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A recording of the Apollo 8 astronauts reading from the book of Genesis.

Christmas Eve, 1968. As one of the most turbulent, tragic years in American history drew to a close, millions around the world were watching and listening as the Apollo 8 astronauts - Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders - became the first humans to orbit another world.

The closing of the Christmas Eve broadcast from lunar orbit by the crew of Apollo 8. Bill Anders, Jim Lovell, and Frank Borman taking turns reading from the first chapter of the Book of Genesis.

While orbiting the Moon on Apollo 8, Christmas Eve, December 24, 1968, William Anders said, "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 heavens 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,...

On Christmas Eve in 1968, three astronauts aboard the historic Apollo 8 manned mission to the moon captivated the world by reading the opening verses of the Bible. The message was heard by an estimated 1 billion people on Earth. The Apollo 8 mission, which set forth into space on December 21, 1968, was critical in leading to an actual lunar landing just shy of seven months later. The three astronauts onboard – Air Force Col. Frank Borman, the mission commander; Navy Capt. James A. Lovell Jr., the command module pilot; and Air Force Major William A. Anders – were...

For Christmas Eve:Apollo 8's Christmas Eve Message

December 24, 1968: Apollo 8 Genesis Reading and Earthrise"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."Apollo 8 Christmas Eve Broadcast - Genesis Reading (1968)Apollo 8 Genesis readingEarthrise is a photograph of Earth and some of the Moon's surface that was taken from lunar orbit by astronaut William Anders on December 24, 1968, during the Apollo 8 mission.Earthrise

Genesis 1:1-10Apollo 8 Christmas Eve Broadcast - Genesis Reading (1968)Bill AndersWe 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...