1 00:00:00,330 --> 00:00:04,470 Speaker 1: Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of 2 00:00:04,590 --> 00:00:11,880 Speaker 1: great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2.10 3 00:00:12,140 --> 00:00:15,080 Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the lessons we learn 4 00:00:15,100 --> 00:00:20,119 Speaker 1: from the shepherds' encounter with the angels. May we embrace humility, 5 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:26,550 Speaker 1: rejoice in your redemption, and engage in heartfelt worship this 6 00:00:26,670 --> 00:00:31,070 Speaker 1: Christmas season. Help us to spread the good tidings of 7 00:00:31,150 --> 00:00:36,490 Speaker 1: great joy to those around us, reflecting your love and grace. 8 00:00:37,979 --> 00:00:38,260 Speaker 2: Amen. 9 00:00:39,740 --> 00:00:43,020 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. Stay tuned now 10 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 1: for another episode of Stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider. 11 00:00:55,110 --> 00:00:57,550 Speaker 2: Joseph wrapped him in his arms and wiped him with 12 00:00:57,610 --> 00:01:01,600 Speaker 2: woven wool. He stared into the child's eyes. There was 13 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:05,020 Speaker 2: nothing different about him. There were no lights radiating from 14 00:01:05,060 --> 00:01:09,060 Speaker 2: his eyes or humming of heavenly hosts behind him. He 15 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:13,260 Speaker 2: was a baby, crying and taking in the newness of life. 16 00:01:14,060 --> 00:01:17,680 Speaker 2: But as Joseph cradled him in his arms, he knew 17 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 2: without a doubt this child was exceptional, chosen, blessed. All 18 00:01:23,940 --> 00:01:27,900 Speaker 2: the turmoil, danger and chaos he had to endure was 19 00:01:28,020 --> 00:01:31,100 Speaker 2: worth it. For the sake of this treasure he held 20 00:01:31,180 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 2: in his hands. 21 00:01:32,740 --> 00:01:34,259 Speaker 1: We already know his name. 22 00:01:34,780 --> 00:01:38,119 Speaker 2: He said to Mary. Mary reached for her son and 23 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,259 Speaker 2: cradled him in her arms. She stroked his face. 24 00:01:41,940 --> 00:01:44,759 Speaker 1: His name will be Jesus, she whispered. 25 00:01:45,140 --> 00:01:49,500 Speaker 2: The Lord saves. Mary pressed Jesus against her chest and 26 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:54,590 Speaker 2: cried joyfully. He was the fulfillment of God's promise to humanity. 27 00:01:55,190 --> 00:01:58,490 Speaker 2: The good shepherd of Israel, the savior of the world. 28 00:02:01,910 --> 00:02:05,070 Speaker 3: Hello everyone, and welcome to another Christmas episode of the 29 00:02:05,150 --> 00:02:10,190 Speaker 3: Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan from Pray.com. Thank you for joining 30 00:02:10,230 --> 00:02:14,669 Speaker 3: me for this joyous celebration of Christ's birth. Today, we 31 00:02:14,690 --> 00:02:18,090 Speaker 3: visit the hill country of Bethlehem under a starlit sky. 32 00:02:19,210 --> 00:02:21,790 Speaker 3: We'll meet three shepherds whose lives are about to be 33 00:02:21,870 --> 00:02:27,920 Speaker 3: changed forever. These lowly shepherds, existing on the fringes of society, 34 00:02:28,620 --> 00:02:31,590 Speaker 3: are about to be visited by a divine chorus of 35 00:02:31,690 --> 00:02:37,889 Speaker 3: heavenly messengers. Their message is a resounding song of joy, peace, 36 00:02:38,389 --> 00:02:43,250 Speaker 3: and salvation. Why would God choose to visit shepherds of 37 00:02:43,370 --> 00:02:47,050 Speaker 3: all people to be the first to behold Him? In 38 00:02:47,110 --> 00:02:50,250 Speaker 3: biblical times, shepherds were often considered to be on the 39 00:02:50,340 --> 00:02:54,860 Speaker 3: lower rungs of the social ladder. Their work was humble, demanding, 40 00:02:55,300 --> 00:03:00,269 Speaker 3: and required they isolate for months at a time. As 41 00:03:00,310 --> 00:03:05,570 Speaker 3: a result, shepherds were considered awkward and untrustworthy. Yet, God 42 00:03:05,630 --> 00:03:10,810 Speaker 3: saw fit to choose them. God often refers to Himself 43 00:03:10,970 --> 00:03:15,090 Speaker 3: as a shepherd. This isn't because God considers Himself awkward 44 00:03:15,130 --> 00:03:19,780 Speaker 3: and untrustworthy. Rather, God calls Himself a shepherd because we 45 00:03:19,940 --> 00:03:23,960 Speaker 3: are like sheep. Think about sheep for a moment. They 46 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:29,450 Speaker 3: have large bodies, small legs, and aren't very intelligent. All 47 00:03:29,470 --> 00:03:36,590 Speaker 3: those qualities make them fearful and anxious creatures, vulnerable to predators. Additionally, 48 00:03:37,050 --> 00:03:39,870 Speaker 3: sheep are one of the only animals unable to survive 49 00:03:39,910 --> 00:03:43,850 Speaker 3: in the wild without human care. They can't become feral, 50 00:03:44,190 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 3: meaning they'll perish without a shepherd to look after them. We, 51 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:53,040 Speaker 3: like sheep, are skittish and vulnerable. That's why David called 52 00:03:53,100 --> 00:03:56,860 Speaker 3: God his shepherd, who restores his soul and protects him 53 00:03:56,940 --> 00:04:02,060 Speaker 3: from enemies. Scripture frequently uses the imagery of shepherds to 54 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 3: describe spiritual leadership. Moses was a shepherd before returning to 55 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:10,230 Speaker 3: the people of Israel. King David was a shepherd before 56 00:04:10,290 --> 00:04:15,130 Speaker 3: becoming Israel's king. And Jesus refers to himself as the 57 00:04:15,190 --> 00:04:20,210 Speaker 3: good shepherd. The shepherd's inclusion in Christ's birth story underlines 58 00:04:20,250 --> 00:04:24,150 Speaker 3: the importance of spiritual guidance and reflects God's care for 59 00:04:24,190 --> 00:04:28,690 Speaker 3: his people. So let's join these shepherds now on the 60 00:04:28,790 --> 00:04:33,360 Speaker 3: rolling hills of Bethlehem. Imagine yourself lying back on a 61 00:04:33,420 --> 00:04:39,280 Speaker 3: grassy hill, gazing up at the vast universe above. You 62 00:04:39,300 --> 00:04:41,720 Speaker 3: hear the crackling of the fire behind you and the 63 00:04:41,779 --> 00:04:46,279 Speaker 3: occasional buzz of nearby sheep. This is where the shepherds 64 00:04:46,350 --> 00:04:50,130 Speaker 3: find themselves before an abrupt and glorious interruption. 65 00:04:52,300 --> 00:04:55,200 Speaker 2: In a valley not too far from the glimmering hills 66 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 2: of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds lay in the fields, 67 00:04:59,100 --> 00:05:02,500 Speaker 2: tending to their flocks. The night was alive with the 68 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 2: distant songs of crickets and the gentle rustle of tall 69 00:05:05,940 --> 00:05:09,620 Speaker 2: grass swaying to a soft breeze. The sheep had settled 70 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:13,620 Speaker 2: for the night, their breathing gentle and rhythmic. Together, the 71 00:05:13,670 --> 00:05:18,410 Speaker 2: shepherds pointed out constellations, their fingers tracing the ancient patterns 72 00:05:18,470 --> 00:05:21,650 Speaker 2: in the sky as they told stories and shared laughter. 73 00:05:22,510 --> 00:05:25,390 Speaker 2: One of them, an older shepherd with eyes that held 74 00:05:25,450 --> 00:05:30,390 Speaker 2: the spark of countless sunrises, pointed to the sky. Look there, 75 00:05:30,650 --> 00:05:32,860 Speaker 2: he said, his voice like weathered wood. 76 00:05:33,310 --> 00:05:34,599 Speaker 1: Aquila, the eagle. 77 00:05:35,300 --> 00:05:39,980 Speaker 2: It flies high above our heads, never bound by Earth's hold. 78 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:42,700 Speaker 2: I wish I could soar like an eagle, the younger 79 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:46,820 Speaker 2: shepherd replied. The others chuckled at his boyish imagination. I 80 00:05:47,380 --> 00:05:48,810 Speaker 2: would travel to Egypt. 81 00:05:49,390 --> 00:05:52,550 Speaker 1: And behold the great relics of Pharaoh. 82 00:05:53,050 --> 00:05:56,070 Speaker 2: Well, I will soar to Rome and have a look 83 00:05:56,110 --> 00:06:00,070 Speaker 2: at Caesar's great throne room. The three shepherds laughed together, 84 00:06:00,100 --> 00:06:04,560 Speaker 2: their eyes tracing the lines of constellations, finding in them 85 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:09,020 Speaker 2: the stories of gods and heroes, love and loss. The 86 00:06:09,060 --> 00:06:12,980 Speaker 2: valley listened, a silent witness to their friendship. The life 87 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:16,300 Speaker 2: of a shepherd was often lonely. For most of the year, 88 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:19,460 Speaker 2: they existed as outcasts on the edge of the city. 89 00:06:20,100 --> 00:06:23,280 Speaker 2: They travelled the plains of the Judean wilderness, often alone 90 00:06:23,339 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 2: with their sheep. But at this moment, they had each other, 91 00:06:26,860 --> 00:06:30,900 Speaker 2: the stars, and shared stories beside a crackling fire. Their bodies, 92 00:06:31,260 --> 00:06:34,370 Speaker 2: wearied from the day's labour, began to succumb to sleep's 93 00:06:34,430 --> 00:06:38,750 Speaker 2: gentle pull. Their gazes, fixed on the boundless heaven's grew 94 00:06:38,850 --> 00:06:43,630 Speaker 2: soft as dreams beckoned. Then, without warning, a gust of wind, 95 00:06:43,950 --> 00:06:48,179 Speaker 2: sharp and cold, swept through the valley, stirring the shepherds 96 00:06:48,220 --> 00:06:51,540 Speaker 2: from their rest. The wind extinguished their fire with an 97 00:06:51,580 --> 00:06:56,159 Speaker 2: abrupt hiss, and they leaped to their feet. Darkness enveloped them. 98 00:06:56,740 --> 00:07:00,159 Speaker 2: What is happening? One of them said in a panicked voice. Then, 99 00:07:00,660 --> 00:07:04,109 Speaker 2: in an instant, a burst of light split the horizon 100 00:07:04,170 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 2: like a long, shimmering blade. It split and danced, reaching 101 00:07:09,050 --> 00:07:12,410 Speaker 2: out to them in a blinding embrace. Light poured out 102 00:07:12,470 --> 00:07:15,610 Speaker 2: like a rushing waterfall and surrounded the shepherds in a 103 00:07:15,730 --> 00:07:19,700 Speaker 2: myriad of beautiful colors. The shepherds heard an orchestra of 104 00:07:19,860 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 2: instruments and singing come from the light. It was a symphony, 105 00:07:23,940 --> 00:07:27,010 Speaker 2: pure and transcendent, as if they were listening to it 106 00:07:27,190 --> 00:07:31,130 Speaker 2: within their own souls. As if they were listening to 107 00:07:31,190 --> 00:07:35,310 Speaker 2: it within their own souls. Terror and awe came upon 108 00:07:35,370 --> 00:07:39,870 Speaker 2: the shepherds as they fell to the ground, their bodies trembling. Then, 109 00:07:40,290 --> 00:07:42,430 Speaker 2: from the light, a voice emerged. 110 00:07:43,030 --> 00:07:43,810 Speaker 1: Fear not. 111 00:07:44,330 --> 00:07:47,630 Speaker 2: The voice, clear and resonant, rang out from the light. 112 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:52,480 Speaker 2: Its timber was filled with authority and gentleness, command and comfort. 113 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:55,980 Speaker 2: We have come with good tidings of great joy. In 114 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:59,310 Speaker 2: the town of Bethlehem lies a baby. His child is 115 00:07:59,350 --> 00:08:02,970 Speaker 2: the Messiah, the Lord, the Savior of the world and 116 00:08:03,030 --> 00:08:07,090 Speaker 2: redemption of mankind. The shepherds' eyes widened as the angel 117 00:08:07,150 --> 00:08:10,850 Speaker 2: and an entire choir of heavenly hosts emerged from the light. 118 00:08:11,310 --> 00:08:14,490 Speaker 2: They couldn't speak. for their minds struggled to even grasp 119 00:08:14,530 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 2: the magnitude of what was unfolding before them. The lights, 120 00:08:18,260 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 2: hues of bright orange, pink, and white, swirled around them 121 00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 2: like a flock of ethereal doves, casting a warm glow 122 00:08:25,940 --> 00:08:30,750 Speaker 2: on their upturned faces. Go, therefore, and see for yourselves. 123 00:08:31,330 --> 00:08:34,770 Speaker 2: You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying 124 00:08:34,830 --> 00:08:38,230 Speaker 2: in a manger. The angel continued, his words infused with 125 00:08:38,270 --> 00:08:41,569 Speaker 2: an urgency that set their hearts aflame. As he spoke, 126 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 2: The choir of angels slowly rose their voices. The light 127 00:08:45,740 --> 00:08:49,439 Speaker 2: swirled to the rising and falling of their harmony. Finally, 128 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:54,180 Speaker 2: the song crescendoed into a resonating song of praise. Then, 129 00:08:54,660 --> 00:08:58,270 Speaker 2: as suddenly as it had come, the light dissipated, leaving 130 00:08:58,309 --> 00:09:01,050 Speaker 2: the valley bathed in the soft glow of the stars 131 00:09:01,210 --> 00:09:04,210 Speaker 2: once more. The melodies of heaven were replaced by the 132 00:09:04,290 --> 00:09:07,930 Speaker 2: gentle whispers of the evening wind and a few chirping crickets. 133 00:09:08,390 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 2: The shepherds sat, stunned and silent. their minds reeling from 134 00:09:12,300 --> 00:09:15,410 Speaker 2: the vision they had just witnessed. The oldest shepherd turned 135 00:09:15,450 --> 00:09:19,230 Speaker 2: to his companions. Did we all just see that, or 136 00:09:19,690 --> 00:09:22,790 Speaker 2: is this old man finally loose in his mind? The 137 00:09:22,830 --> 00:09:26,030 Speaker 2: two others nodded their heads in confirmation that they had 138 00:09:26,210 --> 00:09:30,770 Speaker 2: all borne witness, still stunned by what they had seen. Slowly, 139 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 2: their eyes turned towards Bethlehem, where a few torchlights still 140 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,980 Speaker 2: flickered in the distance. Resting above the city was a 141 00:09:38,020 --> 00:09:42,679 Speaker 2: new star, radiant and singular, Unlike any they had seen before, 142 00:09:42,980 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 2: the older shepherd turned to his young friend and laughed. 143 00:09:46,580 --> 00:09:49,880 Speaker 2: You may get to see royalty after all. They all 144 00:09:49,940 --> 00:09:54,250 Speaker 2: laughed with unexplainable joy. With a shared understanding, they rose, 145 00:09:54,610 --> 00:09:58,370 Speaker 2: leaving their belongings behind, their steps quickening as they ran 146 00:09:58,450 --> 00:09:50,870 Speaker 2: towards Bethlehem. Fear not, for behold, I bring you good 147 00:09:50,890 --> 00:09:52,630 Speaker 2: tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 148 00:09:52,650 --> 00:09:54,840 Speaker 2: This message of joy echoes throughout the New Testament. 149 00:10:17,929 --> 00:10:20,329 Speaker 3: As joy is a hallmark of those who have experienced 150 00:10:20,429 --> 00:10:25,960 Speaker 3: Christ's redemption. The good tidings are indeed of great joy 151 00:10:26,460 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 3: because they announce the arrival of the Savior, fulfilling God's 152 00:10:30,820 --> 00:10:35,140 Speaker 3: promise to redeem His people. The angels' announcement heralded a 153 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 3: new era filled with hope. The joy comes from the 154 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:43,660 Speaker 3: realization that God has not abandoned His people. That should 155 00:10:43,700 --> 00:10:47,390 Speaker 3: bring all of us joy today. We don't worship a 156 00:10:47,429 --> 00:10:51,589 Speaker 3: God who has remained distant and aloof. Despite our sin 157 00:10:51,770 --> 00:10:55,570 Speaker 3: and depravity, God chose to rescue us and raise us 158 00:10:55,610 --> 00:11:00,020 Speaker 3: to glory with Him. The very fact that these lowly 159 00:11:00,100 --> 00:11:03,439 Speaker 3: shepherds were able to behold the splendor and majesty of 160 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:09,680 Speaker 3: the angels is a testament to how God operates. He 161 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:13,370 Speaker 3: doesn't think about status symbols or wealth. The wise men 162 00:11:13,390 --> 00:11:15,950 Speaker 3: would have been the first to behold the newborn king 163 00:11:16,050 --> 00:11:21,450 Speaker 3: if He did God chose the rustic outcasts, proving He 164 00:11:21,470 --> 00:11:25,270 Speaker 3: doesn't care about your wealth, your popularity, or your status. 165 00:11:26,860 --> 00:11:29,439 Speaker 3: No matter where you are or what you have done, 166 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:35,520 Speaker 3: the gospel message is for you to enjoy. Let's not 167 00:11:35,559 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 3: make the mistake of thinking Christmas is merely for us 168 00:11:38,220 --> 00:11:42,820 Speaker 3: to enjoy, though. Ultimately, Christ's birth gives glory to God. 169 00:11:43,860 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 3: The angelic prays, Glory to God in the highest! should 170 00:11:47,500 --> 00:11:50,839 Speaker 3: resonate in our hearts as we ponder the magnitude of 171 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:56,560 Speaker 3: what God has done. His redemptive plan and magnificence are 172 00:11:56,620 --> 00:12:01,330 Speaker 3: shown throughout the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 173 00:12:04,210 --> 00:12:06,429 Speaker 3: Join us for our next episode of Stories of the 174 00:12:06,470 --> 00:12:09,809 Speaker 3: Messiah as the shepherds search high and low for God's Son. 175 00:12:10,490 --> 00:12:13,370 Speaker 3: When they finally arrive at the stables, the fear and 176 00:12:13,650 --> 00:12:17,490 Speaker 3: awe of the Lord come upon them. And, Unbeknownst to them, 177 00:12:18,190 --> 00:12:20,590 Speaker 3: they set the stage for King Herod to catch wind 178 00:12:20,610 --> 00:12:21,050 Speaker 3: of Jesus.