Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Dec. 25, 2024.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
December 1968 was a difficult time for many in the world, as war and hostages, riots and assassinations drew our attention. But a trio of U.S. astronauts brought the Christmas spirit to Americans from high above our planet.
Here is one account of the Apollo 8 mission from The Associated Press, as told on Christmas Day, 1968:
“To this day, that 1968 mission is considered to be NASA’s boldest and perhaps most dangerous undertaking. That first voyage by humans to another world set the stage for the still grander Apollo 11 moon landing seven months later.
“There was unprecedented and unfathomable risk to putting three men atop a monstrous new rocket for the first time and sending them all the way to the moon. The mission was whipped together in just four months in order to reach the moon by year’s end, before the Soviet Union.
“There was the Old Testament reading by commander Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders.
“Lastly, there was the photo named ‘Earthrise,’ showing our blue and white ball — humanity’s home — rising above the bleak, gray lunar landscape and 240,000 miles in the distance.
“Humans had never set eyes on the far side of the moon, or on our planet as a cosmic oasis, surrounded completely by the black void of space. A half-century later, only 24 U.S. astronauts who flew to the moon have witnessed these wondrous sights in person.”
Today’s focus is on the Christmas message the astronauts shared with the world:
Millions tuned in on Christmas Even when Frank Borman, Bill Anders and Lovell circled the moon. A television camera on board took footage of the crater-filled surface as the astronauts read Bible verses describing the creation of Earth. They circled 10 times and began reading from the Book of Genesis on the last orbit.
“It’s a foundation of Christianity, Judaism and Islam,” Lovell said of choosing Genesis. “It is the foundation of most of the world’s religions. ... They all had that basis of the Old Testament.
“The idea of bringing people together by a flight to the moon where we encompassed everybody in our thoughts is still very valid today,” Lovell said. “The words that we read are very appropriate.”
Here are selected stories from Deseret News archives of the Apollo 8 mission — which began Dec. 21 and ended with an ocean splashdown on Dec. 27, Christmas observations and other great tidings:
“Apollo 8 astronaut marks 1968 Christmastime broadcast to Earth”
“NASA’s 1st flight to moon, Apollo 8, marks 50th anniversary”
“Inside the newsroom: Reaching for the moon and finding something greater”
“Should faith groups have a say in the future of space travel?”
“Lovell never got to be the man on moon”
“New crisis, old debate — what shall NASA do?”
“Ex-astronaut Borman sees no moon in future”
“Apollo 13 commander speaks at BYU on successful failure”
“In our opinion: We honor 6 Utahns who put America in space”
“In our opinion: The ‘giant leap’ wasn’t just about man’s achievements”
“One giant leap: 40 years later, Apollo moon landing remains pivotal”