Have you ever considered spending Christmas on the moon?

Many of us will never forget Christmas Eve, 1968. Apollo 8 was orbiting the moon. Astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders broadcast a message back to the earth from their unique vantage point.

Anders began the broadcast: “We are now approaching lunar sunrise. And, for all the people back on earth, the crew of Apollo 8 have a message that we would like to send to you. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

The astronauts’ Christmas Eve message from the moon was taken from God’s Word, the Bible, and each man read a few verses from Genesis 1:1-12, ending with, “And God saw that it was good." Frank Borman ended their Christmas Eve message from the Moon with these words, “And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close, with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you, all of you on the good earth.”

I sat with my late husband, Fred, and all of our children as these hallowed words echoed from space, and images of the lunar landscape and the earth itself were broadcast into homes across America.

It was Christmas Eve, when we celebrate the infinite God coming to a very finite earth. The words from the moon gave us a unique perspective on the event that started it all... and the event the world was about to celebrate. There from a distance, the earth could be seen in all its glory. There is fear and uncertainty in our nation and our world this Christmas, but place your trust in God’s promise in Isaiah 9:6: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

On this Christmas Eve, please join me in receiving God’s glorious gift to us all, His One and Only Son, Jesus! Merry Christmas!

Blessings!

Willie Jordan (Mrs. Fred Jordan)