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- [00:00]
Host or Narrator (Opening Prayer)
He has said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness most gladly. Therefore I will rather glory in my weakness that the power of Christ may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Dear heavenly Father, when we feel weak, inadequate, or overwhelmed, we are reminded that it is precisely in these moments that your strength, power and grace shine brightest. We ask for the humility to accept our weaknesses and the faith to see them not as failures, but as opportunities for your power to be displayed. Help us, Lord, to rely not on our own strength, but on the abundant grace you freely give us in our struggles and trials. Let us feel your presence and power resting upon us, giving us the courage and resilience to endure through our weaknesses. May we be a testament to your infinite strength and love. We pray in the name of Jesus, our source of power and grace. Amen. Thank you for pausing to pray today. Prepare to be swept back into the Christmas story with stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
- [01:38]
Narrator (Storytelling Voice)
Nazareth was far from a vibrant, bustling town. Its character was more defined by its ordinary, even dull nature. Far removed from the trade routes, absent any shoreline, and devoid of the rich cultural tapestry found in other cities, Nazareth was perhaps most notable for its unremarkableness, a town with no glorious past, heroic tales or exciting happenings. Yet the dusty and forgotten town, far from the holy city of Jerusalem was about to be visited by God himself. The God who had been silent and hidden in the margins of history for 400 years was about to descend upon humanity. In this forsaken city, Nazareth, God's hero would be revealed.
- [02:25]
Ethan (Podcast Host from pray.com)
Hello everyone, and welcome to another Christmas episode of the Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan from pray.com. the Christmas season is upon us. This is the perfect time to explore the beautiful and epic journey of the Nativity. Christ's birth is a tale of drama, danger, loyalty and divine intervention. It's my joy to guide you today as we are introduced to Mary, a young woman from the small city of Nazareth. Mary's story is that of humility, strength and devotion. Mary was a mere vessel in the grand plan of salvation, but she stands as an example for all believers today. Her humble submission to God's will and her strength in the face of adversity reminds us of the remarkable ways God uses ordinary people for his extraordinary purposes. We're about to immerse ourselves in a cinematic retelling of Matthew and Luke's account of Mary. As we listen and reflect on her life, may we be inspired to approach our walk with God with the same humility and strength, trusting in his plan. Regardless of our challenges and uncertainty, the Life of Mary teaches us that when we submit to God's will, He provides the strength we need to fulfill his purpose. This is only the beginning of Mary's harrowing story. Let's listen now and then unpack more of the deeper themes of her life afterward.
- [04:05]
Narrator (Storytelling Voice)
Sunrise broke over the dusty hills surrounding Nazareth. The mild morning rays gently broke the chill of dawn. Its light methodically sifted through the window in Mary's room. She slowly awoke. Her lungs filled with the dry and crisp air, she carefully wrapped herself up. With deliberate caution not to stir her siblings, she stepped into the awakening day. The cool, dry breeze gently caressed her cheeks. Animals responded to the rooster's call, and life began to hum as families awoke from their rest. Grasping a pail, Mary started her daily trek towards the town's lone well. Nazareth was far from a vibrant, bustling town. Its character was more defined by its ordinary, even dull nature. Far removed from the trade routes, absent any shoreline, and devoid of the rich cultural tapestry found in other cities, Nazareth was perhaps most notable for its un unremarkableness, a town with no glorious past, no heroic tales, and no exciting happenings. Yet for Mary, a flicker of anticipation made Nazareth seem less monotonous. She was engaged to be married to one of the local stonemasons, Joseph. He was hardly the most handsome man in Nazareth, nor the most skilled craftsman, but he was kind. His gentle and quiet strength made him a kindred spirit. To marry to her, being betrothed to Joseph was exciting, a break in Nazareth's otherwise dull life. Mary drew water from the well with the other young women in the town. They playfully questioned Mary about her marriage and dreamed about their own futures as wives, mothers, friends, and elders in the community. It was a simple and joyful life Mary led. She wouldn't trade it for anything. Mary lugged her filled pail back home. Her siblings had left for their chores, and her parents had started their day's work in the marketplace. She climbed the incline leading to her home, her arms aching under the weight of the water. She pushed the door open with her foot, entered and turned around, only to find a divine creature resting on her room's lattice.
- [06:03]
Angel Gabriel (Character Voice)
Greetings, O favored one, the angel announced,
- [06:07]
Narrator (Storytelling Voice)
making Mary startle and lose grip on her pail. Water splashed across the room, and Mary stumbled backwards onto the hard floor, trying to escape the surprised visitor. She she attempted to rush out, but the angel appeared before her, his face wearing a reassuring smile.
- [06:23]
Angel Gabriel (Character Voice)
Please do not be afraid. The Lord is With you.
- [06:26]
Narrator (Storytelling Voice)
His words left Mary puzzled, yet her fear was slightly alleviated. She slowly retreated and sat on her bed's edge. The angel spread his arms wide.
- [06:35]
Angel Gabriel (Character Voice)
I am Gabriel, and I have come bearing good news. You, O favored one, have been chosen.
- [06:43]
Narrator (Storytelling Voice)
What does that mean? Mary asked, her hands absently fidgeting in her lap. The angel's smile grew wider as he spoke. His words were an intermingling of news and worship unto the Lord.
- [06:54]
Angel Gabriel (Character Voice)
Mary, you have found favor with God, gabriel explained. You are to bear a burden and blessing unlike any other in the world.
- [07:03]
Narrator (Storytelling Voice)
His voice was melodic.
- [07:05]
Angel Gabriel (Character Voice)
You, Mary, will conceive a son. The child in your womb will be God's chosen one, the mighty son of the Most High, who will bear the weight of mankind. The Lord will establish his kingdom through him. He will inherit David's throne, and his kingdom will be eternal, his glory everlasting.
- [07:29]
Narrator (Storytelling Voice)
The impact of Gabriel's words left Mary perplexed. She shook her head in disbelief. How can this be? I'm a virgin. I am young and have not known a man. Her eyes welled up, the enormity of the revelation overwhelming her. Gabriel, noticing her distress, descended to eye level. The angel wasn't human, but he wore an empathetic grin as he reassured Mary of her calling.
- [07:55]
Angel Gabriel (Character Voice)
Mary, all things are possible with God. The Holy Spirit will come upon you. The power of the highest God will overshadow you. The child you carry will be the son of God himself.
- [08:09]
Narrator (Storytelling Voice)
Seeing her eyes widened in shock, he
- [08:11]
Angel Gabriel (Character Voice)
continued, your cousin Elizabeth, well past her childbearing ages, already six months pregnant. Now tell me, is there anything the Lord cannot do?
- [08:22]
Narrator (Storytelling Voice)
For a moment, Mary sat in silence. She could feel God's spirit strengthening her. Her racing thoughts begin to settle into a calm stream. Closing her eyes tightly, she laid a hand on her belly. It was then she felt the favor of a God wash over her. Joy, indescribable and incomprehensible joy filled her. She stood, wiping her tears and dusting off her dress, a smile gracing her face as she met Gabriel's gaze. After a deep breath, she proclaimed, I am God's servant. I will gladly receive his will according to what you've said. With a nod, Gabriel vanished. Mary stepped outside. The sun was high overhead. She bathed in its warm rays and watched the village resume its regular rhythm. She heard birds chirping in harmony with the gentle breeze. Suddenly, the mundane day radiated with a divine glow. Her heart pounded with anticipation and fear of what lay ahead. Yet she knew Gabriel's words held true. What would Joseph think? What would her Family do. So many questions raced through her mind. Mary decided the best thing to do was visit her cousin Elizabeth to witness what God was doing.
- [09:38]
Ethan (Podcast Host from pray.com)
This was not the life Mary expected for herself. Let's put ourselves in Mary's shoes for a moment. She's young, betrothed to be married, and has her whole life ahead of her. She was undoubtedly dreaming about her wedding day, having children with Joseph, and living a simple life in Nazareth. But God had different plans for Mary. It can be hard when God interrupts our plans, can't it? There are key moments in our lives when we expect one thing to happen, but it turns out God has different plans. Luke chapter one says that Mary graciously accepted God's plans for her. It couldn't have been easy. Think about all the hardship Mary would endure because of God's calling on her life. What would her parents think? Would Joseph leave her when he found out? When God calls us to something new, sometimes we can become consumed with the risks involved. Thoughts of persecution, discomfort and rejection can dominate our headspace. Mary's a wonderful example of quietly and humbly accepting God's will for her life. She asked Gabriel how it would be possible since she was a virgin, indicating her innocence and purity. But after the angel explained, she didn't hesitate or resist, but simply said, behold, I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word. Her willingness to step into the unknown and accept a mission that would lead to hardship and misunderstanding shows an unparalleled humility and a commitment to the Lord. This humility was not the result of low self esteem or lack of ambition. Instead, it was rooted in an accurate understanding of who God is and and who she was in relationship to Him. Mary recognized her role in God's plan, accepting it graciously. Even with its potential for personal cost and societal shame, Mary's strength, often overlooked, is an essential part of her character. It would have taken great fortitude to accept such a call, knowing that it could result in her being ostracized or even worse, stoned to death. According to the laws of the time, stoning was on the table. In addition, the physical and emotional toll of bearing and raising a child under such circumstances is unimaginable. You know the saying, God never gives you more than you can handle. You hear that saying thrown around quite a lot, but I'd like to humbly challenge that idea. The Bible shows us story, action after story of people who are given more than they can handle. Moses certainly couldn't have freed the people of Israel on his own, Daniel couldn't have survived the lion's den. The Bible continually shows us that God does give us more than we can handle. We're sometimes faced with challenges too significant to endure on our own, but that is when the strength of God's spirit is shown. Remember what God said to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12, chapter 9? He encouraged Paul, saying, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power will be made perfect in weakness. That is why Paul said that he would boast all the more in his weakness, because that is when the strength of God was most evident in his life. In future episodes, we'll be immersed in the heart wrenching struggle of Mary and Joseph. Together, they'll face near death experiences and close calls, but God's providential strength will carry them through. People often associate the God of the Old Testament with strength and the God of the New Testament with gentleness. But Christ's power is no different from the God who formed the cosmos and parted seas. They are the same. We can take comfort in knowing that with him by our side, we can endure anything that comes our way. This Christmas season, let us remember the great calling Christ has given each of us. Like Mary, you and I have been given a great mission. May we shoulder that mission with grace, humility and reliance on God. Mary's journey has just begun and we are just getting started with the epic story of of the Nativity. Join us for our next episode as we follow Mary to the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah. As she learns more about her calling, her womb begins to expand. She will no longer be able to hide what's happening. If you've enjoyed this podcast, consider sharing it with a friend. We want the story of Jesus to change lives. If you're interested in my ministry, you can visit discoveringthejewishjesus.com for more engaging and transformative biblical stories. Download the Pray.com app Ever Wonder how
- [14:49]
Reynolds Kitchens Ad Host
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- [15:58]
Danielle Fishel (Nurture Life Ad Host)
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 50 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 pod pod.
- [17:59]
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- [18:25]
Ethan (Podcast Host from pray.com)
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- [18:40]
David Eagleman (Inner Cosmos / Waking Up App Host)
This is David Eagleman with Inner Cosmos. I've spent my life studying the brain, and one thing is obvious. Most of us surf along on our stream of thoughts, and we never think to examine the waters. That's what I appreciate about the Waking up app from Sam Harris. You you may know that it'll teach you meditation, but it's bigger than that. It's structured mental training that'll help you understand things like your attention and your emotions and the patterns that drive your reactions. We all spend a lot of time trying to explain everything around us, but we don't spend as much time trying to understand ourselves. Let's take some moments to turn the camera inward. You'll be surprised by what you find. Try the full app free for 30 days@wakingup.com innercosmos this is an iHeart podcast.
- [19:30]
Ethan (Podcast Host from pray.com)
Guaranteed human.