In the first half of our live Christmas Eve show, Anglican priest and TV presenter Lionel Fanthorpe explored the rich and varied origins of Christmas traditions and discussed the deeper meaning of the holiday. He emphasized the importance of love and kindness during Christmas and the role of charity in the celebration, reflecting on the biblical teaching that helping the needy is akin to serving God. Fanthorpe recounted the 1895 tale of "The Other Wise Man," which expands on the biblical Magi, telling of a Persian magus who misses the caravan to see the newborn Jesus because he stops to help a dying man, illustrating the spirit of selflessness and compassion central to the holiday.
Recalling the legend of St. Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra, he described a dramatic tale of the saint appearing to sailors in a storm, offering aid and encouragement: “Behold, you have called me, and I am here,” a voice said, as a gray-bearded man appeared on the deck to guide the ship to safety. Fanthorpe traced the evolution of "Kris Kringle" from the German "Christkindl," originally a religious figure symbolizing the Christ child, which transformed linguistically as German immigrants brought their customs to America.
Fanthorpe also detailed the origins of the Christmas tree, noting its Protestant roots in Central Europe and the transition from candles to electric lights, with the Vatican only adopting the Christmas tree in 1982. On the spread of Christmas globally, he cited its adaptation from ancient midwinter solstice celebrations into a Christian holiday marking Jesus' birth. He also provided a history of Christmas cards, including milestones such as the introduction of the Penny Post in 1840 and the pioneering personalized card sent by sharpshooter Annie Oakley in 1891. When asked what excites him most about Christmas, Fanthorpe, now 90 years old and celebrating 68 years with his wife Patricia, answered with heartfelt simplicity: "It’s really the joy of being with my family."
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The latter half featured Christmas Eve Open Lines calls with a focus on miracles. 'Mike the Millennial' kicked things off, sharing how the show has been a miracle in his life, helping him overcome anxiety and build connections. Cornelius from Louisiana thanked the Coast to Coast community for its support during his surgery and praised the program's caring nature. Ruth from Maryland recounted a Christmas miracle in which she helped a nursing home patient return home against the odds.
Later, Ruth from Illinois shared an inspiring story about sending over 2,000 fortune cookies since January to schools, senior centers, and radio stations across multiple states. Roger from Nevada recounted a personal miracle from 1987 when he was run over by a bus in Cairo near the pyramids but miraculously survived without serious injury. Aaron from Tempe, Arizona, recalled a personal miracle about inviting someone to visit him in a dream, which worked and lifted his spirits.
The show closed with Lionel Fanthorpe's stirring rendition of "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
News segment guests: Mish Shedlock, Dr. Chris Gilbert