Let the Christmas Spirit Ring: Brenda Lee & Philip Nation
Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith
Jesus Calling
4.6 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 25 December 2025
⏱️ 27 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This week, we welcome a music legend whose voice has become synonymous with the sounds of the season. At just twelve years old, Brenda Lee recorded “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” She shares memories of recording in Nashville alongside country greats, her deep respect for the team behind every hit, and the enduring value of kindness in a competitive industry.
Later in the episode, we’ll hear from pastor, author, and publisher Philip Nation, who has dedicated his career to making Scripture accessible to readers everywhere. Philip opens up about his desire to know and understand God’s Word more fully.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Lisa Harper
Upcoming interview: Ben Higgins
Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree book
Interview Quotes:
“It was a team effort, so if I had a hit, so did they, all those wonderful people. And we just had a ball.” - Brenda Lee
“I try to tell the new artists that are coming up, ‘You don’t do this by yourself. You may be the greatest singer that ever walked the earth, but if you don’t conform and listen, you’ll still be a great singer, but nobody will know.’” - Brenda Lee
“If you don’t make it on your voice, you’ll make it on your kindness. Goodness always wins out.” - Brenda Lee
“I think that walking alongside other people in celebrations and in painful times, and constantly looking to the Scripture to inform, guide, and help you make decisions, to find hope when times are dark, and to be able to magnify your joys when you’re celebrating—to do that together is the very nature of what we see God unfolding in the Bible.” - Philip Nation
“[God] is constantly calling people together to live by faith and to walk through this world, not as lone rangers and solitary believers, but to do it together.” - Philip Nation
“There is plenty of anxiety and stress and pressure that just flows through our lives, which is why we need the study of Scripture. It’s why we need to be able to pause in prayer [and do as] the Scripture tells us, to pray without ceasing, just to let our hearts be abounding in prayer and our minds being constantly renewed by the Scripture.” - Philip Nation
“When I pick up the Bible, I realize that this is God knowing what humanity is all about and desiring to speak with me personally, kindly, and clearly. Even in the midst of stress and anxiety, it is the place we can turn our minds and allow the Holy Spirit to say, ‘I want to meet you and care for you in this moment of need.’” - Philip Nation
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Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!
Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7
Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw
Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C
Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj
Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u
What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj
Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey girl, yes you. You are seen. You are love. And you were made for more. |
| 0:06.8 | Created especially for teen girls, chart-topping Christian artist Anne Wilson, invites you to her 40-day devotional, Hey Girl, through honest stories, scripture, and journal France, and talks about real struggles. |
| 0:18.1 | Comparison, insecurity, doubt, and faith, reminding you that God is |
| 0:22.3 | always near and fighting for you. Hey girl, from Caleb Books. Get your copy today at caleb.com |
| 0:28.9 | slash books. |
| 0:32.4 | Life Audio |
| 0:33.6 | Did you know that Jesus Calling has its own YouTube channel? |
| 0:38.7 | It's full of great content that will enhance your spiritual life. |
| 0:42.1 | You'll find beautiful videos with short devotional moments to help you through your day, |
| 0:46.1 | as well as stories on video from celebrities, authors, pastors, and everyday people who share |
| 0:51.6 | what their faith journey has meant to them. |
| 0:53.8 | You'll also find the Jesus Listen's Stories of Prayer series, |
| 0:57.2 | hosted by Susie McIntyre Eaton, featuring new guests monthly. |
| 1:01.7 | Subscribe today for new videos each week. |
| 1:07.2 | People would say, how can you do that over and over? |
| 1:12.4 | You do it because the song is good and you don't get tired of it. |
| 1:18.7 | We love Christmas. |
| 1:20.3 | I guess that's our favorite holiday because everybody gets together. |
| 1:24.7 | Welcome to the Jesus Calling podcast. |
| 1:27.3 | First, we welcome a music legend whose voice has become synonymous with the sounds of the season. |
| 1:32.5 | At just 12 years old, Brenda Lee recorded Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. She shares memories of recording in Nashville alongside country greats, her deep respect for the team behind every hit, and the enduring value of kindness in a competitive industry. |
| 1:46.6 | Later in the episode, we'll hear from pastor, author, and publisher Philip Nation, |
... |
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