Experience the wonder of the Christmas story through the lens of both John and Luke’s Gospels. Join me, Christie, as we explore the divine orchestration of Jesus’ birth, Mary’s courage, and the sacred bond between Mary and Elizabeth. Reflect on the miracle of the Word made flesh and the Holy Spirit’s presence in these timeless narratives. This Advent journey invites you to embrace hope, trust in God’s purpose, and recognize His light breaking into your life.
What if the cosmic dance of the divine could be seen in the gentle story of a birth? Discover the profound connections between the vastness of God's Word in the Gospel of John and the intimate, world-changing moment of Jesus' birth in the Gospel of Luke. Join us on In the Field Audio Bible as we unravel the rich tapestry of the Christmas Story. From the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary, embracing her courage in the face of the divine plan, to witnessing how God's eternal light touches our lives, this episode promises a deeper understanding of the miraculous incarnation of the Word made flesh.
As we continue our Advent journey, marvel at the divine orchestration that intertwines the lives of Jesus and John the Baptist. Reflect on the sacred bond of Mary and Elizabeth, their miraculous pregnancies signifying a unity of purpose in God's grand design. The Holy Spirit whispers through these narratives, urging us to trust in divine timing and purpose. Listen to how John the Baptist, even in the womb, leaps in joy, foreshadowing the Savior's coming. This episode invites you to embrace these timeless stories with hope and wonder, inspiring you to recognize the light of God breaking into your own life.
Thank you for joining us in this episode of In the Field Audio Bible, where we explore the richness of God’s Word, one chapter at a time. We hope today’s reading brought insight, comfort, or inspiration to your journey of faith.
We’d love to hear your thoughts and questions! Feel free to send us a text to let us know how In the Field Audio Bible is impacting your faith journey. Until next time, may God’s Word guide and bless you.
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Welcome to In the Field Audio Bible, where we bring the scriptures to life, 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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Thank you for joining us again as we walk through the living story of God's Word.
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In our last episode we reflected on the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 1 through 14, where we encountered the profound truth that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God, Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 1.
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We marveled at the mystery of the Word becoming flesh, bringing life to earth so that light would triumph over darkness.
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Today we pick up the thread of that eternal story in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 26 to 56, where the light begins to break through in a very real and personal way.
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The Creator who spoke the world into existence, now chooses to enter his creation as a child, a savior who will redeem humanity.
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And it all begins with a quiet moment in a humble town, as the angel Gabriel delivers an extraordinary message to an ordinary girl named Mary.
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This connection between John's cosmic vision of the Word and Luke's intimate depiction of the divine announcement beautifully illustrates the depth and scale of God's eternal plan.
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In the Gospel of John, chapter 1, we are invited to see the grand scope of creation, the Word who was with God in the beginning, the source of life and the light that shines in the darkness, a light no darkness can overcome.
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It's a truth spanning all of time and space, revealing God's power and glory on a universal scale.
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But in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, this majestic narrative zooms in, bringing us into the quiet, tender moment where the endless intersects with the earthly.
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Here we see that the Word, who is life and light, does not remain distant or abstract.
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Instead, god steps into the fragile reality of humanity through a deeply personal and intimate act.
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The Creator of the universe entrusts His plan to a young woman in an unremarkable town, calling her to carry the Savior of the world.
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It's through Mary's willing heart, her humble yes to God, that the Word becomes flesh.
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This profound connection is that the Creator is not only sovereign over the vastness of the heavens, but also intricately involved in the details of individual lives.
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It reminds us that God's plans are both immense and personal, encompassing the redemption of all creation while also seeking a relationship with each one of us as we move from John's soaring declaration of the Word's eternal power to Luke's tender story of Mary's obedience.
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We are reminded that God's light enters the world not through grand displays but through the quiet, faithful surrender of a heart willing to trust Him.
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This is the miracle of the Incarnation the Word becoming flesh, dwelling among us and bringing light and life through the obedience of one willing servant.
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As we listen to today's passage, consider God's light and how it's breaking into your life.
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Reflect on Mary's courage and her beautiful surrender in trusting God's plan.
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So, wherever you are, whether at home, at work or on the go, join us in this sacred moment as we continue the journey from eternal word to Emmanuel.
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God is with us.
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The Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 26-56.
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In the sixth month after Elizabeth had become pregnant, god sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee.
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He was sent to a virgin.
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The girl was engaged to a man named Joseph.
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He came from the family line of David.
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The virgin's name was Mary.
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The angel greeted her and said the Lord has blessed you in a special way.
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He is with you.
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Mary was very upset because of his words.
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She wondered what kind of greeting this could be.
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But the angel said to her Do not be afraid, mary.
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God is very pleased with you.
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You will become pregnant and give birth to a son.
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You must call him Jesus.
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He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God.
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The Lord God will make him a king, like his father, david of long ago.
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The Son of the Most High God will rule forever over his people.
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They are from the family line of Jacob.
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That kingdom will never end.
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That kingdom will never end.
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How can this happen, mary, asked the angel?
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I am a virgin.
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The angel answered the Holy Spirit will come to you.
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The power of the Most High God will cover you, so the Holy One that is born will be called the Son of God.
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Your relative, elizabeth, will have a child, even though she is old.
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People thought she could not have children, but she has been pregnant for six months now.
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That's because what God says will always come true.
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I serve the Lord.
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Mary answered.
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May it happen to me just as you said it would.
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Then the angel left her.
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At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in Judea's hill country.
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There she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.
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When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby inside her jumped and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
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In a loud voice, she called out God has blessed you more than other women, and blessed is the child you will have.
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But why is God so kind to me?
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Why has the mother of my Lord come to me?
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As soon as I heard the sound of your voice, the baby inside me jumped for joy.
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You are a woman God has blessed.
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You have believed that the Lord would keep his promises to you.
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Mary said my soul gives glory to the Lord.
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My spirit delights in God, my Savior.
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He is taking note of me, even though I am not considered important.
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From now on, all people will call me blessed.
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The mighty one has done great things for me.
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His name is holy.
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He shows His mercy to those who have respect for Him, from parent to child.
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Through the years, he has done mighty things with His powerful arm.
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He has scattered those who are proud in their deepest thoughts.
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He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but he has lifted up people who are not considered important.
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He has filled with good things those who are hungry, but he has sent away empty those who are rich.
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He has helped the people of Israel who serve him.
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He has always remembered to be kind to Abraham and his children.
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Down through the years he has done it, just as he promised to our people of long ago.
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Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months.
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Then she returned home.
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As we come to the end of today's episode of the Christmas Story, let us pause and reflect on the powerful moment when Elizabeth's baby leaped in her womb at the sound of Mary's greeting In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verse 41,.
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This divine encounter isn't just a remarkable physical response.
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It's a spiritual sign of God's plan being set into motion.
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Elizabeth, who is filled with the Holy Spirit, immediately recognizes the significance of Mary's visit and the child she carries.
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In this brief but profound moment, both women are brought together by the joy and promise of God's unfolding salvation.
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This moment holds even greater meaning when we recognize that the child Elizabeth carries is none other than John the Baptist, the one who will later prepare the way for the Messiah, calling people to repentance and baptizing them for the forgiveness of sins.
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His leap in the womb is an early testimony to the truth of Jesus' divine mission.
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John the Baptist, even before birth, is bearing witness to the coming of the Savior, fulfilling the prophecy that he would be a forerunner to Christ.
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As noted in Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 3, Mary, who is carrying Jesus, and Elizabeth, who is carrying John the Baptist, will serve as vital figures in God's redemptive plan.
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Their pregnancies are not mere coincidences but a divine orchestration.
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Jesus, the Savior of the world, is coming into the world through Mary, and John the Baptist will prepare the hearts of the people for his coming.
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The fact that these two babies, one the Messiah and the other the herald of the Messiah, are so intricately connected and speaks to the unity of God's purpose.
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Jesus' birth would not only change the course of history, but John the Baptist's role would ensure that hearts were ready to receive him.
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In this passage, luke reveals not only the miraculous nature of these births, but also the deeper spiritual truths that we are invited to embrace.
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The Holy Spirit works in ways both subtle and powerful, filling hearts with joy even in the earliest stages of life.
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Elizabeth and Mary, both carrying children destined for greatness, exemplify the divine unity that surrounds Christ's earth.
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John the Baptist's leap serves as an early sign of the joy and anticipation that would soon fill the world with the coming of Jesus.
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Spiritually, this moment calls us to recognize the presence of God in our own lives, to be aware of the divine stirrings within us.
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Just as John the Baptist leaped with joy at the sound of Mary's voice, we too are invited to respond with joy and openness to God's call.
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In this season of Advent, we are reminded that God's plan is unfolding in ways that are often hidden from view, yet always in perfect timing.
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The story of Mary and Elizabeth invites us to trust in God's purpose, to see the connections between our lives and the broader story of salvation.
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Let us carry the joy of this revelation with us as we continue our Advent journey, remembering the sacred and intimate bond between Mary and Elizabeth and the miraculous lives they carried within them.
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Just as John the Baptist's leap marked the beginning of a great ministry, we are also called to the leap with joy at the knowledge that Christ has come into the world to redeem us.
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Thank you for joining me today as we continue to explore the Christmas story.
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May we be filled with wonder and hope and anticipation for the coming Savior.
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We look forward to traveling through this season together and reflecting on the profound spiritual lessons hidden within the story of Christ's birth.
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Until we meet again.
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Wishing you grace and peace.
Here are some great episodes to start with.
