On the 11th Day of Christmas Past,
Question: On the night before Christmas 50 years ago, what historically most-watched event was viewed on television around the world?
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“50th Anniversary of Christmas Eve 1968”
Apollo 8 is perhaps best remembered today for the broadcast the three astronauts made when they entered the moon’s orbit on Christmas Eve. As viewers were shown pictures of the moon and Earth from lunar orbit, Borman, Lovell and Anders read the opening lines of the book of Genesis from the Bible.
William Anders – “We are now approaching lunar sunrise, and for all the people back on Earth, the crew of Apollo 8 has a message that we would like to send to you. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.”
James Lovell – “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.”
Frank Borman – “And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas – and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth.
After circling the moon 10 times on Christmas Eve, it was time to come home. On Christmas morning, mission control waited anxiously for word that Apollo 8’s engine ignition burner had worked allowing them to leave lunar orbit. They soon got confirmation when Lovell radioed, “Roger, please be informed there is a Santa Claus.”
The crew splashed down in the Pacific on December 27. A lunar landing was still months away, but for the first time ever, humans from Earth had visited the moon and returned home safely. This broadcast—was one of the most watched television events in history.”
Apollo 8 mission, astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders spent the night before Christmas orbiting the moon. They broadcast verses about the Creation from the Bible.
Apollo mission, I remember looking up at the sky and being in total awe of what man had accomplished. As a Kid I wondered if this was how Father in Heaven saw the earth.
The broadcast of Apollo 8 Mission. The astronauts entered the moon’s orbit for the first time and they read from the book of Genesis as we saw pictures of the moon and earth from lunar orbit.
This story of the experience of their Christmas in space was the most beautiful present I could receive this Christmas. It touched my heart and emotions to hear the words of God in Genesis regarding the creation! We were able to see the moon and earth from lunar orbit. Thank you so much!
The historically most-watched event on TV 50 years ago was the broadcast from space of the three astronauts circling the moon. I believe they read the account of the creation because their view verified that God truly did create this beautiful earth, and that the Savior’s birth was part of His plan.
How refreshing – I remember those flights. Today that kind of broadcast would not be “politically correct” and it would have been banned. But it is so true and so right. And I also love the fun of his saying that there is a santa clause.
The first orbit around the earth and moon. The three astronauts were the first to see the earth and moon outside earth gavatational pull. They were in the radio reading from the Bible about the creation. If that was today I believe they would not be aloud to say those things on national radio. I happy to know that those three men believed in God and were not afraid to tell the world what they saw and give God thanks for creating the world!
Apollo 8 is perhaps best remembered today for the broadcast the three astronauts made when they entered the moon’s orbit on Christmas Eve. As viewers were shown pictures of the moon and Earth from lunar orbit, Borman, Lovell and Anders read the opening lines of the book of Genesis from the Bible.
On December 21, 1968, three astronauts circled the moon for the first time and observed earth from outer space. A Christmas Eve message was broadcast to the earth, which viewers could watch on their televisions, reading the Biblical account of the creation. How wonderful that men of science gave the Creator a recognition of his great work.
With wondering awe the world listened to three wise men who testified of the evidence of God’s creation of the Earth as they observed the Earth from the moon’s orbit.
On December 21st, 1968 three United States astronauts, Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders spent the night before Christmas orbing the moon. On the historic mission of Apollo 8, once in orbit, the astronauts shared a message with the world by reading the opening verses in the Christian Bible. The verses shared tell of the creation of the planet and the deep connection we have with the shared home that we call Earth.
I remember this time very well it was a great time all over America. We have come a long way. The reading in the Bible was very inspirational at that time in history.
Apollo 8 orbits the moon. Three astronauts read of the creation of the earth while showing pictures of earth from space. God is over All
The broadcast from space as three astronauts circled the moon reading from the Bible. So Cool!!
I remember this broadcast! Apollo 8 crew members Borman, Lovell, and Anders circled the moon 10 times and read part of the account of the creation from the Bible. What a wonderful opportunity they had to see God’s creations from outer space.