What Does Christmas Mean to You? Join the hosts of Irenicast as they ponder the birth narrative, and the multiple ways that the story of Jesus' birth has been told and understood over the years.   Jeff invites the team to consider what Christmas means to them this year. The conversation begins with each of the cohosts pondering what it has been like to try to find Christmas cheer in 2020. The conversation slowly moves from finding cheer into a discussion about how each cohost interprets the story of Jesus' birth.  Bonnie invites the team to recognize the importance of birth narratives and the centering of children and women's voices. Before the episode finished the team shares some news about the future of the podcast.  Irenicast will be taking a short hiatus to focus on the next phase of the show.  But not before leaving you with some Christmas cheer via a brand new virtual mix tape in the closing segment, Playlist. Conversation What Christmas Means To You (02:52) State of the Podcast Special Announcement (46:03) Segment Top Three Christmas Songs of 2020 (57:43) ANNOUNCEMENTS Irenicast is going on a break for the first few months of 2021.  Please make sure you stay up to date on what we’re preparing upon our return!  The best way to do that is to sign up to our email list. RELEVANT LINKS From Our Conversation on What Does Christmas Mean to You? American Gods (STARZ TV Show) Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55 NRSV Christopher Nolan (American Film Maker) Batman Begins (2005 Film) The Dark Knight (2008 Film) The Dark Knight Rises (2012 Film) Australia Fires Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan (Book - Amazon Affiliate Link) Above All by Michael W. Smith Literary Criticism Sojourner Truth (American abolitionist and women's rights activist) Neo-Calvinism From Our State of the Podcast Update and Upcoming Break Sign Up for Our Email List Haystacks The Queerly Faithful Pastor Divine Cinema From Our Playlist Segment Playlists from Past Episodes An Angry Journey (Irenicast Playlist) Protest Songs (Irenicast Playlist) Irenicast Christmas 2020 Playlist on Spotify All I Want For Christmas by Mariah Carey Blue Christmas by Elvis A Charlie Brown Christmas - O Tannenbaum O Holy Night by Patti LaBelle Home Alone Theme by August Burns Red White Christmas by Bing Crosby Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayla Peevey The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole O Come O Come Emmanual by the Civil Wars I Wish It Was Christmas Today by Cheap Trick Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays by *NSYNC Christmas in Hollis RUN DMC The Season’s Upon Us by Dropkick Murphys Waltz of the Flowers What Child is This by Yolanda Adams Christmas Blues Traveler A Song From SNL: I Wish It Was Christmas Today - SNL (YouTube Video) Home Alone (1990 Film) Christmas Shoes Bit by Patton Oswalt SUPPORT THE SHOW You can always count on Irenicast providing a free podcast on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month.  However, that does not mean that we do not have expense related to the show.  If we have provided value to you and you would like to support the show, here are a few options. PAYPAL - You can make a one-time, or recurring, tax-deductible donation to the show through PayPal. Just go to Irenicast.com/PayPal to make your donation. We are a 501(c)(3). MERCH - Irenicast has a merch store at Irenicast.com/Store.  We are always developing more items so check out our current offerings. AMAZON - Next time you go to make a purchase on Amazon consider using our Amazon affiliate link.  This will give us a small portion on everything you purchase.  No additional cost will be passed on to you. IRENCAST HOSTS Rev. Allen “The Mouse King” O’Brien, MAT | co-founder & co-host | allen@irenicast.com You can connect with Allen (@RevAllenOB) on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, GoodReads, & LinkedIn. Rev. Bonnie Rambob, MDiv | co-host | bonnie@irenicast.com You can connect with Bonnie on Facebook and at Parkside Community Church-UCC Pastor Casey Tinnin, MDiv, MTS | co-host | casey@irenicast.com You can follow Casey on Twitter and Facebook, or you can check out his blog The Queerly Faithful Pastor or loomisucc.org Jeff Manildi | co-founder, producer & co-host | jeff@irenicast.com Follow Jeff (@JeffManildi) on facebook, instagram & twitter.  You can also listen to Jeff’s other podcast Divine Cinema. Rev. Rajeev Rambob, MCL | co-host | rajeev@irenicast.com You can follow Rajeev on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION Join our progressive Christian conversations on faith and culture by interacting with us through the following links: Read Us on our blog Irenicon Email Us at podcast@irenicast.com Follow Us on Twitter Like Us on Facebook Listen & Subscribe to Us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, Spreaker, Pandora and SoundCloud Speak to Us on our Feedback Page and the Post Evangelical Facebook Group See Us on Instagram Support Us on PayPal, Amazon or at our Store Love Us? CREDITS Intro and Outro music created by Mike Golin. This post may contain affiliate links.  An Irenicon is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com