When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.Credit: NASAThe parallels between the Artemis 2 and Apollo 8 moon missions now include a stirring holiday message.As they circled the moon on Dec. 24, 1968, the three Apollo 8 astronauts read the first 10 verses of the Book of Genesis during a live TV broadcast that reached an estimated 25% of Earth’s population.AdvertisementAdvertisementMission commander Frank Borman wrapped up the reading with these words: “And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth.”Artemis 2 astronaut Victor Glover (at right, with microphone) delivers an impromptu Easter message on the way to the moon on April 4, 2026. | Credit: NASAOn Saturday (April 4), as Artemis 2’s Orion capsule sped toward the moon, a CBS News reporter asked mission pilot Victor Glover if he wished to share any Easter thoughts with those of us here on Earth.”I don’t have anything prepared. I’m glad you brought it up, though; I think these observances are important,” Glover responded.Then he gave us some words that showed how thoughtful and eloquent he is, and how well he can think on his feet.AdvertisementAdvertisement”You guys are talking to us because we’re in a spaceship really far from Earth, but you’re on a spaceship called Earth that was created to give us a place to live in the universe,” Glover said. “Maybe the distance we are from you makes you think what we’re doing is special, but we’re the same distance from you. And I’m trying to tell you — just trust me — you are special.”Glover invoked God and the Bible in his impromptu address, but he took pains to reach believers and non-believers alike”In all of this emptiness — this is a whole bunch of nothing, this thing we call the universe — you have this oasis, this beautiful place that we get to exist together,” he said of Earth. “I think, as we go into Easter Sunday, thinking about all the cultures all around the world, whether you celebrate it or not, whether you believe in God or not, this is an opportunity for us to remember where we are, who we are, and that we are the same thing, and that we’ve gotta get through this together.”Apollo 8 and Artemis 2 are the first missions of their respective programs (Apollo and Artemis) to …
