Ethan (4:21)

Hello everyone and welcome to another Christmas episode of the Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan from Pray.com and it's my absolute joy to guide you through this episode. Christmas isn't just about the birth of a child in Bethlehem. It's the awe inspiring story of God coming down in the likeness of man, a theme heralded in the title Immanuel, which means God with Us. Do you ever pause to consider what thrills God? Looking at the entirety of scripture reveals that God finds joy in being among his people. He was in the garden with Adam and Eve. He followed Abraham's family. He dwelled with the Hebrews in the Tabernacle. Then he dwelled in the temple among the people of Israel. The incarnation of Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's joyous pursuit of humanity. Let this episode remind everyone that God wants to be with you. He wants to transform your life, to fill you with his spirit and to guide you daily toward his kingdom. This episode will give us an intimate glimpse into the birth of Christ, Mary and Joseph. Behold the newborn King and experience awe, confusion, wonder and excitement. The birth of Christ invites us into all these feelings. It's a truly baffling thing that the God of all creation would humble Himself in the likeness of a helpless baby. Without further ado, let's listen to this cinematic retelling of the birth of Christ.

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Commercial Announcer 1 (7:08)

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Narrator (8:07)

The stable was dark, only slightly lit by the oil lamp hanging over Mary and Joseph. Mary's quiet and determined breaths echoed through the stable. Beads of sweat like pearls descended down her brow. Is this a blessing or a curse? She murmured to herself. However, she knew it was a blessing. She knew what awaited her on the other side of her anguish. God had foretold this day, and she was determined to step into the promised hope. At her side was Joseph, reassuring and steady. Hour after hour, Mary strained. Finally, her shrieks of distress were replaced with the tender whimpers of her newborn son. Joseph wrapped him in his arms and wiped him with woven wool. He stared into the child's eyes. There was nothing different about him. There were no lights radiating from his eyes or humming of heavenly hosts behind him. He was a baby, crying and taking in the newness of life. But as Joseph cradled him in his arms, he knew without a doubt this child was exceptional, chosen, blessed. All the turmoil, danger and chaos he had to endure was worth it for the sake of this treasure he held in his hands. We already know his name, he said to Mary. Mary reached for her son and cradled him in her arms. She stroked his face. His name will be Jesus, she whispered. The Lord saves. Mary pressed Jesus against her chest and cried joyfully. He was the fulfillment of God's promise to humanity, the Good shepherd of Israel, the Savior of the world. But at that moment, under the chilly night sky, he was Mary's baby. Her heart fluttered at the sound of his whimpers. Jesus, she whispered again. Welcome. Joseph crouched beside Mary, and the two stared at the child with doting eyes. It was a baffling thing to behold, told God himself, the Maker of the stars, the masters of the sea was with them. Among them, the prophecy told by Isaiah rang in their minds like wedding bells. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel, which means God with us. God was with them in the flesh, voice whimpering and eyes adjusting to the dim lights of the oil lamp. A small gust of wind blew through the cave and he shivered. The Maker of the Wind shivered as it blew. Mary could barely wrap her mind around it and perhaps never truly would until it was time to behold his power over sin and death. Joseph took Jesus from Mary and swaddled him tightly in the tattered remains of the blankets made Mary used to save his life. He placed him in the manger where the donkey fed the same donkey that carried Mary from Nazareth. Joseph, perhaps from exhaustion, felt his mind wander. He looked at the craftsmanship of the manger and couldn't help but critique it. That's when he realized, perhaps for the first time, that he would raise this child to be a craftsman like him. He was going to raise the Son of God to be a carpenter. What are you doing, Lord? Joseph wondered. He stepped back and watched the boy gently fall asleep to the low humming of Mary's voice. The cave filled with the warmth of her melody. There, in a stable tucked in a mountain, Mary sang the same song of redemption she had in the beginning. A song of salvation, redemption, and hope, undying and unrelenting hope. He has shown his strength with his mighty arm, scattered the proud and humbled the heart. He has shown his strength with his mighty arm, Scattered the proud, humbled the heart he touched, toppled the mighty from their thrones and lifted the humble and set them apart. For now all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy, Holy, Holy is his name. His mercy is for those who believe.

Ryan Seacrest (13:05)

You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own.

Narrator (13:09)

With a job in home care.

Ryan Seacrest (13:11)

These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Now through August 26th, it's back to Deals time where you can enjoy storewide deals and earn four times points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible items from Black Label Bacon, Pop Tarts, Quaker Activia, Lunchables, Frito Lay, Goldfish and Jack Links. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Shop in store or online for easy drive up and go pickup or delivery subject to availability restrictions.

Narrator (14:01)

Apply.

Ryan Seacrest (14:01)

Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

Commercial Announcer 1 (14:06)

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Ethan (15:06)

On that first Christmas, the Messiah was born under a canopy of stars and surrounded by livestock, Jesus birth fulfilled God's promise to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He promised there that one day a son of Eve would be born to crush the work of evil. That promised son arrived not on a chariot or in a palace, but in a stable. His humble arrival tells us that God doesn't care for pomp and circumstance, but humility, passion. The circumstances of Jesus birth were foretold in numerous Old Testament prophecies, signifying that God's redemptive plan was unfolding exactly as he had intended. Isaiah chapter 7, verse 14 said, Therefore the Lord will give you a sign the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and and call him Emmanuel. This prophecy, given centuries before Jesus birth, pointed to the unique circumstances of his arrival and his divine nature. The birth of Christ was not a random occurrence. It was a carefully orchestrated divine plan that fulfilled specific prophecies providing evidence of his messiahship. The title Immanuel carries profound significance. It means God with us. That title symbolizes the intimate relationship between God and humanity made possible through the incarnation. God did not remain distant or detached from human suffering and sin. He came down to live among us. In Philippians chapter 2, verses 6 and 7, we see that Jesus being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage. Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. Jesus arrival as a vulnerable child demonstrates a profound humility and an invitation to approach God with childlike faith. It also represents a new beginning and the hope for redemption and renewal. The Nativity story is not merely a historical account. It's a story filled with mystery, drama and profound theological truths. This story illustrates God's profound love and willingness to enter our messy, broken world. But why did Jesus have to come as a child? Theologically, this has profound implications. By coming as a child, God made himself approachable and relatable. He began life on earth in the most humble and vulnerable state, indicating his willingness to identify with the human condition. Jesus birth as a child also symbolizes innocence and purity, qualities necessary for the one who would take away the sins of the world. Lastly, the birth of a child represents new life and hope in Jesus. We see the promise of a new creation, a fresh start for humanity. Reconciled to God May this Christmas season be a time to reflect on the profound truth that God is with us. He's not distant or aloof, but intimately involved in our lives, offering hope, redemption and a relationship that begins now and lasts for eternity. Our story is not yet over. God has orchestrated visitors to come and behold Jesus. And behind the scenes, a plot will be made to find and kill the newborn Messiah. Continue this epic Christmas tale with us for the rest of December and behold God's sovereign power.

Ryan Seacrest (19:20)

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Now through August 26th, it's back to Deals time, where you can enjoy storewide deals and earn four times points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible items from Black Label, Bacon, Pop Tarts, Quaker Activia Lunchables, Frito Lay, Goldfish and Jack Links. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Shop in store or online for easy drive up and go pick up order delivery subject to availability restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

Ethan (19:51)

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Commercial Announcer 1 (20:23)

Off terms apply this Labor Day. Say goodbye to spills, stains and overpriced furniture with washablesofas.com featuring Annabe, the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets its budget friendly pricing. Sofas start at just $6.99, making it the perfect time to upgrade your space. Anibe's pet friendly stain resistant and interchangeable slipcovers are made with high performance fabric built for real life. You'll love the cloud like comfort of hypoallergenic high resilience foam that never needs fluffing and a durable steel frame that stands the test of time with modular pieces you can rearrange anytime. It's a sofa that adapts to your life. Now through Labor Day. Get up to 60% off site wide@washablesofas.com Every order comes with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not in love, send it back for a full refund. No return shipping, no restocking fees. Every penny back. Shop now@washablesofas.com Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply. This is an I Heart podcast.