christmas

Day 18 – Discover Christmas Traditions From Madagascar to Spain

The Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar is a daily journey through the history, heart, and global reach of the Christmas season. In this episode, we explore how diverse cultures—from the tropical coast of Madagascar to the festive streets of Spain—celebrate the birth of Christ with unique customs and flavors. A Global Celebration of Christmas Christmas is…

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Day 17 – Mary’s Yes: The Story of the Annunciation

Day 17 of the Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar focuses on one of the most powerful and quietly courageous moments in the Christmas story: Mary’s yes. This episode explores the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel appeared to a young woman in Nazareth and told her she would give birth to the Savior of the world. Mary’s…

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Day 16 – The Story of the Christmas Tree and the Yule Log

Day 16 of the Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar explores the rich history behind two beloved Christmas traditions: the Christmas tree and the Yule log. In this episode, Steve Webb and James Cooper trace these symbols from ancient winter festivals through medieval Europe and into their Christian meaning today. Evergreen trees and burning logs were long…

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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 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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Isaiah 53:3-The Man of Sorrows and the Hope of Advent

Isaiah 53:3 — The Man of Sorrows and the Hope of Advent Advent is a season that invites honesty. Joy and sorrow sit side by side, and Scripture refuses to pretend otherwise. Isaiah 53:3 shows us a portrait of the Messiah long before Bethlehem — a portrait not of a distant king, but of a…

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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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