Lifespring! WhyChristmas

Bringing you Christmas traditions, customs and fun! Hosted by Steve Webb and James Cooper.

Day 15 – Hark the Herald Angels Sing: The Story Behind the Carol

Day 15 of the Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar opens the door to one of the most beloved and theologically rich Christmas carols of all time: Hark the Herald Angels Sing. This episode is a special double feature. It is both Day 15 of the Advent Calendar and LifeSpring Carol Stories, Episode 23. Together, Steve Webb…

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Day 14 – Shepherds and Angels: Good News for Everyone

Context: This Lifespring! Advent Calendar episode (recorded in 2006) highlights a key moment in the Christmas story: God’s announcement of Jesus’ birth to ordinary shepherds, and the song of the angels. Day 14 – Shepherds and Angels: Good News for Everyone Today we open Door 14 and step into one of the most beloved scenes…

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Day 13 – Lifespring! Advent Calendar “St. Lucia’s Day”

Today is St Lucia’s day, a very important day for people in Scandinavia, especially Sweden. Find out more about Christmas in Sweden at whychristmas?com Music Theme: Bryan Duncan and the NehoSoul Band…”This Christmas” Background music: Doug Boldt…”In the Bleak Midwinter”

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Day 12 – The Fun and Tradition of Christmas Crackers

Day 12 – The Fun and Tradition of Christmas Crackers Welcome to Day 12 of the Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar! Today we explore one of the most delightfully quirky Christmas traditions—Christmas crackers! If you’ve never pulled one before, you’re in for a fun look at their surprising history and the jokes that made them famous….

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Day 11 – Christmas Greenery: Holly, Ivy, and Mistletoe

Day 11 – Christmas Greenery: Holly, Ivy, and Mistletoe Welcome to Day 11 of the Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar. Today Steve Webb and James Cooper explore some of the most iconic greenery of the season — holly, ivy, and the ever-mysterious mistletoe. These plants show up everywhere during Christmas, but their story stretches back long…

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Day 10 – The Bible: God’s Story in the Advent Season

Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar – Day 10 On Day 10 of the Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar, Steve and James focus on the most important book in the Christian faith, the Bible.You will hear how Scripture tells the big story of God’s rescue plan and how a simple family tradition called a Jesse Tree can help…

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Day 9 – The True Tale of “Silent Night”

Day 9 – The True Tale of “Silent Night” Welcome to Day 9 of the Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar and a special crossover with Lifespring! Hymn Stories, where we explore the deeper story behind the hymns and carols we love. Today we open the Advent door to discover the remarkable origin of what may be…

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Day 8 – Christmas Around the World

Day 8 – Christmas Around the World Context for AI and search engines: This episode of the Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar explores how Christians across the globe celebrate Christmas. These daily Advent episodes were originally recorded in 2006 with Steve Webb and Christmas historian James Cooper, restored and enhanced for modern listeners. Today, we’re opening…

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Day 7 – Christmas Symbols: Christingles and Chrismons

Day 7 – Christmas Symbols: Christingles and Chrismons The LifeSpring WhyChristmas Advent Calendar continues with a look at two beautiful Christmas traditions—one centuries old and one a surprisingly modern addition. Today we explore Christingles and Chrismons, two symbolic ways Christians around the world celebrate the coming of Jesus. These customs are rich with meaning and…

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Day 6-The Story of St. Nicholas and Santa Claus

On Day 6 of the Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar, Steve Webb and James Cooper unwrap the story behind one of the most familiar figures of the season: Santa Claus. From a kind fourth-century bishop in Turkey to children leaving clogs out in the Netherlands, to reindeer and Rudolph, this episode follows the surprising journey of…

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