I am so excited to share with you a really special conversation with the incredibly talented Renaissance woman Nikki Anders. Nikki is an award-winning musician, songwriter, and music producer in the TV and film industry. She shares some of her experiences in the music industry as a solo artist and member of the music group Avalon, her and her husband Adam's time working on "Glee" as well as many other films, and now are the creative team behind the new movie musical "The Journey to Bethlehem."

Nikki shares how the Lord closed and opened so many doors over the last seventeen years from an idea about a Christmas movie the whole family could enjoy and focus on the true story of Christmas, all the way to bringing the music, script, and spectacular vision on their hearts to fruition. Placing themselves in the shoes of the real people who lived the days of Jesus' coming into the world was a practice of holy imagination and allowing themselves to wonder how God wove this story together. The Christmas story is sometimes too familiar to those who have grown up hearing it. This movie and its music breathes so much life into the incredible true story of the God who loved us so much, He sent His Son as a baby, to a very real family, who faced very real risks, because we needed a Savior.

Ever since I had this conversation with Nikki, the music has brought up some really amazing conversation opportunities and questions from my two kids, and I already can tell our experience of Christmas and Advent this year will be different because of this movie, the music, and the way it has ignited the curiosity and imagination of my children.

This world is weary and longs and groans to be restored. A Savior has come and made redemption and salvation available to all who call on Him. And I hope that wherever you are, I can whisper some hope to your heart today. You matter, friend. And your story matters.

Connecting with Nikki:

Anders Media

Adam's Instagram

"Journey to Bethlehem"'s Instagram

"Journey to Bethlehem" soundtrack

Nikki's Instagram

Twitter/ X

Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

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Scripture References:

Ephesians 4:1- Following the call of God

Matthew 13:1-9- Scattering seed living as God wants you to live

1 Corinthians 10:31- Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God

Daniel 1- Daniel and the exile in the Palace of Babylon

Daniel 3- Shadrach, Meshach and Abendengo's God

Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2- Mary, Joseph, and the Christmas story that is in the pages of scripture

Luke 1:26-56 - Mary and an angel appeared to her

Matthew 2:16- The massacre of the innocents

1 John 1:7 (among others!)Jesus covers us with His blood

Matthew 6:13- Thine is the Kingdom

Ecclesiastes 1:9- There is nothing new under the sun

Luke 1:20-25, Luke 1:57-80- Zechariah couldn't speak

Isaiah 14:27-Nothing can stop the Lord

Luke 1:37- Nothing will be impossible with God

Matthew 2- The wise men

Matthew 2:7-9-Conversations between the wise men and Herod