A reading of the biblical Birth of Jesus Christ and the extended story surrounding the nativity. Then I read a couple other comical, tragic, thoughtful, and endearing Christmas stories by Joseph Conrad, Frederick Douglass, and Betty. Also included is the Poem "The Bird of Dawning" by Shakespeare.

Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro (Christmas is a collective dream about hope, peace, and love and one in which billions look forward to participate in.) Beginning of the Story of the Birth of Jesus:

5:07 (Elisabeth and Zechariah given a miracle baby: John the Baptist) 9:39 The Annunciation (Gabriel announcing miracle virgin birth to Mary) 13:28 The Visitation (of Mary to her cousin Elisabeth) 16:03 The Nativity (Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, Birth Jesus, Shepards visited by Gabriel and visit Jesus) 22:16 Presentation of 8-day old Jesus in the Temple (to Simeon) 25:00 The Coming of the Magi (Wise Men) and Herod's Inquiry 28:21 The Slaying of the Infants (by Herod in Search of Jesus) and the Flight to Egypt of Mary, Joseph and Jesus 30:53 The Return of Jesus to Israel

37:25 What was the Star of Bethlehem? A Comet? Conjunction of Planets? Beginning of the other Christmas Stories:

46:29 "The Bird of Dawning" (Short Poem by Shakespeare)

51:07 "A Letter from Santa Claus" by Mark Twain

59:11 "Christmas Day at Sea" by Joseph Conrad

1:06:07 "Christmas Meditation of a Young Student" by the young Pope John XXIII (from 1902)

1:11:19 "New Relations and Duties" by Frederick Douglass

1:18:00 "Francie Nolan's Christmas Tree" by Betty Smith

Merry Christmas, -Rich