This week, we welcome a music legend whose voice has become synonymous with the sounds of the season. At just twelve years old, Brenda Lee recorded “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” She shares memories of recording in Nashville alongside country greats, her deep respect for the team behind every hit, and the enduring value of kindness in a competitive industry. 

Later in the episode, we’ll hear from pastor, author, and publisher Philip Nation, who has dedicated his career to making Scripture accessible to readers everywhere. Philip opens up about his desire to know and understand God’s Word more fully. 

 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Lisa Harper

Upcoming interview: Ben Higgins

Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season 

 

Brenda Lee

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” 

Owen Bradley 

Johnny Marks

Anita Kerr

Quonset Hut Studio 

Loretta Lynn

www.brendaleeofficial.com

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree book

 

Philip Nation

Gospel of John

John 3:16

John 17

Hosea 14:4

about.me/philipnation

 

Interview Quotes:

“It was a team effort, so if I had a hit, so did they, all those wonderful people. And we just had a ball.” - Brenda Lee

“I try to tell the new artists that are coming up, ‘You don’t do this by yourself. You may be the greatest singer that ever walked the earth, but if you don’t conform and listen, you’ll still be a great singer, but nobody will know.’” - Brenda Lee

“If you don’t make it on your voice, you’ll make it on your kindness. Goodness always wins out.” - Brenda Lee

“I think that walking alongside other people in celebrations and in painful times, and constantly looking to the Scripture to inform, guide, and help you make decisions, to find hope when times are dark, and to be able to magnify your joys when you’re celebrating—to do that together is the very nature of what we see God unfolding in the Bible.” - Philip Nation 

“[God] is constantly calling people together to live by faith and to walk through this world, not as lone rangers and solitary believers, but to do it together.” - Philip Nation

“There is plenty of anxiety and stress and pressure that just flows through our lives, which is why we need the study of Scripture. It’s why we need to be able to pause in prayer [and do as] the Scripture tells us, to pray without ceasing, just to let our hearts be abounding in prayer and our minds being constantly renewed by the Scripture.” - Philip Nation

“When I pick up the Bible, I realize that this is God knowing what humanity is all about and desiring to speak with me personally, kindly, and clearly.  Even in the midst of stress and anxiety, it is the place we can turn our minds and allow the Holy Spirit to say, ‘I want to meet you and care for you in this moment of need.’” - Philip Nation

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Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

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