Audio Narration

Before you enter the tunnel, press play on the audio file below and follow along as you drive very, VERY slowly.

Chapter One

RIVER LIGHTS OF WONDER
Welcome to: “River Lights of Wonder!” Right now, we invite you to leave all your cares behind as we travel back in time…are you ready?  Think for a moment…if the first Christmas happened over 2,000 years go, why is it, that Christmas (and its message) has lasted the test of time? Well….let’s find out!

IN THE BEGINNING
In the very beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…and it was good.

Chapter Two

THE HEART ISSUE (LOVE & PEACE)
God created “man,” in His own image. They walked, talked, and laughed. They enjoyed this beautiful world together filled with peace and love…and it was so, so good.

MAN REJECTS GOD
Sadly though, man turned away from God. Where there was once “Peace on Earth,” now sadness, chaos, anger and frustration was seen and felt everywhere. This broke God’s heart. So, in order to restore the love and friendship that was lost between man and God, God came up with a plan…a plan that would surprise and amaze the world!

Chapter Three

THE PLAN (GOD CHOSE MARY)
First, God chose a young virgin girl, named Mary, to carry His son inside her womb. Mary loved and trusted God with all her heart and when the angel visited her, she humbly responded by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant and I am willing.”

JOSEPH HAS A DREAM
Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, struggled with this news…but, an angel visited Joseph in a dream saying: “Do not be afraid Joseph, but take Mary as your wife. She will give birth to a son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. And you are to give him the name ‘Jesus.’

MARY & JOSEPH TRAVELED TO BETHLEHEM
Caesar Augustus had ordered a census which meant Mary and Joseph had to travel over 65 miles to the city of Bethlehem! As they traveled, they wondered about this “miracle,” baby and why God had entrusted him
into their care.

THE WISE MEN FOLLOWED A STAR
Now, far from the East, there were some wise men who were observing the stars. A large, new star they had never seen before appeared in the sky. They learned that such a star was a sign that a great king was to be born!  So, the wisemen set out to follow that star. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

ANGELS APPEARED TO THE SHEPHERDS
The night finally came that Mary gave birth to Jesus. Shepherds were watching over their sheep. It was a quiet night …. but, suddenly angels appeared to them in the sky saying: “Don’t be afraid for I have wonderful news for you! God’s own son has been born! You will find him wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.” They were filled with wonder and excitement! They ran to Bethlehem to find the baby!

Chapter Four

THE GIFT
The wonder of Christmas is that the son of God was born on this earth in a humble stable.  Why? To bring people’s hearts back to God. “For God so loved the world that he gave us his only son.” Jesus was and is the ultimate Christmas gift for us today! Receive the gift of God’s son in your heart this Christmas. God is waiting to have a relationship and friendship with you like in the very, very beginning. This will bring peace into your heart!  Yes!  This is the wonder of Christmas and why Christmas, and it’s message, has stood the test of time!

Our Narrator

Founding Pastor of Riverside Church, Reverend John Booko (Narrator) is a well known author, international speaker, and just celebrated his 100th birthday!