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- [00:00]
A
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace. Isaiah 9:6 Dear heavenly Father, we stand in awe and wonder at your birth. You are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. The promise foretold so long ago has become our living hope, our anchor, our joy. Lord, in the midst of the festivities, may we not lose sight of the true reason for our celebration. Help us to reflect on the miraculous gift of grace, to share your love and peace with those around us and to live in gratitude for the salvation you offer. May our hearts be filled with the warmth of your love, our homes, with the joy of your presence. In the precious and holy name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. Continue your journey with Jesus Christ on our next episode of Stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
- [01:46]
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All humanity had were whispers. The ancient world had distant memories of Eden, but the image of paradise with God became fuzzy at times. Yet even though humanity had strayed from him, the Lord had not abandoned them. He was determined to restore the world and rid people of their shame. The promise of a son who had crushed the head of the serpent was not void. God was still on the move. God was about to orchestrate a symphony of men and women into an anthem of salvation. From the ashes of dysfunction, disobedience and disarray, God would raise voices to herald his redemption and remind people that hope is not dead. The whispers would soon rise into a chorus. The Savior will come. The promised Son will be born.
- [02:38]
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Hello and welcome to another Christmas episode of the Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan from Pray.com before we immerse ourselves in the narrative of angels, wise men and shepherds, we'll set the stage. Christ's birth was not a random event. It was a culmination of hundreds of foreshadowings and prophecies. Consider the Old Testament books. Like instruments in an orchestra, each has different sounds and tunes, but they all sound symphonize into one beautiful song. The Old Testament books are all instruments contributing to the glorious anthem of Jesus Christ. Our story today is less of a story and more of a song. It will weave together Old Testament events. It will weave together Old Testament events and prophecies like notes in a piece, reminding us that Christ's birth is the crescendo of God's glorious symphony. Let's immerse ourselves in that song now. Afterward, we'll mine its Depths for rich truths and Christmas themes.
- [03:53]
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The tale began with Adam and Eve in the garden, when God promised that a sun would rise to defeat evil. Then, generations later, God chose a man named Abraham to embark on a journey of faith. God promised Abraham that his lineage would bless the entire world. I will make you into a great nation. Kings will come from you. Your offspring will be as numerous as the stars, God told him. Through his lineage, the seed was sown for the coming of the Messiah. Abraham believed in God's goodness, which was accounted to him as righteousness. But that faith was tested when God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. But Isaac was spared by an angel. In the final moments, Isaac's story carried the echo of this promise. He symbolized the future Christ child who would willingly give himself for the world. Generations passed, and the lineage of Abraham carried on through Isaac, Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel that came forth from their descendants became enslaved and oppressed under the boot of Egypt. But God's promise remained alive. He delivered them using a boy who escaped an evil decree to kill children. He grew up to be Moses, God's servant. It was he who prophesied of a greater leader than him. God will raise up a prophet from the midst of you, he declared. You will be like me, only greater. It is unto him you will obey. For years, God's people pined after this promised prophet. And years later, on the grassy plains of Bethlehem, a boy was chosen to carry that promise. He was the new thread woven to the tapestry of redemption. David, the shepherd turned king, received God's promise. His throne, God declared, would be established forever, paving the way for the Messiah, the everlasting king. From the line of David. In the dusty streets of ancient Bethlehem, as described by the prophet Micah, a prophecy was whispered on the wind. Out of you will come a ruler over Israel whose origins are from old. From ancient times, Bethlehem, a small town with humble shepherds, was set to cradle a king. The prophet Isaiah offered his prophetic voice, declaring that a virgin would conceive and bear a son named Emmanuel or God. With us, this child would be a wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father and Prince of Peace. His government and peace would never end. Reigning on David's throne with justice and righteousness, with words strummed together like a harmonious harp, Hosea illustrated a powerful image of God's love. Describing his people as a child he had taught to walk, held by the hands, healed and bent down to feed. This same compassionate, paternal image foreshadowed the loving relationship God would extend to humanity. Through Christ, Jeremiah added another melody, prophesying the new covenant God would make with his people. He would put his law in their minds, write it on their hearts and forgive their wickedness. This covenant of love, mercy and intimacy foretold the error of the Messiah. Yet before this promised hero would come, a voice would cry out in the wilderness. A man with the voice of Elijah himself, declaring the coming kingdom of God. He would make a way for Messiah to come. His voice would be the sounding trumpet, awakening God's people people to look in awe at his redemptive plan. The glory of the Lord is being revealed. Yet amid these joyous declarations, the prophecy of Isaiah also foretold a suffering servant. One who would be despised, rejected and carry our sorrows. One who would be pierced for our transgressions, a symbol of divine love and sacrifice. Little could any of these prophets know that this suffering servant would be a carpenter from Nazareth, hanging from a rugged cross. But before we can speak of his death, we must look towards his birth. The prophecies of old, woven through centuries, converged in a humble manger where a child was born. The echoes of Abraham, Isaiah, Micah, Hosea, Jeremiah, Malachi and Samuel resounded in his birth. The Christmas miracle fulfilled their words, bringing hope, redemption and proof that God was indeed with us.
- [08:30]
C
This story paints us a breathtaking picture of the prophecies foretold in the Old Testament, culminating in the birth of Christ. This adaptation is a vivid reminder that God's plans are intricate, detailed and perfect in their timing. Let's now explore the three main themes that further deepen our understanding of this beautiful story. First, we must understand that Christ's birth was not an accident. The birth of Jesus was no random event. It was foreseen and foretold through various hints spread across the Old Testament. Genesis, chapter 3, verse 15 was God's first hint. The promise to Eve that her offspring would would crush the serpent's head pointed to Jesus work on the cross. Isaiah, chapter 7, verse 14 prophesied a virgin birth, signaling something divine and unprecedented. Micah, chapter 5, verse 2 points to Bethlehem as the birthplace of a ruler descended from David. Jeremiah's prophecy In Jeremiah, chapter 31 spoke of a new covenant and God's eternal plan to establish a closer relationship with his people. These examples, along with others from Abraham, Moses and David, show the intentional unfolding of God's plan of salvation. Intricately woven through centuries, the New Testament Gospel finds its roots, context and and richness in the Old Testament stories and prophecies. Understanding the fullness of God's love and the enormity of Christ's sacrifice requires a deep appreciation for the narrative unfolding across the Bible. The commandments given to Moses and the prophetic writings build the foundation for understanding our need for redemption. The commandments given to Moses and the prophetic writings build the foundation for understanding our need for redemption. In our first season of stories of the Messiah, we showcased how different characters foreshadowed Christ. From Abraham's near sacrifice of Isaac to the Passover lamb, these Old Testament events symbolize Christ's ultimate sacrifice. The gospel is not an isolated story, but part of a grand narrative that spans the entire Bible. This perspective illuminates the richness and complexity of God's love and salvation. Christmas is not just a moment in time, but a climax in a grand divine symphony that played out over thousands of years. This story underscores several essential lessons for us today. God's promises given to Adam, Abraham, David, and through the prophets were all fulfilled in Jesus. He keeps his word even across generations. While humanity often grows impatient, God's timing is perfect. The waiting led to the perfect moment for Christ's birth, demonstrating that his plans, though they may seem slow, turn out beautifully in the end, turn out beautiful in the end. The birth of Christ is a profound event, not merely for what happened in that manger, but for everything that led to it. From whispers in the Garden of Eden to a growing chorus across centuries, the Old Testament prophecies build a majestic symphony, culminating in Christ's birthday. This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let's remember Christ's birth was carefully planned, foretold, and executed by a loving God. Let's remember that the gospel's full beauty shines through understanding the entire biblical narrative. And finally, let's learn to rely on God's timing. Though sometimes slow by our standards, God's promises always lead to a beautiful culmination. Reflecting on these truths can infuse our Christmas celebrations with a deeper sense of awe, gratitude and joy. As we hear the familiar Christmas carols and share in the festivities, may we also hear the ancient whispers of God's love and redemption, now sung by a joyful chorus declaring, the Savior is born. In our next episode, we'll witness the birth of a special child. Many would consider him to be a God. I know what you might be thinking, but we aren't quite ready to meet Jesus. First we'll meet a boy by the name of Octavian. History knows him by a different name, Caesar Augustus. Here's the truth. You could literally be adored by everyone and then come home and still get completely ignored by your own cat. It's classic cat behavior, but new Shiba Premium Puree is a lickable treat that changes all that. They're protein rich, made with bone broth, and have the smooth, creamy texture cats go crazy for, especially when it's hand fed. Yeah, it's more than a treat. It's a fast pass to favorite human status. So feed your cat Sheba and go from totally ignored to truly adored in just 12 days guaranteed or your money back.
- [14:19]
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- [16:48]
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- [17:17]
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- [17:49]
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