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the story, the creative use of music, things like that, and there's many, many, many more ways in which this time of year is incredibly creative. 00:03:47.772 --> 00:04:01.193 But there's also the ways in which we, as Christian creatives, are inspired this time of year to use our talents and gifts from God to create things or works that enhance the meaning of the season. 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:23.512 Beyond all the trappings of the holiday season, the story of Christmas itself, the birth of the Christ child, the reason for the season, as we often say, is more creative than any of the holiday decorations, meals or traditions we choose to participate in this time of year. 00:04:23.512 --> 00:04:35.202 I mean this is the story of God coming to earth in the form of the perfect baby Jesus, true God and true man, as John 1.14 says. 00:04:35.202 --> 00:04:47.391 And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory as of the only son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 00:04:47.391 --> 00:04:52.550 Part of this episode will include a reading of the Christmas story a little bit later. 00:04:52.550 --> 00:05:11.221 That story is Christmas, jesus is the story, and it's a wonderful story of life and hope, of death and resurrection of love and new life. 00:05:11.221 --> 00:05:15.348 Nothing else matters but the child at the center of the story. 00:05:15.348 --> 00:05:20.028 Nothing else matters at Christmas but Jesus. 00:05:20.028 --> 00:05:25.329 In fact, nothing else matters year round but Jesus. 00:05:25.329 --> 00:05:33.041 Why have I described Jesus' birth earlier as one of, if not, the most creative event in history? 00:05:33.041 --> 00:06:00.908 Simple, because God came to earth in the form of a child, born of a virgin through the Holy Spirit, and for thirty-three years he physically and spiritually lived among his people and died in humiliation and despicably on a rugged cross, only to be resurrected three days later in another amazing and creative event. 00:06:00.908 --> 00:06:06.370 But all that couldn't have happened if not for the humble birth of our Savior in a manger. 00:06:06.370 --> 00:06:27.617 Who of us could have created such a rich, compelling, creative story of love and hope, a story that's still going on today, a history that is still unfolding today as we live out our days looking forward to the return of Christ in glory. 00:06:27.617 --> 00:06:31.867 Before we go on, let's take a moment to look back. 00:06:31.867 --> 00:06:47.047 One of my favorite books is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and one of my favorite parts of that story is when the spirit of Christmas past takes scrooge on a tour of his past life and how that made him who he was. 00:06:47.047 --> 00:06:58.826 Sometimes it's good to look back just long enough to reflect on some cherished memories that help make us who we are creatively and spiritually. 00:06:58.826 --> 00:07:24.208 Join me now beside my virtual fireplace here in Texas and let me

share with you some personal fond memories of Christmas past. 00:07:29.762 --> 00:07:37.346 Growing up, I remember Christmas around our home as a simple time centered around church and worship and family. 00:07:37.346 --> 00:07:51.091 We lived in a small rural town in southern Minnesota, largely a farming community and small businesses, lots of mom-and-pop shops small town Americana at its finest. 00:07:51.091 --> 00:07:54.641 In the 1970s I spent the first decade of my life there. 00:07:54.641 --> 00:07:58.872 My father was the pastor at the LCMS Lutheran Church in town. 00:07:58.872 --> 00:08:01.850 We lived in the Parsonage right next door to the church. 00:08:01.850 --> 00:08:07.156 On Christmas Eve my father would head over early, of course, to prep for Christmas worship. 00:08:07.156 --> 00:08:10.350 The rest of the family would get all dressed up in our best clothes. 00:08:10.350 --> 00:08:32.427 Being the 70s, I remember one year sporting one of those green velour turtleneck shirts and dress pants for Christmas We'd gather together in the front hallway of our house heavy coats, mittens, scarves and caps on, and then head out and brave the cold for our brief 20-second walk over to the church. 00:08:32.427 --> 00:08:40.789 And even though it was brief, I still remember the bitter cold of those walks in those December Minnesota nights. 00:08:40.789 --> 00:09:13.951 Once we entered the church, however, the chill disappeared and I entered a world filled with Christmas wonder. 00:09:15.072 --> 00:09:20.567 People arriving gathered in the narthex, greeting one another with warm wishes of Merry Christmas. 00:09:20.567 --> 00:09:23.503 There was an excited spirit among everyone. 00:09:23.503 --> 00:09:27.923 A miniature nativity was on display on a table near the sanctuary entrance. 00:09:27.923 --> 00:09:39.511 Peering in through the open sanctuary doors, I saw huge Christmas tree inside at the front, fully decorated with Christmas, made out of styrofoam and covered in glitter or sequins. 00:09:39.511 --> 00:09:42.500 I was always fascinated by those symbols. 00:09:42.500 --> 00:09:58.826 I recall the shapes like a star, a crown, shell, different crosses, a fish, an A for alpha and O for omega and, of course, the Cairo, the P symbol with an X superimposed over it. 00:09:58.826 --> 00:10:09.623 I remember learning that the X was the first letter in the name of Christ, in Greek Cai, and the P was the second letter, ro, cairo. 00:10:09.623 --> 00:10:13.890 That's actually how the shortened word exmus came about. 00:10:13.890 --> 00:10:19.092 The front of the church was covered in red poinsettia flowers. 00:10:20.197 --> 00:10:29.174 Everyone would gather in the sanctuary as the organ started playing the opening hymn, usually a classic rendition of O come all, ye faithful, or something similar. 00:10:29.174 --> 00:10:36.181 The choir would sing, someone would read the Gospel story of Jesus', birth from Matthew or Luke. 00:10:36.181 --> 00:10:45.568 My father would preach a rousing and often emotional sermon on the birth of Christ and the congregation would sing favorite Christmas hymns. 00:10:45.568 --> 00:10:51.870 But at the end of the service was always my favorite, the candlelight service. 00:10:51.870 --> 00:10:59.422 Everyone would get a thin white candle encircled by a cardboard disc drip tray to catch the dripping wax. 00:10:59.422 --> 00:11:12.912 Usher's would move to the front and light their candles off of my dad's candle, which he lit from the Christ candle at the front, and then they would move to each aisle lighting the candles of everyone in the congregation. 00:11:12.912 --> 00:11:16.909 On the ends of the aisles they would pass their light down the row. 00:11:16.909 --> 00:11:22.672 Until everyone had their candles lit, we would begin singing different Christmas hymns. 00:11:36.932 --> 00:11:48.883 The lights in the sanctuary were slowly extinguished, the organ and instruments faded away and my favorite moment came at the end when we all sang Silent Night acapella. 00:11:48.883 --> 00:11:53.815 A glow in the darkness by the lights of those candles. 00:11:53.815 --> 00:12:07.063 Silent Night, holy Night, son of God, loves pure light, radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace. 00:12:07.063 --> 00:12:10.091 Jesus, lord at Thy birth. 00:12:10.091 --> 00:12:13.157 Jesus, lord at Thy birth. 00:12:13.157 --> 00:12:18.708 This moment was the pinnacle of the service for me, even as a young boy. 00:12:18.708 --> 00:12:45.291 After worship everyone would recess out, buzzing about the service and sharing about their plans for the Eve when they got home. 00:12:45.291 --> 00:13:01.755 Once again, wishes of Merry Christmas filled the air, and I always looked forward to us young children being given the brown bag filled with apples, oranges, peanuts in the shells, piece of candy and other assorted goodies that the church handed out. 00:13:01.755 --> 00:13:03.381 It was a treat. 00:13:03.381 --> 00:13:20.563 Then we would head back home, me sprinting across the lawn back to the house, excited by the warmth of what I'd experienced in worship, but probably a little more excited for the opening of gifts that was to come as soon as my dad finished up at church. 00:13:20.563 --> 00:13:23.673 But that's the story for next year. 00:13:24.857 --> 00:13:30.414 Do you have fond memories of a Christmas worship, maybe one that was especially creative? 00:13:30.414 --> 00:13:40.902 What traditions stand out for you from your church Christmas, and how was Christ a central part of that worship? 00:13:40.902 --> 00:14:44.956 How can we, as Christian creatives, help to tell the Christmas story Through our gifts, and how can we just be more creative at Christmas time? 00:14:44.956 --> 00:15:09.447 I'm going to start a little broadly here and looking at how we can create opportunities to be inspired at Christmas that leads us to be more open to God's leading in our lives and in the

things that we do, and then I'll dig a little deeper into how we, as creatives can specifically use our gifts and talents in creative ways. 00:15:09.447 --> 00:15:16.551 I'd like to start with this article titled how Christ Inspires a Creative Christmas Celebration. 00:15:16.551 --> 00:15:21.885 It's by Susan Narjala, from December 2022. 00:15:21.885 --> 00:15:38.548 So this isn't just about being a Christian creative per se, but this is a really neat lead in, I think, to that, because this talks all about how to live out our lives in a creative way at Christmas time. 00:15:38.548 --> 00:15:39.652 All right, here we go. 00:15:40.212 --> 00:15:47.025 When you ponder on Jesus' entrance into the world, that first Christmas does a sense of wonder envelop you. 00:15:47.025 --> 00:15:51.740 What an unlikely cast of characters to play the lead roles. 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:57.460 What an obscure location for the world's most life-changing event to unfold. 00:15:57.460 --> 00:16:01.749 What an odd menagerie to surround the newborn king. 00:16:01.749 --> 00:16:06.470 What a bedraggled group of first visitors to kneel before the manger. 00:16:06.470 --> 00:16:12.106 And yet that was how God sent his one and only son to make his dwelling among us. 00:16:13.230 --> 00:16:18.975 God's script for the entry of his son and our savior was full of purpose and low on pomp. 00:16:18.975 --> 00:16:22.924 It was high on meaning and unbothered about glamour. 00:16:22.924 --> 00:16:26.721 Salvation came without flashlights and carpets. 00:16:26.721 --> 00:16:34.142 God wrote a far more creative and endearing story than any of us could conjure up. 00:16:34.142 --> 00:16:42.163 It was warm and ingenious, a narrative that invited the lowly and excluded the proud. 00:16:43.145 --> 00:16:48.924 But our culture has traded meaning for noise purpose for glamour, and worship for shopping. 00:16:48.924 --> 00:16:53.361 It has transformed Christmas into a commercial holiday. 00:16:53.361 --> 00:16:59.884 The focus is more on presence under the tree than the presence of God, who made his dwelling among us. 00:16:59.884 --> 00:17:05.532 But what would it look like if we choose to celebrate every Christmas like the very first one? 00:17:05.532 --> 00:17:16.426 What if God's simple and creative script for the first Christmas shapes our sensibilities and our festivities more than unabashed commerce? 00:17:16.426 --> 00:17:21.950 Here are three things we could do to enjoy the true spirit of Christmas. 00:17:22.531 --> 00:17:30.922 This season, whether we are single, married or have kids, can we resolve to clear the clutter in order to cultivate intimacy with Christ? 00:17:30.922 --> 00:17:38.973 It may mean taking a long, hard look at our schedules and simply letting some things slide in order to make room for the important. 00:17:38.973 --> 00:17:52.675 Ask a creative God for ideas that you can weave into the rhythm of your daily life, but here are some thoughts to get you started and

she lists some good ones here, like light and advent candle and read from a Christmas devotional. 00:17:52.675 --> 00:17:54.784 Play Christmas music during dinner. 00:17:54.784 --> 00:17:57.111 Read through the nativity story as a family. 00:17:57.111 --> 00:18:00.192 Memorize a verse or two that speaks of the Messiah. 00:18:00.192 --> 00:18:10.692 Instead of letters to Santa, encourage your kids to write a letter to Jesus, write down an attribute of God for every day of Advent and thank Him for who he is. 00:18:10.692 --> 00:18:11.634 I really like that one. 00:18:12.838 --> 00:18:21.084 Without Jesus at the center, no matter how busy the season, christmas will be empty and joyless this year. 00:18:21.084 --> 00:18:23.769 Be intentional about creating quiet. 00:18:23.769 --> 00:18:30.469 Be still moments to reflect on the beauty and wonder of that first Christmas. 00:18:30.469 --> 00:18:32.271 Okay, she goes on. 00:18:32.271 --> 00:18:37.261 When we look back at the nativity story, we see that God chose obscurity over attention. 00:18:37.261 --> 00:18:39.069 He chose poverty over pomp. 00:18:39.069 --> 00:18:46.299 He chose to announce the birth of His Son to a group of disheveled and startled shepherds rather than kings and princes. 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:52.165 Throughout His life, jesus valued those on the margins. 00:18:52.165 --> 00:19:00.296 He commands us to do the same, and we do as churches. 00:19:00.296 --> 00:19:07.238 At Christmas time, we visit orphanages and shelter homes, donate blankets and biryani lunches. 00:19:07.238 --> 00:19:11.491 We give gifts to those who serve us in our apartment buildings and offices. 00:19:11.491 --> 00:19:23.755 Those are undoubtedly good things, but when we reflect on Christ's commitment to us, perhaps as image bearers, we ought to commit to serving others more consistently than one event once a year. 00:19:24.657 --> 00:19:31.876 Perhaps our quote unquote creative Christmas could include how to make our outreach a sustainable effort. 00:19:31.876 --> 00:19:43.372 Is there some way to give of our time and resources every week or every month, while how we reach out differs widely based on specific situations. 00:19:43.372 --> 00:19:47.220 Here are some practical ideas that you can implement consistently. 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:54.295 Just a few here, like could you get a group of young people to play a football game with the kids at an orphanage every month? 00:19:54.295 --> 00:20:00.122 Could you spend an hour a week tutoring a child or teaching art or music for a year, or even a quarter? 00:20:00.122 --> 00:20:05.666 Could you commit as a small group to providing a meal a month for the charity that you want to support? 00:20:05.666 --> 00:20:13.015 Could you write the communications material, take photographs or help with social media for an organization that might not have resources to do so? 00:20:13.415 --> 00:20:22.423 At Christmas, we celebrate the forever covenant that Christ made possible because he reached out to us when we had nothing to offer him. 00:20:22.423 --> 00:20:32.996 May our commitment to others have a lasting impact where we begin to see people as people and not merely as Christmas projects. 00:20:32.996 --> 00:20:36.021 But what are your tried and true traditions? 00:20:36.021 --> 00:20:44.436 Is there room for doing the things you love, absolutely, as long as those traditions drive us toward God and not away from him? 00:20:44.436 --> 00:20:50.074 In sticking to our Christmas traditions, can we also creatively welcome others into them? 00:20:50.074 --> 00:20:56.074 Can we widen our arms enough to unfold those on the margins with the love of Christ? 00:20:56.074 --> 00:21:02.196 Perhaps it is as simple as thinking outside the box about who our guest list might include this year. 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:07.778 Here are some scenarios for you to consider Invite your neighbors to help you trim the Christmas tree. 00:21:07.778 --> 00:21:11.455 Include a young person who is far from family for Christmas lunch. 00:21:11.455 --> 00:21:16.074 Gather the children in your apartment building for carol singing practice and pizza. 00:21:16.074 --> 00:21:21.994 Host an open house event where neighbors and colleagues can drop in for cookies and coffee. 00:21:21.994 --> 00:21:24.989 Remember those who might have lost loved ones this year. 00:21:24.989 --> 00:21:28.602 Invite them to bake with you or help you make Christmas goodie bags. 00:21:29.704 --> 00:21:36.519 While we reach out with the love of Christ, may we be prepared to share the reason for our hope. 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:39.590 She references 1 Peter 15. 00:21:39.590 --> 00:21:52.482 May we be grounded in the truth of what Jesus has done for us and yet always stand amazed at the spectacular scene of that very first Noel. 00:21:52.482 --> 00:22:11.801 May we share that good news with great joy and creativity this Christmas, thanks to Susan Narjala, freelance writer writing for the Gospel Coalitionorg, this wonderful article that helps us to refocus back to that first Christmas. 00:22:11.801 --> 00:23:36.881 So let's take this renewed perspective of recapturing the scene of that first Noel and talk about how we, as creatives, can use our God-given talents to help convey that through our creative works and in turn, enhance the meaning of Christmas for others. 00:23:39.144 --> 00:23:57.039 I'm going to go ahead and list some specific things you can create that I find kind of interesting as they apply to some different creative fields, maybe writing, podcasting, visual media, whatever the case may be, and these are just a few suggestions and ideas. 00:23:57.039 --> 00:24:16.691 I can't represent every creative field, of course, in this single podcast, so hopefully in the few that I list here today, there will be something in here that sparks interest for you, maybe at the least inspires you, even if they don't directly apply to your specific creative talent or field of

interest. 00:24:16.691 --> 00:24:21.240 And I plan to do this every Christmas in the podcast episode. 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:25.953 So if I don't find you in this year's list, hey, there's always next year. 00:24:25.953 --> 00:24:43.257 Let's start with one I've shared with you before, although perhaps not in this detail. 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:50.383 Every Christmas I gift my two sons and I a new devotional book for men that we use together all year long. 00:24:50.383 --> 00:24:58.751 Once a month, throughout the 12 months of the year, we each share via a text chat which devotion touched us the most and why. 00:24:58.751 --> 00:25:22.185 Then, at the end of the year, I create a printed book of that chat, including related photos that we may have shared in the chat or related church and family events from throughout the year or even past years, and I gift one to each of us as a physical, tangible memento of our year long chat and spiritual conversations and growth. 00:25:22.185 --> 00:25:32.798 I'm at work finishing up the third printed book now and we're getting ready to start the fourth year of our devotions together, starting in the new year. 00:25:32.798 --> 00:25:38.560 I love doing this every year and my boys seem to respond very positively to this as well. 00:25:38.560 --> 00:26:01.993 The chat has been a great way to foster a devotional life for each of us, helping train us all into the habit of doing them more routinely, as well as helping to generate discussions of a spiritual nature and ones that are not so direct and intimidating as a face-to-face sharing can often be, especially for teenagers. 00:26:03.217 --> 00:26:10.059 This allows for a sharing of spiritual thoughts of a more personal nature without having someone staring back at you while doing so. 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:16.898 It's also a lot of fun to create the book itself using software and online design tools. 00:26:16.898 --> 00:26:20.655 I've been using Mimeo, via Apple Photos, to create ours. 00:26:20.655 --> 00:26:42.363 It's not necessarily the best tool out there and it can be frustrating at times to use, but it does allow me direct access to our entire photo library in Apple Photos without me having to pre-select all the photos and then upload them first to some online tool before I can begin designing it, so I do like that aspect. 00:26:42.363 --> 00:26:57.696 Now, doing the layout, copying the text from the chat, selecting photos and graphics can be a lot of work to pull together, but it does create a great final product that is personal and comes from the heart. 00:26:59.181 --> 00:27:29.053 To be fair, this may not be a gift that we look at as much right after receiving it, you know, after having completed the year of devotional share, but I'm hoping, as the years go by, we'll look back at each of these as a collection of books that help chart the progress of at least some of our spiritual journey each year and that will be a helpful and hopefully treasured memento of our spiritual life in years to come, perhaps especially most for my boys. 00:27:29.053 --> 00:28:05.559 This gift has helped to reinforce the meaning of Christmas gifting something that combines all of our devotional text, writing, spiritual thoughts, reflections, even prayers over the year, and a one book reminds us each the importance of reading God's word all year, trains us to build a dependence upon His word as well as keeps the Christ in Christmas by focusing on Him as being at the center of our lives at Christmas and all year long. 00:28:06.644 --> 00:28:32.200 So even if you're not doing a devotional share like my boys and I, consider producing printed books, either through a Mimeo-like photo service or a short order printing through Amazon or some other book printing service, as a way to produce your own creative content that you can share with family or friends as a gift at Christmas, perhaps even share with your clients. 00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:44.053 For writers or bloggers or poets, use this as an opportunity to share your writing with others in a more packaged, professional format. 00:28:44.053 --> 00:28:51.875 As you reflect on the Christmas season, perhaps you share memories of family Christmas's past. 00:28:51.875 --> 00:29:09.102 As a photographer or artist, you can gift a book of some of your favorite photos or artwork that help tell the Christmas story in unique ways and, indirectly, perhaps even boost your visibility as a photographer or artist in your work. 00:29:10.529 --> 00:29:19.320 Many of you may have already been doing this or have done it in the past, but if you haven't, or if you've gotten away from doing it, reconsider it again. 00:29:19.320 --> 00:29:33.419 It's a great way to produce something tangible, looks nice and is a good way to kind of represent your creative work, either as a writer, photographer or artist Producing these books, most of them printed. 00:29:33.419 --> 00:29:40.212 Most of these printing places do a really good job, and it's neat to have that final product in your hand. 00:29:40.212 --> 00:29:42.586 All right, let's talk social media. 00:29:42.586 --> 00:29:56.185 Social media is often a graveyard of self-indulgent posts and anxiety-ridden, fear-filled predictions of the future by influencers looking for likes and clicks. 00:29:56.185 --> 00:30:13.432 So, as a Christian creative, at Christmas, consider how you can contribute in positive ways to shaping the social media landscape by sharing hopeful posts that emphasize Jesus as the reason for the season. 00:30:13.432 --> 00:30:29.892 From the simplest things, such as making it a point to wish people a merry Christmas in your posts instead of happy holidays, to the more complex of integrating the story of Jesus birth into your graphics or your videos. 00:30:30.961 --> 00:30:35.932 These are all ways to help emphasize Christ as the reason for the season. 00:30:35.932 --> 00:30:45.990 Here's a wonderful idea from creativebiblestudycom

for creating a Christmas countdown To help celebrate the 25-day journey to Christmas. 00:30:45.990 --> 00:30:59.273 According to the website, here are 25 Christmas countdown on the go Active object lesson devotions with Bible verses to help us keep our focus on the true reason for the season. 00:30:59.273 --> 00:31:10.671 Each day, snap a photo of each item for a visual and use as a photo challenge on social media or with your family, small group friends or just for yourself. 00:31:10.671 --> 00:31:18.640 It's a fun way to enjoy the presence of Christ each and every day as we look towards celebrating his birthday. 00:31:18.921 --> 00:31:21.769 I think this is just a wonderful idea and has a lot of potential. 00:31:21.769 --> 00:31:30.989 I'll include a link to the daily outline and devotions that they provide at creativebiblestudycom In the description of this podcast episode. 00:31:30.989 --> 00:31:33.222 But just briefly. 00:31:33.222 --> 00:31:38.733 It has things like for December 1st, a road and uses John 14-6. 00:31:38.733 --> 00:31:42.810 Jesus said to him I am the way and the truth and the life. 00:31:42.810 --> 00:31:48.085 No one comes to the father but through me, and that's the theme verse for the day. 00:31:48.085 --> 00:31:52.794 They also include a link to a devotion for that day that you can read and go through. 00:31:52.794 --> 00:32:01.193 But just imagine the creative photos of different roads you will get from people sharing on social media for this challenge. 00:32:01.193 --> 00:32:21.134 I can see everything from people stuck in traffic on the highway to country roads, to Vacation photos of roads to you know unique roads people encountered In other countries on a trip to, perhaps even roads that represent something very personal to someone. 00:32:22.401 --> 00:32:41.119 But using such a social media challenge as an opportunity to draw our daily travels Back to discovering a sense of direction for our lives in Christ is Such a wonderful way to take that journey Toward Christmas and make it something memorable for you and others. 00:32:41.119 --> 00:32:44.511 So this the social media challenge. 00:32:44.511 --> 00:32:53.153 It invites engagement with your audience and Provides potential opportunities for others to highlight their creativity in these posts as well. 00:32:53.153 --> 00:32:54.962 How cool is that? 00:32:54.962 --> 00:33:04.369 I would add you could use this in your creative business social media as a way to highlight that you value the importance of Christ in Christmas. 00:33:05.141 --> 00:33:13.714 Another day in this challenge uses the word light, or lights, and references John 812, where Jesus describes himself as the light of the world. 00:33:13.714 --> 00:33:24.791 Imagine all the images of different forms of light that people might share and the Opportunities that could open up for sharing Jesus as the light of the world at Christmas. 00:33:24.791 --> 00:33:29.660 If you're a writer, you could even write your own daily devotions to go with each of the 25 days. 00:33:29.660 --> 00:33:50.534 If you're a photographer, artist or graphic designer, you could approach this via an Instagram challenge, a strictly visual social media challenge, or I could ask people to share photos or even their own artistic works that center around that word or that even reflect something symbolic of Christ active in their spiritual life. 00:33:50.534 --> 00:33:58.140 You may get some very interesting responses and posts, while I haven't done a social media challenge at Christmas yet. 00:33:58.520 --> 00:34:01.349 I'm already planning this specific one for next year. 00:34:01.349 --> 00:34:09.056 Many of you may have seen the social media post I did centered around the inspiration episode of this podcast. 00:34:09.056 --> 00:34:17.260 On social media, I held an inspiration week where, multiple times a day that week, I shared posts about Inspiration. 00:34:17.260 --> 00:34:37.708 I aimed to highlight each of the five takeaways that I presented in that episode with a visual post and Also highlighted Bible verses centered around inspiration, included some inspirational quotes from some Christian creatives and Visuals that highlighted the creativity of God. 00:34:37.708 --> 00:34:46.208 I wanted to promote the episode, of course, so people knew it existed and what it was about, and Encourage inspiration in their lives. 00:34:46.208 --> 00:34:56.875 But my real goal was to offer Hope-filled posts and inspire my audience while highlighting the inspiring nature of God himself. 00:34:56.875 --> 00:35:10.960 Bottom line, find ways to add hope to your social media posts by keeping people focused on why Christmas exists To celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world. 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:29.922 Of course, there's all sorts of visual media that can be produced to help tell the Christmas story right, and worship services around Christmas are a time filled with opportunities for producing visual media, in particular, filmmaking. 00:35:29.922 --> 00:35:34.112 I think that can help enhance the meaning of the season. 00:35:34.393 --> 00:35:42.233 As a Christian creative filmmaker, what can you do to help add to the meaning of Christmas or the telling of the Christmas story. 00:35:42.233 --> 00:35:47.280 I mean, the Christmas story has been told in many different ways over the ages. 00:35:47.280 --> 00:35:57.762 It's hard to find new ways to tell it and yet we still seem to keep finding ways To express the meaning of that story differently. 00:35:57.762 --> 00:36:19.186 And perhaps one way to stand out in Offering something different, even if it's not totally original, but from a filmmaking perspective or or from other ways as well, but I'm going to talk particularly from a filmmaking perspective is to consider telling the nativity story from a Different point of view, a different perspective. 00:36:19.626 --> 00:36:24.818 Both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell the birth of Christ

Generally from the point of view of one person. 00:36:24.818 --> 00:36:31.521 So Matthew is kind of from Joseph's point of view and Luke I from Mary's. 00:36:31.521 --> 00:36:39.923 So what if you told the story in your film or short story or short film from a different point of view? 00:36:39.923 --> 00:36:50.619 Perhaps tell the story from the perspective of, say, the innkeeper or the shepherds or the wise men or even the animals in the stable. 00:36:50.619 --> 00:36:51.844 I'm going to do an animated film. 00:36:51.844 --> 00:37:02.914 I know many of these have been done before, but as you consider it in your own creative storytelling, you could still offer a different angle on this. 00:37:02.914 --> 00:37:09.222 It's not the traditional way of telling the story or tell the story from the point of view of a new character. 00:37:09.222 --> 00:37:28.302 I'm watching through several Christian films in preparation for the next topic episode of the podcast, and one of the more noteworthy films in recent years is the movie Risen, which looks at the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ from the point of view of a Roman soldier. 00:37:28.583 --> 00:37:38.981 So, it was a little controversial, but it's a very well done film and I realize if you start telling the birth of Jesus in this way, you know you leave the biblical narrative. 00:37:38.981 --> 00:38:03.916 It is not strictly scriptural anymore but if done properly and carefully, with respect for the source and the biblical narrative in God's word, this can be a great way to help inspire and encourage others today who may not have read the Bible to want to dig deeper and read about the birth of Jesus as written and dig into God's word. 00:38:03.916 --> 00:38:17.530 And it may also provide you with a renewed perspective yourself of Jesus' birth as you work through and consider how those who experienced it firsthand must have felt. 00:38:17.530 --> 00:38:27.327 No matter what, in telling the story from a new point of view, be sure to go through the biblical narrative and imagine how it feels from your particular perspective. 00:38:27.327 --> 00:38:30.614 Finally, to close out, my suggestions. 00:38:30.614 --> 00:38:33.110 I know I don't have a lot here in this episode. 00:38:33.110 --> 00:38:48.251 We'll offer more next year, but consider the ways in which sound music, voice sound effects and the like, how audio productions can be utilized to add meaning to the telling of the Christmas story. 00:38:48.251 --> 00:39:09.833 Rather than list a bunch of ways here, I'm offering up this entire episode of the podcast as an example and to that end, as previously mentioned, I'm including my own dramatized reading of the Christmas story of Jesus' birth as a way to conclude this episode coming up in just a bit. 00:39:41.010 --> 00:39:48.865 Storytelling, in particular oral storytelling, is a tradition that goes back a very long time, early in history. 00:39:48.865 --> 00:40:02.063 This was an important way to preserve the past, along with writing, of course, and oral storytelling is a very creative art form and actually a really flexible process. 00:40:02.063 --> 00:40:23.246 When you start thinking about it, it has the potential to create a personal bond between the storyteller and the audience, because typically the storyteller and audience are physically close to one another as the story is being told, and that helps to build this connection of intimacy between the two. 00:40:23.246 --> 00:40:29.545 The audience also experiences the creative process unfolding right there before them, in real time. 00:40:29.545 --> 00:40:33.233 They feel a part of that creative process. 00:40:33.233 --> 00:40:43.126 So today, in this episode, I'll be reading the birth of Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, luke 2.1-35. 00:40:43.126 --> 00:40:56.474 And even though this is a recording, this is kind of my own version of following the oral tradition of storytelling and, in particular, you know, a reading of the birth of Christ. 00:40:56.474 --> 00:41:08.389 Now, I'm sure you've heard many such readings over the years, performed in many different ways and you probably have your own favorite version Now. 00:41:08.389 --> 00:41:13.284 I didn't want to do a dramatic performance version with voice actors. 00:41:13.284 --> 00:41:25.498 Maybe I'll do that in next year's episode, who knows but I did want to enhance my reading a bit, without taking away from the power of the words of Scripture. 00:41:25.498 --> 00:41:38.557 One of the reasons I wanted to do this was because this is simply one way in which I can illustrate how we can share the Christmas story in creative ways, in this case in an audio podcast. 00:41:38.577 --> 00:41:47.829 A couple of quick stories of some personal influences on me and some reasons as to why I wanted to do this dramatized Christmas reading the way that I am. 00:41:47.829 --> 00:41:51.623 They're not Christmas related, but they lead up to my reading of the Christmas story. 00:41:51.623 --> 00:42:00.811 First, my dad grew up listening to a lot of old-time radio programs in the 30s and 40s because that's what they had for entertainment. 00:42:00.811 --> 00:42:12.409 They didn't have TV, they didn't have internet, they had the radio, and the family typically gathered around that radio at night or in the evenings and listened to different programming. 00:42:12.409 --> 00:42:20.170 And so he passed on to me a passion for listening to some of those old-time radio programs and stories. 00:42:20.170 --> 00:42:41.708 I still remember borrowing his cassette tapes of many of the old-time radio programs that he purchased later in life, and I would go in my room, turn the lights out and listen to some of the classic horror programs in particular, like Lights Out, suspense and Hermit's Cave. 00:42:42.329 --> 00:42:49.876 I'll never forget first hearing the story Sorry, wrong Number and playing it over and over again in the dark. 00:42:49.876 -->

00:42:57.722 It was such a suspenseful, well-done tale and it's one of the popular ones from old-time radio programs a very famous one. 00:42:57.722 --> 00:43:00.907 If you're unfamiliar with it, do an online search. 00:43:00.907 --> 00:43:05.684 It is a classic episode and a great use of this format. 00:43:05.684 --> 00:43:10.119 These days you can find most of those programs on the internet. 00:43:10.119 --> 00:43:29.273 There are also many podcasts dedicated to old-time radio programs and its history, and there's also a lot of new podcasts that use that same storytelling format in a much more modern way and telling modern-day stories through that dramatized audio storytelling format. 00:43:29.501 --> 00:43:30.583 Some great stuff out there. 00:43:30.583 --> 00:43:34.438 So that was an influence on me in my younger years. 00:43:34.438 --> 00:43:43.744 Then we move ahead to my teenage years and one day I discovered my oldest sister's vinyl LP copy of Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds. 00:43:43.744 --> 00:43:52.027 For those of you unfamiliar with this, it's a dramatized and musical version of HG Wells' classic novel War of the Worlds. 00:43:52.027 --> 00:44:00.599 Richard Burton was the narrator and they had various actors and actresses voicing and singing other character parts throughout. 00:44:00.599 --> 00:44:14.934 There were sound effects enhancing the story and it was all based around these long stretches of usually progressive rock music that painted this aural as in a-u-r-a-l. 00:44:14.934 --> 00:44:21.831 Aural audio picture of the unfolding story, and I love that album. 00:44:21.831 --> 00:44:23.753 I still own a vinyl copy today. 00:44:23.753 --> 00:44:26.465 I played a bit of it for my youngest son years ago. 00:44:26.465 --> 00:44:33.152 He ended up listening to the entire album digitally on his iPhone, of course, and he loves it now too. 00:44:33.672 --> 00:44:49.367 That's another example of the influence of that kind of storytelling format, which that one, I think I was more open to because I had listened to my dad's all-time radio programs years before, and then this one, of course, was in a more rock vein, so it was more modern for the time. 00:44:49.367 --> 00:44:56.579 This was probably the 80s that I discovered it, not sure exactly what year that was produced in, but it's a great album. 00:44:56.579 --> 00:45:13.431 Zoom ahead now to my college years, freshman year at college and my first roommate at Concordia Lutheran College his name was Brian was a big fan of Pink Floyd, the rock band that recorded in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s. 00:45:13.431 --> 00:45:20.465 Even he ended up influencing me and I started listening to Pink Floyd and became a big fan. 00:45:20.465 --> 00:45:39.862 Now I'm sure most of my listeners are aware of Pink Floyd as not a Christian band, but of course, as Christians we can be influenced by lots of non-Christian sources and talents, right, but we end up pulling from those influences things that build our creativity and our interests in different ways. 00:45:40.585 --> 00:45:48.427 Now, what I loved about their music was that they would take as much time as they needed for a song or track of music. 00:45:48.427 --> 00:45:52.762 They rarely adhered to a three to four minute radio length track. 00:45:52.762 --> 00:46:04.992 In some cases they created single songs and tracks of music that took up an entire side of a vinyl record or that went on at length as long as they felt the music needed or demanded. 00:46:04.992 --> 00:46:13.041 Their creativity wasn't dictated by people's attention span, so much like so many things are today. 00:46:13.041 --> 00:46:23.306 As a result, their music and even their lyrics allowed for listeners to envision imagery and stories in the listener's own imagination. 00:46:23.306 --> 00:46:34.688 Now I mention all this because I want to pay homage, as they say, to that style of storytelling a bit and how I approached this dramatic reading of the birth of Christ. 00:46:34.688 --> 00:47:03.583 I didn't want to do performance like old time radio programs and War of the Worlds did no voice actors or overly dramatic sound effects, nothing over the top, but something where my reading of the scripture is enhanced a bit by voice and music and sound effects that combine to allow your own imagination to help carry the imagery of the story, like the old time radio programs did for me, or like War of the Worlds did for me and my youngest son. 00:47:03.583 --> 00:47:18.635 To get the most out of this, I'd encourage you to listen to this on a good pair of headphones, not just the little in ear ones, but a good pair of ideally closed cup headphones, or at least listen to this on a good set of speakers. 00:47:18.635 --> 00:47:22.766 It will make the listening experience that much richer. 00:47:22.766 --> 00:47:26.594 So as you listen to this, please be patient with the dramatized reading. 00:47:26.594 --> 00:48:36.351 Allow the words of scripture and the longer passages of music to settle into your mind and imagine what it must have been like to be there and experience the word made flesh, god coming to earth and physically dwelling among his people the reading of the Christmas story the birth of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the book of Luke. 00:49:04.072 --> 00:49:10.699 In those days, caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 00:49:10.699 --> 00:49:19.820 This was the first census that took place while Querenius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to their own town to register. 00:49:19.820 --> 00:49:31.224 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 00:49:31.224 --> 00:49:37.697 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 00:49:37.697 --> 00:49:45.920 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born and she

gave birth to her firstborn, a son. 00:49:45.920 --> 00:50:22.648 She wrapped him in cloths, placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them and there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby keeping watch over their flocks. 00:50:22.855 --> 00:50:41.416 At night, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. 00:50:41.416 --> 00:51:08.018 But the angel said to them Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 00:51:08.018 --> 00:51:34.625 Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. 00:51:34.625 --> 00:51:37.621 He is the Messiah the Lord. 00:51:37.621 --> 00:51:40.119 This will be a sign to you. 00:51:40.119 --> 00:51:46.121 You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. 00:51:51.655 --> 00:52:02.648 Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared, with the angel praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth, peace to those on whom his favor. 00:52:38.795 --> 00:52:49.998 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherd said to one another let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. 00:53:10.554 --> 00:53:15.806 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger. 00:53:15.806 --> 00:53:25.324 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherd said to them. 00:53:25.324 --> 00:54:22.394 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart and the Lord said let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened. 00:54:22.394 --> 00:54:36.690 The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard. 00:54:36.690 --> 00:56:23.759 And On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. 00:56:23.759 --> 00:56:38.523 When the time came for the purification rites required by the law of Moses, joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 00:56:38.523 --> 00:56:45.126 As it is written in the law of the Lord, every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord. 00:56:45.126 --> 00:56:52.777 They offer a sacrifice, in keeping with what is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves or two young pigeons. 00:57:01.994 --> 00:57:05.985 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. 00:57:05.985 --> 00:57:10.724 He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 00:57:10.724 --> 00:57:17.978 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 00:57:17.978 --> 00:57:21.996 Reached by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. 00:57:21.996 --> 00:58:24.121 When the parents brought in the child Jesus

to do for him what the custom of the law required, simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people, israel. 00:58:24.121 --> 00:58:35.143 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 00:58:35.143 --> 00:58:51.422 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother this child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. 00:58:51.422 --> 00:58:55.436 The sword will pierce your own soul too. 00:59:20.434 --> 00:59:24.565 There was also a prophet, anna, the daughter of Penuel of the tribe of Asher. 00:59:24.565 --> 00:59:25.898 She was very old. 00:59:25.898 --> 00:59:31.958 She had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage and then was a widow until she was 84. 00:59:31.958 --> 00:59:39.335 She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying, coming up to them. 00:59:39.335 --> 00:59:47.797 At that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 00:59:47.797 --> 01:01:25.378 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth, and the child grew and became strong, he was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was on him. 01:01:58.840 --> 01:02:31.824 He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was on him, and the child grew and became strong. 01:04:01.141 --> 01:04:46.215 The child was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was on him, and the child grew and became strong. 01:04:46.215 --> 01:04:52.146 Thanks for joining us. 01:04:52.146 --> 01:04:59.103 Go to Apple Podcasts or whatever your favorite podcast distributor is and be sure to subscribe to catch each and every new episode. 01:04:59.103 --> 01:05:02.851 I'd really appreciate it if, after listening, you'd take a moment to rate the show. 01:05:02.851 --> 01:05:11.106 Helps me to gauge feedback and rankings for the show and, if you're really feeling generous, I'd love it if you left a brief review as well. 01:05:11.106 --> 01:05:15.043 Let me and others know what you like about Creative Christians. 01:05:15.043 --> 01:05:20.826 You can also email me directly with your feedback, comments or questions at tim at timristocom. 01:05:20.826 --> 01:05:23.561 I'd love to hear from you. 01:05:23.561 --> 01:05:24.905 I'm Tim Risto. 01:05:24.905 --> 01:05:29.715 Until next time, stay creative and stay in God's Word Blessings. 01:05:29.715 --> 01:05:52.623 Creative Christians is produced by yours truly, tim Risto. 01:05:52.623 --> 01:05:56.724 As always, a shout out to my lovely and supportive wife, tracy Risto. 01:05:56.724 --> 01:06:01.204 Creative Christians is an audio production of Tim Risto Productions. 01:06:01.204 --> 01:06:03.902 Visit timristocom to learn more. 01:06:03.902 --> 01:06:20.222 It's timristocom.