Faith and Courage: The Unfolding Miracle of Christmas

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Welcome to In the Field Audio Bible, where we Listen to the Bible One Chapter at a Time.

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I'm Christie, your host for this special series called The Christmas Story.

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I'm so glad you're here as we continue our journey, exploring the timeless scriptures that tell of the birth of Jesus Christ.

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Before we enter Bethlehem and hear the cries of a newborn King, let's pause and recall the moments that led us here, moments filled with divine mystery, courage and unwavering faith.

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In the Gospel of John, Chapter 1, verses 1 through 14, we stepped back to the very beginning.

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Before the world took form, the Word was already with God.

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This Word, Jesus Christ, wasn't just a part of creation, He was the Creator.

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Yet in the fullness of time, He did something unimaginable: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

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God's eternal light pierced the darkness and His grace reached out to humanity in the most personal way.

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Then, in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1, verses 26 to 56, we traveled to Nazareth, where an angel named Gabriel appeared to a young woman named Mary.

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Imagine her surprise, her fear, as this heavenly messenger declared she would bear the Son of God.

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How could this be?

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Yet, in her quiet strength and faith, Mary responded let it be to me, according to your Word.

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We listened to her song as she rejoiced in God's mercy, praising him for lifting up the humble and fulfilling his promises to his people.

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From Nazareth, we follow in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 1, verses 18 to 25, into the heart of Joseph's dilemma.

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When he learned of Mary's pregnancy, confusion and heartbreak must have overwhelmed him.

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Yet in a dream, an angel of the Lord spoke "Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.

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The child within her is conceived by the Holy Spirit.

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Joseph was a righteous man who chose obedience over fear.

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He took Mary as his wife, naming the child Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

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In that moment, Joseph became a quiet hero of the story, faithful, steadfast and protective.

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Now the pieces come together as we arrive at the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, verses 1-40, where heaven touches earth in the most humble of ways.

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If you haven't had a chance to visit these foundational episodes, I encourage you to visit our website at inthefieldaudiobiblecom.

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There you can catch up on prior episodes and dive deeper into the story through our blog posts, which offer additional reflections and insights.

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You may also discover the depth and beauty of the Christmas story with our exclusive ebook, The First Witnesses: Angels and Shepherds in the Birth of Christ, available as a free download at inthefieldaudiobiblecom.

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This insightful resource is perfect for enhancing your Bible study or simply enjoying it during your quiet time.

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Explore the roles of angels and shepherds in the nativity narrative and gain a fresh perspective on this cherished story.

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Visit our website today to claim your free copy and enrich your spiritual journey.

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As the narrative unfolds in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, verses 1 through 40, the story begins with a decree, an order from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

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This command sent people scattering across the land, each to their hometowns.

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Among the travelers were Joseph and Mary.

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Imagine them, weary from their journey to Bethlehem, the roads rough beneath their feet.

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Mary, carrying the weight of a child nearly ready to enter the world, leans on her faith and Joseph's quiet strength to keep moving forward.

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When they arrive, the town is overflowing with people, doors close, voices decline - no room here.

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Finally, they find shelter in the only place offered to them, a space meant for animals.

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There, amid the hay and livestock, Jesus enters the world.

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The King of Kings is born not in a palace, but in a manger.

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Mary wraps him in cloth, cradling him close to her heart In that quiet moment.

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What must she feel?

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Wonder Awe.

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Perhaps the deep peace that comes with knowing God's promise has been fulfilled in her arms.

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Beside her, joseph watches over them both.

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His heart too must wrestle with the weight of this moment, both the responsibility and the holiness of it.

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But this sacred event doesn't go unnoticed.

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Out in the fields, shepherds keep watch over their flocks, the chill of the night surrounding them.

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Suddenly, the sky erupts in light and an angel appears.

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"Do not be afraid," the angel says, "for I bring you good news of great joy.

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Today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born to you.

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He is Christ the Lord.

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" As if to confirm the glory of the message, a multitude of heavenly hosts appears.

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Their voices fill the air with a song of peace and praise.

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Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to those on whom his favor rests.

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The shepherds overcome with awe, hurry to Bethlehem.

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They find the child, just as the angel said, wrapped in a cloth and lying in a manger.

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They tell Mary and Joseph everything they've seen, their words bursting with joy.

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Mary listens, treasuring their words, holding them close to her heart, as though building a storehouse of memories for all that is to come.

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Days later, Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to dedicate him to the Lord.

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There they meet Simeon, a man who had waited his entire life to see the Messiah.

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As he holds the infant Jesus, tears of gratitude may have filled his eyes, as he declares "My eyes, have seen your salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people, Israel.

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" Then comes Anna, a woman of great faith who has worshiped God in the temple for decades.

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She too gives thanks to God and begins to speak of the child to everyone who will listen, declaring that redemption has come to Israel.

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The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, verses 1 through 40, is a story of fulfillment.

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It's a story of ordinary people, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds chosen by God to witness an extraordinary event.

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It's about the King who came, not with earthly power but in humility, to bring salvation to all.

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This scripture reminds us of God's faithfulness to His promises, of His desire to draw near to us and of the joy and peace he offers through Jesus.

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Like Mary, we are invited to ponder these things in our hearts.

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Like the shepherds, we are called to respond with wonder and worship.

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In the quiet of Bethlehem, the Savior is born, heaven's light breaks through the darkness and a new hope dawns for all the world.

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So settle in, take a deep breath and join me as we step into Bethlehem on that holy night.

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Let's walk alongside Mary and Joseph, feel the stillness of the manger and hear the cries of the newborn King.

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Together we'll reflect on the beauty and wonder of this story, one that began in humble surroundings but changed the world forever.

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The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, verses 1-40.

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In those days, caesar Augustus made a law.

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It required that a list be made of everyone in the whole Roman world.

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It was the first time a list was made of the people.

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While Quirinius was governor of Syria, everyone went to their own town to be listed.

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So Joseph went also.

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He went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea.

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That is where Bethlehem, the town of David, was.

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Joseph went there because he belonged to the family line of David.

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He went there with Mary to be listed.

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Mary was engaged to him.

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She was expecting a baby.

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While Joseph and Mary were there, the time came for the child to be born.

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She gave birth to her first baby.

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It was a boy.

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She wrapped him in large strips of cloth, then she placed him in a manger.

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That's because there was no guest room where they could stay.

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There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby.

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It was night and they were taking care of their sheep.

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An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them.

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They were terrified, but the angel said to them "Do not be afraid.

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I bring you good news.

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It will bring great joy for all the people.

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Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you.

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He is the Messiah, the Lord.

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Here is how you will know.

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I am telling you the truth.

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You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.

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"

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Suddenly, a large group of angels from heaven also appeared.

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They were praising God.

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They said "May glory be given to God in the highest heaven and may peace be given to those he is pleased with on earth.

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" The angels left and went into heaven.

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Then the shepherds said to one another "Let's go to Bethlehem.

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Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.

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" So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby.

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The baby was lying in the manger.

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After the shepherds had seen him, they told everyone, they reported, what the angel had said about this child.

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All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

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But Mary kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart.

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She thought about them over and over.

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The shepherds returned.

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They gave glory and praise to God.

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Everything they had seen and heard was just as they had been told.

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When the child was eight days old, he was circumcised.

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At the same time, he was named Jesus.

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This was the name the angel had given him before his mother became pregnant.

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The time came for making Mary "clean," as required by the law of Moses.

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So Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem.

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There, they presented him to the Lord.

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In the Law of the Lord, it says the first boy born in every family must be set apart for the Lord.

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They also offered a sacrifice.

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They did it in keeping with the law, which says a pair of doves or two young pigeons.

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In Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon.

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He was a good and godly man.

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He was waiting for God's promise to Israel to come true.

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The Holy Spirit was with him.

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The Spirit had told Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.

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The Spirit led him into the temple courtyard.

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Then Jesus' parents brought the child in.

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They came to do for him what the law required.

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Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God.

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He said, "Lord, you are the king over all.

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Now let me, your servant, go in peace.

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That is what you promised.

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My eyes have seen your salvation.

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You have prepared it in the sight of all nations.

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It is a light to be given to the Gentiles.

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It will be the glory of your people, Israel.

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"

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The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him.

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Then Simeon blessed them.

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He said to Mary, Jesus' mother, "This child is going to cause many people in Israel to fall and to rise.

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God has sent him, but many will speak against him.

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The thoughts of many hearts will be known.

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A sword will wound your own soul too.

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"

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There was also a prophet named Anna.

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She was the daughter of Penuel from the tribe of Asher.

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The daughter of Penuel from the tribe of Asher, Anna was very old.

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After getting married she lived with her husband seven years.

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Then she was a widow until she was 84.

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She never left the temple.

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She worshiped night and day, praying and going without food.

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Anna came up to Jesus' family at that moment.

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She gave thanks to God and she spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the time when Jerusalem would be set free.

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Joseph and Mary did everything the Law of the Lord required.

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Then they returned to Galilee, they went to their own town of Nazareth, and the child grew and became strong.

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He was very wise, he was blessed by God's grace.

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And so, the story of that holy night in Bethlehem draws to a close.

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We've walked alongside Mary and Joseph through their long journey, shared in the wonder of the shepherds, and felt the peace that washed over the world as the Savior was born In that humble manger.

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In the quiet of the night, hope was awakened, the promise of God's love was made flesh and heaven rejoiced.

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The world, though it didn't yet know, was forever changed.

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For Mary and Joseph, the night was filled with a whirlwind of emotions.

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Mary, feeling the weight of her body, must have been full of anticipation.

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Knowing that the baby could come at any moment.

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Her heart must have raced with both fear and joy.

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Joseph, ever the protector, surely wrestled with uncertainty.

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Was this really where the Son of God was meant to be born?

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Was this humble stable the right place for the King of Kings?

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Amidst the confusion, the exhaustion and the overwhelming responsibility, they found a deep peace in the truth that God had led them here.

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His plan was unfolding right before their eyes, even in the most unexpected of places.

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As we reflect on their journey, we realize that we too find ourselves in moments where the doors seem closed and we feel uncertain, unprepared for what lies ahead.

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We've all experienced those times waiting for the right opportunity, searching for a place to belong, longing for clarity in a situation that feels beyond our control.

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Maybe we've wondered if we're even in the right place or if we've missed our chance.

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Perhaps we question whether we're truly ready for what God is asking of us.

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Like Mary and Joseph, we face moments of doubt, fear and confusion, wondering if we're on the right path or if we veered off course.

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We might ask ourselves Is this the life I'm supposed to be living?

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Am I truly equipped for this journey?

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Yet in those moments, we can find comfort in knowing that God's presence is with us, just as it was with Mary and Joseph.

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Even in the unexpected and difficult times, even in the uncertainty and darkness.

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He is there, leading, guiding and bringing light where it feels like there is none.

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It's in those quiet, seemingly insignificant moments that God is at work, preparing us for something greater than we can imagine.

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And while we might not always see it in the moment, just as God was with Mary and Joseph in their struggle, he is with us in the midst of our own.

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Often it's in the very places we think we're not ready for—the closed doors, the rough patches, the detours that God does His greatest work.

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So, even when it feels like there is no room for us in this world, we can trust that God's plan is unfolding exactly as it should and His presence is enough to carry us through.

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And His presence is enough to carry us through.

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So, as we close today, take a moment to reflect.

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Where in your own life have you faced closed doors, uncertainty or confusion?

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How can you trust that, just like Mary and Joseph, god is with you in the midst of it all, guiding you through the moments that don't make sense?

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His plan is unfolding in ways you might not yet see, and he is working even in the silence.

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But the story doesn't end here.

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As we close this chapter, we prepare to journey forward.

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As we close this chapter, we prepare to journey forward.

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Next week we'll turn to the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 2, verses 1 through 18, where the wise men, following a star, travel from distant lands to worship the newborn King.

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Their visit brings joy, but it also brings danger.

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King Herod's fear and jealousy will set into motion a perilous journey for Mary, Joseph and the child as they flee to Egypt for safety.

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It is in this final week of our series, The Christmas Story, w e will see that the path of Jesus was never easy, but God's plan was unwavering and unchanging, no matter what obstacles arose.

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His will was done.

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Thank you for joining me today and for walking alongside Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds in this holy moment.

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As we reflect on the birth of Christ, may we carry the wonder of that night in our hearts.

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The story doesn't end here, but with Christ's birth, we are reminded that God's love came to us in the most humble of ways, bringing light to the darkest of places.

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Until we meet again, wishing you grace and peace.