2. A Nativity to Die For — Away in a manger

THIS IS HISTORY — A DYNASTY TO DIE FOR

Sony Music

History, Society & Culture

4.8 • 2.5K Ratings

🗓️ 16 December 2025

⏱️ 27 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The story continues as the holy family make their way to Bethlehem for a Roman census. Along the way they meet classic characters from the Nativity including an inn keeper and some shepherds who, while watching their flocks, get jump scared by an angel into going to visit a baby in a manger. But why is Luke, the gospelist, telling us all this? Who is the Jesus Christ he is trying to present in this gospel? Want to delve deeper? Become a This Is History Royal Favourite subscriber on Patreon. You get ad free listening, exclusive behind the scenes videos, and a weekly bonus episode. On this week’s bonus episode, Dan and resident Nativity expert Professor Helen Bond zoom into the intentions behind Luke’s Gospels. What was the manger really trying to convey — to early Christians and the Romans looking over them? Listen to that episode here: patreon.com/thisishistory – A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Written and presented by Dan Jones. Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Simon Poole Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production coordinator: Eric Ryan Mixing - Amber Devereux Head of content – Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	My dear flock, traffic during Christmas time is pretty bad in any year, but let me tell you,
0:07.0	those Roman roads were bumper to bumper when Christmas was, well, invented. Now, you're about to follow
0:15.0	Mary and Joseph as they make their first Christmas commute. But before you do, I'd like to remind you that you can
0:21.6	treat yourself to this week's bonus episode. This week, Helen Bond and I are delving into
0:27.3	the reasons why the Nativity's myths and symbols have stuck around for centuries, despite
0:33.2	not really happening at all, like the donkey, the shepherds, and that Roman census.
0:40.4	Consider these very potent plot devices.
0:44.0	To listen to that bonus episode, add-free, join This Is History's Holy Family at patreon.com
0:50.6	forward slash this is history.
0:52.8	In the meantime, Bethlehem Beckons after this short break.
0:59.4	Train Dreams is now nominated for five Critics Choice Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Adapted
1:06.5	Screenplay, and Two Golden Globe Awards, including Best Actor Joel Edgerton.
1:10.9	I don't know where the years go.
1:12.4	It is also nominated for four Independent Spirit Awards.
1:15.6	Figured out, let me know. I'd like to ask for a few back.
1:17.6	And winner for Best Adapted Screenplay from National Board of Review.
1:21.6	New York Magazine hails it as the best picture of the year.
1:25.6	Train Dreams, only on Netflix. When I was a little boy in the
1:30.3	middle ages, I loved window shopping at the market, the sharp clink of the blacksmith making the
1:35.3	day's most fashionable armor plates. But the next week, the stall disappeared. I was devastated.
1:41.5	If only I had a magic portal to help me retrace my steps. Thankfully,
1:45.4	Shopify does just that. If you've ever found yourself scrolling an online store with that
	...

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