In this episode, we meet Mary, the quiet and humble hero of God, chosen to bear God’s chosen redeemer.
Today's Bible verse is 2 Corinthians 12:9, from the King James Version.
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<v Speaker 1>He has said to me, my grace is sufficient for you,
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<v Speaker 1>for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly. Therefore,
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<v Speaker 1>I will rather glory in my weakness, that the power
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<v Speaker 1>of Christ may rest on me. Second Corinthians twelve nine.
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<v Speaker 1>Dear Heavenly Father, when we feel weak, inadequate, or overwhelmed,
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<v Speaker 1>we reminded that it is precisely in these moments that
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<v Speaker 1>your strength, power, and grace shine brightest. We ask for
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<v Speaker 1>the humility to accept our weaknesses and the faith to
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<v Speaker 1>see them not as failures, but as opportunities for your
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<v Speaker 1>power to be displayed. Help us, Lord, to rely not
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<v Speaker 1>on our own strength, but on the abundant grace you
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<v Speaker 1>freely give us in our struggles and trials. Let us
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<v Speaker 1>feel your presence power resting upon us, giving us the
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<v Speaker 1>courage and resilience to endure through our weaknesses. May we
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<v Speaker 1>be a testament to your infinite strength and love. We
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<v Speaker 1>pray in the name of Jesus, our source of power
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<v Speaker 1>and grace. Amen, thank you for pausing to pray today.
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<v Speaker 1>Prepare to be swept back into the Christmas story with
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<v Speaker 1>stories of the Messiah. With Rabbi Schneider, Nazareth was far
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<v Speaker 1>from a vibrant, bustling town, its character was more defined
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<v Speaker 1>by its ordinary, even dull nature. Far removed from the
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<v Speaker 1>trade routes, absent any shoreline, and devoid of the rich
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<v Speaker 1>cultural tapestry found in other cities, Nazareth was perhaps most
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<v Speaker 1>notable for its unremarkableness, a town with no glorious past,
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<v Speaker 1>her old tales, or exciting happenings. Yet, the dusty and
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<v Speaker 1>forgotten town, far from the holy City of Jerusalem was
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<v Speaker 1>about to be visited by God himself. The God who
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<v Speaker 1>had been silent and hidden in the margins of history
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<v Speaker 1>for four hundred years was about to descend upon humanity.
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<v Speaker 1>In this forsaken city Nazareth, God's hero would be revealed.
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<v Speaker 2>Hello everyone, and welcome to another Christmas episode of the
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<v Speaker 2>Jesus Podcast. I'm athanfrompray dot Com. The Christmas season is
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<v Speaker 2>upon us. This is the perfect time to explore the
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<v Speaker 2>beautiful and epic journey of the Nativity. Christ's birth is
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<v Speaker 2>a tale of drama, danger, loyalty, and divine intervention. It's
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<v Speaker 2>my joy to guide you today as we are introduced
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<v Speaker 2>to Mary, a young woman from the small city of Nazareth.
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<v Speaker 2>Mary's story is that of humility, strength, devotion. Mary was
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<v Speaker 2>a mere vessel in the grand plan of salvation, but
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<v Speaker 2>she stands as an example for all believers to day.
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<v Speaker 2>Her humble submission to God's will and her strength in
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<v Speaker 2>the face of adversity reminds us of the remarkable ways
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<v Speaker 2>God uses ordinary people for his extraordinary purposes. We are
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<v Speaker 2>about to immerse ourselves in a cinematic retelling of Matthew
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<v Speaker 2>and Luke's account of Mary. As we listen and reflect
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<v Speaker 2>on her life, may we be inspired to approach our
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<v Speaker 2>walk with God with the same humility and strength, trusting
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<v Speaker 2>in his plan regardless of our challenges and uncertainty. The
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<v Speaker 2>life of Mary teaches us that when we submit to
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<v Speaker 2>God's will, he provides the strength we need to fulfill
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<v Speaker 2>his purpose. This is only the beginning of Mary's harrowing story.
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<v Speaker 2>Let's listen now and then unpack more of the deeper
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<v Speaker 2>themes of her life afterwards.
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<v Speaker 3>Sunrise broke over the dusty hills surrounding Nazareth. The mild
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<v Speaker 3>morning rays gently broke the chill of dawn. Its light
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<v Speaker 3>methodically sifted through the window in Mary's room. She slowly awoke,
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<v Speaker 3>her lungs filled with the dry and crisp air. She
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<v Speaker 3>carefully wrapped herself up, with deliberate caution not to stir
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<v Speaker 3>her siblings. She stepped into the awakening day. The cool,
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<v Speaker 3>dry breeze gently caressed her cheeks. Animals responded to the
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<v Speaker 3>rooster's call, and life began to hum. As families awoke
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<v Speaker 3>from their rest. Grasping a pale Mary started her daily
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<v Speaker 3>trek towards the town's lone well. Nazareth was far from
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<v Speaker 3>a vibrant, bustling town. Its character was more defined by
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<v Speaker 3>its ordinary, even dull nature. Far removed from the trade routes,
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<v Speaker 3>absent any shoreline, and devoid of the rich cultural tapestry
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<v Speaker 3>found in other cities, Nazareth was perhaps most notable for
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<v Speaker 3>its unremarkableness, a town with no glorious past, no her
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<v Speaker 3>oric tales, and no exciting happenings. Yet for Mary, a
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<v Speaker 3>flicker of anticipation made Nazareth seem less monotonous. She was
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<v Speaker 3>engaged to be married to one of the local Stonemasons, Joseph.
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<v Speaker 3>He was hardly the most handsome man in Nazareth, nor
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<v Speaker 3>the most skilled craftsman, but he was kind. His gentle
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<v Speaker 3>and quiet strength made him a kindred spirit to Mary
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<v Speaker 3>to her being betrothed to Joseph was exciting a break
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<v Speaker 3>in Nazareth's otherwise dull life. Mary drew water from the
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<v Speaker 3>well with the other young women in the town. They
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<v Speaker 3>playfully questioned Mary about her marriage and dreamed about their
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<v Speaker 3>own futures as wives, mothers, friends, and elders in the community.
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<v Speaker 3>It was a simple and joyful life, Mary led, she
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<v Speaker 3>wouldn't trade it for anything. Mary lugged her filled pale
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<v Speaker 3>back home. Her siblings had left for their chores and
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<v Speaker 3>her parents had started their day's work in the marketplace.
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<v Speaker 3>She climbed the incline leading to her home, her arms
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<v Speaker 3>aching under the weight of the water. She pushed the
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<v Speaker 3>door open with her foot, entered and turned around, only
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<v Speaker 3>to find a divine creature resting on her room's lattice, greeting,
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<v Speaker 3>Oh favorite one, The angel announced, making Mary startle and
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<v Speaker 3>loose grip on her pail. Waters splashed across the room,
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<v Speaker 3>and Mary stumbled backwards on to the hard floor, Trying
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<v Speaker 3>to escape the surprise visitor. She attempted to rush out,
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<v Speaker 3>but the angel appeared before her, his face wearing a
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<v Speaker 3>reassuring smile. Please do not be afraid. The Lord is
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<v Speaker 3>with you. His words left Mary puzzled, yet her fear
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<v Speaker 3>was slightly alleviated. She slowly retreated and sat on her
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<v Speaker 3>bed's edge. The angel spread.
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<v Speaker 1>His arms wide.
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<v Speaker 3>I am Gabriel, and I have come bearing good news.
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<v Speaker 4>You, oh favorite one, have been chosen.
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<v Speaker 5>What does that mean?
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<v Speaker 3>Mary asked, her hands absently fidgeting in her lap. The
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<v Speaker 3>angel's smile grew wider as he spoke. His words were
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<v Speaker 3>an intermingling of news and worship. Unto the Lord, Mary.
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<v Speaker 4>You have found favor with God, Gabriel explained, You are
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<v Speaker 4>to pare her a burd and blessing, unlike any other
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<v Speaker 4>in the world.
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<v Speaker 3>His voice was melodic.
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<v Speaker 6>You, Mary, will conceive a son. The child in your
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<v Speaker 6>womb would be God's chosen one, the mighty son of
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<v Speaker 6>the most High, who will bear the weight of mankind.
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<v Speaker 6>The Lord will establish his kingdom through him. He will
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<v Speaker 6>inherit David's throne, and his kingdom will be eternal, his
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<v Speaker 6>glory everlasting. The impact of Gabriel's words left Mary perplexed.
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<v Speaker 6>She shook her head in disbelief.
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<v Speaker 5>How can this be? I am a virgin, I am
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<v Speaker 5>young and have not known a man her.
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<v Speaker 3>Eyes welled up, the enormity of the revelation overwhelming her. Gabriel,
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<v Speaker 3>noticing her distress, descended to eye level. The angel wasn't human,
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<v Speaker 3>but he wore an emphathetic grin as he reassured Mary
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<v Speaker 3>of her calling Mary.
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<v Speaker 7>All things are possible with God. The Holy Spirit will
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<v Speaker 7>come upon you. The power of the Highest God will
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<v Speaker 7>overshadow you. The child you carry will.
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<v Speaker 6>Be the son of God himself.
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<v Speaker 3>Seeing her eyes widen in shock.
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<v Speaker 4>He continued, your cousin, Elizabeth well past her child bearing ages,
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<v Speaker 4>already six months pregnant. Now tell me is there anything
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<v Speaker 4>the Lord cannot do?
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<v Speaker 3>For a moment, Mary sat in silence. She could feel
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<v Speaker 3>God's spirit strengthening her. Her racing thoughts began to settle
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<v Speaker 3>into a calm stream. Closing her eyes tightly, she laid
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<v Speaker 3>a hand on her belly. It was then she felt
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<v Speaker 3>the favor of a god.
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<v Speaker 4>Wash of her.
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<v Speaker 3>Joy. Indescribable and incomprehensible joy filled her. She stood, wiping
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<v Speaker 3>her tears and dusting off her dress, a smile gracing
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<v Speaker 3>her face as she met Gabriel's gaze. After a deep breath,
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<v Speaker 3>she proclaimed.
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<v Speaker 5>I am God's servant. I will gladly receive his will
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<v Speaker 5>according to what you've said.
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<v Speaker 3>With a nod, Gabriel vanished. Mary stepped outside. The sun
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<v Speaker 3>was high overhead. She bathed in its warm rays and
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<v Speaker 3>watched the village resume its regular rhythm. She heard birds
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<v Speaker 3>chirping and harmony with the gentle breeze. Suddenly, the mundane
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<v Speaker 3>day radiated with a divine glow. Her heart pounded with
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<v Speaker 3>anticipation and fear would lay ahead. Yet she knew Gabriel's
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<v Speaker 3>words held true. What would Joseph think? What would her
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<v Speaker 3>family do? So many questions race through her mind. Mary
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<v Speaker 3>decided the best thing to do was visit her cousin
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<v Speaker 3>Elizabeth to witness what God was doing.
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<v Speaker 2>This was not the life Mary expected for herself. Let's
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<v Speaker 2>put ourselves in Mary's shoes for a moment. She's young,
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<v Speaker 2>betrothed to be married, and has her whole life ahead
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<v Speaker 2>of her. She was undoubtedly dreaming about her wedding day,
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<v Speaker 2>having children with Joseph, and living a simple life in Nazareth.
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<v Speaker 2>But God had different plans for Mary. It can be
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<v Speaker 2>hard when God interrupts our plans, can't it. There are
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<v Speaker 2>key moments in our lives when we expect one thing
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<v Speaker 2>to happen, but it turns out God has different plans.
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<v Speaker 2>Luke Chapter one says that Mary graciously accepted God's plans
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<v Speaker 2>for her. It couldn't have been easy. Think about all
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<v Speaker 2>the hardship Mary would endure because of God's calling on
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<v Speaker 2>her life. What would her parents think? Would Joseph leave
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<v Speaker 2>her when he found out? When God calls us to
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<v Speaker 2>something new, sometimes we can become consumed with the risks involved.
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<v Speaker 2>Thoughts of persecution, discomfort, and rejection can dominate our headspace.
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<v Speaker 2>Mary's a wonderful example of quietly and humbly accepting God's
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<v Speaker 2>will for her life. She asked Gabriel how it would
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<v Speaker 2>be possible since she was a virgin, indicating her innocence
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<v Speaker 2>and purity, But after the Angel explained, she didn't as
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<v Speaker 2>or resist, but simply said, behold, I am the servant
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<v Speaker 2>of the Lord. Let it be to me according to
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<v Speaker 2>your word. Her willingness to step into the unknown and
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<v Speaker 2>accept a mission that would lead to hardship and misunderstanding
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<v Speaker 2>shows an unparalleled humility and a commitment to the Lord.
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<v Speaker 2>This humility was not the result of low self esteem
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<v Speaker 2>or lack of ambition. Instead, it was rooted in an
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<v Speaker 2>accurate understanding of who God is and who she was
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<v Speaker 2>in relationship to him. Mary recognized her role in God's plan,
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<v Speaker 2>accepting it graciously, even with its potential for personal cost
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<v Speaker 2>and societal shame. Mary's strength, often overlooked, is an essential
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<v Speaker 2>part of her character. It would have taken great fortitude
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<v Speaker 2>to accept such a call, knowing that it could result
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<v Speaker 2>in her being ostracized or even worse, stone to death.
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<v Speaker 2>According to the laws of the time, stoning was on
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<v Speaker 2>the table. In addition, the physical and emotional toll of
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<v Speaker 2>bearing and raising a child under such circumstances is unimaginable.
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<v Speaker 2>You know the saying God never gives you more than
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<v Speaker 2>you can handle. Hear that saying thrown around quite a lot,
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<v Speaker 2>but I'd like to humbly challenge that idea. The Bible
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<v Speaker 2>shows us story after story of people who are given
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<v Speaker 2>more than they can handle. Moses certainly couldn't have freed
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<v Speaker 2>the people of Israel on his own. Daniel couldn't have
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<v Speaker 2>survived the Lion's den. The Bible continually shows us that
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<v Speaker 2>God does give us more than we can handle. Were
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<v Speaker 2>sometimes faced with challenges too significant to endure on our own,
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<v Speaker 2>but that is when the strength of God's spirit is shown.
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<v Speaker 2>Remember what God said to Paul in Two Corinthians twelve,
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<v Speaker 2>chapter nine. He encouraged Paul, saying, my grace is sufficient
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<v Speaker 2>for you, for my power will be made perfect in weakness.
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<v Speaker 2>That is why Paul said that he would boast all
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<v Speaker 2>the more in his weakness, because that is when the
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<v Speaker 2>strength of God was most evident in his life. In
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<v Speaker 2>future episodes will be immersed in the heart wrenching struggle
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<v Speaker 2>of Mary and Joseph. Together, they'll face near death experiences
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<v Speaker 2>and close calls, but God's providential strength will carry them through.
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<v Speaker 2>People often associate the God of the Old Testament with
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<v Speaker 2>strength and the God of the New Testament with gentleness.
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<v Speaker 2>But Christ's power is no different from the God who
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<v Speaker 2>formed the cosmos and parted seas they are the same.
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<v Speaker 2>We can take comfort in knowing that with Him by
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<v Speaker 2>our side, we can endure anything that comes our way.
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<v Speaker 2>This Christmas season, let us remember the great calling Christ
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<v Speaker 2>has given each of us. Like Mary, you and I
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<v Speaker 2>have been given a great mission. May we shoulder that
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<v Speaker 2>mission with grace, humility, and reliance on God. Mary's journey
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<v Speaker 2>has just begun, and we are just getting started. With
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<v Speaker 2>the epic story of the Nativity. Join us for our
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<v Speaker 2>next episode as we follow Mary to the home of
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<v Speaker 2>Elizabeth and Zechariah. As she learns more about her calling,
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<v Speaker 2>her womb begins to expand. She will no longer be
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<v Speaker 2>able to hide what's happening. If you've enjoyed this podcast,
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<v Speaker 2>consider sharing it with a friend. We want the story
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<v Speaker 2>of Jesus to change lives. If you're interested in my ministry,
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<v Speaker 2>you can visit Discovering the Jewish Jesus dot com For
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<v Speaker 2>more engaging and transformative Biblical stories. Download the Prey dot
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<v Speaker 2>com app.