Host
Welcome to Spotlight. I’m Colin Lowther. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
In today’s Spotlight we tell a famous story. In fact, it may be the most famous story in history! This is the Christmas Story. It is about the birth of a special baby. The story begins 2,000 years ago in the small town of Nazareth in ancient Israel.
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Narrator
At that time, a man named Caesar Augustus was the leader of the Roman Kingdom. Augustus wanted officials to count each person of his kingdom. So he ordered a census. Each family in the kingdom had to return to its home town. A man named Joseph lived in the town of Nazareth. Joseph was engaged to a woman named Mary. Soon, they would be married. Joseph’s family was from the town of Bethlehem. So Joseph and Mary had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
This trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was long. And Mary was very pregnant. She would have a baby very soon. So Mary and Joseph had to travel slowly. As they travelled, Mary remembered a time before she was pregnant. One day about a year ago, an angel had visited her. This messenger of God called himself Gabriel. Gabriel said:
Gabriel
“Mary! You are truly blessed. God is with you.”
Narrator
Mary was surprised and frightened. But the angel said:
Gabriel
“Do not be afraid! God is very pleased with you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must name him Jesus. He will be great and people will call him the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king. He will rule forever over his people. His Kingdom will never end.”
Narrator
Mary was engaged to Joseph. But she was not married. They had never had sex. Mary wondered how she would become pregnant. But the angel said:
Gabriel
“God’s Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of God will come over you. Because of this, the child will be holy. People will call him the Son of God.”
Narrator
Mary answered the angel simply.
Mary
“I serve the Lord. May it happen to me just as you said it would.”
Narrator
Now Mary was pregnant, and travelling to Bethlehem. After almost a week, they finally arrived.
Joseph began to look for a place to stay. He asked a man in a house nearby.
Joseph
“I am Joseph. This is Mary. We are in Bethlehem to be counted in the census. And we are looking for a place to rest for the night. Can we stay here, in one of your empty rooms?”
Narrator
The man told him:
Innkeeper 1
“No, we have no room for visitors.”
Narrator
Joseph continued to ask for a room at many houses. But no one had any room for the tired couple. Finally, one man told them:
Innkeeper 2
“I see that the woman is very pregnant. We do not have any room inside the house. However, you can stay outside in our stable. It is not a comfortable room. This is where our animals stay. But, it will be a shelter and you can find some soft straw to lie on.”
Narrator
Joseph and Mary agreed to stay in the man’s stable. In one corner there was a small manger. The manger held hay, a kind of grass, for the animals to eat. While Mary and Joseph were there, the time came for Mary’s baby to be born.
Mary
“Joseph it’s time! This baby will be born tonight!”
Joseph
“Are you sure?!”
Mary
“Yes! Hurry! I am sure tonight will be the night!
Narrator
It was late at night. The stars shined brightly over the stable. Finally, Mary’s baby was born. Mary praised God for the gift of a healthy baby. She tied cloth around him to keep him warm. There was no place to lay him, so Mary laid him in the manger. The soft hay grass was the baby’s bed. Joseph and Mary named the baby Jesus.
On the same night, in a different part of Bethlehem there was a group of shepherds. They were watching their flocks of sheep. The shepherds settled down for the night. While some of the shepherds slept, others stayed awake to watch the sheep. Suddenly, a heavenly angel appeared in the sky. God’s light shined all around them. The shepherds were extremely frightened.
Shepherd 1
“What is that!?”
Shepherd 2
“I have never seen anything like that before!”
Shepherd 1
“Hide!”
Shepherd 2
“No, stay here, the angel is about to speak!”
Heavenly Angel
“Do not be afraid! I am here to announce a great and joyful event. This event will bless all people around the world. A savior has just been born in Bethlehem. The savior will be the Messiah and King. Go and look for him. This is what you will look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.
Narrator
Immediately, a large crowd of angels appeared. The angels sang “Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him!” The shepherds were amazed by the angels.
When the angels left them, they began to talk.
Shepherd 1
“We must go to Bethlehem!”
Shepherd 2
“Yes! We need to see this savior who has been born!”
Narrator
So the shepherds left their sheep. They began running toward Bethlehem to find the new baby. They searched everywhere. Finally, they found Mary and Joseph. They found the baby, Jesus, wrapped in cloth and lying in the manger. They fell to their knees to worship the newly born baby.
As the shepherds left, they praised God. They told everyone they met about what the angels had said about the baby. Everyone who heard their story was amazed.
In the small stable, Mary comforted her new baby. She held him close. She would remember this special night through her whole life.
Host
This is the amazing story of Jesus’ birth. Every year at Christmas, Christians celebrate this event. They tell this story. Children and adults perform the story in plays. They tell it again and again to remember why they celebrate the holiday of Christmas.
But, Christians know that the Christmas story is only the beginning of a larger story. When Jesus grew up, he was a great teacher. He lived a perfect life. And he did many miracles. Jesus was not just any man. Jesus was God’s son. He was born on earth to save people from their sins – all the wrong things they do. This is the miracle Christians celebrate at Christmas. Jesus, God’s son, came down to earth as a weak and helpless baby. But, just as the angels said, he would sacrifice himself for all people, around the world. That is the true meaning of the Christmas story.
This telling of the Christmas story is based on Luke chapter 2. You can find our programs on the internet at www.radioenglish.net. This program is called ‘The Christmas Story’.
We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye.
Question:
Have you heard the Christmas story before? Do you celebrate Christmas? Tell us about it in the comments.
This story is different from the beliefs of Muslims, so it should be told in a way that is not limited to the beliefs of Christians
I heard the Christmas story. But this is the most detailed and clear story. It’s very interesting. Thanks for Spotlight.
yes , In Islam, Christ is only the messenger of God
Actually, I haven’t heard the Christmas story before because I am atheistic. I am not interested in religion. But thanks to your Spotlight’s help, I have known about this story.
I am awaiting for some Vietnamese story that helped people around the world to know my country through Spotlight.
Since my birth, I had still heard everyone to talk about christmas story in my country Haiti. The people celebrated this holiday every year and gave glory to God for this gift. It was very great for humanity. During this Holiday, everybody enjoy themselves together with your family, specially praise, dancing, eating some foods and thanksgiving God again for this beautiful saint gilf.
I know different story about Jesus in Quran that book of muslims and it was amazing story also we love it
yes , I heard this story of jesus but in a different way in the Qur’an , not as you mentioned , and i haven’t celebrate it
It’s Palestine not ancient Israel
Please be fair ☺️
You can read the right story in holly Quran. It is acceptable and you will enjoy it. No deity other than God and He has no sons or daughters.
I’m Christain. Every year, I hear this story, and today, it’s here, I’m so happy. I think everyone knows the reason of Christmas is Jesus – Son of God. This is a true story in history. However, almost people in my country do not believe in Jesus…
There is no ancient israel there is only and always palestine. Dont fraud the history
I celebrate christmas and i always heard the story
Amazong story! Thank you for Spotlight’s program!
The birth of Jesus is the most told story on the entire planet, I am Catholic and I celebrate with great joy the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ
This story in Quran ,but the truth ,God hasn’t any son..
It’s a great story
Cvv
he is not son of God he is slave of god and messenger. but the Christian in a wrong. Allah or god said , how could have a son that didn’t have landlady. so the hell will be appointment for disbelievers
Just Muslim know the truth he isn’t son of god he is messenger and Jesus he also Muslim not Christian
I heard about that before , also my country made a film about Jesus . It was same but something was a bit different.
This is the first time I have heard the Christmas story. And It is a meaningful and wonderful story. I’m not Christian, so I do not celebrate Christmas. But I really like joining this holiday.
To be honest, I’ve never heard this Christmas story before. However, the first time I heard it, I was so interested. In terms of Christmas, I don’t celebrate it because I’m not religious. Sometimes, my family also goes sightseeing and eats out on Christmas. We can have a chance to generate memorable recollection…
This Story amazing and inspire. I enjoyed when I Whatched his story it make me amazing. The Miracles in his story liked me and attract me to complete his story. I would complete his story.
Christmas is a festival famous in my country. The previous I rarely enjoy Christmas because It takes place duplicate of the terminal examination. I must study to prepare for my exam. Moreover, the weather at Christmas is so cool at night it makes me feel lazy to go out. This is my first year of college, I remember that I and my friends are going out and have a small party. The aim is to gather to talk and sing some songs. We are wearing identical clothes with the main color is red and white. With that items, we have many pictures very beautiful and lovely. At Christmas, I also received gifts from my friends and I also prepare some gifts to send my relationship. This is a small action but it will bring lots of happiness for me. Unfortunately, this year may be the Covid will continue to exist so I cannot enjoy Christmas outside. And how about you?
Oh, that’s great. This is my first story about Jesus.
Christmas is a pagan tradition that includes Santa Claus, Christmas Trees, Nativity Scenes and the like, to portray the birth of Jesus Christ. The idea is that Christmas is Jesus’s birthday. We don’t actually know what time of year He was born, so the chances that December 25 is actually His birthday are extremely low, but we have chosen that day to remember and celebrate His coming into the world anyway. I have heard a few different explanations as to why that date.
Thanks to the above story, I was able to understand the origins of Christmas, which was a fascinating story. As a result, Christmas is now referred to as the ” day os Christ’s birth” by many people. Despite the fact that I am not a Christian. I frequently attend Christmas Mass with my friends. The organize very large holiday celebration and the streets are decorated magnificently and beautifully.
there is not a god’s sun there is one god of this earth and doesn’t have a sun but it’s a good story to enjoy and discover faiths of peoples
thanks spot light about the story
I have already been heard this Christmas story before at a church, that time my friend and I go to the church with each other, her is a Christian. I had a feel very strange but I love celebrating Christmas and also about the story of Jesus’ birth, the atmosphere is so fun, people look like a large family, bless for all of everyone
The god has no sons.
You can read the real story in surat Maryam in the Holy Quran.
This place is Palestine not ancient israel.
Thank you for this true account of the only person who ever lived that can save us from our sins. Jesus is alive and is at the righthand of God the Father making intercession for those who trust and believe in Him. My hope is for all to believe, and to come the Savior and find everlasting peace and life.
First thaks a lot for this enjoying story
In fact, this the first time i heard the story about jesus’s birth this way, as my knowledje virgin may never had a fiancé named joseph,beacause she was spending whole her time in worshiping to god, but she had a relative who was caring for mary was the prophet zakaria peace be upon him “nicolas” in your language
Wherever, about celebrating christmas we don’t do, owing to our religion and custums dosen’t allow celebrat it simplly it’s against my thoughts
First thanks a lot for this enjoying story
In fact, this the first time i heard the story about jesus’s birth this way, as my knowledje virgin may never had a fiancé named joseph,beacause she was spending whole her time in worshiping to god, but she had a relative who was caring for mary was the prophet zakaria peace be upon him “nicolas” in your language
Wherever, about celebrating christmas we don’t do, owing to our religion and custums dosen’t allow celebrat it simplly it’s against my thoughts
First thanks a lot for this enjoying story
In fact, this the first time i heard the story about jesus’s birth this way, as my knowledje the virgin mary never had a fiancé named joseph,because she was spending whole her time in worshiping to god, but she had a relative who was caring for her was the prophet zakaria peace be upon him “nicolas” in your language
Howrever, about celebrating christmas we don’t do it, owing to our religion and custums dosen’t allow celebrat it simplly it’s against our thoughts
-Have you heard the Christmas story before?
->yes, i have
Do you celebrate Christmas?
->I have a Christmas memory of attending Christmas with my relatives, attending mass together and welcoming the Nativity of Christ.