1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ, could 2 00:00:03,680 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: oppression or anguish, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or 3 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: peril or sword Romans eight thirty five. Dear Heavenly Father, 4 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: in the midst of festive lights, shared laughter and the 5 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:25,239 Speaker 1: joy of giving, we remember the unparalleled gift of your 6 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:30,640 Speaker 1: son Jesus. His birth was the beginning of a promise, 7 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 1: a promise that no circumstance or challenge can ever sever 8 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:37,280 Speaker 1: the bond of love. 9 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 2: He offers. 10 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 1: As carols fill the air and we gather with loved ones, 11 00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:46,880 Speaker 1: let us be reminded of the unbreakable love of Christ, 12 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 1: a love that chose a humble manger, a love that 13 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:56,840 Speaker 1: endured the Cross, and a love that overcomes every obstacle. 14 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: May the warmth of the seas, the joy of Christ's birth, 15 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:05,959 Speaker 1: and the depth of your love remind us that we 16 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 1: are never alone and nothing can truly separate us from 17 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:15,760 Speaker 1: the embrace of Jesus. Thank you, Father for the gift 18 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:20,320 Speaker 1: of your love made manifest in the birth of our Savior. 19 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 1: May our Christmas celebrations be filled with gratitude, joy, and 20 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 1: the everlasting hope found in Christ. In the loving name 21 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 1: of Jesus, we pray amen. 22 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 3: Ee. By order of Caesar Augustus, all men in their 23 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:48,720 Speaker 3: families are to be registered for a sensus in the 24 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 3: city of their family lineage. Failure to register will result 25 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:56,559 Speaker 3: in punishment. This is the will of Rome. 26 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 4: His voice, steely and unemotional, echo through the streets and allies, 27 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 4: leaving a chill in the hearts of those who heard it. 28 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 4: His soldiers nailed the decree onto the doorpost of every home. 29 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:12,919 Speaker 4: Pyrineus's voice shouted through the city streets of Nazareth, where 30 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:16,520 Speaker 4: Joseph was buying supplies for his workshop. The proclamation threw 31 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 4: him into a storm of uncertainty and worry. The house 32 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 4: of David. Joseph's lineage was traced back to Bethlehem. 33 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 5: We're so glad you've joined us on the Bible in 34 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:31,920 Speaker 5: a Year podcast today. The Bible in a Year podcast 35 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:35,600 Speaker 5: is an outreach of PowerPoint Ministries and can only come 36 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:38,120 Speaker 5: to you each week through the support of listeners just 37 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 5: like you. Your support today is so important that we want 38 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:43,720 Speaker 5: to thank you for your gift by giving you a 39 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:47,080 Speaker 5: copy of my book called The Jesus Book. It is 40 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:49,520 Speaker 5: a powerful guide that shows how every book of the 41 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 5: Bible points to Jesus and how his living word, the 42 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:57,040 Speaker 5: truth of God's Word, will transform your life. So to 43 00:02:57,080 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 5: get a copy of the Jesus Book, simply go to 44 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:03,959 Speaker 5: jail Jack Graham dot org slash Jesus. That's Jack Graham 45 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:08,519 Speaker 5: dot org slash Jesus, and thank you for your support. 46 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:12,399 Speaker 5: Today's episode is a narrative based on Luke Chapter two, 47 00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 5: verses one through five. Although the Bible doesn't describe the 48 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 5: long journey Mary and Joseph took from Nazareth to Bethlehem, 49 00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 5: we know that it must have been wrought with challenges 50 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:28,760 Speaker 5: that tested their young marriage. Romans Chapter eight, verses thirty 51 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:32,639 Speaker 5: eight and thirty nine says, who shall separate us from 52 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 5: the Love of Christ shall tribulation or distress, or persecution 53 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:42,600 Speaker 5: or famine or nakedness or danger or sword. Every episode 54 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 5: from now until the end of our series will showcase 55 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 5: a new struggle. Mary and Joseph must endure robberies, storms, rejection, 56 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:56,600 Speaker 5: and conspiracies. Yet God's love and divine plan will cut 57 00:03:56,640 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 5: through the tragedy and turn it all into triumph. The 58 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 5: journey to Bethlehem is a poignant reminder of God's powerful love, 59 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 5: a love willing to journey through hardship, risk, uncertainty, and 60 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 5: the darkest valleys to obey God's will. We can imagine 61 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:19,520 Speaker 5: their challenges the physical strain of the journey, societal judgment 62 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:23,279 Speaker 5: due to Mary's mysterious pregnancy, and the anxiety of a 63 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:26,760 Speaker 5: young couple about to become parents. On top of that, 64 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 5: there's the mounting pressure of knowing their child was the 65 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:37,159 Speaker 5: promised Messiah. This episode will feature a new type of 66 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:42,279 Speaker 5: challenge for Mary and Joseph. Trials, challenges, and hardships can 67 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:46,920 Speaker 5: tear a relationship apart or strengthen it. Will this journey 68 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 5: solidify Mary and Joseph's pond or tear them apart. I'd 69 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 5: like to promise you this episode has a happy ending, 70 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:58,480 Speaker 5: but it doesn't. Just like Mary and Joseph, we must 71 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:05,080 Speaker 5: endure momentary trials before stepping into triumph. We must endure 72 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:10,160 Speaker 5: momentary trials before stepping into triumph. Let's immerse ourselves now 73 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 5: in the story. In the end, we'll unpack Christmas themes 74 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:15,159 Speaker 5: to strengthen our faith. 75 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:21,159 Speaker 4: The streets of Nazareth, usually a buzzed with laughter and trade, 76 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:26,080 Speaker 4: grew anxious and frantic. Families huddled in corners to discuss 77 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:30,440 Speaker 4: the journey ahead, Rumors and tales of treacherous roads rife 78 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:35,040 Speaker 4: with robbers, grew more terrifying by the day. Amidst the chaos, 79 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:39,080 Speaker 4: Joseph waded through the marketplace, gathering the last of their 80 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:42,400 Speaker 4: supplies for the journey ahead. He was no stranger to 81 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 4: the dangers of travel. As a stonemason, he often needed 82 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:49,400 Speaker 4: to do business outside of Nazareth, but with Mary and 83 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 4: her delicate condition, the journey was a heavy burden on 84 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:56,479 Speaker 4: his heart. They'd heard dark tales of bandits lurking in 85 00:05:56,520 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 4: the desert shadows, striking unsuspecting travelers and leaving. 86 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:01,480 Speaker 2: Them with nothing. 87 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:05,279 Speaker 4: Joseph felt the weight of his responsibility to protect his 88 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:09,600 Speaker 4: wife and the unborn child. Night after night, as they 89 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 4: prepared for the journey, Joseph would glance at the horizon 90 00:06:13,279 --> 00:06:16,520 Speaker 4: as if trying to discern what lay in wait. Mary, 91 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 4: watching him from their doorway, could see the furrows of 92 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:22,719 Speaker 4: worry deepen on his brow. She was relieved that her 93 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:26,480 Speaker 4: husband was strong and capable, but Mary bore a strength 94 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 4: Joseph liked. 95 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:31,920 Speaker 2: She didn't share Joseph's fear. Instead, she had a peace 96 00:06:31,960 --> 00:06:33,360 Speaker 2: that God would provide. 97 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 4: She was not naive to think tragedy wasn't possible, but 98 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:40,120 Speaker 4: she also knew God wouldn't begin this work if he 99 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 4: did not intend on completing it. One evening, as twilight 100 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 4: painted the horizon with hues of gold and red, Mary 101 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:50,159 Speaker 4: approached her husband. He was lost in thought, his gaze 102 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:53,279 Speaker 4: fixed on the distant roads. His face was painted with 103 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 4: a familiar look of worry. Mary gently touched his shoulder 104 00:06:56,839 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 4: and spoke softly, What are you thinking about, she asked, 105 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 4: already knowing the answer about tomorrow's journey. Joseph replied, going 106 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:07,400 Speaker 4: through the list in my head to make sure we 107 00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:08,559 Speaker 4: have everything we need. 108 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 2: His face betrayed his words. 109 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 4: Joseph was consumed with doubt, not in God, but in 110 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:18,040 Speaker 4: his own ability to carry out his duty. Mary resisted 111 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 4: the urge to remind him that he didn't need to worry. 112 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 4: Telling somebody who was anxious to stop worrying was about 113 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:25,040 Speaker 4: as useful as telling a dog not. 114 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 2: To eat from the ball while it was eating. 115 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 4: Instead, she leaned against his shoulder and looked quietly at 116 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 4: the horizon. Joseph leaned his cheek closer to her head 117 00:07:34,360 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 4: and sighed, I know I shouldn't worry, but it's hard 118 00:07:37,760 --> 00:07:42,040 Speaker 4: not to especially with what's at stake. She smiled, the 119 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:44,200 Speaker 4: kind of smile that made Joseph's heart melt. 120 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:50,080 Speaker 1: You have a protector's heart, Joseph. I love that about you. Together, 121 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:51,560 Speaker 1: we can face anything. 122 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 4: I am sure of it. Her words were reassuring at 123 00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 4: the moment, but Joseph still felt a weight on his 124 00:07:57,640 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 4: shoulders growing heavier. Arked early the following day, Joseph packed 125 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 4: the donkey tightly and hoisted Mary on top. She smiled 126 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 4: down at him, and they left. Families old and young 127 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 4: streamed down the pass out of Nazareth, each one burdened 128 00:08:13,760 --> 00:08:16,640 Speaker 4: by the edict of Caesar. They all began in the 129 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 4: same direction, but eventually split down many roads to register 130 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:23,280 Speaker 4: in the city of their heritage. The town of Nazareth 131 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:27,000 Speaker 4: slowly receded into the distance, its familiar sights and sounds 132 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 4: replaced by the vastness of the road. As the days 133 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:33,080 Speaker 4: wore on and the sun deceased, Mary and Joseph set 134 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:35,960 Speaker 4: out camp under the vast canopy of the stars. The 135 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 4: heavens seemed to wink down at them, casting a silvery 136 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:43,520 Speaker 4: glow over the landscape. While Mary rested, Joseph remained awake, 137 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 4: his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. 138 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 4: The weight of potential threats kept him vigilant. He refused 139 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 4: to sleep. Instead, he leaned back on a stone, with 140 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 4: his hands firmly placed on his dagger. He refused to 141 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 4: let anything harm Merry or the child. 142 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:00,880 Speaker 2: And let them down. 143 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:04,920 Speaker 4: Joseph sighed. He peered down at his bride. She shivered 144 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:07,920 Speaker 4: from the cold, so Joseph removed his coat and placed 145 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:11,280 Speaker 4: it on her. I love you, he whispered, softly, stroking 146 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 4: her dark curls. The days melted into one another, a 147 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 4: blur of sunrises and sunsets. The vastness of the desert 148 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:22,560 Speaker 4: stretched before them, its ever changing peaks and valleys, seeming 149 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 4: both majestic and menacing. With every step, the weight of 150 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:30,199 Speaker 4: their journey grew not in their bags, but in their hearts. 151 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 4: By day, the sun bore down on them, its rays unrelenting. 152 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:38,640 Speaker 4: Mary's pregnancy sapped her of strength, but not of her hope. 153 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:41,520 Speaker 4: As they walked, she would wax poetry about the Lord's 154 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:44,760 Speaker 4: blessing on them. Her relentless hope gave Joseph enough to 155 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 4: keep walking beside her and the donkey. By night, the 156 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 4: desert came alive with its secrets, the sounds of wolves 157 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:54,680 Speaker 4: and the distance, and the whispers of the wind. Joseph, 158 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:58,080 Speaker 4: determined and ever watchful, grew wearier with each passing day. 159 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:01,040 Speaker 4: The shadows of rumoured banned, and its played tricks on 160 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:04,599 Speaker 4: his mind, making every rustling bush or distant noise a 161 00:10:04,679 --> 00:10:08,160 Speaker 4: potential threat. On the fourth evening, as the sapphire sky 162 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:11,440 Speaker 4: turned deep indigo, Mary took his hand and saw the 163 00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:13,080 Speaker 4: exhaustion on Joseph's face. 164 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:15,679 Speaker 2: You've borne the weight of our journey for so long, 165 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:19,559 Speaker 2: she said gently. Rest now, let me keep watch. 166 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:23,160 Speaker 4: There was a silent battle in Joseph's eye, the protective 167 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:27,480 Speaker 4: husband against the weary traveler, But in the end, fatigue one. 168 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 4: He nodded, his eyelids heavy and lay down, wrapping himself 169 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 4: in a blanket. Wake me if you sense any danger, 170 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:39,160 Speaker 4: he murmured, his voice ad tired whisper. Mary nodded, her 171 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:42,440 Speaker 4: gaze fixed on the horizon, ears a tune to every sound. 172 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:46,520 Speaker 4: She hummed softly, a lullaby she had once heard long ago, 173 00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:50,920 Speaker 4: letting its gentle cadence soothe Joseph into a deep sleep. 174 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 4: But the road, with its myriad of mysteries, had its 175 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:58,680 Speaker 4: own plans, as the night deepened, two shadowy figures approached 176 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:02,520 Speaker 4: their campsite, on by the soft glow of the dying campfire. 177 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 4: They moved stealthily, their intentions clear. They began to pilfer 178 00:11:07,240 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 4: through Mary and Joseph's belongings in search of money and food. 179 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:14,800 Speaker 4: Engrossed in her thoughts and nodding off from exhaustion, Mary 180 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:18,240 Speaker 4: didn't notice them until it was too late. She turned 181 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:21,480 Speaker 4: to see them and held back panic. Mary wasn't foolish 182 00:11:21,559 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 4: enough to scream. She knew that if she shouted for Joseph, 183 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:27,040 Speaker 4: they would kill him before he could even reach his feet. 184 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 4: Mary remained still pretending to sleep, occasionally looking over. Her 185 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 4: heart was pounding. She was paralyzed in an unwinnable situation 186 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:40,559 Speaker 4: as she watched the robbers take the donkey with them. 187 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:44,520 Speaker 4: That is when Mary finally chose to speak Joseph. She 188 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 4: whispered in an intense tone, I've taken everything. Joseph rose 189 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 4: frantically and unsheathed his dagger. Hearing Joseph, the robbers quickened 190 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 4: and ran into the thick of the night. Joseph began 191 00:11:55,960 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 4: to run after them, mind racing with rage and weariness. 192 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:02,720 Speaker 4: Just as he was beginning to gain on the thieves, 193 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 4: he heard Mary's. 194 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 2: Voice, Joseph, where are you? 195 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 4: Joseph stopped. If he continued, something might happen to Mary. 196 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:13,320 Speaker 4: He watched the dim figures disappear into the night. Joseph 197 00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:17,440 Speaker 4: turned back to camp. We've lost everything, he shouted, his 198 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:22,400 Speaker 4: voice trembling with anger and regret. Mary said nothing. Silent 199 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 4: stretched between them. Heavy and thick words unspoken hung in 200 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:28,959 Speaker 4: the air as Joseph buried his face. 201 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:29,439 Speaker 2: In his hands. 202 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 4: He was frustrated and boiling over with regret. Mary, trying 203 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:36,680 Speaker 4: to bridge the gap between them, reached out a hand, 204 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 4: but Joseph pulled away, consumed by his internal turmoil. How 205 00:12:41,559 --> 00:12:44,160 Speaker 4: are we going to survive without any foods on money? 206 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:47,720 Speaker 4: How are you going to finish the journey without the donkey? 207 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 4: Joseph had sold all his tools to pay for these 208 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 4: supplies and the donkey. He had sacrificed so much, and 209 00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:58,720 Speaker 4: now it was all gone. He seethed in anger and disappointment. 210 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:03,000 Speaker 4: Mary thought of defending herself, but chose to remain silent instead. 211 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:06,199 Speaker 4: If Mary was good at anything, it was pondering things 212 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:09,439 Speaker 4: in her heart and allowing deep emotions to be fully processed. 213 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:13,880 Speaker 4: Joseph was uncharacteristically upset, so she gave him space and 214 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 4: returned to her blanket. Neither of them slept that night. 215 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:20,319 Speaker 4: Joseph spent the rest of the night replaying the events 216 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 4: in his mind. The following day wore on in oppressive silence, 217 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:28,920 Speaker 4: Joseph grappling with his guilt turned inward, while Mary, battling 218 00:13:28,960 --> 00:13:32,439 Speaker 4: her own regret, longed for the comforting embrace of her husband. 219 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:34,439 Speaker 2: She wanted to hear him forgive her. 220 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:37,280 Speaker 4: She wanted them to talk and embrace the trial as 221 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 4: a team, but instead they walked in silence. The desert 222 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 4: around them seemed to mirror their emotional state. Its vastness 223 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:49,520 Speaker 4: was of reflection of the growing cousin between them. Their journey, 224 00:13:49,640 --> 00:13:52,920 Speaker 4: which had started with hope and faith, now felt heavy 225 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:56,280 Speaker 4: with despair and doubt. But as with all nights, these 226 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:59,720 Speaker 4: too would pass, giving way to a new dawn and 227 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 4: the promise of redemption. 228 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:06,000 Speaker 5: During a wedding ceremony, couples vow to stick by each 229 00:14:06,040 --> 00:14:09,840 Speaker 5: other through thick and thin. Before God and witnesses, they 230 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 5: stare into each other's eyes and promise to love each 231 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:15,880 Speaker 5: other for better or worse, richer or poorer, and in 232 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:21,200 Speaker 5: sickness or health. During the euphoria and bliss of a wedding, 233 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:26,120 Speaker 5: it's easy to make those vows, but when hardships arise, 234 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:30,560 Speaker 5: the foundation of a marriage is tested. Just as gold 235 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:35,120 Speaker 5: is refined by fire, Removing impurities the trials faced in 236 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:39,120 Speaker 5: a marriage can purify and strengthen the bond between spouses. 237 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:47,480 Speaker 5: This requires intentional dedication, faith, mutual support forgiveness, and most 238 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:52,960 Speaker 5: importantly of all, love. Today's episode brought new struggles for 239 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:56,520 Speaker 5: Mary and Joseph, as if the journey wasn't hard enough, 240 00:14:56,880 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 5: they lost everything they had for the rest of their journey, 241 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:04,680 Speaker 5: and we get the sense that Joseph blames Mary for it. 242 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:08,080 Speaker 5: Yet we hold on to hope that Mary and Joseph's 243 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 5: relationship will be strengthened in the coming days. Our relationship 244 00:15:14,760 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 5: with God can be solidified and deepened in the hardest trials. 245 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:25,119 Speaker 5: Our faith is tested when everything seems uncertain, chaotic, or challenging. 246 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:29,720 Speaker 5: When we trust in God's promises and love, we find 247 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 5: hope that endures and love that strengthens us. Hope in 248 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:38,240 Speaker 5: difficult circumstances is a theme that resonates deeply with all 249 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 5: of us. Life can be challenging. It can be unpredictable, 250 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 5: But amidst the storms, there's a beacon of hope we 251 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 5: can cling to. That hope is Jesus, the Savior, born 252 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 5: in the manger in a little town called Bethlehem, after 253 00:15:56,160 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 5: a challenging journey by two faithful servants. In your own life, 254 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:07,040 Speaker 5: you might be facing a difficult road right now. Remember 255 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:11,600 Speaker 5: that God's promises stand firm. Just as he was with 256 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 5: Mary and Joseph guiding them, He's with you. Cling to him, 257 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 5: Trust in his promises, and let his enduring hope shine 258 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:26,160 Speaker 5: in your circumstances. Remember that our God is greater than 259 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:30,480 Speaker 5: any challenge we might face. The God who guided Mary 260 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:34,160 Speaker 5: and Joseph to Bethlehem and raise Jesus from the dead 261 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 5: is the same God with you today. Let's trust him, 262 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 5: Let's rely on his promises. Let's allow his love to 263 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:47,680 Speaker 5: be the anchor of our hope in any circumstance. In 264 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 5: our next story, Joseph and Mary will desperately search for 265 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:55,480 Speaker 5: supplies as they venture into a nearby city. Joseph's dedication 266 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:58,560 Speaker 5: to Mary will require him to take even more risks. 267 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 5: Join us foreign next episode, The Road to Bethlehem, Part two, 268 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:06,919 Speaker 5: thank you for listening to today's Bible into Year podcast, 269 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:09,640 Speaker 5: and before we go, I wanted to let you know 270 00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:12,439 Speaker 5: that the Bible into Your podcast is an outreach of 271 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:16,280 Speaker 5: PowerPoint Ministries and can only come to you each week 272 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:21,000 Speaker 5: through the support of listeners like you. Your support today 273 00:17:21,080 --> 00:17:23,399 Speaker 5: is so important that we want to thank you for 274 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:25,720 Speaker 5: your gift by giving you a copy of my book 275 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:29,800 Speaker 5: called The Jesus Book. This book is a powerful guide 276 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 5: that shows how every book in the Bible points to Christ, 277 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:35,520 Speaker 5: and how you can better read and understand the Bible 278 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:39,640 Speaker 5: and how God's Word transforms our lives. So to get 279 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:43,080 Speaker 5: your copy of The Jesus Book, simply go to Jaggraham 280 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:48,200 Speaker 5: dot org slash Jesus. That's Jaggraham dot org slash Jesus 281 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:50,080 Speaker 5: and thank you for your support.