Storytelling
Merry Christmas! Christmas is always a great time and the right time to hear again the greatest story ever told. Storytelling is either the art and skill of telling accurate factual stories or ones that are fictional with a powerful message.
The greatest factual story ever told is about Jesus coming to earth in the form of a baby. He was born of the virgin Mary and was given the name Jesus.
He grew up in the land of Galilee and the city of Nazareth. He lived a perfect life and never did sin. He is the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
At 33, He was crucified on a cross to pay your sin debt and mine. He is the way of salvation. He is the way to eternal life. He is the way to heaven.
In other contexts, storytelling speaks of the art and skill of telling real or fictional stories that have a moral message we all need to hear.
For people in Tennessee, the town of Jonesborough is the storytelling capital. On the first Friday in October each year, people gather for the National Storytelling Festival. Attenders can hear stories sure to steal their attention and cause them to be catapulted back in time. The first storytelling festival took place in Jonesboro 50 years ago on October 7, 1973.
It is believed the Greeks were the first known civilization to develop writing and applying it to storytelling. They did this in written messages and poems. Carrier pigeons were often used to deliver their handwritten stories.
The modern newspaper was created as a means of getting important and informative stories to the people. The first newspaper was published and distributed in 1690 and called “Publick Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestic.” Shortly after that, in 1704 the first Boston Newsletter was created, it was named “The Statute of Anne.”
Shakespeare is probably the most well-known storyteller. He wrote thirty-seven plays during his relatively brief life. His most famous stories we call plays include Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet.
Storytelling has been used for years to communicate to children. Many of the stories we remember from childhood were read and told to teach children basic life lessons. The story of Hansel and Gretel was meant to scare children from wandering off into the woods.
In these days of Christmas, I encourage you to share the Christmas story with your family and friends. A good time would be sitting around the fireplace or the dinner table, just before Christmas dinner is served.
Another time to tell the greatest story ever told is moments before opening presents. Almost certainly the kids in the house will reject this notion. But what a tremendous time to remember the greatest gift ever given of all time. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Merry Christmas!
