A new website created by LifeChurch.tv pastor Bobby Gruenewald allows users to see where and when people are reading the story of Jesus' birth in the Bible.
The interactive map is the Christmas Story Tracker, and derives its data from the YouVersion Bible app. The tracker displays a star for each person reading Luke 2 on a global map.
YouVersion is a free app that allows Android, iOS, Blackberry, and other mobile users to download the Bible in over 1,000 versions and over 700 languages. Over 160 million people have downloaded the app on their smartphones and tablets since 2007.
The Christmas Story Tracker launched on December 1, and features two shepherds pointing at the North Star.
The site reads: "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord,'" (Luke 2:10-11, NIV). The tracker also prompts visitors to continue reading the Christmas story in the book of Luke.
Nearly 4.4 million people in North and South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia have read Luke 2 using the YouVersion app since December 1.
In August, the app introduced a social networking feature which allows users to share and discuss scriptures with others in their network.
"We believe that it will move people that might be more casual Bible app users [and] ... pull them into being daily users of the app," Pastor Gruenewald told The Blaze.
The app limits friendships to 150 individuals in order to keep the focus of discussion on the Word.
"We certainly want scripture to be able to be shared in other environments, but if you want to explore scripture — that's best done with people you know and trust," Gruenewald explained.
