B (3:14)

Apply.

C (3:15)

Visit Albertsons or safeway.for more details.

B (3:25)

Hear ye.

E (3:27)

By order of Caesar Augustus, all men in their families are to be registered for a census in the city of their family lineage. Failure to register will result in punishment. This is the will of Rome. His voice, steely and unemotional, echoed through the streets and alleys, leaving a chill in the hearts of those who heard it. His soldiers nailed the decree onto the doorpost of every home. Quirinius voice shouted through the city streets of Nazareth, where Joseph was buying supplies for his workshop. The proclamation threw him into a storm of uncertainty and worry. The House of David. Joseph's lineage was traced back to Bethlehem.

B (4:10)

Hello everyone, and welcome to another Christmas episode of the Jesus Podcast. Hi, I'm Ethan from Pray.com Today's episode is a narrative based on Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 through 5. Although the Bible doesn't describe the long journey Mary and Joseph took from Nazareth to Bethlehem, we know that it must have been wrought with challenges that tested their young marriage. Romans, chapter 8, verses 38 and 39 says, who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword. Every episode from now until the end of our series will showcase a new struggle. Mary and Joseph must endure robberies, storms, rejection and conspiracies. Yet God's love and divine plan will cut through the tragedy and turn it all into triumph. The journey to Bethlehem is a poignant reminder of God's powerful love, a love willing to journey through hardship, risk, uncertainty and the darkest valleys to obey God's will. We can imagine their challenges, the physical strain of the journey, societal judgment due to Mary's mysterious pregnancy, and the anxiety of a young couple about to become parents. On top of that, there's the mounting pressure of knowing their child was the promised Messiah. This episode will feature a new type of challenge for Mary and Joseph. Trials, challenges and hardships can tear a relationship apart or strengthen it. Will this journey solidify Mary and Joseph's bond or tear them apart? I'd like to promise you this episode has a happy ending, but it doesn't. Just like Mary and Joseph, we must endure momentary trials before stepping into triumph. We must endure momentary trials before stepping into triumph. Let's immerse ourselves now in the story. In the end, we'll unpack Christmas themes to strengthen our faith.

D (6:26)

Have you ever struggled to connect scripture to the issues you're facing today, you can discover what the Bible means to your own life with the NIV Application Bible from Zondervan. It features thousands of study notes drawn from the best selling NIV Application Commentary series. Throughout the Bible, original meaning notes help you explore the meaning of the biblical text, while application notes help you relate the Bible's teachings to your everyday life. Find out more at niv Application Bible.com that's nivapplication Bible.com hey, it's Ryan Seacrest.

C (6:58)

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 Kettle, Haagen, Dazs, M M's Ritz, Chips Ahoy, Arrowhead, All Poppy Charman and Red Bull. 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 apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

F (7:28)

This Labor Day, say goodbye to spills, stains and overpriced furniture with washablesofas.com featuring Anabe, the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets 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 slip covers 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 seals 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.

E (8:27)

The streets of Nazareth, usually abuzz with laughter and trade, grew anxious and frantic. Families huddled in corners to discuss the journey ahead. Rumors and tales of treacherous roads rife with robbers grew more terrifying by the day. Amidst the chaos, Joseph waded through the marketplace, gathering the last of their supplies for the journey ahead. He was no stranger to the dangers of travel. As a stonemason, he often needed to do business outside of Nazareth. But with Mary in her Delicate condition. The journey was a heavy burden on his heart. They'd heard dark tales of bandits lurking in the desert, shadows striking unsuspecting travelers and leaving them with nothing. Joseph felt the weight of his responsibility to protect his wife and the unborn child. Night after night, as they prepared for the journey, Joseph would glance at the horizon as if trying to discern what lay in wait. Mary, watching him from their doorway, could see the furrows of worry deepen on his brow. She was relieved that her husband was strong and capable. But Mary bore a strength Joseph lacked. She didn't share Joseph's fear. Instead, she had a peace that God would provide. She was not naive to think tragedy wasn't possible, but she also knew God wouldn't begin this work if he did not intend on completing it. One evening, as twilight painted the horizon with hues of gold and red, Mary approached her husband. He was lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the distant roads. His face was painted with a familiar look of worry. Mary gently touched his shoulder and spoke softly. What are you thinking about? She asked, already knowing the answer. About tomorrow's journey, joseph replied, going through the list in my head to make sure we have everything we need. His face betrayed his words. Joseph was consumed with doubt, not in God, but in his own ability to carry out his duty. Mary resisted the urge to remind him that he didn't need to worry. Telling somebody who was anxious to stop worrying was about as useful as telling a dog not to eat from the bowl while it was eating. Instead, she leaned against his shoulder and looked quietly at the horizon. Joseph leaned his cheek closer to her head and sighed. I know I shouldn't worry, but it's hard not to, especially with what's at stake. She smiled, the kind of smile that made Joseph's heart melt. You have a protector's heart, Joseph. I love that about you.

F (10:59)

Together we can face anything. I am sure of it.

E (11:03)

Her words were reassuring at the moment, but Joseph still felt a weight on his shoulders growing heavier. They embarked early the following day. Joseph packed the donkey tightly and hoisted Mary on top. She smiled down at him and they left. Families old and young streamed down the pass out of Nazareth, each one burdened by the edict of Caesar. They all began in the same direction, but eventually split down many roads to register in the city of their heritage. The town of Nazareth slowly receded into the distance, its familiar sights and sounds replaced by the vastness of the road. As the days wore on and the sun deceased, Mary and Joseph set out camp under the vast canopy of the stars, the heavens, seemed to wink down at them, casting a silvery glow over the landscape. While Mary rested, Joseph remained awake, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. The weight of potential threats kept him vigilant. He refused to sleep. Instead, he leaned back on a stone with his hands firmly placed on his dagger. He refused to let anything harm Mary or the child. I can't let them down, joseph sighed. He peered down at his bride. She shivered from the cold, so Joseph removed his coat and placed it on her. I love you, he whispered softly, stroking her dark curls. The days melted into one another, a blur of sunrises and sunsets. The vastness of the desert stretched before them, its ever changing peaks and valleys seeming both majestic and menacing. With every step, the weight of their journey grew not in their bags, but in their hearts. By day, the sun bore down on them, its rays unrelenting. Mary's pregnancy sapped her of strength, but not of her hope. As they walked, she would wax poetry about the Lord's blessing on them. Her relentless hope gave Joseph enough to keep walking beside her and the donkey. By night, the desert came alive with its secrets. The sounds of wolves in the distance and the whispers of the wind. Joseph, determined and ever watchful, grew wearier with each passing day. The shadows of rumored bandits played tricks on his mind, making every rustling bush or distant noise a potential threat. On the fourth evening, as the sapphire sky turned deep indigo, Mary took his hand and saw the exhaustion on Joseph's face. You've borne the weight of our journey for so long, she said gently. Rest now. Let me keep watch. There was a silent battle in Joseph's eye, the protective husband against the weary traveler. But in the end, fatigue won. He nodded, his eyelids heavy, and lay down, wrapping himself in a blanket. Wake me if you sense any danger, he murmured, his voice a tired whisper. Mary nodded, her gaze fixed on the horizon, ears attuned to every sound. She hummed softly, a lullaby she'd once heard long ago, letting its gentle cadence soothe Joseph into a deep sleep. But the road, with its myriad of mysteries, had its own, own plans. As the night deepened, two shadowy figures approached their campsite, drawn by the soft glow of the dying campfire. They moved stealthily, their intentions clear. They began to pilfer through Mary and Joseph's belongings in search of money and food. Engrossed in her thoughts and nodding off from exhaustion, Mary didn't notice them until it was too late. She turned to see them and held back panic. Mary wasn't foolish enough to scream. She knew that if she shouted for Joseph. They would kill him before he could even reach his feet. Mary remained still, pretending to sleep, occasionally looking over. Her heart was pounding. She was paralyzed in an unwinnable situation as she watched the robbers take the donkey with them. That is when Mary finally chose to speak. Joseph, she whispered in an intense tone.

F (14:56)

Tone, two men have taken everything.

E (14:59)

Joseph rose frantically and unsheathed his dagger. Hearing Joseph, the robbers quickened and ran into the thick of the night. Joseph began to run after them, mind racing with rage and weariness. However, just as he was beginning to gain on the thieves, he heard Mary's voice. Joseph, where are you? Joseph stopped. If he continued, something might happen to Mary. He watched the dim figures disappear into the night. Joseph turned back to camp. We've lost everything. He shouted, his voice trembling with anger and regret. Mary said nothing. Silence stretched between them, heavy and thick. Words unspoken hung in the air as Joseph buried his face in his hands. He was frustrated and boiling over with regret. Mary, trying to bridge the gap between them, reached out a hand, but Joseph pulled away, consumed by his internal turmoil. How are we going to survive without any food or money? How are you going to finish the journey without the donkey? Joseph had sold all his tools to pay for these supplies and the donkey. He had sacrificed so much, and now it was all gone. He seethed in anger and disappointment. Mary thought of defending herself, but chose to remain silent instead. If Mary was good at anything, it was was pondering things in her heart and allowing deep emotions to be fully processed. Joseph was uncharacteristically upset, so she gave him space and returned to her blanket. Neither of them slept that night. Joseph spent the rest of the night replaying the events in his mind. The following day wore on in oppressive silence. Joseph, grappling with his guilt, turned inward, while Mary, battling her own regret, longed for the comforting embrace of her husband. She wanted to hear him forgive her. She wanted them to talk and embrace the trial as a team. But instead, they walked in silence. The desert around them seemed to mirror their emotional state. Its vastness was a reflection of the growing chasm between them. Their journey, which had started with hope and faith, now felt heavy with despair and doubt. But as with all nights, this too would pass, giving way to a new dawn and the promise of redemption.

D (17:13)

Have you ever struggled to connect Scripture to the issues you're facing today? You can discover what the Bible means to your own life with the NIV Application Bible from Zondervan. It features thousands of study notes drawn from the bestselling NIV Application commentary series throughout the Bible. Original meaning notes help you explore the meaning of the biblical text, while application notes help you relate the Bible's teachings to your everyday life. Find out more@nivapplication Bible.com that's nivapplication Bible.com.

C (17:43)

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 Kettle, Haagen, Dazs, M&M's Ritz, Chips Ahoy, Arrowhead, All Poppy, Charman and Red Bull. 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 or delivery subject to availability restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

F (18:14)

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 quality meets 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.

B (19:13)

During a wedding ceremony, couples vow to stick by each other through thick and thin before God and witnesses. They stare into each other's eyes and promise to love each other for better or worsericer or poorer and in sickness or health. During the euphoria and bliss of a wedding, it's easy to make those vows. But when hardships arise, the foundation of a marriage is tested. Just as gold is refined by fire removing impurities, the trials faced in a marriage can purify and strengthen the bond between spouses. This requires intentional dedication, faith, mutual support, forgiveness and most importantly of all, love. Today's episode brought new struggles for Mary and Joseph. As if the journey wasn't hard enough, they lost everything they had for the rest of their journey, and we get the sense that Joseph blames Mary for it. Yet we hold on to hope that Mary and Joseph's relationship will be strengthened in the coming days. Our relationship with God can be solidified and deepened. In the hardest trials, our faith is tested when everything seems uncertain, chaotic or challenging. When we trust in God's promises and love, we find hope that endures and love that strengthens us. Hope in difficult circumstances is a theme that resonates deeply with all of us. Life can be challenging. It can be unpredictable. But amidst the storms, there's a beacon of hope we can cling to. That hope is Jesus the Savior, born in a manger in a little town called Bethlehem. After a challenging journey by two faithful servants in your own life, you might be facing a difficult road right now. Remember that God's promises stand firm just as he was with Mary and Joseph guiding them. He's with you. Cling to Him, Trust in His promises and let his enduring hope shine. In your circumstances, remember that our God is greater than any challenge we might face. The God who guided Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and raised Jesus from the dead is the same God with you today. Let's trust Him. Let's rely on his promises. Let's allow his love to be the anchor of our hope and any circumstance. In our next story, Joseph and Mary will desperately search for supplies as they venture into a nearby city. Joseph's dedication to Mary will require him to take even more risks. Join us for our next episode the Road To Bethlehem Part 2 have you.

D (22:15)

Ever struggled to connect Scripture to the issues you're facing today? You can discover what the Bible means to your own life with the NIV Application Application Bible from Zondervan. It features thousands of study notes drawn from the best selling NIV Application Commentary series. Throughout the Bible, original meaning notes help you explore the meaning of the biblical text, while application notes help you relate the Bible's teachings to your everyday life. Find out more@nivapplication Bible.com that's nivapplication Bible.com.

C (22:45)

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 Califia Farms, Pillsbury Crescent, Yoplait, General Mills, Prego, Bertoli, Heinz and Kraft. 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 apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

B (23:15)

This is an iHeart podcast.