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Speaker 1: For unto you is born this day in the city

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Speaker 1: of David, a savior which is Christ, the Lord Luke

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Speaker 1: two eleven. He is here, Christ, the Lord, the King

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Speaker 1: of the Jews, the Savior of the world, is born

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Speaker 1: to day. Glory, hallelujah. What a glorious revelation. Praise you,

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Speaker 1: my sweet Lord of Light and Love. What a thrilling

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Speaker 1: announcement to know that the prophecies of old have come

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Speaker 1: to fulfillment. The cloud of darkness is about to be

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Speaker 1: defeated by the Kingdom of Love, and justice is growing

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Speaker 1: on the earth. The Word is made flesh this day

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Speaker 1: in the city of David, where prophecy meets destiny. Glory, hallelujah.

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Speaker 1: This is the day the Lord has made, and I

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Speaker 1: will be glad and rejoice in it. This is the

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Speaker 1: day You came into the world, rapt in the flesh

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Speaker 1: of a human baby, just like me and all the

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Speaker 1: other children of the spiritual seed of Abraham. You were

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Speaker 1: the Savior whom God provided and appointed and had long

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Speaker 1: promised from the beginning of the world. You are the

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Speaker 1: great King being both God and man, who is the

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Speaker 1: only one able to work out salvation for all sinners.

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Speaker 1: It is you Jesus, who saved me from sin, Satan,

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Speaker 1: and the law of bondage, to the world, death and hell,

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Speaker 1: and every enemy that wanted to destroy me. Thank you,

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Speaker 1: Father for this powerful gift of your son Jesus, who

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Speaker 1: is the reason for this season. I will rejoice and

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Speaker 1: be glad in Jesus's name.

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Speaker 2: Amen.

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Speaker 1: Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the Greatest Story Ever Told.

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Speaker 1: From pray dot COM's podcast, Heroes in the Bible.

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Speaker 3: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in

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Speaker 3: the Bible Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,

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Speaker 3: please share it with your family and friends so they

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Speaker 3: can know Jesus in a personal way, because knowing Jesus

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Speaker 3: is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome to the

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Speaker 3: Greatest Story ever told. It is the story of a

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Speaker 3: shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love for his children,

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Speaker 3: and a hero's triumph over death and darkness. This is

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Speaker 3: a story that continues to shape and mold the world

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Speaker 3: around us, bringing the divine heart of God right into

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Speaker 3: the hearts of you and me. In this episode, we

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Speaker 3: meet our long awaited hero. His arrival has been prophesied

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Speaker 3: since the beginning of time. But he comes in in

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Speaker 3: an unconventional way. He doesn't fall from a star or

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Speaker 3: form a volcano. He comes humbly as a new born baby,

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Speaker 3: surrounded by livestock, tucked into a cave behind an end.

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Speaker 3: What is the purpose behind his humble birth and what

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Speaker 3: does it communicate to us? The way God came and

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Speaker 3: lived among us reveals what he values most. He doesn't

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Speaker 3: value opulent processions, decad and feast and displays of riches.

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Speaker 3: God values humble and determined hearts that love at all costs.

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Speaker 3: In this episode, we will follow Mary and Joseph to

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Speaker 3: the small town of David, Bethlehem. Pay attention to the

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Speaker 3: way they love and serve each other. It is a

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Speaker 3: revelation into the servant heart of Christ. We will begin

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Speaker 3: this episode with a prelude, only this prelude is not

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Speaker 3: from another passage in scripture. We will take a look

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Speaker 3: at history and the context surrounding the census. The rise

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Speaker 3: of Caesar Augustus is a well known story, but we

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Speaker 3: rarely associate it with the birth of Christ. However, it

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Speaker 3: was the eyes of this emperor that set the stage

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Speaker 3: for Christ to come. Pay attention to the contrast between

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Speaker 3: the birth of Jesus and the rise of Caesar. These

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Speaker 3: two kings are linked by destiny, but couldn't be more different.

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Speaker 3: One came with an iron fist, the other came with

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Speaker 3: a gentle hand. One came with an army, the other

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Speaker 3: came as a baby. I can't wait to share this

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Speaker 3: story with you without further ado, here's episode three, God with.

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Speaker 2: Us prelude to chapter three. He was born with the

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Speaker 2: name Octavian, nephew to Julius Caesar. Octavian quickly became the

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Speaker 2: favored son of the Roman Empire. The Great Julius Caesar

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Speaker 2: had conquered much, but not without making enemies. He was

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Speaker 2: brutally murdered, and Octavian, along with two others, Mark Antony

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Speaker 2: and Lepidus, split the empire three ways. For decades, the

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Speaker 2: entire land in the east was brutalized by rivalry, war

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Speaker 2: and political unrest. Octavian and Antony became rivals, and for

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Speaker 2: years they threw hundreds of thousands of men at one

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Speaker 2: another for the right to be sole ruler of the empire.

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Speaker 2: Although he was outnumbered, Octavian mobilized his men brilliantly and

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Speaker 2: defeated the combined forces of Antony and Queen Cleopatra of Egypt.

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Speaker 2: Octavian stood over mounds of sacrificed soldiers looking at the horizon.

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Speaker 2: After many long years, he was finally sole ruler of Rome.

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Speaker 2: Caesar Augustus. The Roman Empire, far reaching towards the east,

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Speaker 2: had been wrecked by war, destruction and corruption. Its farms

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Speaker 2: had been lighted by neglect, and its cities were raided

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Speaker 2: to fund the civil war. Trade had declined, and with

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Speaker 2: it the wealth of the common people. No one was

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Speaker 2: left unaffected, from the rich and influential to the commoner

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Speaker 2: and beggar. All were hurt and longing for a senior.

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Speaker 2: Caesar Augustus was eager to fill that role. With his

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Speaker 2: new found power over the entire empire, Caesar Augustus sought

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Speaker 2: to bring order to the chaos. He had diminished Rome's enemies,

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Speaker 2: brought political stability, and restored the economy. Through his conquest

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Speaker 2: of Egypt, political unity was at hand. Finally, after years

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Speaker 2: of suffering, the Roman people were beginning to feel at peace. However,

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Speaker 2: not all were benefactors of Rome's success. Caesar Augustus took

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Speaker 2: Rome to new heights, but not without a price. He

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Speaker 2: demanded absolute power and undivided devotion from his people. The

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Speaker 2: Roman Senate was reduced to nothing, and Augustus rose above

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Speaker 2: the title of emperor and was now revered as a

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Speaker 2: god himself. Augustus exalted himself and demanded reverence, not just

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Speaker 2: as a great leader, but as a deity. His soldiers

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Speaker 2: were no longer mere soldiers, but devoted followers. His governors

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Speaker 2: were no longer distributors of order, but priests. All of

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Speaker 2: them bowed down at the altar of a false lord.

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Speaker 2: The people of Israel watched as their independence was slowly

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Speaker 2: stripped away. More soldiers laced the city's streets. The morally

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Speaker 2: corrupt culture of Rome spilled through its homes like a

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Speaker 2: rushing tide. The people of God watched as their culture

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Speaker 2: was wantered down by the waves of Roman oppression. Every

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Speaker 2: Jew who was brutalized by a Roman soldier or tax

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Speaker 2: beyond their limit pined for the days of King David.

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Speaker 2: They longed for a time when Israel was secure, protected

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Speaker 2: and flourishing. They longed for the redemption that was to come,

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Speaker 2: and they clung to the promised Messiah spoken of to

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Speaker 2: David before his death, saying.

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Speaker 4: When your days are over, and you rest with your ancestors.

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Speaker 4: I will raise up your offspring to succeed you your

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Speaker 4: own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom.

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Speaker 4: He is the one who will build a house for

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Speaker 4: my name, and I will establish the throne of his

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Speaker 4: kingdom forever.

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Speaker 2: They longed for the champion of the people spoken of

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Speaker 2: by Isaiah that said, the.

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Speaker 4: People walking in darkness have seen a great light on

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Speaker 4: those living in the land of deep darkness. A light

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Speaker 4: has done. They waited eagerly for that night.

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Speaker 2: They desired a king of their own to restore peace, prosperity,

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Speaker 2: and holiness to the people of God. They desired a

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Speaker 2: conquering emperor to rival Caesar and reclaim the promised land.

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Speaker 2: They expected a political and economic revival to be ushered

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Speaker 2: in by a gleaming hero with an army behind him.

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Speaker 2: Yet no one expected what was about to come. Chapter three,

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Speaker 2: God with us.

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Speaker 5: By decree of Lord Caesar Augustus, all must returned, each

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Speaker 5: man and his family to the land of his forefathers

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Speaker 5: to be registered in text. This is the final word

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Speaker 5: of our Lord. Neglecting to comply will be met with

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Speaker 5: swift punishment by the law of Rome.

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Speaker 2: After declaring these things in front of the entire village.

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Speaker 2: The Roman centurion nailed the decree to a post in

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Speaker 2: the center of Nasworth. Joseph watched from afar with worry

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Speaker 2: on his face. But Mary is eight months pregnant, he

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Speaker 2: thought to himself. Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David.

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Speaker 2: Their homeland was the birthplace of Israel's great king, Bethlehem.

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Speaker 2: The road to Bethlehem from Nazareth was not for the

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Speaker 2: faint of heart. At best, it was a week's journey.

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Speaker 2: But Mary was well into the later stages of pregnancy.

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Speaker 2: The roads were unpaved, and the forests were filled with lions, bears,

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Speaker 2: and wild boar.

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Speaker 6: And the roads will no doubt lure in robbers.

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Speaker 2: Joseph thought. He cringed at the thought of taking Mary

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Speaker 2: over ninety miles through the wilderness in her condition. There

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Speaker 2: was no doubt that in order to survive this journey,

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Speaker 2: every day would have to be blessed by God. So

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Speaker 2: Joseph gathered Mary and provisions for the trip, and the

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Speaker 2: two were off for Bethlehem the next day. It was

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Speaker 2: late and the evening sky was painted with bright stars.

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Speaker 2: It had been a long week of traversing rough ground,

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Speaker 2: and Mary was fast asleep. Joseph looked up at the

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Speaker 2: expanse above him, listening to the evening winds whistling through

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Speaker 2: the canyons far off. A sense of smallness came over

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Speaker 2: him as he looked at the heavens above. He thought

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Speaker 2: about his forefather, David, and how he must have felt

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Speaker 2: tracking the wilderness under these very same stars.

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Speaker 3: The heavens declared the glory of God, and the skies

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Speaker 3: proclaimed the work of his hands.

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Speaker 2: Joseph whispered, quoting a psalm of David. Joseph looked down

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Speaker 2: at Mary's sleeping beside him. He stroked her hair and

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Speaker 2: covered her shoulder with the blanket. Who am I, Joseph

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Speaker 2: to himself, Who am I? The God would trust me

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Speaker 2: with this? He sat up all night, determined to protect

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Speaker 2: Mary and the unborn child. In just a day's time

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Speaker 2: they would be in Bethlehem. He looked at his wife,

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Speaker 2: filled with tender love for her and the baby living within.

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Speaker 2: She would give birth any day now, and Joseph knew

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Speaker 2: time was running out. The wool blanket covering Mary's face

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Speaker 2: was damp from morning dew. The morning sun had peaked

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Speaker 2: above the valley, kissing the horizon with a beautiful orange hue.

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Speaker 2: Mary sat up and winced. Her hips were tender from

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Speaker 2: a long night sleeping on her side. At this point

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Speaker 2: in her pregnancy, good sleep was hard to come by.

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Speaker 2: She rubbed her eyes and saw Joseph already packing the

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Speaker 2: donkey for the final stretch of their journey. She smiled

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Speaker 2: as she watched her husb and diligently preparing. He had

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Speaker 2: sold half his tools to buy that donkey. Traveling animal

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Speaker 2: of that size was worth a small fortune, but Joseph

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Speaker 2: was always willing to sacrifice. He had the heart of

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Speaker 2: a true man of God, and she loved him for it.

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Speaker 2: Mary saddled up and rowed as Joseph walked beside them.

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Speaker 2: Her constant discomfort made it a particularly long final day,

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Speaker 2: and the pains of childbirth were beginning to slowly rise.

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Speaker 2: As they approached Bethlehem, Joseph became increasingly more anxious. Everyone

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Speaker 2: had already arrived for the senses. Hundreds of thousands of

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Speaker 2: people had returned to Bethlehem to register. Mary sat near

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Speaker 2: a well in the middle of the city as Joseph

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Speaker 2: frantically knocked on every door he could find. Not only

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Speaker 2: was every inn in town full, but all of Mary

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Speaker 2: and joseph relatives that resided in Bethlehem had rejected them.

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Speaker 2: Mary being pregnant with a child that was not Joseph's

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Speaker 2: was scandalous. As Joseph knocked on her the air, Mary's

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Speaker 2: screams became louder and louder. Joseph picked Mary up in

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Speaker 2: his arms and ran down the road to the largest

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Speaker 2: inn in town. Help us, Please, somebody, help us, Joseph

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Speaker 2: cried out. Joseph slammed his head against the large wooden

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Speaker 2: door of the inn, keeping Mary firmly in his arms.

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Speaker 2: There was no answer, and Joseph could hear laughter coming

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Speaker 2: from inside. Joseph yelled even louder, Please anybody, Still no answer,

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Speaker 2: only the white noise of people enjoying a hearty meal

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Speaker 2: and good company. Joseph could no longer wait. With Mary

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Speaker 2: still cradled in his arms, Joseph lifted his leg and

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Speaker 2: kicked the door open and slammed with dramatic force, but

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Speaker 2: it was still not enough noise to grab any one's attention.

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Speaker 2: Joseph then saw wine nobody had answered his calls for help.

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Speaker 2: The inn was filled to the brim with guests, and

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Speaker 2: there was barely any room for people to spread their arms,

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Speaker 2: let alone. Hear a sound from outside, Joseph spotted the

217
00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:17,640
Speaker 2: innkeeper busting empty cups in the corner. Joseph called out

218
00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:21,960
Speaker 2: to him, Innkeeper, innkeeper. It was enough to catch his attention.

219
00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:26,640
Speaker 2: The innkeeper was disheveled, His gray hair was ragged and messy,

220
00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:29,200
Speaker 2: and his round face was red from the heat of

221
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Speaker 2: the room.

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Speaker 5: We are full, sir, as you can clearly.

223
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Speaker 2: The innkeeper stopped mid sentence as he saw the pregnant

224
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Speaker 2: Mary crying in Joseph's arms. Have mercy on us, Joseph pleaded.

225
00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:43,480
Speaker 2: My wife is about to give birth and there is

226
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Speaker 2: no one left to help us. The innkeeper stroked his beard,

227
00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:51,000
Speaker 2: concern clearly seen on his face. My wife and I

228
00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:53,920
Speaker 2: have given even our old room up, you see, he said,

229
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Speaker 2: with regret. We truly have no more room, especially no

230
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Speaker 2: room for your wife to have her privacy. He scrab

231
00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:02,360
Speaker 2: to the back of his head and darted his eyes

232
00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:03,840
Speaker 2: down the hill behind the inn.

233
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Speaker 4: Well, there may be one place I can.

234
00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:11,120
Speaker 2: Give you, he said, Follow me quick. Joseph put Mary

235
00:16:11,160 --> 00:16:13,320
Speaker 2: back on the donkey, and the three of them made

236
00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:16,480
Speaker 2: their way down a small winding path Behind the inn.

237
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Speaker 2: Carved into the side of the hill was a cave

238
00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:23,800
Speaker 2: like structure that held the goats and donkeys. The sun

239
00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:27,040
Speaker 2: was beginning its descent over the hills, and Mary's pain

240
00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:31,200
Speaker 2: was reaching a new level. The innkeeper hung the lantern,

241
00:16:31,480 --> 00:16:35,720
Speaker 2: illuminating the stable just enough for Mary and Joseph to see.

242
00:16:35,800 --> 00:16:40,520
Speaker 2: At this point, Mary's pain became more frequent, at more painful.

243
00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:44,520
Speaker 2: Her cries were louder, and it was clear the baby

244
00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:47,520
Speaker 2: was on its way soon. I'm sorry that this is

245
00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:51,040
Speaker 2: all I can do for you, the innkeeper said. Joseph

246
00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:56,920
Speaker 2: nodded in thanks and attended to Mary. Mary's screams echoed

247
00:16:56,960 --> 00:17:00,120
Speaker 2: through the cave like stable. Sweat beat down her her

248
00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:04,119
Speaker 2: brow as her whole body tensed in pain. Joseph was

249
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Speaker 2: beside Mary, unwavering at his devotion to her. For a

250
00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:12,400
Speaker 2: few hours, Mary pushed for the joy set before her.

251
00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:17,240
Speaker 2: Mary endured the agony. She willingly laid down her own

252
00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:22,199
Speaker 2: comfort so that this child may experience life. Mary did

253
00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:24,600
Speaker 2: not know it at the time, but the sun she

254
00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:27,600
Speaker 2: was about to birth would one day endure his own

255
00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:32,160
Speaker 2: pain for the sake of others. Her cries continued as

256
00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:36,560
Speaker 2: the sun finally set over the western hills. Then, as

257
00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:40,640
Speaker 2: the stars began to sprinkle across the sky like fireflies,

258
00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:44,880
Speaker 2: Mary's wails were replaced with the whimpering of a new

259
00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:49,520
Speaker 2: born baby in a dusty stable, surrounded by a host

260
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Speaker 2: of farm animals. The promised child of God was born.

261
00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:59,080
Speaker 2: Mary and Joseph cried as the new born babe breathed

262
00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:03,040
Speaker 2: in his first breath on earth. There were no priests

263
00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:07,040
Speaker 2: to sound trumpets or incense burned at his feet, just

264
00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:12,240
Speaker 2: two doting parents, a few donkeys and sheep in silence.

265
00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:16,960
Speaker 2: It was a truly humble birth for such a long

266
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Speaker 2: awaited king. Yet this was the prophecy of Isaiah long

267
00:18:21,320 --> 00:18:25,320
Speaker 2: before that a virgin would conceive and give birth to

268
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Speaker 2: a son in the city of Bethlehem and call him Immanuel,

269
00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:35,000
Speaker 2: which means God with us. This was that moment, the

270
00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:39,520
Speaker 2: moment God had promised since the fall of mankind, God himself,

271
00:18:39,840 --> 00:18:43,639
Speaker 2: Creator and the Word of Life came down to dwell

272
00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:48,240
Speaker 2: among mankind. He did not do so with a procession

273
00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:52,280
Speaker 2: of gold or vast army. He did so by coming

274
00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:56,800
Speaker 2: in the likeness of man in the most humble of ways.

275
00:18:56,840 --> 00:19:02,159
Speaker 2: A baby swaddled in a manger. Mary leaned over and

276
00:19:02,280 --> 00:19:07,080
Speaker 2: kissed his nose. The spirit of God was present and near.

277
00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:12,359
Speaker 2: Joseph and Mary found themselves considering the words of Isaiah

278
00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:15,600
Speaker 2: long ago, saying, for to us.

279
00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:19,600
Speaker 4: A child is born, to us, a son is given,

280
00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:23,800
Speaker 4: and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his

281
00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:30,320
Speaker 4: name shall be called Wonderful counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

282
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Speaker 4: Prince of Peace.

283
00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:35,919
Speaker 2: They could not begin to imagine what this child would

284
00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:41,320
Speaker 2: grow up to do. For now they held him, kissed him,

285
00:19:41,720 --> 00:19:45,359
Speaker 2: listened to his cries, and attended to his every need.

286
00:19:46,359 --> 00:19:51,080
Speaker 2: For now they were doting parents, humbly thanking God for

287
00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:56,480
Speaker 2: the burden and blessing of caring for a king. Not

288
00:19:56,680 --> 00:19:59,760
Speaker 2: too far in the distance, a group of shepherds lay

289
00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:03,199
Speaker 2: in fields, tending to their sheep. They gazed at the

290
00:20:03,240 --> 00:20:07,440
Speaker 2: stars as the sheep settled for the knife. Together, they

291
00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:11,439
Speaker 2: pointed out constellations, told stories, and took SIPs from their

292
00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:15,479
Speaker 2: wine skins. The valley was silent, and the tall grass

293
00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:19,240
Speaker 2: swayed to the light breeze. They fixed their eyes on

294
00:20:19,320 --> 00:20:24,040
Speaker 2: the skies, with weary bodies ready for sleep. As they

295
00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:27,359
Speaker 2: began to tuck themselves in beside the fire, a gust

296
00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:31,600
Speaker 2: of wind flew in from all directions. The shepherds leaped

297
00:20:31,640 --> 00:20:34,080
Speaker 2: to their feet, watching the wind blow out the fire

298
00:20:34,119 --> 00:20:39,080
Speaker 2: in an instant and immediate darkness covered them, followed by

299
00:20:39,080 --> 00:20:41,679
Speaker 2: a burst of light, cutting through the horizon like a

300
00:20:41,760 --> 00:20:45,840
Speaker 2: long blade. The light split in every direction, enveloping the

301
00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:49,200
Speaker 2: shepherds like a whirlwind, breaking through the light. As the

302
00:20:49,240 --> 00:20:54,840
Speaker 2: sound of Heaven's hosts harmonizing to the light itself, the

303
00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:59,680
Speaker 2: shepherds cowered in awe and fear. Their legs trembled as

304
00:20:59,680 --> 00:21:03,800
Speaker 2: they fell to the ground. Fear not, the voice cried

305
00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:04,600
Speaker 2: out from the light.

306
00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:09,439
Speaker 6: We have come with good tidings of great joy. In

307
00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:15,399
Speaker 6: the town of Bethlehem lies a baby. This child is

308
00:21:15,600 --> 00:21:20,720
Speaker 6: the Messiah, the Lord, the savior of the world, and

309
00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:22,360
Speaker 6: redemption of mankind.

310
00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:27,200
Speaker 2: The shepherd's eyes widened, taking in the brilliance of the

311
00:21:27,320 --> 00:21:31,199
Speaker 2: dancing lights around them. Hues of bright orange, pink, and

312
00:21:31,280 --> 00:21:35,560
Speaker 2: white flurried like a swarm of doves. The angel spoke

313
00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:37,160
Speaker 2: from the light, saying.

314
00:21:37,640 --> 00:21:42,679
Speaker 6: Go therefore and see for yourself. You will find the baby,

315
00:21:42,720 --> 00:21:46,000
Speaker 6: wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.

316
00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:49,840
Speaker 2: As he said this, he was immediately surrounded by a

317
00:21:49,960 --> 00:21:52,560
Speaker 2: choir of more angels, singing.

318
00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:57,720
Speaker 6: Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and

319
00:21:57,800 --> 00:21:59,960
Speaker 6: goodwill towards mankind.

320
00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:03,880
Speaker 2: And like a vapor in the wind, the lights dissipated

321
00:22:04,280 --> 00:22:08,080
Speaker 2: and vanished. The melodies of heaven were replaced with the

322
00:22:08,119 --> 00:22:13,480
Speaker 2: slight breeze of the evening wind. The shepherds sat there

323
00:22:13,560 --> 00:22:17,639
Speaker 2: quiet for a moment. They looked at one another, dismayed

324
00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:21,160
Speaker 2: by what had just occurred. Their eyes made their way

325
00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:25,600
Speaker 2: towards Bethlehem. A few torchlights were still flickering in the distance.

326
00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:30,040
Speaker 2: Resting above the city was a new star, unlike any

327
00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:35,080
Speaker 2: they had seen before. The shepherds wasted no time. They

328
00:22:35,160 --> 00:22:38,199
Speaker 2: left their things and ran towards Bethlehem to see the

329
00:22:38,280 --> 00:22:41,680
Speaker 2: new born king. They knew the child had been born

330
00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:44,520
Speaker 2: in some sort of stable, since he was lying in

331
00:22:44,560 --> 00:22:48,320
Speaker 2: a manger, so they searched high and low through every

332
00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:52,359
Speaker 2: farmhouse and back property they could find. Shepherds were not

333
00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:57,560
Speaker 2: beloved members of any city. They were typically outcasts and rejects.

334
00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:00,800
Speaker 2: It was for that exact reason they had to be

335
00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:04,640
Speaker 2: careful where they searched, and it was for that exact

336
00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:07,760
Speaker 2: reason they were all the more honor to see the

337
00:23:07,840 --> 00:23:12,640
Speaker 2: new born king. They searched the city for hours until

338
00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:15,920
Speaker 2: they found the inn. They peered in a small hill

339
00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:20,119
Speaker 2: towards the back. Below were a few lights illuminating a

340
00:23:20,160 --> 00:23:26,560
Speaker 2: small stable carved into the hill. They approached quietly. There,

341
00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:31,960
Speaker 2: in the coolness of the night, they saw him. The

342
00:23:32,040 --> 00:23:35,560
Speaker 2: baby was sleeping soundly in a manger, surrounded by straw

343
00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:40,520
Speaker 2: and torn cloth. He was the most marvelous thing they

344
00:23:40,520 --> 00:23:45,439
Speaker 2: had ever seen. He did not glow or speak, he

345
00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:48,800
Speaker 2: did not cry in a strange tomb or radiate flames.

346
00:23:49,800 --> 00:23:55,520
Speaker 2: But the child was absolutely special. The shepherds knew, without

347
00:23:55,560 --> 00:23:57,760
Speaker 2: a shadow of a doubt that they were in the

348
00:23:57,840 --> 00:24:02,280
Speaker 2: presence of the King of Israel, the Promised One, the

349
00:24:02,320 --> 00:24:09,240
Speaker 2: savior of the world. Jesus, Christ, Mary and Joseph watched

350
00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:12,560
Speaker 2: as the men paid homage to their new born king.

351
00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:19,439
Speaker 2: Tears streamed down their rough faces. Since the fall of humanity,

352
00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:24,080
Speaker 2: the earth has longed for its savior. Kings and kingdoms

353
00:24:24,080 --> 00:24:29,080
Speaker 2: had risen and fallen due to greed and corruption. Mankind

354
00:24:29,280 --> 00:24:33,359
Speaker 2: pined after the righteous king that would lead them into peace.

355
00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:38,720
Speaker 2: The long awaited king had come, and the first people

356
00:24:38,920 --> 00:24:42,760
Speaker 2: who were able to fall at his feet were lowly shepherds.

357
00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:49,159
Speaker 2: The thought humbled them beyond words. They blessed Mary and Joseph,

358
00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:52,000
Speaker 2: paid one last respect to the new born king, and

359
00:24:52,119 --> 00:24:57,040
Speaker 2: departed from the stable. Overjoyed, the shepherds proclaimed what they

360
00:24:57,040 --> 00:25:01,480
Speaker 2: had seen all throughout Bethlehem. Shouting woke up the town.

361
00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:05,399
Speaker 2: The praises of the shepherds reached far beyond the limits

362
00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:10,560
Speaker 2: of Bethlehem. Soon more would catch wind that the promised

363
00:25:10,680 --> 00:25:18,400
Speaker 2: King of the Jews had been born. Jesus was eight

364
00:25:18,520 --> 00:25:22,040
Speaker 2: days old, and as was custom, it was time for

365
00:25:22,119 --> 00:25:26,200
Speaker 2: him to be circumcised and dedicated in the Temple. The

366
00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:30,159
Speaker 2: journey from Bethlehem to Jerusalem was not far, although it

367
00:25:30,320 --> 00:25:33,399
Speaker 2: was difficult for Mary to venture too far outside the city.

368
00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:38,120
Speaker 2: Joseph led Mary and Jesus to the temple gates. Its

369
00:25:38,160 --> 00:25:43,600
Speaker 2: walls were vast and magnificent, arrayed with gold, ivory and cedar.

370
00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:48,520
Speaker 2: The descendants of David approached the temple, it was a

371
00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:53,320
Speaker 2: surreal moment. Sitting under the shadow of the temple gates

372
00:25:53,600 --> 00:25:57,440
Speaker 2: was a man named Simeon. He sat there quietly every day,

373
00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:01,240
Speaker 2: watching as newborn children were brought in to be dedicated.

374
00:26:02,320 --> 00:26:04,680
Speaker 2: The thought of new life being raised in the love

375
00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:08,720
Speaker 2: of the Lord enlivened him. Yet there was one child

376
00:26:08,800 --> 00:26:13,360
Speaker 2: in particular he was waiting to see. For years, Simeon

377
00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:16,320
Speaker 2: had waited to see the Messiah entered the temple gates.

378
00:26:16,960 --> 00:26:19,320
Speaker 2: The Lord had told him long ago that he would

379
00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:25,200
Speaker 2: witness his coming, so he waited patiently. Age had fought

380
00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:28,600
Speaker 2: against Simeon's will for quite some time, but he was

381
00:26:28,680 --> 00:26:32,879
Speaker 2: determined to see God's promise fulfilled. He prayed in the

382
00:26:32,880 --> 00:26:36,560
Speaker 2: shade of the temple walls until the Holy Spirit tugged

383
00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:40,760
Speaker 2: upon his heart. He opened his eyes and saw Mary

384
00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:45,119
Speaker 2: and Joseph entering the temple courtyard with a small child.

385
00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:51,760
Speaker 2: Simeon's old heart fluttered in his chest. His bones ached

386
00:26:51,880 --> 00:26:54,120
Speaker 2: as he stood to his feet, limping over.

387
00:26:55,520 --> 00:26:56,720
Speaker 4: Could this be?

388
00:26:57,440 --> 00:27:01,960
Speaker 2: He shouted towards Mary and Joseph. Tears fell down his

389
00:27:02,080 --> 00:27:06,560
Speaker 2: cheeks as he hobbled over to the child. Startled, Mary

390
00:27:06,640 --> 00:27:10,119
Speaker 2: stepped back and held Jesus close, But then she looked

391
00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:16,160
Speaker 2: at the man's eyes. Joy overwhelming, an honest joy could

392
00:27:16,160 --> 00:27:20,600
Speaker 2: be seen in his eyes. Simeon extended his reach for

393
00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:25,000
Speaker 2: the new born Jesus. Instead of recoiling again, Mary rested

394
00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:29,960
Speaker 2: him in Simeon's trembling arms. The old man held the

395
00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:35,120
Speaker 2: baby tears of joy streaming down his gray beard. He

396
00:27:35,119 --> 00:27:38,200
Speaker 2: held the child like some one would a chest of gold.

397
00:27:39,640 --> 00:27:42,160
Speaker 2: In Simeon's gaze was the look of some one who

398
00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:46,560
Speaker 2: had found his life's purpose. He held the boy up

399
00:27:46,760 --> 00:27:53,080
Speaker 2: and praised God. Oh, my God, Now I may rest

400
00:27:53,160 --> 00:27:58,119
Speaker 2: in peace, for I have seen your salvation and held

401
00:27:58,160 --> 00:28:02,960
Speaker 2: it in my arms. He is the radiance of your

402
00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:09,479
Speaker 2: glorious grace. Simeon kissed Jesus's forehead and gently handed him

403
00:28:09,520 --> 00:28:12,720
Speaker 2: back to his mother. Simeon then fixed his eyes on

404
00:28:12,800 --> 00:28:17,040
Speaker 2: to Mary. He held her shoulders, piercing her with his

405
00:28:17,240 --> 00:28:23,920
Speaker 2: intense gaze. Be warned, my child, this baby is destined

406
00:28:23,960 --> 00:28:29,520
Speaker 2: to make many fall and rise. Nations will be built

407
00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:34,520
Speaker 2: on his shoulders. Then many will stumble because of him.

408
00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:38,719
Speaker 2: He will expose the deep darkness of the heart and

409
00:28:38,920 --> 00:28:45,920
Speaker 2: restore light to those who love him. However, many will

410
00:28:46,040 --> 00:28:50,480
Speaker 2: seek his life, and a sword will cut straight through

411
00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:54,959
Speaker 2: your very soul at the sight of him. After dedicating

412
00:28:55,040 --> 00:28:59,440
Speaker 2: Jesus in the temple, Mary and Joseph departed back to Bethlehem.

413
00:28:59,720 --> 00:29:01,840
Speaker 2: There they were able to buy a small home to

414
00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:05,880
Speaker 2: stay in until they were ready to return to Nazareth. Yet,

415
00:29:05,880 --> 00:29:10,600
Speaker 2: for now they enjoyed the quiet bliss of Bethlehem. Its green,

416
00:29:10,720 --> 00:29:15,480
Speaker 2: rolling hills and lush open fields were a nice contrast

417
00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:20,240
Speaker 2: to Nazareth. Together, Mary and Joseph dedicated themselves to caring

418
00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:24,000
Speaker 2: for Jesus. They tended to his needs and created a

419
00:29:24,040 --> 00:29:29,640
Speaker 2: home of love, tenderness, and honor towards God. For over

420
00:29:29,680 --> 00:29:35,880
Speaker 2: a year they remained there, awaiting God's next prompting. The

421
00:29:35,920 --> 00:29:40,000
Speaker 2: desert sand danced to the evening winds as a caravan

422
00:29:40,080 --> 00:29:45,280
Speaker 2: of camels walked in formation underneath the eastern stars. The

423
00:29:45,360 --> 00:29:50,120
Speaker 2: camels were arrayed with the finest materials and ornaments. Riding

424
00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:54,040
Speaker 2: on their backs were wise men magi from the south.

425
00:29:55,080 --> 00:29:58,200
Speaker 2: Three of them rode in front of the rest, Melchior,

426
00:29:58,720 --> 00:30:04,800
Speaker 2: Caspar and Balthazar. They were men of wealth, magic, and education.

427
00:30:05,640 --> 00:30:10,080
Speaker 2: They were scholars, astronomers, and alchemists who tracked the stars

428
00:30:10,120 --> 00:30:15,120
Speaker 2: closely for guidance. They were fascinated by prophecy of all kinds,

429
00:30:15,640 --> 00:30:20,120
Speaker 2: particularly that of the Hebrew text. According to their estimation,

430
00:30:20,560 --> 00:30:23,960
Speaker 2: the time of the Messiah was at hand, and when

431
00:30:23,960 --> 00:30:27,440
Speaker 2: they saw a new star fixed above the land of Israel,

432
00:30:27,640 --> 00:30:31,800
Speaker 2: they wasted no time. They rode for weeks, traveling by night,

433
00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:35,840
Speaker 2: in order to follow the new formation of stars. Old

434
00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:40,280
Speaker 2: scrolls and prophecies spoke of this star. This star was

435
00:30:40,320 --> 00:30:43,200
Speaker 2: a sign, a sign of the new king of Israel,

436
00:30:44,000 --> 00:30:49,920
Speaker 2: a sign of the Messiah. Their men drew closer to Judea,

437
00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:53,880
Speaker 2: inquiring about any new happenings in the past year. As

438
00:30:53,920 --> 00:30:57,200
Speaker 2: they traveled deeper into the region, whispers of a new

439
00:30:57,280 --> 00:31:02,200
Speaker 2: king had emerged. According to rumors, a few lowly shepherds

440
00:31:02,200 --> 00:31:05,200
Speaker 2: had been rambling about their encounter with a host of

441
00:31:05,240 --> 00:31:10,040
Speaker 2: angels and witnessed the newborn Messiah. The wise men followed

442
00:31:10,040 --> 00:31:13,120
Speaker 2: the star and bent their ear to any more rumors

443
00:31:13,160 --> 00:31:14,040
Speaker 2: among the city fall.

444
00:31:14,960 --> 00:31:17,920
Speaker 7: If there has been a new king born of the Jews,

445
00:31:18,480 --> 00:31:23,080
Speaker 7: would not the current king know of his whereabouts? Bouthazar inquired,

446
00:31:23,360 --> 00:31:26,760
Speaker 7: Surely he should be the one we speak to first.

447
00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:30,400
Speaker 2: So the men traveled to the palace of Herod, sitting

448
00:31:30,440 --> 00:31:35,640
Speaker 2: governor and king over the Jewish province. Herod was a

449
00:31:35,720 --> 00:31:39,440
Speaker 2: clever man, clever enough to remain in the good graces

450
00:31:39,480 --> 00:31:42,959
Speaker 2: of the Emperor while maintaining power over the Jewish people.

451
00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:47,920
Speaker 2: Herod was a brilliant politician, shrewd as a viper in

452
00:31:47,960 --> 00:31:52,080
Speaker 2: the grass. He had a deep lust for power, and

453
00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:55,600
Speaker 2: taxed the people heavily to maintain his authority over them.

454
00:31:56,680 --> 00:32:02,400
Speaker 2: His paranoia knew no bounds. Caesar Augustus himself claimed that

455
00:32:02,480 --> 00:32:05,040
Speaker 2: it was better to be Herod's pig than his heir.

456
00:32:05,680 --> 00:32:09,200
Speaker 2: He would stop at nothing to secure his throne, even

457
00:32:09,280 --> 00:32:14,080
Speaker 2: murder his own sons. Word reached Herod that the Magi

458
00:32:14,160 --> 00:32:17,240
Speaker 2: had made their way into the city. Since they were

459
00:32:17,240 --> 00:32:20,239
Speaker 2: men of wealth and influence, Herod saw this as an

460
00:32:20,280 --> 00:32:24,560
Speaker 2: ample opportunity to curry favor with them. Herod had his

461
00:32:24,680 --> 00:32:28,640
Speaker 2: servants prepare a decadent meal in their honor. He received

462
00:32:28,680 --> 00:32:32,000
Speaker 2: them with a procession of music and fine wine. The

463
00:32:32,040 --> 00:32:37,360
Speaker 2: Magi were men of means, therefore accustomed to such hospitality. However,

464
00:32:37,840 --> 00:32:41,120
Speaker 2: there was a crookedness behind his smile, and they were

465
00:32:41,120 --> 00:32:45,080
Speaker 2: not fully trusting of Herod. Just yet, my lords, to

466
00:32:45,160 --> 00:32:46,920
Speaker 2: what do I owe this pleasure?

467
00:32:47,400 --> 00:32:50,840
Speaker 7: Herod asked cordially, where is the new born king of

468
00:32:50,920 --> 00:32:51,480
Speaker 7: the Jews.

469
00:32:51,760 --> 00:32:52,800
Speaker 2: The Magi asked, we.

470
00:32:52,880 --> 00:32:55,920
Speaker 7: Have followed the Messiah star and have come to lavish

471
00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:57,280
Speaker 7: him with gifts and favor.

472
00:32:57,840 --> 00:33:01,560
Speaker 2: King Herod winced at their words. He had heard rumors

473
00:33:01,560 --> 00:33:05,640
Speaker 2: from the shepherds about a new born baby However, Herod

474
00:33:05,960 --> 00:33:08,160
Speaker 2: was the king of the Jews, and he would not

475
00:33:08,280 --> 00:33:11,160
Speaker 2: allow a child to cause any sort of disruption to

476
00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:15,479
Speaker 2: his rule. Herod composed himself and took a sip of

477
00:33:15,520 --> 00:33:19,560
Speaker 2: his wine. Hiding his silent rage. He beckoned for one

478
00:33:19,600 --> 00:33:23,560
Speaker 2: of the palace priests, priest tell us, where the Messiah

479
00:33:23,720 --> 00:33:25,760
Speaker 2: is prophesied to be born.

480
00:33:26,520 --> 00:33:30,400
Speaker 7: That would be Bethlehem, my lord, the birthplace of David.

481
00:33:30,320 --> 00:33:34,800
Speaker 2: He responded. Herod twitched a smile. He raised his glass

482
00:33:34,800 --> 00:33:35,600
Speaker 2: to the wise men.

483
00:33:36,280 --> 00:33:39,680
Speaker 4: There you have it, my lords. Perhaps the rumors are true.

484
00:33:40,080 --> 00:33:43,000
Speaker 4: We may have a new king in our country. Glory

485
00:33:43,040 --> 00:33:43,600
Speaker 4: to God.

486
00:33:44,040 --> 00:33:48,600
Speaker 2: Herod sipped again from his glass. His eyes betrayed his smile.

487
00:33:49,280 --> 00:33:52,760
Speaker 2: The magi could clearly see him wrestling hatred in his bones.

488
00:33:53,080 --> 00:33:55,880
Speaker 4: Should you find the child in Bethlehem, I would very

489
00:33:55,960 --> 00:33:58,680
Speaker 4: much like to know where he is so that I

490
00:33:58,840 --> 00:34:03,040
Speaker 4: might worship him. Please, if these words are true, send

491
00:34:03,120 --> 00:34:04,320
Speaker 4: words back to me.

492
00:34:05,360 --> 00:34:10,120
Speaker 2: The three men bowed, thanking Herod for his hospitality. Herod

493
00:34:10,160 --> 00:34:13,240
Speaker 2: watched them leave with a smile. As the doors closed,

494
00:34:13,480 --> 00:34:18,520
Speaker 2: his smile turned quickly into a scowl. Messiah or not,

495
00:34:19,280 --> 00:34:25,080
Speaker 2: Herod whispered, no man, woman or child shall destroy what

496
00:34:25,400 --> 00:34:31,359
Speaker 2: I have built. Herod's eyes reflected an ancient evil, an

497
00:34:31,360 --> 00:34:34,959
Speaker 2: evil once worn by the face of Pharaoh. He threw

498
00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:37,640
Speaker 2: his cup against the wall and called for his guard.

499
00:34:38,000 --> 00:34:40,359
Speaker 4: Bring me the head of every boy under the age

500
00:34:40,400 --> 00:34:44,799
Speaker 4: of two. Spare no one, including those who would disobey

501
00:34:45,000 --> 00:34:45,640
Speaker 4: my orders.

502
00:34:45,920 --> 00:34:50,120
Speaker 2: He sat back on his throne, stewing in his own paranoia.

503
00:34:50,640 --> 00:34:54,360
Speaker 4: I shall not be undone by an infant.

504
00:34:54,320 --> 00:34:59,520
Speaker 2: Herod said to himself. Mary was tending to the baby

505
00:34:59,800 --> 00:35:03,120
Speaker 2: while Joseph tended to the fire. It was getting late,

506
00:35:03,320 --> 00:35:05,319
Speaker 2: and the three of them were beginning to wind down

507
00:35:05,400 --> 00:35:08,840
Speaker 2: for a good night's rest. The air was cool outside,

508
00:35:09,160 --> 00:35:13,240
Speaker 2: but their home was filled with warmth and love. Joseph

509
00:35:13,320 --> 00:35:16,680
Speaker 2: kissed Mary's forehead and then bent down to kiss Jesus's nose.

510
00:35:17,480 --> 00:35:21,279
Speaker 2: The baby cooed, and the couple smiled down at him.

511
00:35:21,680 --> 00:35:25,040
Speaker 2: Amidst the madness of raising a baby, there were these

512
00:35:25,440 --> 00:35:30,040
Speaker 2: small moments of complete bliss. They prayed to the Lord

513
00:35:30,120 --> 00:35:33,440
Speaker 2: daily that he might grant them wisdom to protect and

514
00:35:33,600 --> 00:35:38,720
Speaker 2: nurture this precious gift. As the family shared a moment

515
00:35:38,760 --> 00:35:43,000
Speaker 2: of tenderness, they heard a pounding at the door. Joseph

516
00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:46,720
Speaker 2: perked up, who could be knocking at this hour. Joseph

517
00:35:46,840 --> 00:35:49,880
Speaker 2: gestured from Mary to stand back while he slowly approached

518
00:35:49,920 --> 00:35:54,520
Speaker 2: the door. The knocking grew louder, and Joseph's heart began

519
00:35:54,600 --> 00:35:58,080
Speaker 2: to beat faster. He knew that it was only a

520
00:35:58,120 --> 00:36:01,040
Speaker 2: matter of time before he was called to his bride

521
00:36:01,400 --> 00:36:05,560
Speaker 2: and the child. Joseph grabbed his chisel and placed it

522
00:36:05,600 --> 00:36:09,600
Speaker 2: securely behind his back. He opened the door slowly to

523
00:36:09,680 --> 00:36:13,560
Speaker 2: find three men, dressed in fine linens and adorned with jewels,

524
00:36:13,680 --> 00:36:14,440
Speaker 2: waiting behind it.

525
00:36:15,160 --> 00:36:17,719
Speaker 7: We have come to worship the new born king.

526
00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:23,640
Speaker 2: They bowed at one knee. Joseph couldn't believe his eyes.

527
00:36:24,560 --> 00:36:27,200
Speaker 2: He looked back at Mary and gestured for her to

528
00:36:27,239 --> 00:36:31,359
Speaker 2: come forward with the baby. The wise men entered through

529
00:36:31,360 --> 00:36:35,759
Speaker 2: the door. Their expensive robes and shining ornaments looked out

530
00:36:35,760 --> 00:36:40,279
Speaker 2: of place in their humble home. However, when the three

531
00:36:40,320 --> 00:36:45,120
Speaker 2: men saw Jesus, all status and wealth seemed to disappear.

532
00:36:46,600 --> 00:36:49,720
Speaker 2: They fell on their faces and bowed before the child.

533
00:36:50,120 --> 00:36:53,520
Speaker 7: It is an honor our, King Kaspar said, we have

534
00:36:53,600 --> 00:36:56,520
Speaker 7: traveled far to see you and bow at your feet.

535
00:36:56,960 --> 00:37:01,080
Speaker 2: Joseph and Mary exchanged looks of amazement. It was one

536
00:37:01,120 --> 00:37:03,440
Speaker 2: thing for shepherds to bow at the feet of Jesus,

537
00:37:03,600 --> 00:37:07,239
Speaker 2: but these were men of royalty, kings and their own right.

538
00:37:08,840 --> 00:37:13,080
Speaker 2: The magi brought in a small chest. In it the

539
00:37:13,160 --> 00:37:21,200
Speaker 2: three gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Unbeknownst to the wise men,

540
00:37:21,440 --> 00:37:26,880
Speaker 2: these gifts would represent the royalty, divinity, and death of Christ.

541
00:37:28,280 --> 00:37:31,640
Speaker 2: In these offerings were hidden secrets to the life and

542
00:37:31,719 --> 00:37:37,480
Speaker 2: death of God's chosen king. The gold represented Christ's royalty

543
00:37:37,680 --> 00:37:43,319
Speaker 2: and heavenly inheritance, the frankincense represented his divinity as it

544
00:37:43,400 --> 00:37:47,680
Speaker 2: was often offered up in temples, and the mrh represented

545
00:37:47,719 --> 00:37:52,920
Speaker 2: his death, for it was often used during burial. This

546
00:37:53,120 --> 00:37:57,120
Speaker 2: interaction between Jesus and the magi revealed more of who

547
00:37:57,239 --> 00:38:02,719
Speaker 2: Jesus truly was. He was God himself, humbled to the

548
00:38:02,760 --> 00:38:07,319
Speaker 2: point of becoming a child. After giving the gifts, the

549
00:38:07,400 --> 00:38:10,640
Speaker 2: men said good bye and returned to their home. As

550
00:38:10,680 --> 00:38:14,600
Speaker 2: they were leaving, they considered sending word to Herod. However,

551
00:38:15,040 --> 00:38:18,600
Speaker 2: God clearly gave them discernment against it, for they could

552
00:38:18,600 --> 00:38:22,400
Speaker 2: see the jealousy pressed deep down in his heart, ready

553
00:38:22,400 --> 00:38:26,560
Speaker 2: to overflow at a moment's notice. As the men departed,

554
00:38:26,920 --> 00:38:32,040
Speaker 2: Joseph and Mary retreated their bed. Joseph watched Jesus sleep

555
00:38:32,120 --> 00:38:36,160
Speaker 2: in Mary's arms until his eyes grew heavy and eventually

556
00:38:36,200 --> 00:38:37,680
Speaker 2: fell into a deep slumber.

557
00:38:39,120 --> 00:38:43,960
Speaker 4: Run, Joseph, the voice said, flee now to Egypt.

558
00:38:45,400 --> 00:38:49,360
Speaker 2: It yelled again. Joseph awoke in a sweat, looking around

559
00:38:49,400 --> 00:38:52,680
Speaker 2: for the voice. Sweat dripped down his head and back.

560
00:38:53,040 --> 00:38:56,400
Speaker 2: He was panting frantically. He looked around the room again,

561
00:38:56,760 --> 00:39:00,760
Speaker 2: then at his wife beside him, the child still resting

562
00:39:00,800 --> 00:39:05,720
Speaker 2: in her arms. Was it a dream, he thought. Joseph

563
00:39:05,760 --> 00:39:07,719
Speaker 2: got up from the bed and looked out the door.

564
00:39:08,520 --> 00:39:11,960
Speaker 2: The city in the distance was illuminated by flames, and

565
00:39:12,080 --> 00:39:16,280
Speaker 2: Joseph could hear the faint cries of children and frantic mothers.

566
00:39:17,320 --> 00:39:20,799
Speaker 2: Joseph knew in his bones something was wrong, and the

567
00:39:20,880 --> 00:39:24,239
Speaker 2: voice he heard was warning him. This is what he

568
00:39:24,320 --> 00:39:27,319
Speaker 2: was called to do. This is why God chose him

569
00:39:27,719 --> 00:39:32,400
Speaker 2: to protect Mary and protect the child. Joseph gathered up

570
00:39:32,440 --> 00:39:35,000
Speaker 2: all their belongings and loaded them up on the donkey.

571
00:39:35,440 --> 00:39:39,560
Speaker 2: Then gently Joseph picked up his wife and the infant

572
00:39:39,640 --> 00:39:43,520
Speaker 2: in his arms. He rested them softly on the donkey

573
00:39:43,800 --> 00:39:47,080
Speaker 2: and then led them through the city streets towards the countryside.

574
00:39:48,400 --> 00:39:52,680
Speaker 2: Smoke was rising and getting closer the sound of painful

575
00:39:52,760 --> 00:39:58,800
Speaker 2: screams and wails grew louder. They were disturbing my heart breaking.

576
00:40:00,120 --> 00:40:04,480
Speaker 2: Guards spread across the nearby cities in Judea, ripping babies

577
00:40:04,520 --> 00:40:08,239
Speaker 2: out of their mother's arms. The streets ran red with

578
00:40:08,360 --> 00:40:14,800
Speaker 2: infant blood, and the Lord wept over Herod's cruelty. Mary

579
00:40:14,840 --> 00:40:18,720
Speaker 2: held Jesus closely underneath her club so he would remain hidden,

580
00:40:19,239 --> 00:40:21,880
Speaker 2: while Joseph led them through the streets with the donkey

581
00:40:21,880 --> 00:40:27,120
Speaker 2: in one hand and chisel in another. Mary gasped as

582
00:40:27,160 --> 00:40:29,560
Speaker 2: they turned the corner to find a guard dragging a

583
00:40:29,680 --> 00:40:32,399
Speaker 2: child out of his home and throwing him into a sight.

584
00:40:34,320 --> 00:40:36,840
Speaker 2: The mother lunged at the guard to save her child,

585
00:40:37,320 --> 00:40:40,920
Speaker 2: only to meet the tip of the god's sword. Joseph

586
00:40:41,000 --> 00:40:44,160
Speaker 2: quickly changed course and took them down an alleyway past

587
00:40:44,239 --> 00:40:47,839
Speaker 2: the well. The wilderness was in sight, so the three

588
00:40:47,880 --> 00:40:51,279
Speaker 2: of them darted towards the woods. The three of them

589
00:40:51,400 --> 00:40:56,160
Speaker 2: ran away to Egypt. There they found refuge until Herod

590
00:40:56,200 --> 00:41:01,880
Speaker 2: met his bitter end. Eventually they would return to Nasareth

591
00:41:02,600 --> 00:41:06,080
Speaker 2: with the voy Jesus would grow in stature and favor

592
00:41:06,160 --> 00:41:09,960
Speaker 2: with people. He would increase in his awareness of who

593
00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:14,960
Speaker 2: he was and take his place as the Redeemer and

594
00:41:15,080 --> 00:41:15,919
Speaker 2: chosen King.

595
00:41:21,239 --> 00:41:24,520
Speaker 3: Merry Christmas everyone, Even if you are listening to this

596
00:41:24,640 --> 00:41:27,000
Speaker 3: at a different time, you can't help but feel a

597
00:41:27,040 --> 00:41:31,080
Speaker 3: little bit of that Christmas spirit while listening to this episode.

598
00:41:31,120 --> 00:41:34,480
Speaker 3: Most people have heard this story the Star, the Shepherds,

599
00:41:34,520 --> 00:41:38,440
Speaker 3: the Manger, and the Magi. We've experienced this story throughout

600
00:41:38,560 --> 00:41:42,040
Speaker 3: several different mediums, but that doesn't mean we can still

601
00:41:42,040 --> 00:41:45,560
Speaker 3: extract fresh and impactful truth from it. The prelude is

602
00:41:45,600 --> 00:41:48,360
Speaker 3: a good place to begin, since it sets everything in

603
00:41:48,440 --> 00:41:52,239
Speaker 3: motion for our story to occur. The prelude highlighted the

604
00:41:52,280 --> 00:41:55,640
Speaker 3: origin of Caesar Augustus. His rise to power was filled

605
00:41:55,680 --> 00:42:00,720
Speaker 3: with drama, scandal, bloodshed, and glory. After consolidating power in Rome,

606
00:42:01,239 --> 00:42:05,000
Speaker 3: Caesar transformed himself from a king to an emperor, then

607
00:42:05,040 --> 00:42:08,080
Speaker 3: from an emperor to a god. He became the prevailing

608
00:42:08,160 --> 00:42:11,880
Speaker 3: god of the age, worshiped by many. Temples were erected

609
00:42:11,920 --> 00:42:16,160
Speaker 3: to his glory, and followers were incredibly devoted. This episode

610
00:42:16,200 --> 00:42:20,280
Speaker 3: said it well, let's listen. The Roman senate was reduced

611
00:42:20,280 --> 00:42:23,440
Speaker 3: to nothing, and Augustus rose from above the title of

612
00:42:23,520 --> 00:42:27,200
Speaker 3: emperor and was now revered as a god himself. Augusta

613
00:42:27,320 --> 00:42:31,120
Speaker 3: exalted himself and demanded reverence, not just as a great leader,

614
00:42:31,440 --> 00:42:35,080
Speaker 3: but as a deity. His soldiers were no longer mere soldiers,

615
00:42:35,120 --> 00:42:39,480
Speaker 3: but devoted followers. His governors were no longer distributors of order,

616
00:42:39,800 --> 00:42:43,280
Speaker 3: but priests. All of them bowed down at the altar

617
00:42:43,480 --> 00:42:47,040
Speaker 3: of a false lord. Let's pause together for a moment

618
00:42:47,080 --> 00:42:50,239
Speaker 3: and consider the contrast between the rise of Caesar and

619
00:42:50,280 --> 00:42:53,640
Speaker 3: the rise of Christ. The two stories are fundamentally different.

620
00:42:54,080 --> 00:42:57,959
Speaker 3: While Caesar conquered, Christ served while Caesar fought his way

621
00:42:58,080 --> 00:43:02,800
Speaker 3: to prominence. Jesus rid then humidity. The contrast between Caesar

622
00:43:02,880 --> 00:43:05,880
Speaker 3: and Christ highlights the difference between the kingdom of the

623
00:43:05,920 --> 00:43:09,040
Speaker 3: world and the Kingdom of Heaven. The kingdoms of the

624
00:43:09,120 --> 00:43:12,480
Speaker 3: world are about status, power, and greed. The Kingdom of

625
00:43:12,520 --> 00:43:16,680
Speaker 3: Heaven is about service, humidity, and grace. This episode is

626
00:43:16,719 --> 00:43:19,560
Speaker 3: not just a description about a hero with humble beginnings.

627
00:43:20,000 --> 00:43:23,000
Speaker 3: It is a charge for us to consider true greatness

628
00:43:23,040 --> 00:43:26,800
Speaker 3: in the eyes of God. In Matthew twenty, Jesus tells

629
00:43:26,880 --> 00:43:30,000
Speaker 3: us about true greatness. He says, you know that the

630
00:43:30,080 --> 00:43:33,200
Speaker 3: rulers of this world lord their power over the people,

631
00:43:33,560 --> 00:43:36,759
Speaker 3: and the officials flaunt their authority over those under them.

632
00:43:37,160 --> 00:43:40,600
Speaker 3: But among you it must be different. Whoever wants to

633
00:43:40,640 --> 00:43:43,680
Speaker 3: be great among you must be your servant, and whoever

634
00:43:43,719 --> 00:43:46,440
Speaker 3: wants to be first among you must become your slave.

635
00:43:46,920 --> 00:43:49,520
Speaker 3: For even the Son of Man came not to be served,

636
00:43:49,520 --> 00:43:52,080
Speaker 3: but to serve others, and to give his life as

637
00:43:52,120 --> 00:43:55,880
Speaker 3: a ransom for many. Mary and Joseph were truly great

638
00:43:55,920 --> 00:43:59,719
Speaker 3: in this episode. They embodied the essence of Matthew twenty

639
00:43:59,719 --> 00:44:03,120
Speaker 3: by serving one another and sacrificing their comforts for the

640
00:44:03,200 --> 00:44:06,239
Speaker 3: sake of Christ. The census could not have come at

641
00:44:06,280 --> 00:44:08,839
Speaker 3: a worse time, since Mary was in the final weeks

642
00:44:08,840 --> 00:44:12,000
Speaker 3: of her pregnancy. They were compelled to go by law

643
00:44:12,080 --> 00:44:15,920
Speaker 3: and had to endure a treacherous journey. However, at the

644
00:44:16,040 --> 00:44:19,120
Speaker 3: end of it all, Christ was born, as it was prophesied,

645
00:44:19,280 --> 00:44:23,080
Speaker 3: lying in a manger in the city of David. The

646
00:44:23,160 --> 00:44:25,640
Speaker 3: hand of God was moving in the midst of the struggle.

647
00:44:26,239 --> 00:44:30,400
Speaker 3: You never know when incoveniate, task or hard seasons of

648
00:44:30,400 --> 00:44:34,320
Speaker 3: life are actually providential, so it is best to endure

649
00:44:34,360 --> 00:44:38,480
Speaker 3: them with all joy. Marry and Joseph are wonderful examples

650
00:44:38,480 --> 00:44:42,320
Speaker 3: of endurance and joy. Since Joseph will not be mentioned

651
00:44:42,400 --> 00:44:45,239
Speaker 3: much more in our story, let's give him some love. Here,

652
00:44:45,800 --> 00:44:48,880
Speaker 3: Joseph was given a very daunting task. It was his

653
00:44:48,960 --> 00:44:52,920
Speaker 3: responsibility to protect Mary and Jesus at all costs, and

654
00:44:53,000 --> 00:44:55,680
Speaker 3: we see in this episode that he was constantly on

655
00:44:55,800 --> 00:45:00,600
Speaker 3: high alert. He took his calling seriously, never demanded anything

656
00:45:00,640 --> 00:45:03,800
Speaker 3: in return. We can all learn quite a bit from Joseph,

657
00:45:03,840 --> 00:45:07,640
Speaker 3: who silently served his wife without any need for recognition.

658
00:45:08,520 --> 00:45:10,920
Speaker 3: There seemed to be a lot of things working against

659
00:45:10,920 --> 00:45:14,359
Speaker 3: them in this episode. The journey from Nazus to Bethlehem

660
00:45:14,440 --> 00:45:17,680
Speaker 3: was a struggle. The city was crowded and there was

661
00:45:17,719 --> 00:45:20,319
Speaker 3: no help from their relatives. This is one of the

662
00:45:20,400 --> 00:45:23,440
Speaker 3: hidden details that we can find in between the lines

663
00:45:23,480 --> 00:45:27,399
Speaker 3: of scripture. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, where all

664
00:45:27,400 --> 00:45:30,640
Speaker 3: of their kinsmen also had to travel. Yet somehow they

665
00:45:30,680 --> 00:45:34,640
Speaker 3: were alone and without any help. Perhaps the scandalous nature

666
00:45:34,680 --> 00:45:38,200
Speaker 3: of marriage pregnancy made them outcasts among their own people.

667
00:45:38,960 --> 00:45:42,200
Speaker 3: Later on in Jesus's life, some of the religious leaders

668
00:45:42,280 --> 00:45:45,840
Speaker 3: mocked the mysterious nature of his birth, insinuating that he

669
00:45:46,040 --> 00:45:49,719
Speaker 3: didn't know who his real father was. Jesus wasn't just

670
00:45:49,760 --> 00:45:52,440
Speaker 3: born in the humble circumstances. He was born in the

671
00:45:52,520 --> 00:45:57,239
Speaker 3: scandalous circumstances. Sometimes people aren't going to understand you. They

672
00:45:57,280 --> 00:46:00,120
Speaker 3: will make assumptions about the way you live or the

673
00:46:00,200 --> 00:46:03,560
Speaker 3: choices you make. But in the end, what matters most

674
00:46:03,640 --> 00:46:06,759
Speaker 3: is your relationship with God. Confidence in Him will give

675
00:46:06,800 --> 00:46:10,120
Speaker 3: you the strength to endure the rejection of others. After

676
00:46:10,120 --> 00:46:13,200
Speaker 3: a dramatic effort by Joseph to get married somewhere to rest,

677
00:46:13,560 --> 00:46:16,400
Speaker 3: the couple is finally brought to a small cave etched

678
00:46:16,440 --> 00:46:19,640
Speaker 3: into the side of a hill behind the end. Most

679
00:46:19,800 --> 00:46:23,880
Speaker 3: likely the cave was home to sheep, goats, and possible donkeys.

680
00:46:24,400 --> 00:46:27,239
Speaker 3: Mary labored for hours, enduring pain for the sake of

681
00:46:27,239 --> 00:46:30,360
Speaker 3: her son's life. For those of you who have experienced

682
00:46:30,400 --> 00:46:33,560
Speaker 3: the joy and struggle of childbirth, you may understand on

683
00:46:33,640 --> 00:46:36,720
Speaker 3: a greater level what I'm about to share. A woman's

684
00:46:36,800 --> 00:46:39,480
Speaker 3: labor and childbirth is one of the greatest examples we

685
00:46:39,600 --> 00:46:43,480
Speaker 3: have of the Gospel. A woman endures an intense amount

686
00:46:43,520 --> 00:46:45,960
Speaker 3: of pain and suffering so the child might be brought

687
00:46:46,000 --> 00:46:49,319
Speaker 3: into life. This is what Jesus did for us. He

688
00:46:49,520 --> 00:46:53,320
Speaker 3: endured pain and suffering so we can experience being born again.

689
00:46:53,880 --> 00:46:57,320
Speaker 3: The story teased this concept when it said Mary willingly

690
00:46:57,400 --> 00:47:00,239
Speaker 3: laid down her own comfort, so that this child may

691
00:47:00,280 --> 00:47:03,840
Speaker 3: experience life. Mary did not know at the time, but

692
00:47:03,960 --> 00:47:06,799
Speaker 3: the son she was about to birth would one day

693
00:47:06,960 --> 00:47:09,880
Speaker 3: endure all his own pain for the sake of others.

694
00:47:10,560 --> 00:47:13,440
Speaker 3: After the birth of Christ, he was visited by shepherds.

695
00:47:13,880 --> 00:47:16,480
Speaker 3: If you listen to our series throughout the life of David,

696
00:47:16,840 --> 00:47:19,920
Speaker 3: you will already have insight into the significance of shepherds

697
00:47:19,920 --> 00:47:23,040
Speaker 3: in the Bible. God chose the lowly shepherds of the

698
00:47:23,040 --> 00:47:26,480
Speaker 3: fields to be the first to worship God's son. This

699
00:47:26,640 --> 00:47:29,440
Speaker 3: is the foreshadowing of Christ's life, since he will be

700
00:47:29,520 --> 00:47:32,000
Speaker 3: the good shepherd to tend to the flock of Israel.

701
00:47:32,680 --> 00:47:35,400
Speaker 3: After the shepherds, the next person to interact with Jesus

702
00:47:35,440 --> 00:47:39,719
Speaker 3: was Simeon. He foretold, prophesied over the child and gave

703
00:47:39,760 --> 00:47:43,840
Speaker 3: a foreboding warning. Be warned, my child, This baby is

704
00:47:43,920 --> 00:47:47,640
Speaker 3: destined to make many fall and rise. Nations will be

705
00:47:47,680 --> 00:47:50,719
Speaker 3: built on his shoulders, and many will stumble because of him.

706
00:47:51,080 --> 00:47:53,799
Speaker 3: He will expose the deep darkness of the heart and

707
00:47:53,880 --> 00:47:57,000
Speaker 3: restore light to those who love him. However, many will

708
00:47:57,040 --> 00:47:59,719
Speaker 3: seek his life, and a sword will cut straight through

709
00:47:59,760 --> 00:48:03,160
Speaker 3: your very soul at the sight of it. Simeon's words

710
00:48:03,200 --> 00:48:06,520
Speaker 3: are a foreshadowing of things to come. The influence of

711
00:48:06,600 --> 00:48:10,319
Speaker 3: Jesus is felt more palpable today than it was back then.

712
00:48:10,920 --> 00:48:13,760
Speaker 3: Many nations have risen because of him, and many nations

713
00:48:13,760 --> 00:48:16,520
Speaker 3: have fallen because of him. Many people have come to

714
00:48:16,600 --> 00:48:18,920
Speaker 3: the light because of him, and many people have scurried

715
00:48:18,960 --> 00:48:21,880
Speaker 3: back into darkness because of him. We all feel the

716
00:48:21,920 --> 00:48:24,799
Speaker 3: power of Jesus's name, whether we worship it or not.

717
00:48:25,480 --> 00:48:28,760
Speaker 3: Mary is also given a warning from Simeon. He warns

718
00:48:28,800 --> 00:48:31,640
Speaker 3: her that a sword will cut straight through her soul.

719
00:48:32,280 --> 00:48:34,840
Speaker 3: She would have to watch her baby boy be mocked

720
00:48:34,880 --> 00:48:38,279
Speaker 3: and crucified. The final people to see Jesus in this

721
00:48:38,360 --> 00:48:41,400
Speaker 3: story are the Wise Men. Now, there is no possible

722
00:48:41,440 --> 00:48:44,520
Speaker 3: way for us to know how many Magi there actually were.

723
00:48:45,120 --> 00:48:48,960
Speaker 3: Most stories portray three because there were three gifts, but

724
00:48:49,120 --> 00:48:52,080
Speaker 3: it could have been dozen. Later tellings of the story

725
00:48:52,120 --> 00:48:55,239
Speaker 3: in Church history identify the magi by name and even

726
00:48:55,280 --> 00:49:00,560
Speaker 3: identify their lands of origin. Moltroy Hel from Persia, gasp India,

727
00:49:01,040 --> 00:49:05,520
Speaker 3: and balth the Czar from Arabia. Their speculation in these men,

728
00:49:05,880 --> 00:49:08,400
Speaker 3: but the literary significance of the gifts is what is

729
00:49:08,480 --> 00:49:12,479
Speaker 3: most important. The Magi gave three gifts to Jesus, who

730
00:49:12,560 --> 00:49:14,960
Speaker 3: was most likely between the ages of one and two

731
00:49:15,080 --> 00:49:19,440
Speaker 3: at this time, gold, franknstance, and mir The story gave

732
00:49:19,520 --> 00:49:24,200
Speaker 3: us wonderful insight into the meaning behind these gifts. Unknownst

733
00:49:24,200 --> 00:49:27,880
Speaker 3: to the wise men. These gifts would represent the royalty, divinity,

734
00:49:27,920 --> 00:49:31,400
Speaker 3: and death of Christ, and these offerings were hidden secrets

735
00:49:31,400 --> 00:49:34,520
Speaker 3: to the life and death of God's chosen king. The

736
00:49:34,520 --> 00:49:38,840
Speaker 3: gold represents Christ's royalty and heavenly inheritance, the frank instance

737
00:49:38,920 --> 00:49:42,680
Speaker 3: represented his divinity as it is often offered up in temples,

738
00:49:43,120 --> 00:49:46,120
Speaker 3: and the mirv represented his death, for it was often

739
00:49:46,239 --> 00:49:50,240
Speaker 3: used doing burial. This interaction between Jesus and the magi

740
00:49:50,360 --> 00:49:54,160
Speaker 3: revealed more of who Jesus truly was. He was God himself,

741
00:49:54,440 --> 00:49:57,680
Speaker 3: humbled to the point of becoming a child. The beginning

742
00:49:57,719 --> 00:50:01,000
Speaker 3: of Christ's story foreshadows his entire life. He will rule

743
00:50:01,000 --> 00:50:04,239
Speaker 3: as a king, bringing God's kingdom to earth. He will

744
00:50:04,280 --> 00:50:07,799
Speaker 3: reveal himself to be God himself, creator and sustainer of life.

745
00:50:08,440 --> 00:50:11,560
Speaker 3: He will die as a sacrificial lamb, taking away the

746
00:50:11,640 --> 00:50:15,399
Speaker 3: sins of humanity. The beginning of Jesus's life showed us

747
00:50:15,440 --> 00:50:18,719
Speaker 3: the entirety of his life. Now we can look at

748
00:50:18,760 --> 00:50:22,440
Speaker 3: the rest of his story through the lens of his royalty, divinity,

749
00:50:22,520 --> 00:50:27,759
Speaker 3: and humility. In our next episode, Jesus' ministry begins. Join

750
00:50:27,880 --> 00:50:31,719
Speaker 3: us for episode four, This is My Son. Thank you

751
00:50:31,760 --> 00:50:35,960
Speaker 3: for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom

752
00:50:36,000 --> 00:50:39,440
Speaker 3: to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com. Share

753
00:50:39,440 --> 00:50:42,680
Speaker 3: this podcast with a family member or friend so they

754
00:50:42,760 --> 00:50:46,080
Speaker 3: can know Jesus Christ in a personal way. You never

755
00:50:46,160 --> 00:50:48,920
Speaker 3: know how great of an impact the Bible and this

756
00:50:49,000 --> 00:50:52,360
Speaker 3: podcast can have on someone's life. God bless