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Rabbi Schneider
Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Dear Heavenly Father, as we celebrate the birth of your son, we are reminded of the ultimate act of love and sacrifice he performed for us. We are also reminded of the beautiful example he set for us, an example of empathy, compassion, and selflessness. As we exchange gifts, sing carols, and enjoy festive cheer, let us not forget to share these blessings with those around us who may be carrying heavy burdens. Teach us to extend a helping hand, a comforting word, or a shoulder to lean on. Let our actions echo the spirit of your Son, our Savior. Fill our hearts with your love this Christmas and always strengthen us in our resolve to bear one another's burdens. And in doing so, may we become a source of comfort, peace and joy to all those around us. In the name of Jesus, the reason for the season I pray. Amen. Thank you for spending time in prayer and reflection. Stay tuned for more Tales of Hope with stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Narrator
In the stillness of the morning, Mary left the quiet city of Nazareth. Her heart was heavy with the new secret growing within her. She hadn't told her family what was happening. She didn't even know where to begin. But one thing was certain. God was on the move. Something monumental was happening. God's divine plan was unfolding, and Mary played a vital role. The angel Gabriel told her that God had already visited her cousin Elizabeth and enabled her to conceive in her old age. So Mary, Mary decided to visit her to uncover more of the mystery. Mary spent what little she had on a cart to carry her from Nazareth to Ahn Karem. The road was a long coil of earth snaking through the undulating Judean hills, shimmering with emerald foliage. The summer air was filled with the scent of wild herbs and the distant echoes of birdsong. A symphony of creation surrounded her. Mary looked upon every deer, rabbit, and bird with curiosity. It was as if they knew her secret. She felt exposed and vulnerable. Hope and fear intermingled in her heart.
Mary and Elizabeth
What will come of me?
Narrator
Mary thought to herself.
Mary and Elizabeth
What is God doing?
Danielle Fishel
This podcast is sponsored by Nurture Life. Hey, it's Danielle Fishel from Pod Meets World. And as a mom to two growing boys, I know how chaotic mealtime can get. No matter how confident I am with what I'm serving them, my kids will always find a way to call the meal gross or stinky or yuck. It's true. They can be wildly picky about new foods, and with my busy schedule, I don't have the time to become America's next Top Chef. And so that's why I love Nurture Life. It's a meal delivery service that actually caters to kids. Ideal for ages 8 months to 8 years, fully cooked and ready to serve in just one minute. It's the problem solver I've been praying for. It's the top meal delivery service for babies, toddlers and kids. And everything is designed by registered dietitians so you can sleep safe knowing your kids are getting the protein, veggies and nutrients they need while still eating favorites like Mac and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs and so much more. Plus, it's allergy friendly, which we know is clutch. And when it comes to options, Nurture Life has you covered. There's more than 50 nutritious meals and snacks on their menu. From soft finger foods for babies and toddlers to balanced kids meals for when they get older. Nurture Life does the cooking. They deliver it straight to your door. And then you might even have time to eat something for yourself. So now is the time to head to nurturelife.com pod and use code pod for 50% off your first order plus free shipping. That's right, 30, 50% off plus free shipping. Once again, that's nurturelife.com pod and make sure you use promo code pod. Even if you aren't a parent with young kids, you might have parent friends who struggle with mealtime. Make sure to share our Code Pod with them. Remember, put your little ones first with healthy meals from Nurture Life. That website one more time is nurturelife.com
Jennifer of Coolidge
podcast pod thy ticket, lady Jennifer of Coolidge. Well, many thanks, good sir. Here is my Discover card.
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They accept Discover at Renaissance fairs?
Jennifer of Coolidge
Yeah, they do. Here. Discover is accepted at the places I love to shop. Geth with the times. With the times.
Danielle Fishel
You're playing the loot.
Jennifer of Coolidge
Yeah, and it sounds pretty good, right?
Narrator
Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide, based on the February 2025 Nielsen report.
Poshmark Advertiser
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Narrator
Foreign.
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Ethan from Pray.com
everyone and welcome to another Christmas episode of the Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan from Pray.com this month leading up to Christmas, we are immersing ourselves in the story of Christ's birth. The story of the Nativity is one of faith, triumph, and the enduring love of God. In our last episode, the angel Gabriel visited Mary and gave her the news that that she was favored among women and chosen to bear God's child within her. This calling came with an immense weight that Mary would struggle with her entire life. At this point in the story, Mary has only been given a sliver of God's plan. She doesn't know how her family will react or what will happen when she tells Joseph. All Mary knows is that Elizabeth, her cousin, is also a part of this plan. So she ventures off to uncover what God is doing. This intimate encounter between Mary and Elizabeth is a heartwarming snapshot of acceptance and mutual strength amid unimaginable circumstances. As we reflect on this during Christmas, we learn valuable life lessons, lessons of acceptance, support and strength in the face of adversity. At this point in our story, Mary is alone with a great secret. She feels exposed and vulnerable. Mary's feeling of isolation is something many of us are familiar with. Sometimes we can feel like no one understands us or supports us in our struggles. Sometimes we feel like we have to carry our burdens alone. Galatians, chapter 6, verse 2 reminds us to bear one another's burdens. Mary runs to Zechariah and Elizabeth to seek refuge and understanding. Will she find it? Let's immerse ourselves in this dramatic story inspired by the Gospel of Luke. Afterward, we'll unpack its Christmas themes together.
Narrator
Mary rode silently. Her mind was a canvas of emotions splashed with hues of hope, fear, and wonder. There were so many questions left unanswered. What would Joseph think? Would her father disown her? In a small village like Nazareth, Mary could be publicly stoned without the Roman government even noticing. She could completely disappear and be forgotten. She found solace in the angel's words. She clung to them like a life raft. Mary leaned back and closed her eyes, trying not to imagine the inevitable look of hurt Joseph would have on his face. Instead, she held her belly and thought about what her baby would look like. What would he sound like? Would he cry like other babies? Would he stumble and fall like other children? The thought of her child gave her a smile. With that faint flicker of affection in her mind, she drifted off to sleep. The cart finally arrived at Ain Karem, the home of Zechariah, and Elizabeth was in the center of town. The streets were alive with hope and anticipation. Although Zachariah was mute and couldn't report what he had seen and heard from the angel, everyone knew Elizabeth's pregnancy was a miracle. It was as evident in the fact that she was well past childbearing age. Mary found their house nestled in a meadow draped in the shadows of towering fig trees. Elizabeth was outside, tending to her garden. Mary approached silently, unsure how to begin.
Mary and Elizabeth
Elizabeth I.
Narrator
But before Mary could continue, Elizabeth turned around and looked at her. She was nearly nine months pregnant and beaming with the glow of an expectant mother. Yet another aura surrounded Elizabeth, a joy overflowing in the form of tears. Elizabeth ran to Mary and held her tight.
Mary and Elizabeth
Oh, my sweet cousin.
Narrator
She exclaimed with a tender voice. Her embrace was a balm to Mary's soul. She felt herself melting under Elizabeth's warmth.
Mary and Elizabeth
Blessed are you among women, she said.
Narrator
Mary froze and backed away. Those were words Gabriel had used to describe her.
Mary and Elizabeth
What did you just call me? I called you blessed, Mary, elizabeth said gently. And blessed is that child you hold within your womb. How. How did you.
Narrator
Mary was speechless. How could Elizabeth possibly know she was pregnant? Elizabeth stepped closer and held Mary's hands in hers. She kissed them and then placed them on Mary's womb.
Mary and Elizabeth
When I heard your voice, my baby leapt for joy in my womb. Hear. Feel.
Narrator
Mary placed a hand on Elizabeth's belly and felt the exuberant kicks of her little One. His kicks were a confirmation, resounding in the chords of Mary's heart. The fears and uncertainty that previously clouded her thoughts dissolved into the ethereum. She was not alone. She was chosen and appointed with a purpose that transcended human comprehension. In the presence of Elizabeth, Mary felt a soothing balm of acceptance. Elizabeth's warm smile was a reflection of Mary's inner resolution. They stood together, two women touched by divine intervention, bearing the promise of redemption in their womb. In that shared moment, Mary understood the strength that comes comes from faith, the courage that springs from acceptance, and the love that is born from God's promises. Elizabeth took Mary inside. Zechariah was there and gave her a hug that only an uncle could. He spun her in the air and beamed with expectant joy. Here her burden was understood, her joy shared and her fears acknowledged. It was an affirmation that stilled the tone turmoil of her thoughts. The world outside could wait, could doubt, could scoff. Here she was known. She was in a safe haven. There she found courage. She was carrying the promise of salvation, a torch amidst the darkness. Mary shook her head, laughed, and finally got out of her own head. She was in the home of her beloved aunt and uncle.
Mary and Elizabeth
Elizabeth, you're with child.
Narrator
Mary shouted with excitement.
Mary and Elizabeth
How can I help you? Do you need me to cook anything? Also, I brought some fresh cheese from mother's goats.
Narrator
Everyone laughed and enjoyed each other's company. Mary served Elizabeth until the time came for her to give birth. Being in the presence of Zechariah and Elizabeth gave her strength. Her journey had barely begun, but the power of God was renewed in her every day.
Ethan from Pray.com
This story perfectly exemplifies how the Holy Spirit moves to provide comfort, love, and acceptance.
Danielle Fishel
This podcast is sponsored by Nurture Life. Hey, it's Danielle Fishel from Pod Meats World. And as a mom to two growing boys, I know how chaotic mealtime can get. No matter how confident I am with what I'm serving them, my kids will always find a way to call the meal gross or stinky or yuck. It's true. They can be wildly picky about new foods. And with my busy schedule, I don't have the time to become America's next Top Chef. And so that's why I love Nurture Life. It's a meal delivery service that actually caters to kids. Ideal for ages 8 months to 8 years, fully cooked and ready to serve in just one minute. It's the problem solver I've been praying for. It's the top meal delivery service for babies, toddlers, and kids. And everything is designed by registered dietitians so you can sleep safe knowing your kids are getting the protein, veggies and nutrients they need while still eating favorites like Mac and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs and so much more. Plus, it's allergy friendly, which we know is clutch. And when it comes to options, Nurture Life has you covered. There's more than 50 nutritious meals and snacks on their menu. From soft finger foods for babies and toddlers to balanced kids meals for when they get older. Nurture Life does the cooking, they deliver it straight to your door. And then you might even have time to eat something for yourself. So now is the time to head to nurturelife.com pod and use code pod for 50% off your first order plus free shipping. That's right, 50% off plus free shipping. Once again, that's nurturelife.com pod and make sure you use promo code pod. Even if you aren't a parent with young kids, you might have parent friends who struggle with mealtime. Make sure to share our Code Pod with them. Remember, put your little ones first with healthy meals from Nurture Life. That website one more time is nurturelife.com
Jennifer of Coolidge
podpod thy ticket lady, Jennifer of Coolidge. Well, many thanks, good sir. Here is my Discover card.
Poshmark Advertiser
They accept Discover at Renaissance fairs?
Jennifer of Coolidge
Yeah, they do here. Discover is accepted at the places I love to shop. Geddes with the time, times with the times.
Danielle Fishel
You're playing the loot.
Jennifer of Coolidge
Yeah, and it sounds pretty good, right?
Narrator
Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide, based on the February 2025 Nielsen report.
Poshmark Advertiser
We all have different styles. I may be into Levi's and you may be into Fendi or Mew Mew. But we all should be into poshmark.com right? Because we can all find exactly what we want to fit our style. Style. Poshmark has millions of new and pre lift pieces. Vintage, luxury, men's, women's, children's, everything from Carhartt to coach. Download the Poshmark app and sign up with code podcast10 and get $10 off your first purchase.
Public Investing Advertiser
Support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index. With AI, it all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors, llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures available at public.comdisclosures
Ethan from Pray.com
our ministry discovering the Jewish Jesus is always searching for how God's character is consistently shown through the Old and the New Testaments. This story is similar to the story of Elijah running for his life. Elijah was tired and weary. God provided everything Elijah needed. He provided comfort, care and sustenance to accomplish the mission ahead. God provided the same thing for Mary. She had a tumultuous journey ahead of her, and the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah was precisely what she needed to gain her strength. This story also highlights key themes we can carry into the Christmas season. The first theme is acceptance Upon Mary's arrival. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, immediately recognizes the significance of Mary's child. In Luke chapter one, verse 42, she says, Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear. Despite the potentially scandalous situation of an unwed pregnant woman in their society, Elizabeth does not judge or reject Mary. Instead, she wholeheartedly accepts and blesses her. She knew that Mary's child was from God and that she had done nothing wrong. Not everyone would feel the same about Mary's situation. They might jump to conclusions or reject her. Mary's situation is a good reminder that we shouldn't be too quick to judge someone's circumstances. Sometimes God is on the move in ways we can't see. It takes sensitivity to God's spirit and an understanding heart to see what's happening in people's lives. Ephesians Chapter one reminds us that we have been accepted and adopted into God's family. Is there anyone in your life this season that needs your acceptance? Is there anyone without a family or companion that you need to welcome in, pray on these things and see how the Lord moves you? Another theme we'll explore is strength and adversity. Both Mary and Elizabeth faced unique hardships Mary, a young, unwed mother carrying the Son of God, and Elizabeth, an elderly woman pregnant for the first time after a lifetime of barrenness. Yet Elizabeth's words to Mary were not of fear or worry, but of joy, blessing, and faith. Elizabeth's encouragement must have brought much needed comfort to Mary, reminding her that she was not alone, that she was blessed, that she had a supportive companion. Elizabeth's faith fueled strength into Mary's faith. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who is God with us. His coming is the ultimate demonstration of God's acceptance of us. During our celebrations, let's remember the decisive encounter between Mary and Elizabeth. Their story is a testament to the transformative power of acceptance and the strength we can offer each other during adversity. May the Christmas season fill us with the compassion to accept those around us, the strength to face our own adversities, and the faith to recognize the workings of God in our lives. Like Mary and Elizabeth, may we find comfort, companionship and strength in our relationships, demonstrating the same love and acceptance at the heart of the Christmas story. Join us next time as we are wrapped up in the beautiful song of Mary.
Danielle Fishel
This podcast is sponsored by Nurture Life. Hey, it's Danielle Fishel from Pod Meats World. And as a mom to two growing boys, I know how chaotic mealtime can get. No matter how confident I am with what I'm serving them, my kids will always find a way to call the meal gross or stinky or yuck. It's true, they can be wildly picky about new foods, and with my busy schedule, I don't have the time to become America's next Top Chef. And so that's why I love Nurture Life. It's a meal delivery service that actually caters to kids. Ideal for ages 8 months to 8 years, fully cooked and ready to serve in just one minute. It's the problem solver I've been praying for. It's the top meal delivery service for babies, toddlers and kids. And everything is designed by registered dietitians so so you can sleep safe knowing your kids are getting the protein, veggies and nutrients they need while still eating favorites like Mac and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs and so much more. Plus, it's allergy friendly, which we know is clutch. And when it comes to options, Nurture Life has you covered. There's more than 50 nutritious meals and snacks on their menu, from soft finger foods for babies and toddlers to balanced kids meals for when they get older. Nurture Life does the cooking. They deliver it straight to your door. And then you might even have time to eat the something for yourself. So now is the time to head to nurturelife.com pod and use code pod for 50% off your first order plus free shipping. That's right, 50% off plus free shipping. Once again, that's nurturelife.com pod and make sure you use promo code pod. Even if you aren't a parent with young kids, you might have parent friends who struggle with mealtime. Make sure to share our Code Pod with them. Remember, put your little ones first with healthy Meals from Nurture Life. That website one more time is nurturelife.com podpod
Poshmark Advertiser
we all have different styles. I may be into Levi's and you may be into Fendi or Miu Miu, but we all should be into poshmark.com? right? Because we can all find exactly what we want to fit our style. Poshmark has millions of new and pre lift pieces. Vintage, luxury, men's, women's, children's, everything from Carhartt to coach. Download the Poshmark app and sign up with code podcast10 and get $10 off your first purchase.
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This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.
Host: Pray.com (Ethan)
Featured Guest: Rabbi Schneider
Release Date: March 22, 2026
In “A Safe Haven,” The Jesus Podcast immerses listeners in the story of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth following the angel Gabriel’s announcement that she would conceive the Son of God. Set amidst the anticipation of Christ’s birth, the episode explores the themes of acceptance, support, and the strength drawn from faith and companionship. Through richly dramatized storytelling and theological reflection, the episode illustrates Mary's vulnerability, her quest for understanding, and the profound comfort she finds in Elizabeth’s home.
The episode concludes with a discussion highlighting the enduring Christmas lessons of bearing one another’s burdens and finding acceptance in unexpected places.
This episode of The Jesus Podcast provides an emotionally resonant and theologically rich journey into the story of Mary and Elizabeth, grounding its Advent reflections in scripture, storytelling, and practical encouragement.