Dec. 24, 2025
The Word Made Flesh: A Dramatic Reading of the Christmas Story
Episode 2.68
This Christmas Day episode presents a dramatic reading of the biblical nativity—told entirely through Scripture.
Drawing from Luke 2:1–20, Matthew 1:18–2:12, and John 1:1–18, the story of Christ’s coming is heard as it unfolds: the decree of Caesar, the quiet obedience of Joseph, the wonder of the shepherds, the worship of the Magi, and the eternal Word made flesh.
Paired with visual imagery that reflects each scene, this reading invites listeners and viewers to slow down, listen, and behold the glory of the incarnation—not as sentiment, but as the arrival of the Light of the world.
No commentary. No embellishment. Just the Word of God proclaimed on Christmas Day.
Find our videocast here: https://youtu.be/EIqVpi54A9U
Merch here: https://take-2-podcast.printify.me/
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: 2QZOZ2YHZ5UTE7C8
Find more Take 2 Theology content at http://www.take2theology.com
1
00:00:01,800 --> 00:00:05,600
Luke 2.
Now in those days a decree went
2
00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:09,800
out from Caesar Augustus that a
census be taken of all the
3
00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:13,480
inhabited earth.
This was the first census taken
4
00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:17,680
while Carinius was governor of
Syria and everyone was on his
5
00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:21,040
way to register for the census,
each to his own city.
6
00:00:22,080 --> 00:00:25,640
Joseph also went up from Galilee
from the city of Nazareth to
7
00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:29,280
Judea to the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem
8
00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:33,640
because he was of the house and
family of David, in order to
9
00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:37,760
register along with Mary who was
engaged to him and was with
10
00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:40,520
child.
While they were there, the days
11
00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:44,600
were completed for her to give
birth, and she gave birth to her
12
00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:49,120
first born son, and she wrapped
him in clothes and laid him in a
13
00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:52,360
Manger, because there was no
room for them in the upper room.
14
00:00:53,320 --> 00:00:56,800
In the same region there were
some shepherds staying out in
15
00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:00,120
the fields and keeping watch
over their flocks by night.
16
00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:04,560
And an Angel of the Lord
suddenly stood before them, and
17
00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:07,480
the glory of the Lord shone
around them, and they were
18
00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:11,400
terribly frightened.
But the Angel said to them, Do
19
00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:16,480
not be afraid, for behold, I
bring you good news of great
20
00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:19,400
joy, which will be for all the
people.
21
00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:24,320
For today in the city of David
there has been born for you a
22
00:01:24,320 --> 00:01:28,840
Savior who is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign for you.
23
00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:33,280
You'll find a baby wrapped in
clothes and lying in a Manger.
24
00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:37,400
And suddenly there appeared with
the Angel a multitude of the
25
00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:42,040
heavenly host, praising God, and
saying, Glory to God, and the
26
00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:46,160
Highest, and on earth peace
among men with whom he is
27
00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:49,680
pleased.
When the angels had gone away
28
00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:52,760
from them into heaven, the
shepherds began saying to one
29
00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:56,800
another, Let us go straight to
Bethlehem then, and see this
30
00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,840
thing that has happened which
the Lord has made known to us.
31
00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:03,480
So they came in a hurry, and
found their way to Mary and
32
00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,080
Joseph, and the baby as he lie
in the Manger.
33
00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:09,199
When they had seen this, they
began to make known the
34
00:02:09,199 --> 00:02:12,560
statement which had been told to
them about this child, and all
35
00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:15,520
who heard it wondered at the
things which were told them by
36
00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,640
the shepherds.
But Mary treasured all these
37
00:02:18,640 --> 00:02:21,400
things, pondering them in her
heart.
38
00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:26,200
The shepherds went back,
glorifying and praising God for
39
00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:30,560
all that they had heard and
seen, just as had been told
40
00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,120
them.
Matthew 118.
41
00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:37,080
Now the birth of Jesus Christ
was as follows.
42
00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:41,840
When His mother Mary had been
betrothed to Joseph before they
43
00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:45,440
came together, she was found to
be with child by the Holy
44
00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:49,680
Spirit, and Joseph, her husband,
being a righteous man and not
45
00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:53,520
wanting to disgrace her, planned
to send her away secretly.
46
00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:58,280
But when he had considered this,
behold, an Angel of the Lord
47
00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:02,480
appeared to him in a dream,
saying, Joseph, son of David.
48
00:03:02,920 --> 00:03:06,920
Do not be afraid to take Mary as
your wife, for the child who has
49
00:03:06,920 --> 00:03:09,640
been conceived in her is of the
Holy Spirit.
50
00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:15,160
She will bear a son, and you
will call his name Jesus, for he
51
00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:17,560
will save his people from their
sins.
52
00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,840
Now all this took place to
fulfill what was spoken by the
53
00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:26,000
Lord through the prophet.
Behold, the Virgin shall be with
54
00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:30,160
child, and shall bear a son, and
they shall call his name
55
00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:35,400
Emmanuel, which translated means
God with us.
56
00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,440
And Joseph awoke from his sleep,
and did as the Angel of the Lord
57
00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:44,360
commanded him, and took Mary as
his wife, but kept her a virgin
58
00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:49,400
until she gave birth to a son,
and he called his name Jesus.
59
00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:54,240
Now after Jesus was born in
Bethlehem of Judea, in the days
60
00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:58,160
of Herod the king, Magi from the
East arrived in Jerusalem,
61
00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:02,600
saying, Where is he who has been
born king of the Jews?
62
00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:06,320
For we saw his star in the east,
and have come to worship him.
63
00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:10,120
When Herod the King heard this,
he was troubled.
64
00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:14,120
And all Jerusalem with him.
Gathering together all the chief
65
00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,920
priests and scribes of the
people, he inquired of them
66
00:04:17,079 --> 00:04:18,800
where the Messiah was to be
born.
67
00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:21,800
They said to him and Bethlehem
of Judea.
68
00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,240
For this is what has been
written by the prophet.
69
00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:29,800
And you, Bethlehem, land of
Judah, are by no means least
70
00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:33,640
among the leaders of Judah.
For out of you shall come forth
71
00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:37,720
a ruler who will shepherd my
people Israel.
72
00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:41,560
Then Herod secretly called the
Magi and determined from them
73
00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:43,640
the exact time the star had
appeared.
74
00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:47,920
And they sent them to Bethlehem,
and said, Go and search
75
00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:50,760
carefully for the Child, and
when you have found him, report
76
00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:54,040
to me, so that I too may come
and worship him.
77
00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:57,600
After hearing the King, they
went their way, and the star
78
00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:01,080
which they had seen in the East
went on before them until it
79
00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:04,520
came, and stood over the place
where the child was.
80
00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:09,440
When they saw the star, they
rejoiced exceedingly with great
81
00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:11,760
joy.
After coming into the house,
82
00:05:11,760 --> 00:05:15,120
they saw the child with Mary his
mother, and they fell to the
83
00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:20,240
ground and worshipped him.
Then, opening the treasures,
84
00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:24,640
they presented to him gifts of
gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
85
00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:28,560
And having been warned by God in
a dream not to return to Herod,
86
00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,400
the Magi left for their own
country by another way.
87
00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:41,600
John 1 In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God,
88
00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:46,680
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with
89
00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:50,080
God.
All things came into being
90
00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:55,600
through Him, and apart from Him
nothing came into being that has
91
00:05:55,600 --> 00:06:01,680
come into being.
In Him was life, and the life
92
00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:06,080
was the light of men.
The light shines in the
93
00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:09,920
darkness, and the darkness did
not comprehend it.
94
00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:14,360
There came a man sent from God,
whose name was John.
95
00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:20,560
He came as a witness to testify
about the light, so that all
96
00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:25,320
might believe through him.
He was not the light, but he
97
00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:31,000
came to testify about the light.
There was the true light which
98
00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:34,920
coming into the world enlightens
every man.
99
00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:40,400
He was in the world, and the
world was made through Him, and
100
00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:45,960
the world did not know Him.
He came to His own, and those
101
00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:51,480
who were His own did not receive
him, but as many as received
102
00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:53,680
Him.
To them He gave the right to
103
00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:59,200
become children of God, even to
those who believe in His name,
104
00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:04,520
who were born not of blood, nor
of the will of the flesh, nor of
105
00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:11,960
the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and
106
00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:17,480
dwelt among us, and we saw His
glory, glory as of the only
107
00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:22,440
begotten from the Father, full
of grace and truth.
108
00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:28,360
John testified about him and
cried out, saying, This was he
109
00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:33,440
whom I said, He who comes after
me has a higher rank than I, for
110
00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:38,120
He existed before me.
For of His fullness we have all
111
00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:44,320
received, and grace upon grace.
For the law was given through
112
00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:47,960
Moses.
Grace and truth were realized
113
00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:52,200
through Jesus Christ.
No one has seen God at any time.
114
00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:59,360
The only begotten God who is in
the bosom of the Father, He has
115
00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:00,400
explained him.
00:00:01,800 --> 00:00:05,600
Luke 2.
Now in those days a decree went
2
00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:09,800
out from Caesar Augustus that a
census be taken of all the
3
00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:13,480
inhabited earth.
This was the first census taken
4
00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:17,680
while Carinius was governor of
Syria and everyone was on his
5
00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:21,040
way to register for the census,
each to his own city.
6
00:00:22,080 --> 00:00:25,640
Joseph also went up from Galilee
from the city of Nazareth to
7
00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:29,280
Judea to the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem
8
00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:33,640
because he was of the house and
family of David, in order to
9
00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:37,760
register along with Mary who was
engaged to him and was with
10
00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:40,520
child.
While they were there, the days
11
00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:44,600
were completed for her to give
birth, and she gave birth to her
12
00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:49,120
first born son, and she wrapped
him in clothes and laid him in a
13
00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:52,360
Manger, because there was no
room for them in the upper room.
14
00:00:53,320 --> 00:00:56,800
In the same region there were
some shepherds staying out in
15
00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:00,120
the fields and keeping watch
over their flocks by night.
16
00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:04,560
And an Angel of the Lord
suddenly stood before them, and
17
00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:07,480
the glory of the Lord shone
around them, and they were
18
00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:11,400
terribly frightened.
But the Angel said to them, Do
19
00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:16,480
not be afraid, for behold, I
bring you good news of great
20
00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:19,400
joy, which will be for all the
people.
21
00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:24,320
For today in the city of David
there has been born for you a
22
00:01:24,320 --> 00:01:28,840
Savior who is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign for you.
23
00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:33,280
You'll find a baby wrapped in
clothes and lying in a Manger.
24
00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:37,400
And suddenly there appeared with
the Angel a multitude of the
25
00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:42,040
heavenly host, praising God, and
saying, Glory to God, and the
26
00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:46,160
Highest, and on earth peace
among men with whom he is
27
00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:49,680
pleased.
When the angels had gone away
28
00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:52,760
from them into heaven, the
shepherds began saying to one
29
00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:56,800
another, Let us go straight to
Bethlehem then, and see this
30
00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,840
thing that has happened which
the Lord has made known to us.
31
00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:03,480
So they came in a hurry, and
found their way to Mary and
32
00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,080
Joseph, and the baby as he lie
in the Manger.
33
00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:09,199
When they had seen this, they
began to make known the
34
00:02:09,199 --> 00:02:12,560
statement which had been told to
them about this child, and all
35
00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:15,520
who heard it wondered at the
things which were told them by
36
00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,640
the shepherds.
But Mary treasured all these
37
00:02:18,640 --> 00:02:21,400
things, pondering them in her
heart.
38
00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:26,200
The shepherds went back,
glorifying and praising God for
39
00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:30,560
all that they had heard and
seen, just as had been told
40
00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,120
them.
Matthew 118.
41
00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:37,080
Now the birth of Jesus Christ
was as follows.
42
00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:41,840
When His mother Mary had been
betrothed to Joseph before they
43
00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:45,440
came together, she was found to
be with child by the Holy
44
00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:49,680
Spirit, and Joseph, her husband,
being a righteous man and not
45
00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:53,520
wanting to disgrace her, planned
to send her away secretly.
46
00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:58,280
But when he had considered this,
behold, an Angel of the Lord
47
00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:02,480
appeared to him in a dream,
saying, Joseph, son of David.
48
00:03:02,920 --> 00:03:06,920
Do not be afraid to take Mary as
your wife, for the child who has
49
00:03:06,920 --> 00:03:09,640
been conceived in her is of the
Holy Spirit.
50
00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:15,160
She will bear a son, and you
will call his name Jesus, for he
51
00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:17,560
will save his people from their
sins.
52
00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,840
Now all this took place to
fulfill what was spoken by the
53
00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:26,000
Lord through the prophet.
Behold, the Virgin shall be with
54
00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:30,160
child, and shall bear a son, and
they shall call his name
55
00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:35,400
Emmanuel, which translated means
God with us.
56
00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,440
And Joseph awoke from his sleep,
and did as the Angel of the Lord
57
00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:44,360
commanded him, and took Mary as
his wife, but kept her a virgin
58
00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:49,400
until she gave birth to a son,
and he called his name Jesus.
59
00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:54,240
Now after Jesus was born in
Bethlehem of Judea, in the days
60
00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:58,160
of Herod the king, Magi from the
East arrived in Jerusalem,
61
00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:02,600
saying, Where is he who has been
born king of the Jews?
62
00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:06,320
For we saw his star in the east,
and have come to worship him.
63
00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:10,120
When Herod the King heard this,
he was troubled.
64
00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:14,120
And all Jerusalem with him.
Gathering together all the chief
65
00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,920
priests and scribes of the
people, he inquired of them
66
00:04:17,079 --> 00:04:18,800
where the Messiah was to be
born.
67
00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:21,800
They said to him and Bethlehem
of Judea.
68
00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,240
For this is what has been
written by the prophet.
69
00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:29,800
And you, Bethlehem, land of
Judah, are by no means least
70
00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:33,640
among the leaders of Judah.
For out of you shall come forth
71
00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:37,720
a ruler who will shepherd my
people Israel.
72
00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:41,560
Then Herod secretly called the
Magi and determined from them
73
00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:43,640
the exact time the star had
appeared.
74
00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:47,920
And they sent them to Bethlehem,
and said, Go and search
75
00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:50,760
carefully for the Child, and
when you have found him, report
76
00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:54,040
to me, so that I too may come
and worship him.
77
00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:57,600
After hearing the King, they
went their way, and the star
78
00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:01,080
which they had seen in the East
went on before them until it
79
00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:04,520
came, and stood over the place
where the child was.
80
00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:09,440
When they saw the star, they
rejoiced exceedingly with great
81
00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:11,760
joy.
After coming into the house,
82
00:05:11,760 --> 00:05:15,120
they saw the child with Mary his
mother, and they fell to the
83
00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:20,240
ground and worshipped him.
Then, opening the treasures,
84
00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:24,640
they presented to him gifts of
gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
85
00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:28,560
And having been warned by God in
a dream not to return to Herod,
86
00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,400
the Magi left for their own
country by another way.
87
00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:41,600
John 1 In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God,
88
00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:46,680
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with
89
00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:50,080
God.
All things came into being
90
00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:55,600
through Him, and apart from Him
nothing came into being that has
91
00:05:55,600 --> 00:06:01,680
come into being.
In Him was life, and the life
92
00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:06,080
was the light of men.
The light shines in the
93
00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:09,920
darkness, and the darkness did
not comprehend it.
94
00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:14,360
There came a man sent from God,
whose name was John.
95
00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:20,560
He came as a witness to testify
about the light, so that all
96
00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:25,320
might believe through him.
He was not the light, but he
97
00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:31,000
came to testify about the light.
There was the true light which
98
00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:34,920
coming into the world enlightens
every man.
99
00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:40,400
He was in the world, and the
world was made through Him, and
100
00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:45,960
the world did not know Him.
He came to His own, and those
101
00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:51,480
who were His own did not receive
him, but as many as received
102
00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:53,680
Him.
To them He gave the right to
103
00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:59,200
become children of God, even to
those who believe in His name,
104
00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:04,520
who were born not of blood, nor
of the will of the flesh, nor of
105
00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:11,960
the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and
106
00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:17,480
dwelt among us, and we saw His
glory, glory as of the only
107
00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:22,440
begotten from the Father, full
of grace and truth.
108
00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:28,360
John testified about him and
cried out, saying, This was he
109
00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:33,440
whom I said, He who comes after
me has a higher rank than I, for
110
00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:38,120
He existed before me.
For of His fullness we have all
111
00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:44,320
received, and grace upon grace.
For the law was given through
112
00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:47,960
Moses.
Grace and truth were realized
113
00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:52,200
through Jesus Christ.
No one has seen God at any time.
114
00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:59,360
The only begotten God who is in
the bosom of the Father, He has
115
00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:00,400
explained him.
