). And science fiction shows and books with stories of Martians and other visitors have millions of fans.

Some of these stories, like E.T., picture the alien as friendly. But most depict aggressive and hostile figures. All are fiction.

The real visitor to earth from the outside came about 2000 years ago. We know tons about him, even his name—Jesus. And he didn’t come from another planet or galaxy; he came from heaven, from his Father.

Jesus not only visited earth, he actually became an “earthling,” a human being. Fully God, he became fully man and was born as a baby, in a manger. After living a perfect life, Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Then he rose from death and returned to his heavenly home.

Jesus wants to be your friend. Even more important, he wants to be your Savior! And he wants you, eventually, to come to live with him.

He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. (Philippians 2:7)

To Do

Reread the Christmas story—Luke 1 & 2.

Also on this day . . .

1910—Jacques-Yves Cousteau was born. He was the famous French underwater explorer who invented the aqua-lung.

1912—Silas Christoferson became the first pilot to take off from the roof of a hotel (but why?).

1919—Sir Barton became the first horse to capture the Triple Crown when he won the Belmont Stakes in New York.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.