This article is part of a series on Episode Guides.
AIO Writer’s Block’s Christmas episode guide was its first, published at the end of 2021. Since then, we’ve thought it was so conclusive that it hasn’t been updated in three years, and a lot has been updated since then. Also, the then-new Club hadn’t come out (if you can believe it), so these episodes will also include Club episode links. Adventures in Odyssey does have a Christmas countdown episode album, but even that doesn’t include the latest episodes. Right now, there are enough seasonal episodes to listen to multiple a day before Christmas! With all that said, AIO Writer’s Block now presents the ultimate Christmas episode guide!
We’re going to start with the list from Adventures in Odyssey’s Countdown to Christmas collection, which includes one episode for each day of advent! We’ve included a few mainstream episode favorites as well.
Countdown to Christmas (and other mainstream episodes)
“Back to Bethlehem, Parts 1, 2, and 3
Like Father, Like Son
This is one episode that is not included in the Countdown to Christmas. It isn’t necessarily a holiday episode either, although it is set in the winter. It is a touching sequel to the aforementioned “Where’s Your Daddy” and takes place mere weeks after.
“The Star, Parts 1 and 2
“It’s a Pokenberry Christmas, Parts 1 and 2”
Snow Day
Another episode that doesn’t appear on the playlist, but is perfectly timely for those of us who are experiencing wintery weather right now! We couldn’t make a Christmas episode list without including it.
The Undeniable Truth
This is an episode that isn’t included on the Christmas Countdown album, which is unfortunate since it’s very much a Christmas episode. The reason why is it’s rollover off and into the Leonard Meltsner Saga. Regardless, it’s a good seasonal standalone episode if you understand just a little of the backstory.
Olivia’s Faith Arc
When this episode guide was first published, the Olivia faith arc hadn’t even concluded. At the time, it was simply “The Christmas Bells” and the few episodes in Album 71. At the time, they were included in the guide under “Winter” episodes. That won’t change here, since most of the episodes take place during the season, and the entire arc is sparked by a Christmas episode. Those episodes are:
Club Christmas Episodes
We now find ourselves toward the end of the mainstream Christmas episodes and into the Club episodes. The Adventures in Odyssey Club will be celebrating its eleventh year in January of 2025. During the inaugural episode releases, the team would typically put out a Christmas episode at least every December. This hasn’t happened as often recently, especially over Club seasons four through seven. (with some exceptions that we’ll cover shortly. Here’s a number of “exclusive” episodes and winter-themed stories from the AIO Club.
“A Daughter’s Love”
The Cure, Parts 1, 2, and 3
Teach A Man
We’ve always been a bit hesitant to include this particular December Club episode in the lineup. It is barely even set in Odyssey. It takes place in Honduras, where the weather sits around a cool 80 degrees Fahrenheit this time of year. It is a winter episode, though, so if you want a break from all the festivities, this one’s for you.
The Snow Series Four-Parter
It’s hard to believe this thrilling piece will be four years old next year! It was announced by the AIO team weeks before the first episode released in an interview and lived up to its hype. The short saga includes:
“The Show Must Go On (and On)”
Written Content
One thing our original Christmas episode guide lacked was any books or (more obviously) comics. However, just as Club episodes have, the selection of both has grown over the past few years. Here’s our list:
Imagination Station
The Imagination has just two Christmas-themed books in it. The great thing is, if you’re not looking for reading material, these books do make a masterful gift for any AIO fan you know (not sponsored). They are:
Danger on a Silent Night and Sled Run for Survival
Elsewhere in Odyssey
As I mentioned earlier, Elsewhere has expanded quite a bit since its introduction, including in the Christmas category. Here are those titles:
A Meltsner Family Christmas, with it’s comic strips:
- “A Christmas Surprise”
- “Probably”
- “A Meltsner Family Reunion”
- “Gravitating”
- “A Merry Meltsner Christmas”
There’s also an ongoing comic series involving Nick and Aubrey entitled “Snow Way Home”. Upon hearing this, one may think it is a nice throwback to the audio “Snow Series” until they realize it’s actually a fifth part to that said same saga! It begins with the same news report by Kayla Calhoun, an important touch. It’s also one of recent strips written by an audio series writer, in this case Abigail Geiger. It’s sure to be a thrilling end to 2024 (besides the new album, of course). It’s comics are:
- “Gas N’ Snack“
- Checking In, Checking Out“
- “Emotional Manipulation“
- “They Told Me“
- “So you DID go to college?“
- “ERICA!?“
- “College Days“
- “Shouldn’t Have to Rescue Me“
The Monthly Free Strips, among which are:
For bonus Christmas excitement, the AIO Hangout has a different Advent calendar running for some variety! Join other Adventures in Odyssey fans in daily Christmassy discussion all season long!
We at AIO Writer’s Block hope you enjoyed this content guide and that the episodes in it remind you of the true Reason for the season. We also hope it’s a great reference and resource for you! With all that said, I personally, and the entire AWB community wish you a very very
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