1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,000 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and she brought forth her first born 2 00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 1: son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him 3 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: in a manger because there was no room for them 4 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:16,960 Speaker 1: in the inn. Luke two seven, Lord, I know that 5 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 1: you are the creator of all things, because you have 6 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:24,440 Speaker 1: already planned out my life. I will not allow myself 7 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:27,240 Speaker 1: to be disheartened when I am led to give birth 8 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:34,080 Speaker 1: to my dreams in undesired circumstances. Like Jesus, my calling 9 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: isn't determined by my surroundings, but is determined by my anointing. 10 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 1: With this truth guiding my life, I thank you that 11 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:48,560 Speaker 1: when you bring forth your promise through me, you will 12 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:52,600 Speaker 1: also bring people like Simeon to me to confirm what 13 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:57,040 Speaker 1: you have spoken over my life. I will not despise 14 00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 1: the location of my beginnings because I I know that 15 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:06,400 Speaker 1: where I currently am isn't where I'll end up. Like Jesus, 16 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 1: You've called me with a purpose, and I'll shine bright 17 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:16,240 Speaker 1: no matter where I start because with you, Lord, I 18 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:24,160 Speaker 1: know that my finish line will be glorious in Jesus name. Amen, 19 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:29,319 Speaker 1: thanks for making prayer a priority in your life to 20 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,200 Speaker 1: hear the Bible come to life, stay tuned for the 21 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:35,280 Speaker 1: Bible in a Year brought to you by Bible in 22 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:47,440 Speaker 1: a Year dot com. 23 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 2: The Birth of Jesus. In our last story, we learned 24 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 2: about the birth of John, the child was born to 25 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 2: be a proclaimer of the Messiah and make way for 26 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:01,200 Speaker 2: his arrival. We also witnessed the call of Mary to 27 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:04,600 Speaker 2: be the mother of God's son. Although she was a virgin, 28 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 2: she would bear the child of God, the promised Messiah. 29 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:11,680 Speaker 2: Mary felt the weight of this calling, but resolved in 30 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:14,919 Speaker 2: her heart to see it through. Now we learn about 31 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 2: the birth of God's chosen hero, Jesus, the Son of God, 32 00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:23,320 Speaker 2: would be born in the most humble of ways, among animals, shepherds, 33 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:26,880 Speaker 2: and a manger. Inspired by the Gospels. 34 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 3: In yesterday's episode, we heard about John the Baptist, who 35 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 3: came before Jesus to announce a new age of liberation, celebration, 36 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:42,679 Speaker 3: and salvation. We heard how both Elizabeth and Mary received 37 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 3: news of an unlikely, astonishing, miraculous pregnancy. These righteous women 38 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 3: submitted to God's will and served him in a powerful 39 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 3: way as mothers to babies who would grow into men 40 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:59,359 Speaker 3: that changed history. Today, we'll hear of the birth of 41 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 3: the Longer Way Messiah Jesus. His coming was not as 42 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:07,079 Speaker 3: anyone had expected, but rather the birth took place in 43 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 3: a humble stable. His welcoming party was thrown by dirty shepherds, 44 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 3: the outcast of society. So let's listen now to God's word. 45 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:21,600 Speaker 2: It was late and the night sky was painted with 46 00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:25,519 Speaker 2: bright stars. Joseph looked up at the vastness of the universe. 47 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:29,520 Speaker 2: He felt small sitting under the galaxies, and thought about 48 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:32,720 Speaker 2: the great plans of God. Then he looked down to 49 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:36,320 Speaker 2: see Mary lying on her side under the blankets. Joseph 50 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 2: stroked her hair and covered her shoulders with the covers. 51 00:03:40,160 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 2: They were on their way to Bethlehem for the census. 52 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 2: Joseph had wed Mary despite his doubts. It hurt at 53 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 2: first when he saw that she was with child, but 54 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:52,600 Speaker 2: the Lord was faithful and visited him in a dream. 55 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 2: He told him of how Mary became pregnant. Joseph went 56 00:03:56,600 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 2: from overwhelming heartbreak to overwhelming gratitude. Why did the Lord 57 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:05,880 Speaker 2: choose me, he thought to himself. He was honored and 58 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:08,920 Speaker 2: felt the intense responsibility of caring for the Son of 59 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 2: God and his mother. He sat up all night, determined 60 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:16,359 Speaker 2: to protect her and the unborn child. In just a 61 00:04:16,440 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 2: day's time, they would be in Bethlehem, the birthplace of David. 62 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 2: It was where Joseph's family was from. He looked at 63 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:26,760 Speaker 2: his wife, filled with tender love for her and the 64 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:30,200 Speaker 2: baby living within. She would give birth any day now, 65 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:34,000 Speaker 2: and Joseph knew time was running out to get into Bethlehem. 66 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:37,039 Speaker 2: The sun peeked its head above the valley, and Mary 67 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 2: awoke gracefully to the sound of chirping birds. She watched 68 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 2: as Joseph was already packing the donkey for the journey. 69 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:47,880 Speaker 2: She saddled up and rode as Joseph walked beside them. 70 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:51,279 Speaker 2: After a full day's journey, the couple could see Bethlehem 71 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:54,679 Speaker 2: in the distance. As they entered the city, Mary began 72 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 2: to feel the pains of labor. Joseph rushed door to 73 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 2: door trying to find a place for the two of 74 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:03,360 Speaker 2: them to stay, but the senses had brought far too 75 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:06,799 Speaker 2: many people. They finally knocked on the door of an inn. 76 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:09,360 Speaker 2: Although there was no room for them, they had a 77 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 2: stable where the animals slept, so Joseph and Mary settled there. 78 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 2: As the sun was setting over the western horizon, Mary's 79 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:21,479 Speaker 2: screams echoed throughout the cave like stable. The pain was unbearable, 80 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 2: and the animals were stirring as they watched her labor. 81 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:28,240 Speaker 2: Joseph was beside Mary the whole time, unwavering in his 82 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 2: devotion to her. Just as the sun finished its descent, 83 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 2: the sound of a baby's cries filled the stable. In 84 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:38,239 Speaker 2: the distance, a group of shepherds gazed at the stars 85 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 2: as the sheep settled for the night. The valley was silent, 86 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:45,039 Speaker 2: and the tall grass swayed to the light breeze. Suddenly, 87 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:47,719 Speaker 2: as if the sky was cut open by a long blade, 88 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:51,280 Speaker 2: an angel appeared in light. The radiance of the Lord's 89 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:55,680 Speaker 2: glory surrounded them, and they were terrified. Do not be frightened, 90 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:59,720 Speaker 2: the angel reassured, I have come with good news. In 91 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:03,080 Speaker 2: the town of bethelhem lies a baby. He is swaddled 92 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:06,839 Speaker 2: securely in a manger at the inn stables. This child 93 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:11,120 Speaker 2: is the Messiah, the Lord, the savior of the world, 94 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 2: and redemption of mankind. The shepherds were speechless. They listened 95 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 2: closely to the angel's words. Then the light radiated even brighter, 96 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:24,040 Speaker 2: and the angel was surrounded by a choir of more angels, 97 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:27,919 Speaker 2: singing glory to God in the highest peace on earth 98 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:31,919 Speaker 2: and good will towards mankind, And like a vapor in 99 00:06:31,960 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 2: the wind, they vanished. The shepherds sat there in the quiet. 100 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:40,800 Speaker 2: They could barely believe what had just happened to them. 101 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:44,480 Speaker 2: God had not spoken to mankind in four hundred years 102 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:47,880 Speaker 2: since the prophets. Now, in the dead of night, he 103 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:50,920 Speaker 2: decided to speak to a small group of lowly shepherds. 104 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 2: The wind whistled across the valley, and the sheep were 105 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 2: sleeping soundly in place. The shepherds left their things and 106 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 2: ran towards Bethlamb. They searched the city for hours until 107 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:05,760 Speaker 2: they found the inn. They peered down a small hill 108 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:09,279 Speaker 2: towards the back. Below were a few lights illuminating a 109 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 2: small stable carved into the hill. They approached quietly. There, 110 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 2: in the coolness of the night, they saw him. The 111 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:19,679 Speaker 2: baby was sleeping soundly in a manger, surrounded by straw 112 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:22,920 Speaker 2: and torn cloth. He was the most marvelous thing they 113 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 2: had ever seen. He did not glow or speak, he 114 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 2: did not cry in a strange tomb or radiate flames. 115 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 2: But the child was absolutely special. The shepherds knew, without 116 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 2: a shadow of a doubt that they were in the 117 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:40,040 Speaker 2: presence of the King of Israel, the promised One, the 118 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 2: Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. The shepherds fell on 119 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 2: their faces in worship. Tears streamed down their rough faces. 120 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 2: Why would the lords send them to be the first? 121 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:55,840 Speaker 2: They were but lowly shepherds. The thought humbled them beyond words. 122 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 2: They left the stable and proclaimed what they had seen 123 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 2: in the city streets. Then they returned to their flocks, 124 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 2: praising God for all they had witnessed. Eight days later, 125 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:10,080 Speaker 2: a man named Simeon sat at the gates of the 126 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:13,840 Speaker 2: Temple in Jerusalem. He was advanced in years and waited 127 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:16,920 Speaker 2: near the temple gates every day. The Lord had told 128 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 2: him long ago that he would witness the Messiah, so 129 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 2: he waited patiently. He prayed in the shade of the 130 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 2: temple walls, until the Holy Spirit tugged on his heart. 131 00:08:26,560 --> 00:08:29,520 Speaker 2: He opened his eyes and saw Mary and Joseph entering 132 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:33,240 Speaker 2: the temple courtyard with a small child. They were coming 133 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 2: to present their child to the Lord and dedicate him 134 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:41,559 Speaker 2: accordingly to the law of Moses. Simeon's heart fluttered in 135 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 2: his chest. Tears fell down his cheeks as he hobbled 136 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:48,080 Speaker 2: over to the child startled. Mary stepped back and held 137 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 2: Jesus close, but then she looked at the man's eyes. 138 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:56,560 Speaker 2: Joy overwhelming and honest joy could be seen in his eyes. 139 00:08:57,200 --> 00:09:00,840 Speaker 2: Mary rested him in Simeon's arms. Old man held the 140 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 2: baby and cried out loud to the heavens. He held 141 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 2: the boy up and praised God, Oh my God, Now 142 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 2: I may rest in peace. I have seen your salvation 143 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 2: and held it in my arms. He is the light 144 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:18,080 Speaker 2: of the Lord. Simeon gave the child back to his 145 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 2: mother and held both Mary and Joseph in his arms. 146 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:24,600 Speaker 2: Simeon held Mary's shoulders and looked her in the eyes. 147 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:28,560 Speaker 2: His joyful face turned into mourning as he looked at her. 148 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:32,520 Speaker 2: This child is destined to make many fall and rise. 149 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:36,679 Speaker 2: He will expose the depths of every person's heart. Many 150 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:39,480 Speaker 2: will be after him, and a sword will cut straight 151 00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:41,719 Speaker 2: through your very soul because of it. 152 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 3: As we began today's reading, Mary and Joseph have traveled 153 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:50,400 Speaker 3: to Bethlehem, the city of David, to be counted in 154 00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:54,200 Speaker 3: the census ordered by the King. Mary is very close 155 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:58,360 Speaker 3: to delivering the child she is carrying. Joseph has obeyed 156 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 3: the Lord and married the young girl, even though she 157 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 3: is carrying a child that is not his, and once more, 158 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:07,480 Speaker 3: he has not had relations sexual relations with his young wife. 159 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 3: We could often overlook the strength of character and conviction 160 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:14,960 Speaker 3: Joseph possessed in order to act in faith as he did. 161 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 3: What a faithful man. He stood beside Mary as her 162 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 3: protector and provider, and soon he would have the incredible, 163 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 3: weighty role of being the earthly adoptive father of God's son. 164 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:31,559 Speaker 3: None of us will ever have the experience of Joseph, 165 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 3: but we will be called to do things that are uncomfortable, uncertain, 166 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 3: and even unpopular, hard things, difficult things. We will, as 167 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 3: Joseph did, follow God's will with courage and faith, or 168 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 3: we could choose our own comfort and convenience. We then 169 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 3: heard how the young couple entered into Bethlehem, a fulfillment 170 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:55,439 Speaker 3: of the prophecy that foretold the birth of the Messiah. 171 00:10:55,520 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 3: In this tiny, insignificant town. One respect luxury accommodations for 172 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:05,600 Speaker 3: the birth of a king, but that's not where Mary 173 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:08,560 Speaker 3: and Joseph were. They were instead in a part of 174 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:12,000 Speaker 3: a home where animals were kept for shelter. It certainly 175 00:11:12,040 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 3: wasn't luxurious. It was likely smelly, certainly not dignified. But 176 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:19,520 Speaker 3: it was there that Mary delivered to the world the 177 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 3: Son of God, the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, the 178 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:27,560 Speaker 3: Word was made flesh. She wrapped him in warm swaddling 179 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:31,840 Speaker 3: blankets and placed him in a feeding trough, a manger unconventional. 180 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:36,240 Speaker 3: But nothing about this was conventional or expected. It's all 181 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:40,760 Speaker 3: a miracle. Neither was what happened next. It wasn't to 182 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 3: the local elders or political figures that the birth of 183 00:11:43,720 --> 00:11:46,720 Speaker 3: Christ was announced, but it was to shepherds who watched 184 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:50,040 Speaker 3: over their flocks that evening. And yet it also seems 185 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:53,000 Speaker 3: very fitting that shepherds would receive the first news of 186 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:55,959 Speaker 3: the birth of the good Shepherd, the epitome of one 187 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:59,120 Speaker 3: who had laid out his life for his sheep. An 188 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:01,480 Speaker 3: Angel of God appeared to these men, and they were 189 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 3: understandably terrified. Who among us would not have been stricken 190 00:12:05,800 --> 00:12:09,560 Speaker 3: with fear by such a heavenly invasion. But the Angel 191 00:12:09,600 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 3: told them not to fear, for he brought good news 192 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:16,880 Speaker 3: of great joy. Reason to celebrate. The Savior was finally there. 193 00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:21,080 Speaker 3: The one Israel waited for so long had now arrived. 194 00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:24,600 Speaker 3: So they hurried to Bethlehem and found Jesus, just as 195 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:28,360 Speaker 3: the angels said they would. Luke two verses seventeen and 196 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 3: eighteen tells us what happens, and when they saw it, 197 00:12:32,600 --> 00:12:34,560 Speaker 3: they may have known the saying that had been told 198 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:37,360 Speaker 3: of them concerning the child, and all who heard it 199 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:41,480 Speaker 3: wondered at what the shepherds told them. The news, the 200 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:44,559 Speaker 3: good news, is always too good to keep to ourselves. 201 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:48,079 Speaker 3: Just as these shepherds shared the message of the birth 202 00:12:48,120 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 3: of Jesus, so are we to hurry to tell others 203 00:12:51,679 --> 00:12:55,000 Speaker 3: about him. We too are the bearers of the good news, 204 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:58,280 Speaker 3: the greatest news ever heard, and we must not keep quiet. 205 00:12:58,520 --> 00:13:01,160 Speaker 3: We must not be silent, but we must tell the 206 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:05,400 Speaker 3: world who Jesus is. These shepherds returned to the fields, 207 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 3: praising God for what they had seen. They worshiped God, 208 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:12,760 Speaker 3: and they witness of the power of God. These are 209 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 3: the two proper responses to an encounter with Jesus Christ. 210 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 3: We in today's reading were a man named Simeon. He 211 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:23,240 Speaker 3: had awaited the Messiah all his life, and God had 212 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 3: promised that he would not die until he actually viewed 213 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:29,960 Speaker 3: the Messiah. When Joseph took the child to the temple 214 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:33,320 Speaker 3: to offer a sacrifice, and accordance to the law. Simeon 215 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:36,520 Speaker 3: saw the baby, and he now knew he had seen 216 00:13:36,559 --> 00:13:39,560 Speaker 3: the grace and the glory of God. He was ready 217 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 3: for the rest of his life and ready for his death. 218 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:46,599 Speaker 3: But first he spoke words that foreshadowed the pain that 219 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 3: would come to this baby, because Jesus came to save, 220 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:52,640 Speaker 3: and to do that he would have to suffer the 221 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:55,920 Speaker 3: death that all of us deserve on the cross. There 222 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:59,720 Speaker 3: was a long road to Calvary ahead for the baby Jesus. 223 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:03,160 Speaker 3: But the next time we meet visitors from long distance, 224 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:06,560 Speaker 3: these would be those who would worship the Lord as 225 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 3: King of kings. Stay tuned for next time. Dear God, 226 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:15,760 Speaker 3: we thank you for Jesus, who was born to give 227 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:18,840 Speaker 3: us life, who came to earth so that we could 228 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:21,680 Speaker 3: go to heaven. Thank you for your love that makes 229 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 3: this salvation in Christ possible. Help us to respond like 230 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:28,920 Speaker 3: those shepherds by telling this good news everywhere we go, 231 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 3: and to worship you always in Christ's name. Amen. Thank 232 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:37,800 Speaker 3: you again for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 233 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:42,200 Speaker 3: I'm Jack Graham, pastor in Dallas, Texas. You could download 234 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:44,720 Speaker 3: the Prey dot Com app and make Bible study and 235 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:48,680 Speaker 3: prayer a priority in your life. If you enjoyed this podcast, 236 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 3: please share it with someone else, and if you want 237 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:54,280 Speaker 3: more resources, I would love for you to contact us 238 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:58,120 Speaker 3: at Jack Graham dot org. God bless you and have 239 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 3: a great day. 240 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:07,600 Speaker 1: This episode is sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare 241 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:11,760 Speaker 1: solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality. 242 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:15,520 Speaker 4: Welcome to the Pray News podcast, where hope is our 243 00:15:15,560 --> 00:15:19,920 Speaker 4: only bias. Each day, we'll unpack the most prominent stories 244 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:23,520 Speaker 4: happening in the news and offer a Christian perspective. We 245 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:26,120 Speaker 4: won't shy away from the hard topics, and we won't 246 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:29,760 Speaker 4: dilute the hopeful message of Christ. This is more than 247 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 4: a daily brief on the news. It's a way to 248 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 4: be informed and transformed. Listen to Prey News on the 249 00:15:36,400 --> 00:15:40,560 Speaker 4: iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.