1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:04,600 Speaker 1: This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and 2 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: of the Assembly Ephesians five thirty two. Dear Heavenly Father, 3 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: we are reminded this season of the depth of your 4 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: love for us, a love so deep that it is 5 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 1: compared to the bond between a husband and a wife. 6 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 1: We are the Church your bride, and Jesus Christ is 7 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 1: our heavenly bridegroom. Thank you, Lord for this sacred relationship. 8 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:40,520 Speaker 1: Thank You for your unconditional love, enduring patience, an unending 9 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 1: faithfulness to us. Help us to truly grasp this divine mystery, 10 00:00:48,159 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 1: to respond to your love in a way that honors you. 11 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:56,160 Speaker 1: May we be faithful to you, seeking to know you 12 00:00:56,400 --> 00:01:00,200 Speaker 1: more each day, and living in a way that reflects 13 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:04,959 Speaker 1: your love for the world. Teach us to love one 14 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:11,160 Speaker 1: another as you have loved us, fostering unity, kindness, and 15 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:16,800 Speaker 1: understanding within the body of Christ. As we ponder this 16 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:22,559 Speaker 1: great mystery, fill us with awe and gratitude for your love. 17 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:27,759 Speaker 1: Then guide us and walking in faithful response to it. 18 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:31,600 Speaker 1: In the name of Jesus, we pray Amen. 19 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 2: Joseph picked up his pace and rounded the corner towards 20 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 2: the light, but before he could see anything the cave 21 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:43,640 Speaker 2: flooded with water, and Joseph found himself swimming for his 22 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:46,479 Speaker 2: life amidst a violent storm in the middle of the sea. 23 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:50,200 Speaker 2: Waves and breakers crashed over him. He swam but made 24 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:53,840 Speaker 2: no progress. The waves thrashed and the riptide dragged him 25 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:57,040 Speaker 2: down underneath. Joseph sank in a free fall into the 26 00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 2: black abyss until a current pushed him onto the shore. 27 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 2: The storm subsided, and Joseph looked out at a golden 28 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:08,799 Speaker 2: sunset hovering over the glassy sea. Suddenly, a luminous figure 29 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:12,920 Speaker 2: appeared before him, an angel standing upon the glassy water. 30 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 2: His eyes were filled with wisdom and compassion. Joseph was 31 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 2: struck by awe and reverence. You're not Joseph, son of David. 32 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:26,200 Speaker 2: What is conceived? And Mary is of the Holy Spirit. 33 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 2: She will bear a son, and you shall call his 34 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 2: name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. 35 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 2: The words wrapped around Joseph like a warm embrace, filling 36 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 2: him with an understanding that transcended earthly wisdom. 37 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:45,360 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the 38 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. Today's episode is a dramatization 39 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:54,400 Speaker 3: of Mary in Joseph's marriage. What a strange and beautiful 40 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 3: event that must have been. The circumstances surrounding their union 41 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 3: were fat from ordinary. The customs back then were set 42 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:06,960 Speaker 3: in stone, and nobody deviated from them. It was not 43 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 3: the path Mary and Joseph imagined for themselves. But I 44 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 3: suppose that's how life is. Sometimes we expect life to 45 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:20,080 Speaker 3: follow a predictable course, but unexpected twists and turns force 46 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 3: us to adapt. The Bible shows us that a life 47 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:29,119 Speaker 3: truly lived in obedience to God is rarely predictable. I'm 48 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:33,359 Speaker 3: reminded of James Chapter four, verses thirteen through fifteen, where 49 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 3: it talks about making plans. It says, now, listen, you 50 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,160 Speaker 3: who say today or tomorrow will go to this or 51 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 3: that city, spend a year there, carry on business and 52 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 3: make money. You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. 53 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:50,680 Speaker 3: What is your life? You are a miss that appears 54 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 3: for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you want 55 00:03:54,360 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 3: to say, if it's the Lord's will, we will live 56 00:03:57,320 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 3: and do this or that. James is communicating an important 57 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 3: life lesson for all of us. Life takes unexpected turns. 58 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 3: Life takes unexpected turns, and we must look for God's 59 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 3: will in all of it. Proverbs chapter sixteen, verse nine says, 60 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:19,479 Speaker 3: a man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs 61 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 3: his steps. We don't rely on our plans or schedules 62 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:28,880 Speaker 3: to get through life. Instead, we rely on the Lord's 63 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:34,279 Speaker 3: direction and strength to overcome the unknowns. The Christmas story 64 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 3: was filled with unknowns. As this series continues, the plot 65 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 3: will thicken and become more dramatic. In all of the turmoil, danger, 66 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:47,600 Speaker 3: and mystery, Mary and Joseph must rely on each other 67 00:04:47,680 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 3: for support and on God for guidance. In a sense, 68 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:57,000 Speaker 3: that is what Christmas means for all of us. This 69 00:04:57,040 --> 00:05:00,400 Speaker 3: season is about immersing ourselves in the loving and of 70 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 3: family and in the majesty of our God. Let continue 71 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 3: down the road with Joseph as he seeks out Mary. 72 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:12,599 Speaker 3: The Lord has given him a dream confirming that Mary 73 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 3: is pregnant with God's son. Joseph, determined to do right 74 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:20,880 Speaker 3: by Mary, finds her and takes her as his wife. 75 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:24,719 Speaker 3: Let's listen now join me afterwards so we can unpack 76 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 3: Christmas truths and applications to strengthen our faith. 77 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 2: Joseph ran down the hill back to Nazareth with love, 78 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 2: in his heart and courage in his bones. His dream 79 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:40,160 Speaker 2: had provided clarity and purpose. He and Mary were chosen 80 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:43,520 Speaker 2: to raise God's son, the chosen Messiah, and save your 81 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 2: Israel had been waiting for. Joseph ran to Mary's house, 82 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:51,000 Speaker 2: the angel's words still ringing in his ears. His feet 83 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:53,040 Speaker 2: barely touched the ground as he rushed to tell her 84 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 2: of his divine revelation. He found her in the garden 85 00:05:56,160 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 2: outside her home. She was kneeling, her soft hands delicately 86 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 2: tending to the flowers. She had such a grace and elegance. 87 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:08,599 Speaker 2: Her beauty, especially now enraptured Joseph. A flood of memories 88 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 2: from the childhood came rushing back to him. Even as 89 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:13,560 Speaker 2: a boy, he had always known that she was the 90 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 2: one for him, Mary, Joseph said softly. She looked up. 91 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 2: Her eyes were still tinged with the sadness of the 92 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:24,479 Speaker 2: last meeting. Joseph approached slowly and knelt beside her. He 93 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 2: took her hand in his, then placed another on her belly, 94 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 2: and smiled, his name will be Jesus. Mary's eyes widened 95 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 2: with amazement and relief, her lips pursed together holding back tears. 96 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 2: Joseph embraced her and allowed her to sob in his arms. 97 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:45,159 Speaker 2: He stroked the back of her head and whispered, the 98 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:48,239 Speaker 2: Angel told me everything I need to know. He pulled 99 00:06:48,279 --> 00:06:51,159 Speaker 2: back and held her face. He wiped tears from her 100 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:55,960 Speaker 2: eyes with his thumbs and smiled. We will struggle Mary, 101 00:06:56,600 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 2: the people they will not understand. 102 00:06:59,520 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 1: But I am with you. 103 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:04,680 Speaker 2: I will marry you. We will raise this child together 104 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:09,279 Speaker 2: as a husband and wife. Whatever comes our way, we 105 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:13,360 Speaker 2: know the Lord will be on our side. Joseph's words 106 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 2: were a healing balm to Mary's soul. She no longer 107 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:19,160 Speaker 2: had to carry this burden and blessing on her own. 108 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:21,880 Speaker 2: She would have someone by her side to walk the 109 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 2: peaks and valleys of God's divine path. She gently touched 110 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 2: Joseph's face and said something she had said before, but 111 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 2: never with the same weight and meaning. I love you, Joseph, 112 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 2: and those words, spoken honestly and without prompting, were exactly 113 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 2: what Joseph needed. Joseph wanted to hold, kiss and marry 114 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:44,760 Speaker 2: her right there in the garden, but he knew he 115 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:47,840 Speaker 2: had to show restraint. They had to tread lightly, for 116 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 2: the entire village thought Mary had been unfaithful it would 117 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 2: only be a matter of time before they speculated Joseph 118 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 2: was the father and they had both broken tradition. Mary 119 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 2: rose to her feet, sensing the thoughts racing through Joseph's mind. 120 00:08:01,240 --> 00:08:03,760 Speaker 4: We will have to tell my parents, We will have 121 00:08:03,840 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 4: to tell everyone. 122 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 2: Joseph nodded. Don't worry, he said, leave it to me. Mary. 123 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:10,960 Speaker 2: I will not let anyone dishonor you. 124 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 4: We can't keep others from judging us. Mary said, all 125 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 4: we can do is obey the Lord and trust that 126 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 4: he will go before us. 127 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:21,240 Speaker 2: The two of them left the garden and ventured to 128 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:24,640 Speaker 2: Mary's home. There they sat together and explained everything to 129 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 2: her parents. Mary's father listened skeptically, the cultural traditions and 130 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 2: judgments weighing heavily on his mind. He did not reject 131 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:35,840 Speaker 2: Joseph's words outright, but wore an expression of deep concern. 132 00:08:36,280 --> 00:08:40,800 Speaker 2: The villagers and extended family tool were unreceptive, whispers of 133 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:45,280 Speaker 2: scandal and disbelief circulating like a bitter wind. Even so, 134 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 2: Joseph and Mary were determined to be wed. They planned 135 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 2: a modest wedding, simple but filled with the profound joy 136 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 2: of their unique bond. Mary underwent all the cleansing rituals, 137 00:08:55,960 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 2: and Joseph gathered a few faithful men to blow Chaffar's. 138 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 2: They held the serahremony in the olive grove just before sunset. 139 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 2: As the day's last rays trickled through the trees, Joseph 140 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 2: saw his bride approach. His heart fluttered at the sight 141 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:13,240 Speaker 2: of her. Although their union was under strange circumstances, he 142 00:09:13,280 --> 00:09:16,040 Speaker 2: found himself hopeful that his future with Mary would be 143 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:19,480 Speaker 2: filled with quiet joy. Surrounded by only a few who 144 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:23,640 Speaker 2: accepted them, they exchanged vows and gifts. Their eyes met, 145 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 2: and in that sacred moment, they saw each other and 146 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 2: the incredible journey ahead, the excitement for their new life, 147 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 2: the child they would raise, and the love they would share, 148 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:37,679 Speaker 2: was captured in that single, timeless glance. That night in 149 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:40,920 Speaker 2: the Huppa, they did not consummate their marriage. Joseph knew 150 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,680 Speaker 2: something sacred was at work within Mary. He would not 151 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 2: know her intimately until after the birth of Jesus. Instead, 152 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:50,080 Speaker 2: he tucked Mary into her bed and laid at her feet. 153 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:52,960 Speaker 2: He had a tenderness towards his wife, but it was 154 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:56,240 Speaker 2: not a weak devotion. His love was protective and a 155 00:09:56,320 --> 00:09:59,360 Speaker 2: testament to the strength of his character. By the warm 156 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:02,840 Speaker 2: flickering of candle light. They spoke of their future, their hopes, 157 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:07,200 Speaker 2: their dreams, and their fears, but always with faith in 158 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 2: each other and in the divine plan that had brought 159 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 2: them together. The world might doubt and scorn, but Joseph 160 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:15,760 Speaker 2: and Mary knew they were a part of something greater, 161 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:21,680 Speaker 2: something beautiful, something eternal. They were not alone. They were guided, 162 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:25,560 Speaker 2: protected and loved by the creator of all things, and 163 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:27,560 Speaker 2: that was all they needed. 164 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:34,440 Speaker 3: In deciding to marry Mary, Joseph demonstrated his obedience to 165 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:40,480 Speaker 3: God's directive and his willingness to face potential societal backlash. 166 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:43,599 Speaker 3: Even though the rest of the world might not understand 167 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:47,560 Speaker 3: Mary and Joseph's predicament. They had each other and that's 168 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:51,440 Speaker 3: all they needed. Their decision to get married and remain 169 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:55,160 Speaker 3: devoted to each other reflects the strength of the marriage covenant. 170 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:59,720 Speaker 3: Marriage is not just a physical bond, nor is it 171 00:10:59,720 --> 00:11:03,200 Speaker 3: a government contract, as some would lead you to believe. 172 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 3: Many see marriage as a recognition of two people's love 173 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:11,560 Speaker 3: for each other, like being recognized in marriage is a 174 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 3: validation of your identity. But marriage is so much more 175 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:20,800 Speaker 3: than that. Marriage is a covenant before God, a sacred 176 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 3: commitment and a sanctuary of support, love, and strength. Marriage 177 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 3: is not just about the world validating your love. If 178 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:34,200 Speaker 3: it were, then Joseph and Mary wouldn't have been married, 179 00:11:34,480 --> 00:11:38,559 Speaker 3: since nobody approved of what was happening. No, marriage is 180 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:42,679 Speaker 3: a bond designed to endure trials and the unexpected turns 181 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:47,680 Speaker 3: of life, and ultimately, marriage is a reflection of Christ's 182 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 3: love for us. In Ephesians chapter five, Paul describes marriage 183 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:56,559 Speaker 3: as a mysterious and profound image of the love and 184 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 3: devotion Christ has for the Church and the Church has 185 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:06,240 Speaker 3: for Christ. Joseph's willingness to proceed with the marriage despite 186 00:12:06,280 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 3: the appearance of scandal, highlights marriage as a partnership designed 187 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:14,520 Speaker 3: to weather storms. He and Mary must have drawn strength 188 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 3: from each other throughout their challenging yet divinely appointed journey. 189 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:23,080 Speaker 3: This act is an encouragement for all married couples, a 190 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:25,960 Speaker 3: call to stand by each other in the face of adversity, 191 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:32,200 Speaker 3: providing mutual support, understanding, and love. Marriage is a steady 192 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:35,840 Speaker 3: pillar when the world around us begins to crumble. We 193 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:38,280 Speaker 3: know that Mary and Joseph must have had that to 194 00:12:38,400 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 3: endure what they did. In the coming episodes, we'll see 195 00:12:41,960 --> 00:12:44,560 Speaker 3: their relationship put to the test as they brave a 196 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 3: harrowing journey to Joseph's homeland. Another theme explored in this 197 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:56,680 Speaker 3: episode is surrendering expectations. Mary and Joseph both had to 198 00:12:56,720 --> 00:13:01,440 Speaker 3: surrender their expectations of traditional marriage life. They had to 199 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 3: embrace God's extraordinary plan, which involved potential ridicule and misunderstanding 200 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:14,679 Speaker 3: from their community. This surrendering of expectations is a central 201 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:18,240 Speaker 3: theme of the Christmas narrative. It points to the idea 202 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 3: that God's plans often defy human expectations and require our 203 00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:27,360 Speaker 3: obedience and trust. Yet there seemed to be a misunderstanding 204 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 3: many Jews of the time had about the Messiah. They 205 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:35,560 Speaker 3: expected some sort of political liberator and king to come 206 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:40,439 Speaker 3: and deliver them from Roman oppression. Instead, the Messiah came humbly, 207 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 3: feeding the poor and fishing with all the commoners. God's 208 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:49,120 Speaker 3: greatest gift to humanity, Jesus arrived in a way that 209 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 3: defied all human expectations, not in the palace, but in 210 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:56,760 Speaker 3: a humble stage, not to a queen, but from a 211 00:13:56,880 --> 00:14:00,160 Speaker 3: virgin in Nazareth. The willingness of Mary and Joe, as 212 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:03,520 Speaker 3: if to change their expectations and to obediently align with 213 00:14:03,600 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 3: God's plan allowed for the First Christmas and the arrival 214 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:12,240 Speaker 3: of our Savior. As we reflect on the Christmas story, 215 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:17,559 Speaker 3: we can draw inspiration from Mary and Joseph's experiences. Christmas 216 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:21,320 Speaker 3: is a time of joy and celebration, but it's also 217 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:23,880 Speaker 3: a time to reflect on our own willingness to trust 218 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:29,800 Speaker 3: God when his plans for us defy our expectations. This season, 219 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 3: let us remember the strength of the marriage bond as 220 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 3: exhibited by Mary and Joseph. Let Us also embrace the 221 00:14:37,040 --> 00:14:41,320 Speaker 3: humility and obedience they showed even when God's plans were 222 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:46,160 Speaker 3: beyond their understanding. This Christmas, let us welcome Jesus into 223 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:51,280 Speaker 3: our hearts, homes, and lives, willing to surrender our expectations 224 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:55,800 Speaker 3: in favor of God's divine plan. Maybe your traditions will 225 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:58,920 Speaker 3: be shaken up this year, maybe dreams will fall through. 226 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 3: Do you know that's okay? Because the one constant of 227 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 3: Christmas is Christ and that will surely never change. And 228 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 3: that will certainly never change. Thank you for joining me 229 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 3: today on our journey through the Nativity. Be sure to 230 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:19,880 Speaker 3: tune in next time as the plot thickened and Mary 231 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:22,600 Speaker 3: and Joseph are forced to leave Nazareth because of a 232 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:27,320 Speaker 3: decree made by Caesar. Thanks for listening to today's Bible 233 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 3: in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. 234 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:35,080 Speaker 3: Download Theprey dot com at and make prayer a priority 235 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 3: in your life. If you enjoy this podcast, share it 236 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:41,280 Speaker 3: with someone you love. By sharing this podcast, you can 237 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:44,280 Speaker 3: make a difference in someone's life. And if you want 238 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 3: more resources on how to tap into God's power for 239 00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 3: successful Christian living, be sure to visit Jagraham dot org. 240 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:54,680 Speaker 3: God bless you.