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<v Steve>Hi, this is Steve Webb, your OG Godcaster.

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<v Steve>You're about to hear the LifeSpring Advent Calendar, which was recorded in 2006.

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<v Steve>It's a daily show which will run right up to Christmas Day,

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<v Steve>so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

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<v Steve>Now, the story of Advent and Christmas is a timeless story, so it doesn't age.

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<v Steve>However, the links and the phone numbers mentioned on the podcast have all changed but one.

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<v Steve>WhyChristmas.com is still current and active,

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<v Steve>and it's the best Christmas information website on the Internet.

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<v Steve>LifeSpringPodcast.com now forwards you to LifeSpringMedia.com.

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<v Steve>And the phone number you'll hear on the show is changed to plus 1-951-732-8511.

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<v Steve>Hello and welcome back to the LifeSpring Advent Calendar, Day 10.

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<v Steve>I'm your host, Steve Webb.

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<v Steve>Let's find out what's behind today's door.

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<v James>Today is the second Sunday in Advent

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<v James>and on our calendar that represents the Bible.

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<v James>So let's light two of our Advent candles and find out more about the Bible.

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<v Steve>The Bible is the holy book used by Christians, but it's not just one book.

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<v Steve>It's made up of 66 books written in three different languages, Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.

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<v Steve>And it was written over a period of about 1,500 years.

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<v Steve>The Bible is in two main parts, the Old and New Testaments.

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<v Steve>The Old Testament tells about creation, the history of the Jewish people, and the promise of a Messiah or Savior.

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<v Steve>The New Testament tells about the life of Jesus, who Christians believe is the promised Messiah and his first followers.

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<v James>One way of using the Bible, especially the Old Testament, at Christmas, is through a Jesse tree.

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<v James>The name comes from Jesse, who was the father of the great Jewish king David.

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<v James>One prophecy in the Bible, in the book of Isaiah, says,

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<v James>A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse.

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<v James>From his roots a branch will bear fruit.

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<v Steve>A branch is a sign of new life and new beginnings.

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<v Steve>Jesus was a descendant of King David, and Christians believe that Jesus is this new branch.

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<v James>The first Jesse trees date back to medieval times,

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<v James>and were large carvings, tapestries, or even stained glass windows in churches

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<v James>that helped illiterate people learn about the Bible, from creation to the Christmas story.

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<v James>But now Jesse trees can be used as a kind of advent calendar.

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<v James>You can use a normal Christmas tree or a banner in the shape of a tree.

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<v James>Each day through Advent, or sometimes just on the four Sundays of Advent,

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<v James>a special decoration or ornament that tells a story from the Bible is hung on the tree.

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<v James>Well, James, what kind of ornaments could be used?

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<v James>For the Garden of Eden, you could have an apple or apple tree.

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<v James>For the story of Noah, a rainbow.

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<v James>For Joseph and his brothers, you could have a multicoloured coat.

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<v James>And for Moses, a burning bush.

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<v James>To tell the Christmas story, Mary is represented by a white lily to show her purity.

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<v James>Joseph a hammer as he was a carpenter,

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<v James>the shepherds a fluffy sheep,

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<v James>and Jesus a manger.

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<v James>I think you get the idea.

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<v James>For some more ideas and symbols,

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<v James>please go and check out the Jesse Tree page

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<v James>in the Christmas Customs section of whychristmas.com

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<v James>So I hope you've learnt a bit more about the Bible.

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<v James>It's much more than a dusty old book with some rules in.

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<v James>guitar solo

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<v Steve>That's right, James.

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<v Steve>It's a great read and a real manual for life.

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<v Steve>And it's the best-selling book in history.

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<v Steve>Of course, the theme music today was Brian Duncan

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<v Steve>and the Neil Soul Band with This Christmas,

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<v Steve>and the background music was Derek K. Miller

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<v Steve>with We Three Kings.

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<v Steve>Thanks for listening to Day 10 of the Lifespring Advent Calendar.

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<v Steve>Please come back tomorrow where you never know

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<v Steve>what will be behind the door.

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<v Steve>For James Cooper, I'm Steve Webb, your host.

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<v Music>This Christmas

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<v Music>It's the love I needed

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<v Music>And it's what I want

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<v Music>This Christmas

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<v Music>And it's what I want for you

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<v Music>The story is so

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<v Music>This Christmas

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<v Music>Of a newborn love

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<v Music>This Christmas

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<v Music>It's the best of all I know

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<v Music>This Christmas brings

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<v Music>Long after Christmas

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<v Music>Ties are gone