Joseph and Mary are almost to Bethlehem, but a storm has come to knock them off course. They endure a near-death experience to finally arrive where they are meant to be.
Today's Bible verse is Philippians 1:6, from the King James Version.
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<v Speaker 1>Being confident of this very thing, that he who began
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<v Speaker 1>a good work in you will complete it until the
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<v Speaker 1>day of Jesus Christ Philippians won six. Dear Lord, we
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<v Speaker 1>know that there is no circumstance that could ever thwart
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<v Speaker 1>the mighty work You've been doing in our lives. You
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<v Speaker 1>are determined to redeem us and restore the broken parts
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<v Speaker 1>of our lives. We recognize that the process of sanctification
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<v Speaker 1>and growth takes time. Give us patience when we are discouraged,
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<v Speaker 1>Give us endurance when the storms of life seek to
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<v Speaker 1>throw us off course. The story of Christmas the arrival
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<v Speaker 1>of your son reminds us that your plans take time
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<v Speaker 1>to come to fruition, but they are worth the weight.
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<v Speaker 1>So here we are, Lord, waiting on you and declaring
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<v Speaker 1>trust in your timing. We love you and praise you
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<v Speaker 1>in all seasons in Jesus' name. Amen, Thank you for
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<v Speaker 1>praying with me today. Stay tuned now for another episode
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<v Speaker 1>of Stories of the Messiah.
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<v Speaker 2>Joseph tossed and turned in his sleep. The vivid dream
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<v Speaker 2>God gave him before he married Mary flooded back into
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<v Speaker 2>his mind. The dream he had when the angels spoke
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<v Speaker 2>to him about Jesus. The lightning flashed again with piercing light,
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<v Speaker 2>and Joseph immediately found himself elsewhere. He was at the
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<v Speaker 2>base of a cave carved into the side of a mountain.
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<v Speaker 2>All was quiet, and the only light source was from
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<v Speaker 2>within the cave. Joseph followed the faint glimmer, keeping his
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<v Speaker 2>balance on the cave's jagged walls. As he inched closer,
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<v Speaker 2>the air became warmer, like a room filled with a
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<v Speaker 2>comfort of a fireplace. The entire cave became filled with
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<v Speaker 2>the scent of frankinsense and myrrh. As Joseph navigated the cave,
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<v Speaker 2>he could hear the sound of a child's cry, then
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<v Speaker 2>a hushing lullaby. The voice singing was gentle and soft,
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<v Speaker 2>like the evening spring breeze.
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<v Speaker 1>Joseph knew that voice, Mary, is that you?
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<v Speaker 2>He gasped. Joseph picked up his pace and rounded the
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<v Speaker 2>corner towards the light, But before he could see anything,
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<v Speaker 2>the cave flooded with water, and Joseph found himself swimming
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<v Speaker 2>for his life amidst a violet storm in the middle
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<v Speaker 2>of the sea. Joseph awoke in a cold sweet He
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<v Speaker 2>held his chest and looked over at Mary, sound asleep.
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<v Speaker 2>He looked at the horizon foreboding storm clouds were galloping
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<v Speaker 2>in from the east. Joseph rose and began to prepare
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<v Speaker 2>the donkey for a quick escape. He wasn't sure why
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<v Speaker 2>God had returned the vision to him, but he knew
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<v Speaker 2>better than to ignore his dreams.
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<v Speaker 3>Hello everyone, and welcome to another Christmas episode of the
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<v Speaker 3>Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan from Prey dot com here to
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<v Speaker 3>guide you through the highs and lows of Mary and
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<v Speaker 3>Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. In our previous episodes, Mary and
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<v Speaker 3>Joseph endured robbery, marital tension, and injuries. Ultimately, they grew
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<v Speaker 3>stronger because of it. This episode will take us through
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<v Speaker 3>the final few days of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.
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<v Speaker 3>And although they've endured many trials already, the worst is
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<v Speaker 3>yet to come. A storm is brewing in the distance.
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<v Speaker 3>Will Mary be able to endure the weather this late
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<v Speaker 3>in her pregnancy. Joseph has faced robbers to protect Mary,
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<v Speaker 3>but can he face the monsoon. Let's immerse ourselves in
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<v Speaker 3>this story and put ourselves in their shoes. Let's consider
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<v Speaker 3>the storms in our lives that seek to knock us
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<v Speaker 3>off course. How do we respond to difficulty and despair.
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<v Speaker 3>We'll answer those questions and more afterward. Let's dive into
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<v Speaker 3>this dramatic story of Mary and Joseph's final day on
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<v Speaker 3>the road to Bethlehem.
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<v Speaker 2>Mary awoke to the sound of thunder. The winds picked up,
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<v Speaker 2>bringing a foreboding message a storm was coming. Joseph was
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<v Speaker 2>already awake and securing the straps on the donkey. Do
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<v Speaker 2>you think the storm will travel south, Mary asked, gesturing
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<v Speaker 2>to the lightning in the distance. Joseph looked out and
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<v Speaker 2>shook his head. He felt his chest tighten. The winds
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<v Speaker 2>are blowing westward. I'm no sailor, but I think I
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<v Speaker 2>can confidently say this storm is headed our way. Joseph
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<v Speaker 2>pointed forward to the hills overlooking the valley. There should
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<v Speaker 2>be some wind caves tucked into those hills. We shall
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<v Speaker 2>find shelter before it's too late. Joseph's voice was broken
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<v Speaker 2>and anxious. Mary stood up and held her back. Lately,
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<v Speaker 2>her body had been feeling tense and uneasy. She had
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<v Speaker 2>a feeling Jesus would soon be on his way. She
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<v Speaker 2>squeezed Joseph's hand. Storms may come, she said, her voice
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<v Speaker 2>gentle but with underlying steel, but they will also pass.
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<v Speaker 1>We will weather this together.
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<v Speaker 2>Joseph nodded and looked up. The sunrise was covered by darkness.
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<v Speaker 2>The winds churned them up like sand under waves. Thunder rumbled,
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<v Speaker 2>echoing the restless heartbeats of every creature on the land.
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<v Speaker 2>Birds retreated to their nests, and animals scurried back to
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<v Speaker 2>their burrows. Yet Joseph and Mary were exposed. The rains
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<v Speaker 2>descended with violent force, and the winds howled with anger.
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<v Speaker 2>Joseph drove his feet into the mud and guided Mary
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<v Speaker 2>and the donkey through the winding hills leading up to
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<v Speaker 2>some caves. The path up to the caves was steep.
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<v Speaker 2>Joseph marched up with all his might, but the ground
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<v Speaker 2>beneath him gave way with every step. Before they could
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<v Speaker 2>reach the top, Joseph slipped on to a moving stone.
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<v Speaker 2>Joseph Mary gasped as she watched himself slide down the
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<v Speaker 2>jagged edge of the hill. Mary quickly dismounted the donkey
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<v Speaker 2>and reached for him, but Joseph slipped right through her fingers.
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<v Speaker 2>He slid down the rocky slope, but caught himself on
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<v Speaker 2>a route buried in the ground.
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<v Speaker 3>Ah.
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<v Speaker 2>Joseph gasped in pain. The rain beat mercilessly as he
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<v Speaker 2>tried to pull himself up, but the mud and falling
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<v Speaker 2>rocks weighed heavy on his body. Mary, he shouted, but
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<v Speaker 2>the thunder and rain drowned out his voice. Joseph feared
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<v Speaker 2>he couldn't hold on much longer. Hold on, Mary shouted,
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<v Speaker 2>she had to act before Joseph fell over the edge.
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<v Speaker 2>She tore her shawl in blankets and fastened them to
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<v Speaker 2>a rope. She tied one end to the donkey and
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<v Speaker 2>another to a heavy branch. Joseph, she cried, her voice
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<v Speaker 2>barely discernible through the storm, grab on to this. She
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<v Speaker 2>tossed the branch down to Joseph, and he grabbed hold.
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<v Speaker 2>Mary took the reins of the donkey and led it
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<v Speaker 2>up the hill. The donkey slowly pulled through the rain
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<v Speaker 2>and mud. Joseph was pulled back over the ledge as
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<v Speaker 2>Mary marched with the donkey. Mary ran to him and
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<v Speaker 2>grabbed his face. Are you okay, she panted, I think so,
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<v Speaker 2>Joseph said, with a weary smile. The rain hadn't let
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<v Speaker 2>up and the ground underneath them was flooding. Joseph pointed
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<v Speaker 2>towards an opening in the mountain. Get to the caves,
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<v Speaker 2>he yelled. Mary helped Joseph to his feet and put
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<v Speaker 2>his arm around her shoulders. The two of them took
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<v Speaker 2>the donkey and limped to a nearby cave. It wasn't
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<v Speaker 2>warm or comfortable, but it was safe from the onslaught
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<v Speaker 2>of wind and rain. As the rain intensified, the cave
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<v Speaker 2>became a sanctuary, its walls muting the storm's roar. Inside,
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<v Speaker 2>the dim light painted shadows that danced to the storm's song.
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<v Speaker 2>Mary wrapped herself in the tattered remains of the blankets
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<v Speaker 2>and settled down. Exhaustion was evident in her every movement.
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<v Speaker 2>Joseph wrapped his arms around her, worried the worst wasn't over.
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<v Speaker 2>An hour passed, and each moment seemed to last a lifetime.
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<v Speaker 2>Amidst the storm's cacophony, Mary's voice began to sing a
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<v Speaker 2>soft lullaby. She said, of hope, journeys, and love that endures.
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<v Speaker 2>The cave amplified its healing notes. Joseph listened to her
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<v Speaker 2>singing lost in thought and affection for his wife, then
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<v Speaker 2>his memory flooded with images of the dream God had
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<v Speaker 2>given him. He remembered hearing Mary's voice singing softly in
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<v Speaker 2>a cave before he was swept up in water. Joseph's
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<v Speaker 2>eyes widen and his ears perked up to the sound
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<v Speaker 2>of rushing water behind them Mary, he interrupted, we need
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<v Speaker 2>to leave now. What's wrong? Mary asked, but before Joseph
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<v Speaker 2>could respond, a flash flood of monsoon water began to
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<v Speaker 2>burst through the opposite end of the cave. Joseph scooped
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<v Speaker 2>Mary up in his arms and ran outside. The floodwaters
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<v Speaker 2>burst through the cave behind them, nearly knocking them onto
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<v Speaker 2>the jagged rocks. Joseph rounded the corner of the rocks
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<v Speaker 2>and sprang up with Mary still in his arms. He
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<v Speaker 2>got at a safety on the hill's summit and slid
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<v Speaker 2>down to retrieve the donkey. He pulled at its reins,
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<v Speaker 2>forcing it forward, and altered stones with them. Joseph wrapped
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<v Speaker 2>himself over Mary, the only covering between her and the
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<v Speaker 2>raging winds. How pass lord Mary whimpered. The two prayed
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<v Speaker 2>silently and held each other close, the sound of rushing
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<v Speaker 2>water below them and howling winds above. The two prayed
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<v Speaker 2>silently and held each other close. The sound of rushing
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<v Speaker 2>water below them and howling winds above. The storm roared
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<v Speaker 2>louder as if sensing the challenge, but Marry and Joseph
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<v Speaker 2>didn't lose hope. They continued in prayer and lifted up
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<v Speaker 2>a shout of praise to God. Slowly, but surely, the
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<v Speaker 2>worst of the storm left. As dawn approached, the wind waned,
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<v Speaker 2>the first rays of sunlight pierced the dark clouds outside
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<v Speaker 2>the cave. The wilderness was transformed. Puddles shimmered like mirrors
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<v Speaker 2>reflecting the sky, and the fresh and invigorating air seemed
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<v Speaker 2>to promise new beginnings. Joseph and Mary looked up taking
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<v Speaker 2>in the world, reborn. The trials of their journey, though harsh,
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<v Speaker 2>had all also been transformative. Like the desert after the storm,
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<v Speaker 2>they too were renewed. Their bond was stronger than ever.
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<v Speaker 2>The storm had been a reminder of life's unpredictability and
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<v Speaker 2>the enduring power of faith, love, and hope. Now high
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<v Speaker 2>in the sky, the sun cast its golden glow of
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<v Speaker 2>the land, guiding Mary and Joseph on their journey. Bethlehem
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<v Speaker 2>was in sight. Their footsteps, though small in the vastness
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<v Speaker 2>of the valley were steps towards a future that would
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<v Speaker 2>change the course of human history.
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<v Speaker 3>The storms of life often come with little warning, leaving
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<v Speaker 3>us to scramble for shelter, security, and sanity as the
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<v Speaker 3>wind's whip and the rains pour. We may feel battered,
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<v Speaker 3>broken and defeated. But the storms we face in life
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<v Speaker 3>are meant to strengthen us. Just as in the moving
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<v Speaker 3>depiction of Mary and Joseph facing a literal storm on
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<v Speaker 3>their way to Bethlehem, we're reminded that it is not
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<v Speaker 3>the trials themselves, but how we respond to them that
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<v Speaker 3>shapes our faith. In this biblical fiction, Joseph's wisdom and
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<v Speaker 3>Mary's steadfast faith are anchors during their ordeal. In this
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<v Speaker 3>biblical fiction, Joseph's wisdom and Mary's steadfast faith are anchors
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<v Speaker 3>during their ordeal. The unexpected trials they endure magnified their
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<v Speaker 3>trust in God and their love for one another. As
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<v Speaker 3>we face our storms, let us also recognize the hand
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<v Speaker 3>of God working in our lives, guiding us, strengthening us,
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<v Speaker 3>and even using these challenges to transform us. In the story,
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<v Speaker 3>Mary and Joseph's faith is test, yet instead of succumbing
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<v Speaker 3>to fear, they embrace the storm. The storms of life
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<v Speaker 3>are inevitable. There's no avoiding there is no avoiding hard times.
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<v Speaker 3>The choice we have is how we endure them. Mary's words,
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<v Speaker 3>storms may come, but they also pass will weather this.
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<v Speaker 1>Together.
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<v Speaker 3>They speak of hope, resilience, and confidence in God's faithfulness.
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<v Speaker 3>Paul echoes this and Philippians Chapter one, verse six, saying,
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<v Speaker 3>being confident of this, that He who began a good
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<v Speaker 3>work in you will carry it on to completion until
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<v Speaker 3>the day of Christ Jesus. This promise encourages us to
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<v Speaker 3>recognize that even the strongest storms will not thwart the
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<v Speaker 3>work God wants to do in our lives. Throughout the
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<v Speaker 3>Heroine experience, Joseph and Mary's bond is their greatest strength,
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<v Speaker 3>support and encourage each other, reflecting the importance of community
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<v Speaker 3>in our own lives. In our walk with Christ, we
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<v Speaker 3>need to surround ourselves with those who will lift us up,
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<v Speaker 3>pray for us, and remind us of God's promises. Think
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<v Speaker 3>for a moment about your fondest Christmas memories. I would
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<v Speaker 3>guess that those memories rarely involve specific gifts you received,
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<v Speaker 3>but rather the people you were surrounded by and the
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<v Speaker 3>bond you shared. The Christmas season often reminds us that
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<v Speaker 3>loving community is greater than the gifts we can receive.
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<v Speaker 3>While the world relies on comfort and material possessions, we
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<v Speaker 3>rely on the loving embrace of God and the community
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<v Speaker 3>he surrounds us with. This episode also highlights prayer and
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<v Speaker 3>praise as a weapon against despair. Mary and Joseph's response
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<v Speaker 3>to the crisis is marked by prayer and praise. They
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<v Speaker 3>call upon the Lord and even shout praises amidst the
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<v Speaker 3>raging storm. This illustrates a profound truth. Prayer and praise
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<v Speaker 3>are powerful weapons in our spiritual arsenal. They shift our
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<v Speaker 3>focus from the problem to the provider, from the storm
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<v Speaker 3>to the Savior. After the storm, the wilderness is transformed,
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<v Speaker 3>and so are Mary and Joseph. They emerge renewed, their
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<v Speaker 3>bond stronger, their faith deepened. Similarly, the storms in our
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<v Speaker 3>lives can lead to transformation. As we trust God through
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<v Speaker 3>the trials, we are shaped into the likeness of Christ.
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<v Speaker 3>Our faith matures, and our character is refined. The storms
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<v Speaker 3>we face are not meant to break us, but to
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<v Speaker 3>build us. The story of Mary and Joseph on their
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<v Speaker 3>journey to Bethlehem is a beautiful reminder that God's faithfulness
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<v Speaker 3>is unchanging, his love is unending, and His purpose for
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<v Speaker 3>our lives is unshakable. As we face the storms of life,
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<v Speaker 3>may we take hold of the assurance found in Philippians
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<v Speaker 3>Chapter one, verse six, knowing that God, who began a
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<v Speaker 3>good work in us, will be faithful to complete it.
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<v Speaker 3>May we embrace the challenges with faith, navigate them with
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<v Speaker 3>the support of the community, respond with prayer and praise,
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<v Speaker 3>and emerge renewed and transformed, ready to walk the path
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<v Speaker 3>that God has set before us.