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English with Ally
Welcome to English with Ally!
I'll take you on a journey of language learning and cultural discovery! Each episode is designed to help you improve your English while exploring the traditions, culture and everyday life that make English-speaking countries unique.
From festive fun to fascinating customs, you’ll learn the language and discover the culture – one story at a time.
In season 1, we'll take a look at Christmas customs over 24 episodes exploring the secular and religious traditions of this Christian celebration.
So sit back and enjoy a backstage pass to English culture and language!
English with Ally
What Christmas Message did the Angels, Shepherds and Kings bring?
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Hello and welcome back to English with Ally!
I’m Ally and you are listening to one of 24 episodes I'm making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a little listening practice.
This is part two retelling the story of the birth of Christ. In the first part, we talked about Mary, Joseph, their journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus. Today, we’ll meet some very special visitors.
Listen out for these words:
- shepherds – people who take care of sheep
- angels – messengers from God
- Saviour - a person who will save others
- Hurried - to hurry - to move quickly
- Wise men – important visitors who brought gifts
- Gold – a precious metal
- Frankincense and Myrrh - expensive, perfumed resins from trees
- Worship - reverence for a deity
So we are back on the night Jesus was born: some shepherds were watching their sheep in the fields near Bethlehem. Suddenly, angels appeared and told them the good news: a Savior had been born! The angels sang about peace on earth and joy for all people.
Why did the angels visit shepherds? Christians believe this was to show that Jesus came for everyone, not just the rich or powerful. Shepherds were ordinary, humble people, even considered of low social standing in society. By choosing shepherds first, the message was clear—God’s gift of hope, forgiveness and salvation was for all people.
The shepherds hurried to see the baby in the manger, and they were filled with joy. This part of the story reminds Christians that Christmas is about hope, peace and good news for everyone.
Later, three wise men came from the East. They followed a bright star that led them to Bethlehem. When they found Jesus, they gave him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts had special meaning: gold for a king, frankincense for worship, and myrrh for suffering. Christians believe these gifts show who Jesus is and what his life would mean.
It's an amazing image to think of a baby surrounded by animals in a stable while shepherds and Kings worship him - you may have seen a nativity scene which depicts this. The story of Jesus's birth has inspired some wonderful poetry - that's is the topic of tomorrow's episode.
Thanks for listening to English with Ally! If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend and subscribe! Let me know what you would like to hear next by emailing me at helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com—I’d love to hear from you, and Merry Christmas!
Learn the language, discover the culture.