Back when we could all get together in a room safely, the great LA storyteller Antonio Sacre visited the Apple Seed studio to record an evening's worth of stories before a live studio audience. The recordings became an award-winning album called "The World's Second-Best Dad." On today's Apple Seed Extra, enjoy one of the stories recorded that evening. It's a story called "Nina's First Rainbow."

The tradition that is now the Radio Family Journal -- a regular feature on The Apple Seed -- began with this recording, many years ago. It's a Christmastime memory that begins at the graveside of Sam's grandmother, and it's about the undeniable hope and quiet joy that Christmas brings each year, even in the face of melancholy and sorrow. The story is called "The Winter of the Year." We hope you enjoy it, and that you have a merry Christmas.

The tradition that is now the Radio Family Journal -- a regular feature on The Apple Seed -- began with this recording, many years ago. It's a Christmastime memory that begins at the graveside of Sam's grandmother, and it's about the undeniable hope and quiet joy that Christmas brings each year, even in the face of melancholy and sorrow. The story is called "The Winter of the Year." We hope you enjoy it, and that you have a merry Christmas.

Have you ever wished it could be Christmas every day? On today's Apple Seed Extra, you'll hear a hilarious story written in 1892 by William Dean Howells that may just change your mind. It's performed for you by The Acting Company: Suzanne Christensen, Noah and Leah Kershisnik, Stacy Wilk, and Sam.

On today's Apple Seed Extra, a tall-ish tale about a Christmas Cookie Competition. It's told for you by Apple Seed favorite Kim Weitkamp, and recorded as part of a live show which Kim performed for many years with her friends (and also Apple Seed favorites) Bil Lepp and Andy Offutt Irwin. The name of Kim's story is "The Great Cookie Cook-off."

Merry Christmas, from The Apple Seed! 

Gifts are a hallmark of Christmas. They might come in wrapping paper or bags, or in the form of quality time or service. Today on The Apple Seed we’re sharing with you the gift of story – memories from our BYU Radio hosts and team members that package the meaning of Christmas. You’ll hear from Apple Seed producer, Jeff Simpson, along with Assistant Producers, Ysa Ng, Stewart Foster, Alyssa Mingorance, Ashley Zollinger, Karani Namunyu, and Jen Baker. You'll also hear from BYU Sports Nation Co-Host, Spencer Linton, as well as Kevin Kling, Andy Offutt Irwin, and Renee Englot! We hope you enjoy this package of Christmas gifts, special for you, from The Apple Seed. 

 

On today’s episode, enjoy the following:

“Christmas Miracle” by Jeff Simpson (3:11)

"Christmas Trees" by Robert Frost, read by Spencer Linton (3:58)

“Christmas in a Chinese Restaurant” by Ysa Ng (1:28)

“Christmas Science Experiment” by Stewart Foster (3:43)

"Christmas Family Traditions" by Ashley Zollinger (1:06)

"Nutcracker" by Kevin Kling from A Fool's Paradise (5:14)

"Mrs. Lyda's House" by Andy Offutt Irwin from Assorted Marguerite (8:56)

“Christmas in East Africa” by Karani Namunyu (2:04)

“A Christmas Concert” by Jen Baker (2:06)

“Madelon’s Gift” by Renee Englot from Once Upon a Bethlehem Night (11:38)

“A Christmas Hug” by Alyssa Mingorance (2:39)

On today's Apple Seed Extra, a tall-ish tale about a Christmas Cookie Competition. It's told for you by Apple Seed favorite Kim Weitkamp, and recorded as part of a live show which Kim performed for many years with her friends (and also Apple Seed favorites) Bil Lepp and Andy Offutt Irwin. The name of Kim's story is "The Great Cookie Cook-off."

On today's Apple Seed Extra, an old, old story about two women, each of them visited with a miracle from St. Peter. How does it turn out for each of them? That's the story, told for you by The Acting Company: Suzanne Christensen, Leah Kershisnik, Stacy Wilk, and Sam.

Join The Apple Seed just about every day, for two hours filled with stories for you and your family. You'll enjoy tall tales, fairy tales, folk tales, personal tales, historical tales, and more, hosted by storyteller Sam Payne. Monday - Saturday at 8p ET/5p PT.

Thanks for joining us on The Apple Seed! The lyrics of a common Christmas song adulates: Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing.

But what does it mean to “Let every heart prepare Him room?” Today’s special Christmas episode examines just that: how we may let allow room in our hearts for the spirit of Christmas. Storytellers Renee Englot, Peg Woodruff, Antoinette Griffin, and Mark Wait share tales of people making room in their hearts for Christmas! Whether through holiday festivities or serving others, we hope you too can have the beauty of Christmas in your hearts.

On today’s episode, enjoy the following:

“The Holly Crown” by Renee Englot (6:48)

“Christmas in a Foreign Land” by Peggy Woodruff (2:20)

“A Baker's Dozen” by Antoinette Griffin (9:22)

“Hot Wheels Set” by Mark Wait (2:55)

“You Dressed as a Gypsy and I as a Clown” by Sam Payne (26:14)