Beeson podcast, Episode 424
Christmas special
December 25, 2018

Announcer:          Welcome to the Beeson Podcast, coming to you from Beeson Divinity School on the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Now your host, Timothy George.

Timothy George:     Christmas greetings on this special Beeson Podcast. We invite you to listen today to some wonderful Christian music that is offered by a fine choir of young people, the Advent Episcopal Day School from the Cathedral Church of the Advent in downtown Birmingham. You'll love this. I'm going to begin by reading the Christmas story from the King James Version of the Bible. And I'm holding in my hands a particular edition of the King James Version that was loaned to me by Sandy Brinson, who was for many years our wonderful receptionist and greeter and just a ray of sunshine in our school. When she retired from Beeson, she left in my charge her King James Version of the Bible, and I love to use it.

Timothy George:     We're going to read the Christmas story here, the music, and then later in this podcast, so stay tuned, you'll hear the Christmas story read by Kristen Padilla from a more contemporary translation. The Message by Eugene Peterson. This comes to you with our love and gratitude for your prayers and support for the Beeson Podcast and for Beeson Divinity School. All of you who listen and write us faithfully, we're so glad to have you as a part of our larger family. Now, let's listen to the Christmas story from the King James version of the Bible.

Timothy George:     Luke 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. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife being great with child."

Timothy George:     "And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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. And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. The Angel said unto, fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be assigned unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill, toward men."

Timothy George:     (music)

Kristen Padilla:    A reading from Luke 2 from The Message. "About that time, Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be throughout the empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So, Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth, up to Bethlehem, in Judah, David's town for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiance, who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her first born. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger because there was no room in the hostel."

Kristen Padilla:    "There were shepherds camping in a neighborhood, they had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The Angel said, don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody worldwide. A savior has just been born in David's town, a savior who is messiah and master. This is what you are to look for, a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger. At once, the Angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises. Glory to God and the heavily heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please him."

Timothy George:     Thank you, Kristen Padilla for reading to us the Christmas story from Eugene Peterson's wonderful translation of the New Testament, The Message.

Timothy George:     Well, this has been a special edition of the Beeson Podcast. We've heard the Christmas story read from the famous King James Version of 1611, and also from Eugene Peterson's The Message. And we've heard some wonderful Christmas music offered by the Advent Episcopal Day School, affiliated with the Cathedral Church of the Advent here in Birmingham, Alabama. If you'd like to know more about this wonderful choir under the direction of Mr. Rick Phillips, you can go to adventepiscopalschool.org, and that'll tell you more information about the school and about this choir. And now we wish you God's richest blessings in this holy season of remembering and celebrating the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ into our history and into our lives.

Timothy George:     (Music)

Announcer:          You've been listening to the Beeson Podcast with host Timothy George. You can subscribe to the Beeson Podcast at our website, beesondivinity.com. Beeson Divinity School is an interdenominational evangelical divinity school training men and women in the service of Jesus Christ. We pray that this podcast will aid and encourage your work, and we hope you will listen to each upcoming edition of the Beeson Podcast.