A Time for Christmas
- This article is about the episode. For the sampler album, see A Time for Christmas (sampler album).
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Luke 2:1-52
2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register. 4So 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. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 21On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. 22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then 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, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." 36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them 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. 39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. 41Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." 49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" 50But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.“A Time for Christmas” is episode #253 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Paul McCusker, and originally aired on December 18, 1993.
Summary
Whit takes middle-schooler Courtney Vincent on an Imagination Station tour of Christmases past.
Plot
It’s Christmastime, and Courtney is busy rushing around buying presents for everyone. In fact, she’s so busy, she doesn’t have any time to help Jenny Roberts put on a Christmas show for her school, participate in the nativity program at city hall, perform in the holiday pageant at church, or even get involved with the Angel Tree project at Whit’s End.
Whit feels it’s time Courtney discovered what Christmas is truly about. He takes her on several trips in the Imagination Station so she can see into the hearts of others who have celebrated the birth of Christ. The trips are effective. As the Station winds down, Courtney wishes she could help those in history who are less fortunate than herself. She opens the door and steps into Jenny’s house. Jenny is upset that Courtney couldn’t find the time to help her with a simple holiday program. Suddenly, Courtney realizes just how selfish she has been.
Just then, the Station winds down again, for real this time, and Courtney is back at Whit’s End. The real Jenny is sitting there. Courtney quickly volunteers to help her friend, for she finally understands the true meaning of Christmas.
- This plot section is too short and should be expanded. »
Discussion Questions
- Why didn’t Courtney want to help Jenny?
- What did the play St. George and the Dragon represent?
- Why was Christmas outlawed in England in the seventeenth century?
Cast
Notes
- Trivia
- This episode was based on Paul McCusker's musical "A Time for Christmas," rather like #135: “Back to Bethlehem, Part 1” was based on a play of his titled "Step Back to Bethlehem."
- In a rare AIO moment, Whit breaks the fourth wall at the end of the episode and speaks directly to the listeners.
- Courtney mentions in this episode that she watches "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" on TV and listens to Bing Crosby.
- Courtney says she will watch the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" to get into the Christmas spirit.
- Whit asks Courtney if she is involved in the Nativity program at City Hall — most likely the nativity program started in #214: “The Living Nativity”.
- The final music cue for the episode includes the first line of "O Come All Ye Faithful."
Quotes
- There are no quotes listed for this episode. ».
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