How Long ...
“How Long …” is a special presentation of The Lutheran Hour ®. Hosted by Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, this presentation, “How Long …,” features original arrangements of Christmas carols by the internationally known vocalist Erin Bode and an original story revealing an ancient set of poems inspired by the book of Isaiah called the “O Antiphons.”
The antiphons have been used through the centuries to unite Christians in the brightest and darkest of times, as they await the return of their Savior, the Messiah. Originally written in Latin, these ancient poems were very quickly turned into song. The classic hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is based on this poem and is integral to the story.
The original story is presented as a radio drama. The heartwarming tale is that of a skeptical young woman living alone in windy Chicago at Christmastime. The woman is intrigued by a series of creative messages, a familiar song, and an invitation.
Listen to "How Long ...":
Hosted by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler and Mark Eischer
Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler began as Speaker of The Lutheran Hour® in October 2018. He previously served as pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church and assistant pastor at Timothy Lutheran Church, both in St. Louis. Before becoming a pastor, he served as an aircraft maintenance officer in the Air Force after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2001 with a general engineering degree. He left active duty in 2006 to prepare to be a pastor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis but continues to serve part-time as an Air Force Reserve officer at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Dr. Zeigler and his wife Amy have four children.
For nearly four decades, the familiar voice heard each week on The Lutheran Hour is that of Mark Eischer. From Dr. Oswald Hoffmann to Dr. Michael Zeigler, he has served alongside seven Lutheran Hour Speakers. As senior producer and announcer of the broadcast, he has faithfully stewarded the ministry’s flagship program. The Frankenmuth, Michigan, native resides in St. Louis with his wife Deborah. They have three children.
Music arranged and performed by Erin Bode
In the decade-plus since Erin Bode began her professional recording career, she has garnered much critical praise for her pure voice and impressive phrasing and style. It is this talent, coupled with her reluctance to accept classification as a purely jazz vocalist that has led to reviews hailing her as “someone you won’t forget.”
Erin Bode is from the Twin Cities, where her parents emphasized music in daily life and encouraged her to join the church choir. Her music studies continued at the University of Minnesota and at Webster University in St. Louis. Bode has released eight albums, gently walking the line between traditional Jazz and more pop-based compositions. Learn more at: www.erinbode.com
Short story “Ellipses” written and performed by Jason Broge
Rev. Dr. Jason Broge is the senior director of design and development at Lutheran Hour Ministries. Jason began his career as a teacher and improv performer in Chicago before going on to receive his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary and Ph.D. in education from Saint Louis University. He was called back to Concordia Seminary where he spent seven years teaching and working with curriculum design and development, before coming to LHM in 2018. Jason and his wife Mary Jane reside in St. Louis, along with their four children and Mary Jane’s mother, Kathy Baker.
