1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: For unto you is born this day in the city 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:07,840 Speaker 1: of David, a savior which is Christ, the Lord Luke 3 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:13,640 Speaker 1: two eleven. He is here, Christ, the Lord, the King 4 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:17,240 Speaker 1: of the Jews, the Savior of the world, is born 5 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:24,000 Speaker 1: to day. Glory, hallelujah. What a glorious revelation. Praise you, 6 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 1: my sweet Lord of Light and Love. What a thrilling 7 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:30,920 Speaker 1: announcement to know that the prophecies of old have come 8 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:35,199 Speaker 1: to fulfillment. The cloud of darkness is about to be 9 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:39,919 Speaker 1: defeated by the Kingdom of Love, and justice is growing 10 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:44,560 Speaker 1: on the earth. The Word is made flesh this day 11 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:50,960 Speaker 1: in the city of David, where prophecy meets destiny. Glory, hallelujah. 12 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: This is the day the Lord has made, and I 13 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 1: will be glad and rejoice in it. This is the 14 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 1: day You came into the world, rapt in the flesh 15 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 1: of a human baby, just like me and all the 16 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:08,160 Speaker 1: other children of the spiritual seed of Abraham. You were 17 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 1: the Savior whom God provided and appointed and had long 18 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:16,440 Speaker 1: promised from the beginning of the world. You are the 19 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:21,240 Speaker 1: great King being both God and man, who is the 20 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:24,840 Speaker 1: only one able to work out salvation for all sinners. 21 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:29,240 Speaker 1: It is you, Jesus, who saved me from sin, satan 22 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 1: and the law of bondage to the world, death and hell, 23 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:37,679 Speaker 1: and every enemy that wanted to destroy me. Thank you, 24 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:44,479 Speaker 1: Father for this powerful gift of your son Jesus, who 25 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 1: is the reason for this season. I will rejoice and 26 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 1: be glad in Jesus name. 27 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:54,800 Speaker 2: Amen. 28 00:01:56,760 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 1: Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest story ever 29 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 1: told from Prey dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible. 30 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:09,680 Speaker 3: In Genesis, God said, I give you every seed bearing 31 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 3: plant on the face of the earth, and every tree 32 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:14,720 Speaker 3: that has fruit with seed in it. They will be 33 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:18,000 Speaker 3: yours for food. It's so blessedly simple, right, But with 34 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:20,640 Speaker 3: the serious health issues on the rise, you have to 35 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:23,760 Speaker 3: wonder how much is related to poor diet lacking in 36 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:26,600 Speaker 3: fruits and vegetables. Let me encourage you to get back 37 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 3: to basics with Field of Greens. Each fruit and vegetable 38 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:33,600 Speaker 3: in Field of Greens was medically selected for its specific 39 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:38,079 Speaker 3: health benefit. Some support vital organs like heart, lungs, and kidneys. 40 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 3: Others support metabolism for healthy energy and weight loss. Unlike 41 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:45,960 Speaker 3: the others with water down extracts, Field of Greens uses 42 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 3: organic whole fruits and vegetables because that's where the healing 43 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:52,239 Speaker 3: nutrients are. How will you know Field of Greens works 44 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:55,680 Speaker 3: At your next checkup, your doctor will notice your improved 45 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 3: health or your money back. For fifteen percent off. Visit 46 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:03,120 Speaker 3: Field of Greens and use promo code Bible. That's Field 47 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:05,840 Speaker 3: offgreens dot com promo code Bible. 48 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:10,960 Speaker 4: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evan, your host for Heroes in 49 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:15,160 Speaker 4: the Bible Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far, 50 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 4: please share it with your family and friends so they 51 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:21,639 Speaker 4: can know Jesus in a personal way, because knowing Jesus 52 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 4: is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome to the 53 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:27,720 Speaker 4: greatest story ever told. It is the story of a 54 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 4: shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love for his children, 55 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 4: and a hero's triumph over death and darkness. This is 56 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 4: a story that continues to shape and mold the world 57 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:42,760 Speaker 4: around us, bringing the divine heart of God right into 58 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 4: the hearts of you and me. In this episode, we 59 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 4: meet our long awaited hero. His arrival has been prophesied 60 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 4: since the beginning of time, but he comes in an 61 00:03:53,440 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 4: unconventional way. He doesn't fall from a star or form 62 00:03:57,360 --> 00:04:00,840 Speaker 4: of volcano. He comes humbly as a new born baby, 63 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 4: surrounded by livestock, tucked into a cave behind an end. 64 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 4: What is the purpose behind his humble birth and what 65 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 4: does it communicate to us? The way God came and 66 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:17,280 Speaker 4: lived among us reveals what he values most. He doesn't 67 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:22,720 Speaker 4: value opulent processions, decad and feast and displays of riches. 68 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 4: God values humble and determined hearts that love at all costs. 69 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 4: In this episode, we will follow Mary and Joseph to 70 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 4: the small town of David, Bethlehem. Pay attention to the 71 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 4: way they love and serve each other. It is a 72 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:43,200 Speaker 4: revelation into the servant heart of Christ. We will begin 73 00:04:43,279 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 4: this episode with a prelude, only this prelude is not 74 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 4: from another passage in scripture. We will take a look 75 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:54,360 Speaker 4: at history and the context surrounding the census. The rise 76 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 4: of Caesar Augustus is a well known story, but we 77 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:01,160 Speaker 4: rarely associate it with the birth of Christ. However, it 78 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:04,039 Speaker 4: was the rise of this emperor that set the stage 79 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:08,280 Speaker 4: for Christ to come. Pay attention to the contrast between 80 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:11,560 Speaker 4: the birth of Jesus and the rise of Caesar. These 81 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:16,039 Speaker 4: two kings are linked by destiny, but couldn't be more different. 82 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 4: One came with an iron fist, the other came with 83 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 4: a gentle hand. One came with an army, the other 84 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 4: came as a baby. I can't wait to share this 85 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 4: story with you. Without further ado, here's episode three, God 86 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 4: with us. 87 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:44,360 Speaker 5: Prelude to chapter three. He was born with the name Octavian, 88 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 5: nephew to Julius Caesar. Octavian quickly became the favored son 89 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:54,839 Speaker 5: of the Roman Empire. The Great Julius Caesar had conquered much, 90 00:05:55,160 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 5: but not without making enemies. He was brutally murdered, and Octavian, 91 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:05,280 Speaker 5: along with two others, Mark Antony and Lepidus, split the 92 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:10,000 Speaker 5: empire three ways. For decades, the entire land in the 93 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:16,840 Speaker 5: east was brutalized by rivalry, war, and political unrest. Octavian 94 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 5: and Antony became rivals, and for years they threw hundreds 95 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:23,719 Speaker 5: of thousands of men at one another for the right 96 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 5: to be sole ruler of the empire. Although he was outnumbered, 97 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 5: Octavian mobilized his men brilliantly and defeated the combined forces 98 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 5: of Antony and Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. Octavian stood over 99 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:45,000 Speaker 5: mounds of sacrificed soldiers, looking at the horizon. After many 100 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 5: long years, he was finally sole ruler of Rome. Caesar Augustus. 101 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:56,600 Speaker 5: The Roman Empire, far reaching towards the east, had been 102 00:06:56,640 --> 00:07:01,560 Speaker 5: wrecked by war, destruction and corruption. Its farms had been 103 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:05,119 Speaker 5: blighted by neglect, and its cities were raided to fund 104 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 5: the civil war. Trade had declined, and with it the 105 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:13,680 Speaker 5: wealth of the common people. No one was left unaffected, 106 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:17,120 Speaker 5: from the rich and influential to the commoner and beggar. 107 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 5: All were hurt and longing for a savior. Caesar Augustus 108 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 5: was eager to fill that role. With his new found 109 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 5: power over the entire empire, Caesar Augustus sought to bring 110 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 5: order to the chaos. He had diminished Rome's enemies, brought 111 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:41,239 Speaker 5: political stability, and restored the economy. Through his conquest of Egypt, 112 00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 5: political unity was at hand. Finally, after years of suffering, 113 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 5: the Roman people were beginning to feel at peace. However, 114 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 5: not all were benefactors of Rome's success. Caesar Augustus took 115 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:01,960 Speaker 5: Rome to new heights, but not without a price. He 116 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 5: demanded absolute power and undivided devotion from his people. The 117 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:12,200 Speaker 5: Roman Senate was reduced to nothing, and Augustus rose above 118 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 5: the title of emperor and was now revered as a 119 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 5: god himself. Augustus exalted himself and demanded reverence, not just 120 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 5: as a great leader, but as a deity. His soldiers 121 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:30,560 Speaker 5: were no longer mere soldiers, but devoted followers. His governors 122 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 5: were no longer distributors of order, but priests. All of 123 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 5: them bowed down at the altar of a false lord. 124 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 5: The people of Israel watched as their independence was slowly 125 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:48,880 Speaker 5: stripped away. More soldiers laced the city's streets, The morally 126 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:52,200 Speaker 5: corrupt culture of Rome spilled through its homes like a 127 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 5: rushing tide. The people of God watched as their culture 128 00:08:56,400 --> 00:09:01,680 Speaker 5: was watered down by the waves of Roman oppression. Every 129 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 5: Jew who was brutalized by a Roman soldier or tax 130 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 5: beyond their limit pined for the days of King David. 131 00:09:09,960 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 5: They longed for a time when Israel was secure, protected 132 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:18,319 Speaker 5: and flourishing. They longed for the redemption that was to come, 133 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:22,680 Speaker 5: and they clung to the promised Messiah spoken of to 134 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 5: David before his death, saying. 135 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:31,160 Speaker 2: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, 136 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:36,240 Speaker 2: I will raise up your offspring to succeed you. Your 137 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 2: own flesh and blood and I will establish his kingdom. 138 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:45,040 Speaker 2: He is the one who will build a house for 139 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:49,200 Speaker 2: my name, and I will establish the throne of his 140 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:50,839 Speaker 2: kingdom forever. 141 00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:54,680 Speaker 5: They longed for the champion of the people spoken of 142 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:56,560 Speaker 5: by Isaiah that said. 143 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 2: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light 144 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:04,439 Speaker 2: on those living in the land of deep darkness, a 145 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 2: light has dawned. 146 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:10,680 Speaker 5: They waited eagerly for that night. They desired a king 147 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 5: of their own to restore peace, prosperity, and holiness to 148 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 5: the people of God. They desired a conquering emperor to 149 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 5: rival Caesar and reclaim the promised land. They expected a 150 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:28,600 Speaker 5: political and economic revival to be ushered in by a 151 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 5: gleaming hero with an army behind him. Yet no one 152 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 5: expected what was about to come. Chapter three, God with us. 153 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:47,560 Speaker 6: By decree of Lord Caesar Augustus, all must returned, each 154 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:50,359 Speaker 6: man and his family to the land of his forefathers, 155 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:53,880 Speaker 6: to be registered in taxt This is the final word 156 00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 6: of our Lord. Neglecting to comply will be met with 157 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:58,960 Speaker 6: swift punishment by the law of Rome. 158 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:03,200 Speaker 5: Declaring these things in front of the entire village, the 159 00:11:03,280 --> 00:11:06,880 Speaker 5: Roman centurion nailed the decree to a post in the 160 00:11:06,880 --> 00:11:11,680 Speaker 5: center of Nasworth. Joseph watched from afar with worry on 161 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 5: his face. 162 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:15,319 Speaker 7: But Mary is eight months pregnant. 163 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:20,120 Speaker 5: He thought to himself. Joseph and Mary were both descendants 164 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:26,560 Speaker 5: of David. Their homeland was the birthplace of Israel's great king, Bethlehem. 165 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:29,600 Speaker 5: The road to Bethlehem from Nazareth was not for the 166 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 5: faint of heart. At best, it was a week's journey, 167 00:11:33,679 --> 00:11:36,640 Speaker 5: but Mary was well into the later stages of pregnancy. 168 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 5: The roads were unpaved, and the forests were filled with lions, bears, 169 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:43,199 Speaker 5: and wild boar. 170 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:46,719 Speaker 8: And the roads will no doubt lure in robbers. 171 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 5: Joseph thought. He cringed at the thought of taking Mary 172 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 5: over ninety miles through the wilderness in her condition. There 173 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 5: was no doubt that in order to survive this journey, 174 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:00,840 Speaker 5: every day would have to be bl last by God. 175 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:06,280 Speaker 5: So Joseph gathered Mary and provisions for the trip, and 176 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 5: the two were off for Bethlehem. The next day. It 177 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:14,440 Speaker 5: was late and the evening sky was painted with bright stars. 178 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:18,080 Speaker 5: It had been a long week of traversing rough ground, 179 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:22,240 Speaker 5: and Mary was fast asleep. Joseph looked up at the 180 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:26,319 Speaker 5: expanse above him, listening to the evening winds whistling through 181 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:30,600 Speaker 5: the canyons far off. A sense of smallness came over 182 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 5: him as he looked at the heavens above. He thought 183 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:37,720 Speaker 5: about his forefather, David, and how he must have felt 184 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 5: tracking the wilderness under these very same stars. 185 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:46,120 Speaker 8: The heavens declared the glory of God, and the skies. 186 00:12:45,640 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 2: Proclaimed the work of his hands. 187 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:52,800 Speaker 5: Joseph whispered, quoting a psalm of David. Joseph looked down 188 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:57,320 Speaker 5: at Mary's sleeping beside him. He stroked her hair and 189 00:12:57,440 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 5: covered her shoulder with the blanket. Am I, Joseph thought 190 00:13:01,760 --> 00:13:03,040 Speaker 5: to himself, Who am I? 191 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:06,440 Speaker 4: The God would trust me with this? 192 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 5: He sat up all night, determined to protect Mary and 193 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:15,079 Speaker 5: the unborn child. In just a day's time they would 194 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:18,960 Speaker 5: be in Bethlehem. He looked at his wife, filled with 195 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:23,560 Speaker 5: tender love for her and the baby living within. She 196 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:27,560 Speaker 5: would give birth any day now, and Joseph knew time 197 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:32,600 Speaker 5: was running out. The wall blanket covering Mary's face was 198 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:36,480 Speaker 5: damp for morning dew. The morning sun had peaked above 199 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:41,280 Speaker 5: the valley, kissing the horizon with a beautiful orange hue. 200 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 5: Mary sat up and winced. Her hips were tender from 201 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 5: a long night sleeping on her side. At this point 202 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:51,719 Speaker 5: in her pregnancy, good sleep was hard to come by. 203 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:56,080 Speaker 5: She rubbed her eyes and saw Joseph already packing the 204 00:13:56,160 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 5: donkey for the final stretch of their journey. Smiled as 205 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:05,040 Speaker 5: she watched her husband diligently preparing. He had sold half 206 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:08,960 Speaker 5: his tools to buy that donkey. Traveling animal of that 207 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:13,280 Speaker 5: size was worth a small fortune, but Joseph was always 208 00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 5: willing to sacrifice. He had the heart of a true 209 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 5: man of God, and she loved him for it. Mary 210 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:26,880 Speaker 5: saddled up and rowed as Joseph walked beside them. Her 211 00:14:26,920 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 5: constant discomfort made it a particularly long final day, and 212 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:35,240 Speaker 5: the pains of childbirth were beginning to slowly rise. As 213 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 5: they approached Bethlehem, Joseph became increasingly more anxious. Every one 214 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:45,680 Speaker 5: had already arrived for the senses. Hundreds of thousands of 215 00:14:45,720 --> 00:14:50,320 Speaker 5: people had returned to Bethlehem to register. Mary sat near 216 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:53,280 Speaker 5: a well in the middle of the city as Joseph 217 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 5: frantically knocked on every door he could find. Not only 218 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:01,040 Speaker 5: was every inn in town full, but all of Mary 219 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:05,880 Speaker 5: and Joseph's relatives that resided in Bethlehem had rejected them. 220 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:08,840 Speaker 5: Mary being pregnant with a child that was not Joseph's 221 00:15:09,320 --> 00:15:13,720 Speaker 5: was scandalous. As Joseph knocked on over the air, Mary's 222 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 5: screams became louder and louder. Joseph picked Mary up in 223 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 5: his arms and ran down the road to the largest 224 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:25,760 Speaker 5: inn in town. Help us, Please, somebody, help us, Joseph 225 00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 5: cried out. Joseph slammed his head against the large wooden 226 00:15:29,560 --> 00:15:32,640 Speaker 5: door of the inn, keeping Mary firmly in his arms. 227 00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:37,000 Speaker 5: There was no answer, and Joseph could hear laughter coming 228 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 5: from inside. Joseph yelled even louder, Please anybody, Still no answer, 229 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:47,000 Speaker 5: only the white noise of people enjoying a hearty meal 230 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:51,920 Speaker 5: and good company. Joseph could no longer wait. With Mary 231 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:54,960 Speaker 5: still cradled in his arms, Joseph lifted his leg and 232 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:58,160 Speaker 5: kicked the door open and slammed with dramatic force, but 233 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 5: it was still not enough noise to anyone's attention. Joseph 234 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:05,280 Speaker 5: then saw why nobody had answered his calls for help. 235 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:08,800 Speaker 5: The inn was filled to the brim with guests, and 236 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:11,440 Speaker 5: there was barely any room for people to spread their arms, 237 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:15,520 Speaker 5: let alone hear a sound from outside. Joseph spotted the 238 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 5: innkeeper busting empty cups in the corner. Joseph called out 239 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:23,560 Speaker 5: to him, Innkeeper, Innkeeper. It was enough to catch his attention. 240 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 5: The innkeeper was disheveled, His gray hair was ragged and messy, 241 00:16:28,400 --> 00:16:30,800 Speaker 5: and his round face was red from the heat of 242 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 5: the room. 243 00:16:31,560 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 8: We are full, sir, as you can clearly. 244 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:38,080 Speaker 5: The innkeeper stopped mid sentence as he saw the pregnant 245 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 5: Mary crying in Joseph's arms. Have mercy on us, Joseph pleaded. 246 00:16:43,040 --> 00:16:43,720 Speaker 4: My wife is. 247 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:45,680 Speaker 8: About to give birth and there is no one left 248 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:46,280 Speaker 8: to help us. 249 00:16:46,760 --> 00:16:51,440 Speaker 5: The innkeeper stroked his beard, concern clearly seen on his face. 250 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 3: My wife and I have given even our old room up, 251 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:57,320 Speaker 3: you see, he said, with regret. We truly have no 252 00:16:57,400 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 3: more room, especially no room for your wife to have 253 00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:00,840 Speaker 3: her privacy. 254 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 5: He scratched the back of his head and darted his 255 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:05,440 Speaker 5: eyes down the hill behind the inn. 256 00:17:06,280 --> 00:17:09,159 Speaker 3: Well, there may be one place I can give. 257 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 7: You, he said, Follow me quick. 258 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 5: Joseph put Mary back on the donkey, and the three 259 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:17,159 Speaker 5: of them made their way down a small winding path. 260 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 5: Behind the inn. Carved into the side of the hill 261 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:24,359 Speaker 5: was a cave like structure that held the goats and donkeys. 262 00:17:25,040 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 5: The sun was beginning its descent over the hills, and 263 00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:32,160 Speaker 5: Mary's pain was reaching a new level. The innkeeper hung 264 00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:35,520 Speaker 5: the lantern, illuminating the stable just enough for Mary and 265 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:40,680 Speaker 5: Joseph to see. At this point, Mary's pain became more frequent, 266 00:17:41,080 --> 00:17:45,159 Speaker 5: at more painful. Her cries were louder, and it was 267 00:17:45,240 --> 00:17:47,359 Speaker 5: clear the baby was on its way soon. 268 00:17:48,040 --> 00:17:50,120 Speaker 3: I'm sorry that this is all I can do for you. 269 00:17:50,240 --> 00:17:55,200 Speaker 5: The innkeeper said. Joseph nodded in thanks and attended to Mary. 270 00:17:57,200 --> 00:18:01,280 Speaker 5: Mary's screams echoed through the cave like stable. Sweat beat 271 00:18:01,320 --> 00:18:04,040 Speaker 5: down her brow as her whole body tensed in pain. 272 00:18:05,119 --> 00:18:08,600 Speaker 5: Joseph was beside Mary, unwavering at his devotion to her. 273 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:13,320 Speaker 5: For a few hours, Mary pushed for a joy set 274 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:18,440 Speaker 5: before her. Mary endured the agony. She willingly laid down 275 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:22,360 Speaker 5: her own comfort so that this child may experience life. 276 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:25,720 Speaker 5: Mary did not know it at the time, but the 277 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:28,800 Speaker 5: sun she was about to birth would one day endure 278 00:18:28,840 --> 00:18:33,000 Speaker 5: his own pain for the sake of others. Her cries 279 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 5: continued as the sun finally set over the western hills. Then, 280 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 5: as the stars began to sprinkle across the sky like fireflies, 281 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:46,480 Speaker 5: Mary's wails were replaced with the whimpering of a new 282 00:18:46,520 --> 00:18:51,119 Speaker 5: born baby in a dusty stable, surrounded by a host 283 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 5: of farm animals, the promised child of God was born. 284 00:18:56,720 --> 00:19:00,680 Speaker 5: Mary and Joseph cried as the new born babe breathed 285 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:04,639 Speaker 5: in his first breaths on earth. There were no priests 286 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:08,639 Speaker 5: to sound trumpets or incense burned at his feet, just 287 00:19:08,760 --> 00:19:13,840 Speaker 5: two doting parents, a few donkeys and sheep in silence. 288 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:18,560 Speaker 5: It was a truly humble birth for such a long 289 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:22,880 Speaker 5: awaited king. Yet this was the prophecy of Isaiah long 290 00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:26,919 Speaker 5: before that a virgin would conceive and give birth to 291 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:30,640 Speaker 5: a son in the city of Bethlehem and call him Immanuel, 292 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:36,600 Speaker 5: which means God with us. This was that moment, the 293 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:41,119 Speaker 5: moment God had promised since the fall of mankind, God himself, 294 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:45,240 Speaker 5: Creator and the Word of Life came down to dwell 295 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:49,840 Speaker 5: among mankind. He did not do so with a procession 296 00:19:49,880 --> 00:19:53,879 Speaker 5: of gold or vast army. He did so by coming 297 00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:58,200 Speaker 5: in the likeness of man in the most humble of ways. 298 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:03,760 Speaker 5: A baby swa in a manger. Mary leaned over and 299 00:20:03,880 --> 00:20:08,680 Speaker 5: kissed his nose. The spirit of God was present and near. 300 00:20:10,040 --> 00:20:13,960 Speaker 5: Joseph and Mary found themselves considering the words of Isaiah 301 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:15,640 Speaker 5: long ago, saying. 302 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:19,679 Speaker 2: For to us a child is born, to us, a 303 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:24,560 Speaker 2: son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, 304 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:29,919 Speaker 2: and his name shall be called Wonderful counselor Mighty God, 305 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:33,760 Speaker 2: Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 306 00:20:34,600 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 5: They could not begin to imagine what this child would 307 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:42,919 Speaker 5: grow up to do. For now they held him, kissed him, 308 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:46,960 Speaker 5: listened to his cries, and attended to his every need. 309 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:52,679 Speaker 5: For now they were doting parents, humbly thanking God for 310 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 5: the burden and blessing of caring for a king. Not 311 00:20:58,280 --> 00:21:01,040 Speaker 5: too far in the distance of the group of shepherds 312 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:04,560 Speaker 5: lay in the fields, tending to their sheep. They gazed 313 00:21:04,560 --> 00:21:08,560 Speaker 5: at the stars as the sheep settled for the knife. Together, 314 00:21:08,880 --> 00:21:12,879 Speaker 5: they pointed out constellations, told stories, and took SIPs from 315 00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:16,680 Speaker 5: their wine skins. The valley was silent, and the tall 316 00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:20,720 Speaker 5: grass swayed to the light breeze. They fixed their eyes 317 00:21:20,760 --> 00:21:25,440 Speaker 5: on the skies, with weary bodies ready for sleep. As 318 00:21:25,480 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 5: they began to tuck themselves in beside the fire, a 319 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:32,920 Speaker 5: gust of wind flew in from all directions. The shepherds 320 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:35,359 Speaker 5: leaped to their feet, watching the wind blow out the 321 00:21:35,359 --> 00:21:40,560 Speaker 5: fire in an instant and immediate darkness covered them, followed 322 00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:43,159 Speaker 5: by a burst of light, cutting through the horizon like 323 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:47,320 Speaker 5: a long blade. The light split in every direction, enveloping 324 00:21:47,359 --> 00:21:50,640 Speaker 5: the shepherds like a whirlwind, breaking through the light. As 325 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:54,560 Speaker 5: the sound of Heaven's hosts harmonizing to the light itself, 326 00:21:56,359 --> 00:22:01,000 Speaker 5: the shepherds cowered in awe and fear. Their legs trembled 327 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:05,040 Speaker 5: as they fell to the ground. Fear not, the voice 328 00:22:05,119 --> 00:22:06,200 Speaker 5: cried out from the light. 329 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:11,040 Speaker 8: We have come with good tidings of great joy. In 330 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:17,000 Speaker 8: the town of Bethlehem lies a baby. This child is 331 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:22,320 Speaker 8: the Messiah, the Lord, the savior of the world, and 332 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:23,960 Speaker 8: redemption of mankind. 333 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:28,800 Speaker 5: The shepherd's eyes widened, taking in the brilliance of the 334 00:22:28,920 --> 00:22:32,800 Speaker 5: dancing lights around them. Hues of bright orange, pink, and 335 00:22:32,880 --> 00:22:37,160 Speaker 5: white flurried like a swarm of doves. The angel spoke 336 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:38,760 Speaker 5: from the light, saying. 337 00:22:39,240 --> 00:22:44,280 Speaker 8: Go therefore and see for yourselves. You will find the baby, 338 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:47,600 Speaker 8: wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. 339 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:51,440 Speaker 5: As he said this, he was immediately surrounded by a 340 00:22:51,560 --> 00:22:54,159 Speaker 5: choir of more angels, singing. 341 00:22:54,600 --> 00:22:59,280 Speaker 8: Glory to God in the highest peace on earth and 342 00:22:59,359 --> 00:23:01,280 Speaker 8: goodwill towards mankind. 343 00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:05,480 Speaker 5: And like a vapor in the wind, The lights dissipated 344 00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:09,679 Speaker 5: and vanished. The melodies of heaven were replaced with the 345 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:15,080 Speaker 5: slight breeze of the evening wind. The shepherds sat there 346 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:19,240 Speaker 5: quiet for a moment. They looked at one another, dismayed 347 00:23:19,280 --> 00:23:22,760 Speaker 5: by what had just occurred. Their eyes made their way 348 00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:27,200 Speaker 5: towards Bethlehem. A few torchlights were still flickering in the distance. 349 00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:31,640 Speaker 5: Resting above the city was a new star, unlike any 350 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:36,680 Speaker 5: they had seen before. The shepherds wasted no time. They 351 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:39,800 Speaker 5: left their things and ran towards Bethlehem to see the 352 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 5: new born king. They knew the child had been born 353 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:46,119 Speaker 5: in some sort of stable, since he was lying in 354 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:49,919 Speaker 5: a manger, so they searched high and low through every 355 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:53,960 Speaker 5: farmhouse and back property they could find. Shepherds were not 356 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:59,160 Speaker 5: beloved members of any city. They were typically outcasts and rejects. 357 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:02,399 Speaker 5: It was for that exact reason they had to be 358 00:24:02,520 --> 00:24:06,240 Speaker 5: careful where they searched, and it was for that exact 359 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:09,359 Speaker 5: reason they were all the more honored to see the 360 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:14,399 Speaker 5: newborn king. They searched the city for hours until they 361 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:17,919 Speaker 5: found the inn. They peered in a small hill towards 362 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:22,119 Speaker 5: the back. Below were a few lights illuminating a small 363 00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:26,640 Speaker 5: stable carved into the hill. They approached quietly. 364 00:24:27,920 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 9: There, in the coolness of the night, they saw him. 365 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:36,680 Speaker 9: The baby was sleeping soundly in a manger, surrounded by 366 00:24:36,760 --> 00:24:41,520 Speaker 9: straw and torn cloth. He was the most marvelous thing 367 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:46,479 Speaker 9: they had ever seen. He did not glow or speak, 368 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:50,400 Speaker 9: he did not cry in a strange tune or radiate flames. 369 00:24:51,400 --> 00:24:57,119 Speaker 9: But the child was absolutely special. The shepherds knew, without 370 00:24:57,160 --> 00:24:59,320 Speaker 9: a shadow of a doubt that they were in the 371 00:24:59,440 --> 00:25:03,879 Speaker 9: presence of the King of Israel, the promised One, the 372 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:10,840 Speaker 9: Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Mary and Joseph watched 373 00:25:11,040 --> 00:25:14,160 Speaker 9: as the men paid homage to their new born king. 374 00:25:15,480 --> 00:25:21,040 Speaker 9: Tears streamed down their rough faces. Since the fall of humanity, 375 00:25:21,440 --> 00:25:25,680 Speaker 9: the earth has longed for its savior. Kings and kingdoms 376 00:25:25,680 --> 00:25:30,680 Speaker 9: had risen and fallen due to greed and corruption. Mankind 377 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:34,960 Speaker 9: pined after the righteous king that would lead them into peace. 378 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:40,320 Speaker 9: The long awaited king had come, and the first people 379 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:44,760 Speaker 9: who were able to fall at his feet were lowly shepherds. 380 00:25:45,440 --> 00:25:50,760 Speaker 9: The thought humbled them beyond words. They blessed. Mary and Joseph, 381 00:25:50,840 --> 00:25:53,600 Speaker 9: paid one last respect to the new born king, and 382 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:58,639 Speaker 9: departed from the stable. Overjoyed, the shepherds proclaimed what they 383 00:25:58,640 --> 00:26:03,080 Speaker 9: had seen all throughout Bethlehem. Their shouting woke up the town. 384 00:26:03,920 --> 00:26:07,000 Speaker 9: The praises of the shepherds reached far beyond the limits 385 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:12,160 Speaker 9: of Bethlehem. Soon more would catch wind that the promised 386 00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:20,000 Speaker 9: King of the Jews had been born. Jesus was eight 387 00:26:20,119 --> 00:26:23,639 Speaker 9: days old, and as was custom, it was time for 388 00:26:23,720 --> 00:26:27,800 Speaker 9: him to be circumcised and dedicated in the Temple. The 389 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:31,760 Speaker 9: journey from Bethlehem to Jerusalem was not far, although it 390 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:35,000 Speaker 9: was difficult for Mary to venture too far outside the city. 391 00:26:36,160 --> 00:26:39,720 Speaker 9: Joseph led Mary and Jesus to the temple gates. Its 392 00:26:39,760 --> 00:26:45,199 Speaker 9: walls were vast and magnificent, arrayed with gold, ivory, and cedar. 393 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:50,119 Speaker 9: The descendants of David approached the temple, it was a 394 00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:54,919 Speaker 9: surreal moment. Sitting under the shadow of the temple gates 395 00:26:55,200 --> 00:26:59,040 Speaker 9: was a man named Simeon. He sat there quietly every day, 396 00:26:59,560 --> 00:27:02,840 Speaker 9: watching as newborn children were brought in to be dedicated. 397 00:27:03,880 --> 00:27:06,399 Speaker 9: The thought of new life being raised in the love of. 398 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:10,520 Speaker 5: The Lord enlivened him. Yet there was one child in 399 00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:15,119 Speaker 5: particular he was waiting to see. For years, Simeon had 400 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:18,639 Speaker 5: waited to see the Messiah entered the temple gates. The 401 00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:21,320 Speaker 5: Lord had told him long ago that he would witness 402 00:27:21,359 --> 00:27:27,199 Speaker 5: his coming, so he waited patiently. Age had fought against 403 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:31,119 Speaker 5: Simeon's will for quite some time, but he was determined 404 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:34,800 Speaker 5: to see God's promise fulfilled. He prayed in the shade 405 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:38,360 Speaker 5: of the temple walls until the Holy Spirit tugged upon 406 00:27:38,440 --> 00:27:42,520 Speaker 5: his heart. He opened his eyes and saw Mary and 407 00:27:42,640 --> 00:27:49,840 Speaker 5: Joseph entering the temple courtyard with a small child. Simeon's 408 00:27:49,840 --> 00:27:53,640 Speaker 5: old heart fluttered in his chest, his bones ached as 409 00:27:53,680 --> 00:27:55,720 Speaker 5: he stood to his feet, limping over. 410 00:27:57,119 --> 00:27:58,320 Speaker 2: Could this be? 411 00:27:59,040 --> 00:28:03,560 Speaker 5: He shouted towards Mary and Joseph. Tears fell down his 412 00:28:03,680 --> 00:28:08,159 Speaker 5: cheeks as he hobbled over to the child. Startled, Mary 413 00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:11,720 Speaker 5: stepped back and held Jesus close, but then she looked 414 00:28:11,760 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 5: at the man's eyes. Joy overwhelming, an honest joy could 415 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:22,199 Speaker 5: be seen in his eyes. Simeon extended his reach for 416 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:26,600 Speaker 5: the new born Jesus. Instead of recoiling again, Mary rested 417 00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:32,000 Speaker 5: him in Simeon's trembling arms. The old man held the baby, 418 00:28:32,720 --> 00:28:36,960 Speaker 5: tears of joy streaming down his gray beard. He held 419 00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:41,320 Speaker 5: the child like someone would a chest of gold. In 420 00:28:41,360 --> 00:28:44,440 Speaker 5: Simeon's gaze, was the look of someone who had found 421 00:28:44,520 --> 00:28:49,720 Speaker 5: his life's purpose. He held the boy up and praised God. 422 00:28:49,960 --> 00:28:57,040 Speaker 2: Oh, my God, Now I may rest in peace, for 423 00:28:57,160 --> 00:29:00,880 Speaker 2: I have seen your salvation and held it in my arms. 424 00:29:02,120 --> 00:29:06,280 Speaker 2: He is the radiance of your glorious grace. 425 00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 5: Simeon kissed Jesus's forehead and gently handed him back to 426 00:29:11,480 --> 00:29:15,960 Speaker 5: his mother. Simeon then fixed his eyes onto Mary. He 427 00:29:15,960 --> 00:29:21,400 Speaker 5: held her shoulders, piercing her with his intense gaze. Be warned, 428 00:29:21,520 --> 00:29:27,000 Speaker 5: my child, this baby is destined to make many fall 429 00:29:27,280 --> 00:29:33,320 Speaker 5: and rise. Nations will be built on his shoulders. Then 430 00:29:33,360 --> 00:29:38,080 Speaker 5: many will stumble because of him. He will expose the 431 00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:42,240 Speaker 5: deep darkness of the heart and restore light to those 432 00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:48,280 Speaker 5: who love him. However, many will seek. 433 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:50,200 Speaker 1: His life, and. 434 00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:53,880 Speaker 2: A sword will cut straight through your very soul at 435 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:54,680 Speaker 2: the sight of it. 436 00:29:55,600 --> 00:29:59,480 Speaker 5: After dedicating Jesus in the temple, Mary and Joseph departed 437 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:02,280 Speaker 5: back to bed for him. There they were able to 438 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:04,880 Speaker 5: buy a small home to stay in until they were 439 00:30:04,920 --> 00:30:08,920 Speaker 5: ready to return to Nazareth. Yet, for now they enjoyed 440 00:30:08,920 --> 00:30:13,520 Speaker 5: the quiet bliss of Bethlehem. Its green, rolling hills and 441 00:30:13,640 --> 00:30:18,880 Speaker 5: lush open fields were a nice contrast to Nazareth. Together, 442 00:30:19,280 --> 00:30:23,520 Speaker 5: Mary and Joseph dedicated themselves to caring for Jesus. They 443 00:30:23,600 --> 00:30:27,680 Speaker 5: tended to his needs and created a home of love, tenderness, 444 00:30:28,160 --> 00:30:32,600 Speaker 5: and honor towards God. For over a year they remained there, 445 00:30:33,080 --> 00:30:39,600 Speaker 5: awaiting God's next prompting. The desert sand danced to the 446 00:30:39,640 --> 00:30:43,600 Speaker 5: evening winds as a caravan of camels walked in formation 447 00:30:44,040 --> 00:30:48,480 Speaker 5: underneath the eastern stars. The camels were arrayed with the 448 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:53,200 Speaker 5: finest materials and ornaments. Riding on their backs were wise 449 00:30:53,280 --> 00:30:57,760 Speaker 5: men magi from the south. Three of them rode in 450 00:30:57,800 --> 00:31:03,480 Speaker 5: front of the rest, Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar. They were 451 00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:09,360 Speaker 5: men of wealth, magic, and education. They were scholars, astronomers, 452 00:31:09,400 --> 00:31:14,200 Speaker 5: and alchemists who tracked the stars closely for guidance. They 453 00:31:14,240 --> 00:31:18,400 Speaker 5: were fascinated by prophecy of all kinds, particularly that of 454 00:31:18,440 --> 00:31:22,840 Speaker 5: the Hebrew text. According to their estimation, the time of 455 00:31:22,920 --> 00:31:26,160 Speaker 5: the Messiah was at hand, and when they saw a 456 00:31:26,240 --> 00:31:29,840 Speaker 5: new star fixed above the land of Israel, they wasted 457 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:33,520 Speaker 5: no time. They rode for weeks, traveling by night, in 458 00:31:33,640 --> 00:31:38,160 Speaker 5: order to follow the new formation of stars. Old scrolls 459 00:31:38,160 --> 00:31:42,400 Speaker 5: and prophecies spoke of this star. This star was a sign, 460 00:31:42,880 --> 00:31:46,160 Speaker 5: a sign of the new king. Of Israel a sign 461 00:31:46,600 --> 00:31:52,160 Speaker 5: of the Messiah. Their men drew closer to Judea, inquiring 462 00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:55,640 Speaker 5: about any new happenings from the past year. As they 463 00:31:55,680 --> 00:31:59,120 Speaker 5: traveled deeper into the region, whispers of the new king 464 00:31:59,240 --> 00:32:03,959 Speaker 5: had emerged. According to rumors, a few lowly shepherds had 465 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:07,400 Speaker 5: been rambling about their encounter with a host of angels 466 00:32:07,680 --> 00:32:11,720 Speaker 5: and witnessed the newborn Messiah. The wise men followed the 467 00:32:11,760 --> 00:32:15,040 Speaker 5: star and bent their ear to any more rumors among 468 00:32:15,040 --> 00:32:15,640 Speaker 5: the city fall. 469 00:32:16,520 --> 00:32:19,560 Speaker 7: If there has been a new king born of the Jews, 470 00:32:20,080 --> 00:32:24,720 Speaker 7: would not the current king know of his whereabouts? Bouthazar inquired, 471 00:32:24,960 --> 00:32:28,280 Speaker 7: Surely he should be the one we speak to first. 472 00:32:28,600 --> 00:32:32,000 Speaker 5: So the men traveled to the palace of Herod, sitting 473 00:32:32,040 --> 00:32:37,240 Speaker 5: governor and king over the Jewish province. Herod was a 474 00:32:37,320 --> 00:32:41,040 Speaker 5: clever man, clever enough to remain in the good graces 475 00:32:41,080 --> 00:32:44,560 Speaker 5: of the Emperor while maintaining power over the Jewish people. 476 00:32:45,680 --> 00:32:49,520 Speaker 5: Herod was a brilliant politician, shrewd as a viper in 477 00:32:49,560 --> 00:32:53,680 Speaker 5: the grass. He had a deep lust for power and 478 00:32:53,800 --> 00:32:58,080 Speaker 5: taxed the people heavily to maintain his authority over them. 479 00:32:58,280 --> 00:33:04,200 Speaker 5: His paranoia knew no Caesar Augustus himself claimed that it 480 00:33:04,240 --> 00:33:07,360 Speaker 5: was better to be Herod's pig than his heir. He 481 00:33:07,360 --> 00:33:11,240 Speaker 5: would stop at nothing to secure his throne, even murder 482 00:33:11,280 --> 00:33:15,920 Speaker 5: his own sons. Word reached Herod that the Magi had 483 00:33:15,920 --> 00:33:19,040 Speaker 5: made their way into the city. Since they were men 484 00:33:19,080 --> 00:33:22,240 Speaker 5: of wealth and influence, Herod saw this as an ample 485 00:33:22,320 --> 00:33:26,720 Speaker 5: opportunity to curry favor with them. Herod had his servants 486 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:30,440 Speaker 5: prepare a decadent meal in their honor. He received them 487 00:33:30,440 --> 00:33:34,040 Speaker 5: with a procession of music and fine wine. The Magi 488 00:33:34,120 --> 00:33:39,000 Speaker 5: were men of means, therefore accustomed to such hospitality. However, 489 00:33:39,440 --> 00:33:42,720 Speaker 5: there was a crookedness behind his smile, and they were 490 00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:44,160 Speaker 5: not fully trusting of Herod. 491 00:33:44,320 --> 00:33:48,520 Speaker 10: Just yet, my lords, to what do I owe this pleasure? 492 00:33:49,040 --> 00:33:52,440 Speaker 7: Herod asked cordially, where is the new born King of 493 00:33:52,480 --> 00:33:53,080 Speaker 7: the Jews. 494 00:33:53,360 --> 00:33:54,640 Speaker 5: The Magi asked, we have. 495 00:33:54,680 --> 00:33:57,800 Speaker 7: Followed the Messiah star and have come to lavish him 496 00:33:57,800 --> 00:33:58,840 Speaker 7: with gifts and favor. 497 00:33:59,400 --> 00:34:03,160 Speaker 5: King Herod winced at their words. He had heard rumors 498 00:34:03,160 --> 00:34:07,240 Speaker 5: from the shepherds about a new born baby. However, Herod 499 00:34:07,560 --> 00:34:09,759 Speaker 5: was the King of the Jews, and he would not 500 00:34:09,880 --> 00:34:12,759 Speaker 5: allow a child to cause any sort of disruption to 501 00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:17,080 Speaker 5: his rule. Herod composed himself and took a sip of 502 00:34:17,120 --> 00:34:21,160 Speaker 5: his wine. Hiding his silent rage. He beckoned for one 503 00:34:21,200 --> 00:34:25,160 Speaker 5: of the palace priests, priest tell us, where the Messiah 504 00:34:25,320 --> 00:34:27,360 Speaker 5: is prophesied to be born. 505 00:34:28,120 --> 00:34:32,000 Speaker 7: That would be Bethlehem, my lord, the birthplace of David. 506 00:34:31,920 --> 00:34:36,400 Speaker 5: He responded. Herod twitched a smile. He raised his glass 507 00:34:36,400 --> 00:34:37,200 Speaker 5: to the wise men. 508 00:34:37,880 --> 00:34:41,280 Speaker 10: There you have it, my lords. Perhaps the rumors are true. 509 00:34:41,680 --> 00:34:44,600 Speaker 10: We may have a new king in our country. Glory 510 00:34:44,640 --> 00:34:45,200 Speaker 10: to God. 511 00:34:45,640 --> 00:34:50,200 Speaker 5: Herod sipped again from his glass. His eyes betrayed his smile. 512 00:34:50,880 --> 00:34:54,320 Speaker 5: The magi could clearly see him wrestling hatred in his bones. 513 00:34:54,680 --> 00:34:57,480 Speaker 10: Should you find the child in Bethlehem? I would very 514 00:34:57,560 --> 00:35:00,319 Speaker 10: much like to know where he is so that I 515 00:35:00,440 --> 00:35:04,080 Speaker 10: might worship him. Of course, please, if these words are true, 516 00:35:04,320 --> 00:35:05,920 Speaker 10: send words back to me. 517 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:11,720 Speaker 5: The three men bowed, thanking Herod for his hospitality. Herod 518 00:35:11,760 --> 00:35:14,840 Speaker 5: watched them leave with a smile. As the doors closed, 519 00:35:15,080 --> 00:35:20,120 Speaker 5: his smile turned quickly into a scowl. Messiah or not, 520 00:35:20,880 --> 00:35:26,680 Speaker 5: Herod whispered, No man, woman or child shall destroy what 521 00:35:26,960 --> 00:35:32,960 Speaker 5: I have built. Herod's eyes reflected an ancient evil, an 522 00:35:32,960 --> 00:35:36,560 Speaker 5: evil once worn by the face of Pharaoh. He threw 523 00:35:36,600 --> 00:35:39,240 Speaker 5: his cup against the wall and called for his guard. 524 00:35:39,600 --> 00:35:41,959 Speaker 10: Bring me the head of every boy under the age 525 00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:46,399 Speaker 10: of two. Spare no one, including those who would disobey 526 00:35:46,600 --> 00:35:47,240 Speaker 10: my orders. 527 00:35:47,520 --> 00:35:51,719 Speaker 5: He sat back on his throne, stewing in his own paranoia. 528 00:35:52,239 --> 00:35:55,960 Speaker 2: I shall not be undone by an infant. 529 00:35:55,920 --> 00:36:02,080 Speaker 5: Herod said to himself, tending to the baby, while Joseph 530 00:36:02,200 --> 00:36:05,120 Speaker 5: tended to the fire. It was getting late and the 531 00:36:05,160 --> 00:36:07,239 Speaker 5: three of them were beginning to wind down for a 532 00:36:07,239 --> 00:36:11,080 Speaker 5: good night's rest. The air was cool outside, but their 533 00:36:11,120 --> 00:36:15,640 Speaker 5: home was filled with warmth and love. Joseph kissed Mary's 534 00:36:15,640 --> 00:36:19,160 Speaker 5: forehead and then bent down to kiss Jesus's nose. The 535 00:36:19,200 --> 00:36:23,760 Speaker 5: baby cooed, and the couple smiled down at him. Amidst 536 00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:27,440 Speaker 5: the madness of raising a baby, there were these small 537 00:36:27,520 --> 00:36:32,080 Speaker 5: moments of complete bliss. They prayed to the Lord daily 538 00:36:32,360 --> 00:36:35,640 Speaker 5: that he might grant them wisdom to protect and nurture 539 00:36:35,840 --> 00:36:41,120 Speaker 5: this precious gift. As the family shared a moment of tenderness, 540 00:36:41,520 --> 00:36:45,120 Speaker 5: they heard a pounding at the door. Joseph perked up. 541 00:36:45,560 --> 00:36:48,920 Speaker 5: Who could be knocking at this hour? Joseph jested from 542 00:36:49,000 --> 00:36:51,879 Speaker 5: Mary to stand back while he slowly approached the door. 543 00:36:53,239 --> 00:36:56,960 Speaker 5: The knocking grew louder, and Joseph's heart began to beat faster. 544 00:36:58,480 --> 00:37:00,439 Speaker 5: He knew that it was only a matter of time 545 00:37:00,480 --> 00:37:03,720 Speaker 5: before he was called to defend his bride and the child. 546 00:37:04,840 --> 00:37:08,560 Speaker 5: Joseph grabbed his chisel and placed it securely behind his back. 547 00:37:09,480 --> 00:37:12,600 Speaker 5: He opened the door slowly to find three men, dressed 548 00:37:12,640 --> 00:37:16,040 Speaker 5: in fine linens and adorned with jewels, waiting behind it. 549 00:37:16,760 --> 00:37:19,319 Speaker 7: We have come to worship the new born king. 550 00:37:20,440 --> 00:37:25,240 Speaker 5: They bowed at one knee. Joseph couldn't believe his eyes. 551 00:37:26,160 --> 00:37:28,799 Speaker 5: He looked back at Mary and gestured for her to 552 00:37:28,840 --> 00:37:32,960 Speaker 5: come forward with the baby. The wise men entered through 553 00:37:32,960 --> 00:37:37,359 Speaker 5: the door. Their expensive robes and shining ornaments looked out 554 00:37:37,360 --> 00:37:41,879 Speaker 5: of place in their humble home. However, when the three 555 00:37:41,920 --> 00:37:46,719 Speaker 5: men saw Jesus, all status and wealth seemed to disappear. 556 00:37:48,200 --> 00:37:51,320 Speaker 5: They fell on their faces and bowed before the child. 557 00:37:51,719 --> 00:37:55,120 Speaker 7: It is an honor our, King Kaspar said, we have 558 00:37:55,200 --> 00:37:58,120 Speaker 7: traveled far to see you and bow at your feet. 559 00:37:58,520 --> 00:38:02,440 Speaker 5: Joseph and Mary ex changed looks of amazement. It was 560 00:38:02,480 --> 00:38:05,000 Speaker 5: one thing for shepherds to bow at the feet of Jesus, 561 00:38:05,200 --> 00:38:08,839 Speaker 5: but these were men of royalty, kings and their own right. 562 00:38:10,440 --> 00:38:14,759 Speaker 5: The magi brought in a small chest. In it, the 563 00:38:14,760 --> 00:38:22,760 Speaker 5: three gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Unbeknownst to the wise men, 564 00:38:23,040 --> 00:38:28,480 Speaker 5: these gifts would represent the royalty, divinity, and death of Christ. 565 00:38:29,880 --> 00:38:33,239 Speaker 5: In these offerings were hidden secrets to the life and 566 00:38:33,320 --> 00:38:39,080 Speaker 5: death of God's chosen king. The gold represented Christ's royalty 567 00:38:39,280 --> 00:38:44,920 Speaker 5: and heavenly inheritance. The frankincense represented his divinity as it 568 00:38:45,000 --> 00:38:49,279 Speaker 5: was often offered up in temples, and the murrh represented 569 00:38:49,320 --> 00:38:54,600 Speaker 5: his death for it was often used during burial. This 570 00:38:54,719 --> 00:38:58,719 Speaker 5: interaction between Jesus and the magi revealed more of who 571 00:38:58,840 --> 00:39:04,319 Speaker 5: Jesus truly was. He was God himself, humbled to the 572 00:39:04,360 --> 00:39:08,920 Speaker 5: point of becoming a child. After giving the gifts, the 573 00:39:09,000 --> 00:39:12,239 Speaker 5: men said good bye and returned to their home. As 574 00:39:12,280 --> 00:39:16,200 Speaker 5: they were leaving, they considered sending word to Herod. However, 575 00:39:16,640 --> 00:39:20,200 Speaker 5: God clearly gave them discernment against it, for they could 576 00:39:20,200 --> 00:39:24,000 Speaker 5: see the jealousy pressed deep down in his heart, ready 577 00:39:24,000 --> 00:39:28,160 Speaker 5: to overflow at a moment's notice. As the men departed, 578 00:39:28,520 --> 00:39:33,640 Speaker 5: Joseph and Mary retreated their bed. Joseph watched Jesus sleep 579 00:39:33,719 --> 00:39:37,759 Speaker 5: in Mary's arms until his eyes grew heavy and eventually 580 00:39:37,800 --> 00:39:39,280 Speaker 5: fell into a deep slumber. 581 00:39:40,719 --> 00:39:45,560 Speaker 10: Run Joseph, the voice said flee now to Egypt. 582 00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:51,000 Speaker 5: It yelled again. Joseph awoke in a sweat, looking around 583 00:39:51,000 --> 00:39:54,280 Speaker 5: for the voice. Sweat dripped down his head and back. 584 00:39:54,640 --> 00:39:58,000 Speaker 5: He was panting frantically. He looked round the room again, 585 00:39:58,360 --> 00:40:01,880 Speaker 5: then at his wife beside him. The child was still 586 00:40:01,920 --> 00:40:03,080 Speaker 5: resting in her arms. 587 00:40:03,640 --> 00:40:05,600 Speaker 8: Was it a dream, he thought. 588 00:40:06,880 --> 00:40:09,319 Speaker 5: Joseph got up from the bed and looked out the door. 589 00:40:10,120 --> 00:40:13,560 Speaker 5: The city in the distance was illuminated by flames, and 590 00:40:13,680 --> 00:40:17,880 Speaker 5: Joseph could hear the faint cries of children and frantic mothers. 591 00:40:18,920 --> 00:40:22,400 Speaker 5: Joseph knew in his bones something was wrong, and the 592 00:40:22,480 --> 00:40:25,839 Speaker 5: voice he heard was warning him. This is what he 593 00:40:25,920 --> 00:40:28,919 Speaker 5: was called to do. This is why God chose him 594 00:40:29,320 --> 00:40:34,000 Speaker 5: to protect Mary and protect the child. Joseph gathered up 595 00:40:34,040 --> 00:40:36,600 Speaker 5: all their belongings and loaded them up on the donkey. 596 00:40:37,040 --> 00:40:41,160 Speaker 5: Then gently Joseph picked up his wife and the infant 597 00:40:41,239 --> 00:40:45,120 Speaker 5: in his arms. He rested them softly on the donkey 598 00:40:45,400 --> 00:40:48,680 Speaker 5: and then led them through the city streets towards the countryside. 599 00:40:50,000 --> 00:40:54,280 Speaker 5: Smoke was rising and getting closer. The sound of painful 600 00:40:54,360 --> 00:41:02,160 Speaker 5: screams and wails grew louder. They were disturbing breaking guards 601 00:41:02,480 --> 00:41:06,279 Speaker 5: spread across the nearby cities in Judea, ripping babies out 602 00:41:06,280 --> 00:41:10,680 Speaker 5: of their mother's arms. The streets ran red with infant blood, 603 00:41:11,400 --> 00:41:17,160 Speaker 5: and the Lord wept over Herod's cruelty. Mary held Jesus 604 00:41:17,160 --> 00:41:21,040 Speaker 5: closely underneath her club so he would remain hidden, while 605 00:41:21,120 --> 00:41:23,560 Speaker 5: Joseph led them through the streets with the donkey in 606 00:41:23,600 --> 00:41:28,880 Speaker 5: one hand and chisel in another. Mary gasped as they 607 00:41:28,920 --> 00:41:31,600 Speaker 5: turned the corner to find a guard dragging a child 608 00:41:31,640 --> 00:41:34,000 Speaker 5: out of his home and throwing him into a sight. 609 00:41:35,920 --> 00:41:38,240 Speaker 5: The mother lunged at the guard to save her child, 610 00:41:38,920 --> 00:41:42,520 Speaker 5: only to meet the tip of the god's sword. Joseph 611 00:41:42,600 --> 00:41:45,759 Speaker 5: quickly changed course and took them down an alleyway past 612 00:41:45,800 --> 00:41:49,439 Speaker 5: the well. The wilderness was in sight, so the three 613 00:41:49,480 --> 00:41:52,879 Speaker 5: of them darted towards the woods. The three of them 614 00:41:53,000 --> 00:41:57,760 Speaker 5: ran away to Egypt. There they found refuge until Herod 615 00:41:57,800 --> 00:42:03,440 Speaker 5: met his bitter end. Eventually they would return to Nasareth 616 00:42:04,200 --> 00:42:07,680 Speaker 5: with the boy. Jesus would grow in stature, in favor 617 00:42:07,760 --> 00:42:11,560 Speaker 5: with people. He would increase in his awareness of who 618 00:42:11,600 --> 00:42:16,560 Speaker 5: he was, and take his place as the redeemer and 619 00:42:16,680 --> 00:42:17,520 Speaker 5: chosen King. 620 00:42:22,840 --> 00:42:26,160 Speaker 4: Merry Christmas, everyone, even if you are listening to this 621 00:42:26,239 --> 00:42:28,600 Speaker 4: at a different time, you can't help but feel a 622 00:42:28,640 --> 00:42:32,680 Speaker 4: little bit of that Christmas spirit while listening to this episode. 623 00:42:32,719 --> 00:42:36,080 Speaker 4: Most people have heard this story the Star, the Shepherds, 624 00:42:36,120 --> 00:42:40,080 Speaker 4: the Manger, and the Magi. We've experienced this story throughout 625 00:42:40,160 --> 00:42:43,640 Speaker 4: several different mediums, but that doesn't mean we can still 626 00:42:43,640 --> 00:42:47,160 Speaker 4: extract fresh and impactful truth from it. The prelude is 627 00:42:47,200 --> 00:42:49,960 Speaker 4: a good place to begin, since it sets everything in 628 00:42:50,040 --> 00:42:53,840 Speaker 4: motion for our story to occur. The prelude highlighted the 629 00:42:53,880 --> 00:42:57,239 Speaker 4: origin of Caesar Augustus. His rise to power was filled 630 00:42:57,280 --> 00:43:02,320 Speaker 4: with drama, scandal, bloodshed, and glory. After consolidating power in Rome, 631 00:43:02,840 --> 00:43:06,600 Speaker 4: Caesar transformed himself from a king to an emperor, then 632 00:43:06,640 --> 00:43:09,680 Speaker 4: from an emperor to a god. He became the prevailing 633 00:43:09,760 --> 00:43:13,480 Speaker 4: god of the age, worshiped by many. Temples were erected 634 00:43:13,520 --> 00:43:17,759 Speaker 4: to his glory, and followers were incredibly devoted. This episode 635 00:43:17,800 --> 00:43:21,880 Speaker 4: said it well, let's listen. The Roman senate was reduced 636 00:43:21,880 --> 00:43:25,040 Speaker 4: to nothing, and Augustus rose from above the title of 637 00:43:25,120 --> 00:43:28,800 Speaker 4: emperor and was now revered as a god himself. Augusta 638 00:43:28,920 --> 00:43:32,720 Speaker 4: exalted himself and demanded reverence not just as a great leader, 639 00:43:33,040 --> 00:43:36,680 Speaker 4: but as a deity. His soldiers were no longer mere soldiers, 640 00:43:36,719 --> 00:43:41,080 Speaker 4: but devoted followers. His governors were no longer distributors of order, 641 00:43:41,400 --> 00:43:44,880 Speaker 4: but priests. All of them bowed down at the altar 642 00:43:45,080 --> 00:43:48,640 Speaker 4: of a false lord. Let's pause together for a moment 643 00:43:48,680 --> 00:43:51,839 Speaker 4: and consider the contrast between the rise of Caesar and 644 00:43:51,880 --> 00:43:55,240 Speaker 4: the rise of Christ. The two stories are fundamentally different. 645 00:43:55,680 --> 00:43:59,560 Speaker 4: While Caesar conquered, Christ served while Caesar fought his way 646 00:43:59,640 --> 00:44:04,080 Speaker 4: to pro dominence, Jesus arrived in humidity. The contrast between 647 00:44:04,080 --> 00:44:07,320 Speaker 4: Caesar and Christ highlights the difference between the kingdom of 648 00:44:07,360 --> 00:44:10,520 Speaker 4: the world and the Kingdom of Heaven. The kingdoms of 649 00:44:10,560 --> 00:44:13,960 Speaker 4: the world are about status, power, and greed. The Kingdom 650 00:44:14,000 --> 00:44:17,919 Speaker 4: of Heaven is about service, humidity, and grace. This episode 651 00:44:18,160 --> 00:44:21,160 Speaker 4: is not just a description about a hero with humble beginnings. 652 00:44:21,600 --> 00:44:24,600 Speaker 4: It is a charge for us to consider true greatness 653 00:44:24,640 --> 00:44:28,400 Speaker 4: in the eyes of God. In Matthew twenty, Jesus tells 654 00:44:28,480 --> 00:44:31,600 Speaker 4: us about true greatness. He says, you know that the 655 00:44:31,680 --> 00:44:34,800 Speaker 4: rulers of this world lord their power over the people, 656 00:44:35,160 --> 00:44:38,359 Speaker 4: and the officials flaught their authority over those under them. 657 00:44:38,760 --> 00:44:42,200 Speaker 4: But among you it must be different. Whoever wants to 658 00:44:42,239 --> 00:44:45,280 Speaker 4: be great among you must be your servant, and whoever 659 00:44:45,320 --> 00:44:48,040 Speaker 4: wants to be first among you must become your slave. 660 00:44:48,520 --> 00:44:51,120 Speaker 4: For even the Son of Man came not to be served, 661 00:44:51,120 --> 00:44:53,680 Speaker 4: but to serve others, and to give his life as 662 00:44:53,719 --> 00:44:57,480 Speaker 4: a ransom for many. Mary and Joseph were truly great 663 00:44:57,520 --> 00:45:01,440 Speaker 4: in this episode. They embodied the essence of Matthew twenty 664 00:45:01,440 --> 00:45:04,759 Speaker 4: by serving one another and sacrificing their comforts for the 665 00:45:04,800 --> 00:45:07,839 Speaker 4: sake of Christ. The census could not have come at 666 00:45:07,880 --> 00:45:10,439 Speaker 4: a worse time, since Mary was in the final weeks 667 00:45:10,440 --> 00:45:13,600 Speaker 4: of her pregnancy. They were compelled to go by law 668 00:45:13,680 --> 00:45:17,520 Speaker 4: and had to endure a treacherous journey. However, at the 669 00:45:17,640 --> 00:45:20,719 Speaker 4: end of it all, Christ was born, as it was prophesied, 670 00:45:20,880 --> 00:45:24,680 Speaker 4: lying in a manger in the city of David. The 671 00:45:24,760 --> 00:45:27,240 Speaker 4: hand of God was moving in the midst of the struggle. 672 00:45:27,840 --> 00:45:31,960 Speaker 4: You never know when incovenient task or hard seasons of 673 00:45:32,000 --> 00:45:35,920 Speaker 4: life are actually providential, so it is best to endure 674 00:45:35,960 --> 00:45:40,080 Speaker 4: them with all joy. Marry and Joseph are wonderful examples 675 00:45:40,080 --> 00:45:43,920 Speaker 4: of endurance and joy. Since Joseph will not be mentioned 676 00:45:44,000 --> 00:45:46,839 Speaker 4: much more in our story, let's give him some love here. 677 00:45:47,360 --> 00:45:50,480 Speaker 4: Joseph was given a very daunting task. It was his 678 00:45:50,560 --> 00:45:54,520 Speaker 4: responsibility to protect Mary and Jesus at all costs and 679 00:45:54,600 --> 00:45:57,279 Speaker 4: we see in this episode that he was constantly on 680 00:45:57,400 --> 00:46:02,200 Speaker 4: high alert. He took his callings seriously, never demanding anything 681 00:46:02,239 --> 00:46:05,400 Speaker 4: in return. We can all learn quite a bit from Joseph, 682 00:46:05,440 --> 00:46:09,239 Speaker 4: who silently served his wife without any need for recognition. 683 00:46:10,120 --> 00:46:12,520 Speaker 4: There seemed to be a lot of things working against 684 00:46:12,520 --> 00:46:15,960 Speaker 4: them in this episode. The journey from Nazus to Bethlehem 685 00:46:16,040 --> 00:46:19,279 Speaker 4: was a struggle. The city was crowded, and there was 686 00:46:19,320 --> 00:46:21,920 Speaker 4: no help from their relatives. This is one of the 687 00:46:22,000 --> 00:46:25,040 Speaker 4: hidden details that we can find in between the lines 688 00:46:25,040 --> 00:46:29,000 Speaker 4: of scripture. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, where all 689 00:46:29,000 --> 00:46:32,239 Speaker 4: of their kinsmen also had to travel. Yet somehow they 690 00:46:32,280 --> 00:46:36,240 Speaker 4: were alone and without any help. Perhaps the scandalous nature 691 00:46:36,280 --> 00:46:39,800 Speaker 4: of marriage pregnancy made them outcasts among their own people. 692 00:46:40,560 --> 00:46:43,800 Speaker 4: Later on in Jesus's life, some of the religious leaders 693 00:46:43,880 --> 00:46:47,440 Speaker 4: mocked the mysterious nature of his birth, insinuating that he 694 00:46:47,640 --> 00:46:51,319 Speaker 4: didn't know who his real father was. Jesus wasn't just 695 00:46:51,360 --> 00:46:54,040 Speaker 4: born in the humble circumstances, he was born in the 696 00:46:54,120 --> 00:46:58,839 Speaker 4: scandalous circumstances. Sometimes people aren't going to understand you. They 697 00:46:58,880 --> 00:47:01,640 Speaker 4: will make assumptions of the way you live or the 698 00:47:01,760 --> 00:47:05,160 Speaker 4: choices you make. But in the end, what matters most 699 00:47:05,239 --> 00:47:08,359 Speaker 4: is your relationship with God. Confidence in him will give 700 00:47:08,400 --> 00:47:11,680 Speaker 4: you the strength to endure the rejection of others. After 701 00:47:11,719 --> 00:47:14,800 Speaker 4: a dramatic effort by Joseph to get married somewhere to rest, 702 00:47:15,160 --> 00:47:18,000 Speaker 4: the couple is finally brought to a small cave etched 703 00:47:18,040 --> 00:47:21,240 Speaker 4: into the side of a hill behind the end. Most 704 00:47:21,400 --> 00:47:25,480 Speaker 4: likely the cave was home to sheep, goats, and possible donkeys. 705 00:47:26,000 --> 00:47:28,840 Speaker 4: Mary labored for hours, enduring pain for the sake of 706 00:47:28,840 --> 00:47:31,960 Speaker 4: her son's life. For those of you who have experienced 707 00:47:32,000 --> 00:47:35,160 Speaker 4: the joy and struggle of childbirth, you may understand on 708 00:47:35,239 --> 00:47:38,320 Speaker 4: a greater level what I'm about to share. A woman's 709 00:47:38,400 --> 00:47:41,080 Speaker 4: labor and childbirth is one of the greatest examples we 710 00:47:41,200 --> 00:47:45,080 Speaker 4: have of the Gospel. A woman endures an intense amount 711 00:47:45,120 --> 00:47:47,560 Speaker 4: of pain and suffering so the child might be brought 712 00:47:47,600 --> 00:47:50,920 Speaker 4: into life. This is what Jesus did for us. He 713 00:47:51,120 --> 00:47:54,920 Speaker 4: endured pain and suffering so we can experience being born again. 714 00:47:55,480 --> 00:47:58,920 Speaker 4: The story teased this concept when it said Mary willingly 715 00:47:59,000 --> 00:48:01,799 Speaker 4: laid down her own comfort so that this child may 716 00:48:01,840 --> 00:48:05,440 Speaker 4: experience life. Mary did not know at the time, but 717 00:48:05,560 --> 00:48:08,399 Speaker 4: the son she was about to birth would one day 718 00:48:08,560 --> 00:48:11,480 Speaker 4: endure all his own pain for the sake of others. 719 00:48:12,160 --> 00:48:15,040 Speaker 4: After the birth of Christ, he was visited by shepherds. 720 00:48:15,480 --> 00:48:18,080 Speaker 4: If you listen to our series throughout the life of David, 721 00:48:18,440 --> 00:48:21,520 Speaker 4: you will already have insight into the significance of shepherds 722 00:48:21,520 --> 00:48:24,640 Speaker 4: in the Bible. God chose the lowly shepherds of the 723 00:48:24,640 --> 00:48:28,040 Speaker 4: fields to be the first to worship God's son. This 724 00:48:28,239 --> 00:48:31,040 Speaker 4: is the foreshadowing of Christ's life, since he will be 725 00:48:31,120 --> 00:48:33,600 Speaker 4: the good shepherd to tend to the flock of Israel. 726 00:48:34,280 --> 00:48:37,000 Speaker 4: After the shepherds, The next person to interact with Jesus 727 00:48:37,040 --> 00:48:41,319 Speaker 4: was Simeon. He foretold, prophesied over the child and gave 728 00:48:41,360 --> 00:48:45,440 Speaker 4: a foreboding warning. Be warned, my child. This baby is 729 00:48:45,520 --> 00:48:49,239 Speaker 4: destined to make many fall and rise. Nations will be 730 00:48:49,280 --> 00:48:52,319 Speaker 4: built on his shoulders, and many will stumble because of him. 731 00:48:52,680 --> 00:48:55,400 Speaker 4: He will expose the deep darkness of the heart and 732 00:48:55,480 --> 00:48:58,600 Speaker 4: restore light to those who love him. However, many will 733 00:48:58,640 --> 00:49:01,120 Speaker 4: seek his life, and a soul Lord will cut straight 734 00:49:01,160 --> 00:49:04,440 Speaker 4: through your very soul at the sight of it. Simeon's 735 00:49:04,440 --> 00:49:08,040 Speaker 4: words are a foreshadowing of things to come. The influence 736 00:49:08,040 --> 00:49:11,359 Speaker 4: of Jesus is felt more palpable today than it was 737 00:49:11,440 --> 00:49:14,600 Speaker 4: back then. Many nations have risen because of him, and 738 00:49:14,680 --> 00:49:17,719 Speaker 4: many nations have fallen because of him. Many people have 739 00:49:17,800 --> 00:49:20,040 Speaker 4: come to the light because of him, and many people 740 00:49:20,040 --> 00:49:23,040 Speaker 4: that scurried back into darkness because of him. We all 741 00:49:23,080 --> 00:49:26,080 Speaker 4: feel the power of Jesus's name, whether we worship it 742 00:49:26,200 --> 00:49:29,360 Speaker 4: or not. Mary is also given a warning from Simeon. 743 00:49:29,760 --> 00:49:32,719 Speaker 4: He warns her that a sword will cut straight through 744 00:49:32,760 --> 00:49:35,840 Speaker 4: her soul. She would have to watch her baby boy 745 00:49:35,920 --> 00:49:39,600 Speaker 4: be mocked and crucified. The final people to see Jesus 746 00:49:39,640 --> 00:49:42,319 Speaker 4: in this story are the wise Men. Now, there is 747 00:49:42,360 --> 00:49:45,200 Speaker 4: no possible way for us to know how many magi 748 00:49:45,239 --> 00:49:49,239 Speaker 4: there actually were. Most stories portray three because there were 749 00:49:49,320 --> 00:49:53,040 Speaker 4: three gifts, but it could have been dozen. Later tellings 750 00:49:53,080 --> 00:49:56,160 Speaker 4: of the story in church history identify the magi by 751 00:49:56,239 --> 00:50:00,839 Speaker 4: name and even identify their lands of origin Moultro from Persia, 752 00:50:01,040 --> 00:50:05,439 Speaker 4: Gasper from India, and balth the Czar from Arabia. Their 753 00:50:05,440 --> 00:50:09,080 Speaker 4: speculation in these men, but the literary significance of the 754 00:50:09,160 --> 00:50:12,520 Speaker 4: gifts is what is most important. The magi gave three 755 00:50:12,600 --> 00:50:15,880 Speaker 4: gifts to Jesus, who was most likely between the ages 756 00:50:15,920 --> 00:50:19,480 Speaker 4: of one and two at this time, Gold, Franknstance, and 757 00:50:19,520 --> 00:50:23,520 Speaker 4: mir The story gave us wonderful insight into the meaning 758 00:50:23,640 --> 00:50:27,439 Speaker 4: behind these gifts. Unknownst to the wise men, these gifts 759 00:50:27,480 --> 00:50:31,160 Speaker 4: would represent the royalty, divinity, and death of Christ, and 760 00:50:31,200 --> 00:50:34,160 Speaker 4: these offerings were hidden secrets to the life and death 761 00:50:34,239 --> 00:50:38,200 Speaker 4: of God's chosen king. The gold represents Christ's royalty and 762 00:50:38,239 --> 00:50:42,200 Speaker 4: heavenly inheritance. The frank instance represented his divinity as it 763 00:50:42,239 --> 00:50:46,040 Speaker 4: is often offered up in temples, and the mirv represented 764 00:50:46,080 --> 00:50:49,719 Speaker 4: his death, for it was often used doing burial. This 765 00:50:49,800 --> 00:50:52,799 Speaker 4: interaction between Jesus and the magi revealed more of who 766 00:50:52,880 --> 00:50:56,680 Speaker 4: Jesus truly was. He was God himself, humbled to the 767 00:50:56,719 --> 00:51:00,000 Speaker 4: point of becoming a child. The beginning of Christ's story 768 00:51:00,080 --> 00:51:03,160 Speaker 4: foreshadows his entire life. He will rule as a king, 769 00:51:03,640 --> 00:51:06,799 Speaker 4: bringing God's kingdom to earth. He will reveal himself to 770 00:51:06,840 --> 00:51:10,399 Speaker 4: be God himself, creator and sustainer of life. He will 771 00:51:10,480 --> 00:51:14,200 Speaker 4: die as a sacrificial lamb, taking away the sins of humanity. 772 00:51:14,640 --> 00:51:17,960 Speaker 4: The beginning of Jesus's life showed us the entirety of 773 00:51:18,000 --> 00:51:20,880 Speaker 4: his life. Now we can look at the rest of 774 00:51:20,880 --> 00:51:24,880 Speaker 4: his story through the lens of his royalty, divinity, and humility. 775 00:51:25,360 --> 00:51:29,680 Speaker 4: In our next episode, Jesus' ministry begins join us for 776 00:51:29,760 --> 00:51:33,920 Speaker 4: episode four, This is My Son. Thank you for listening. 777 00:51:34,160 --> 00:51:38,040 Speaker 4: For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom to last 778 00:51:38,040 --> 00:51:41,840 Speaker 4: a lifetime, go to pray dot com. Share this podcast 779 00:51:41,880 --> 00:51:44,680 Speaker 4: with a family member or friend so they can know 780 00:51:44,880 --> 00:51:48,520 Speaker 4: Jesus Christ in a personal way. You never know how 781 00:51:48,560 --> 00:51:51,319 Speaker 4: great of an impact the Bible and this podcast can 782 00:51:51,400 --> 00:51:54,000 Speaker 4: have on someone's life. God bless