WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:04.560 One of the greatest things about the Christmas season is the smell of the Christmas tree in the house. 00:00:12.040 --> 00:00:21.820 Happy Birthday Jesus! Merry Christmas! Welcome! This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible and I'm coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. 00:00:22.340 --> 00:00:28.520 I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily podcast where we're reading through the entire Bible in a year. 00:00:28.740 --> 00:00:33.960 And tomorrow I'll be leaving with a lovely Lady Leanne on our much anticipated and much needed vacation. 00:00:34.340 --> 00:00:35.200 But have no fear. 00:00:35.720 --> 00:00:40.460 I've recorded enough fresh episodes that we'll stay on schedule to complete the Bible in a year. 00:00:40.800 --> 00:00:44.260 I ought to be back on about January 13th, if all goes according to plan. 00:00:44.700 --> 00:00:46.400 I hope you're having a wonderful Christmas. 00:00:47.140 --> 00:00:51.620 Our reading today is Mark 13 and 14, and I'm calling the episode A Sweet Fragrance. 00:00:51.960 --> 00:01:02.120 Plus, I'll have a special encore presentation of the Christmas story that I did with James Cooper of whychristmas.com way back in 2010 with several of our friends for the LifeSpring Why Christmas podcast. 00:01:02.700 --> 00:01:06.480 And at the end of the show, I'll play my favorite Christmas song of all time. 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:12.280 Today's show notes page is at lifespringmedia.com slash S12E117. 00:01:12.880 --> 00:01:20.320 And for the time being, my email address is steve.lifespring at gmail.com until I get the email situation ironed out. 00:01:20.980 --> 00:01:22.580 With that, let's get right to it. 00:01:24.920 --> 00:01:26.080 Mark chapter 13 00:01:27.400 --> 00:01:28.880 Jesus was leaving the temple. 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:31.140 One of his disciples said to him, 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:34.600 Look, teacher, what huge stones, what wonderful buildings. 00:01:35.780 --> 00:01:38.480 Do you see these huge buildings? Jesus asked. 00:01:39.040 --> 00:01:41.580 Not one stone here will be left on top of another. 00:01:42.220 --> 00:01:43.760 Every stone will be thrown down. 00:01:45.220 --> 00:01:47.780 Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple. 00:01:48.620 --> 00:01:51.980 Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him a question in private. 00:01:52.520 --> 00:01:57.720 Tell us, they said, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign that they're all about to come true? 00:01:58.840 --> 00:01:59.620 Jesus said to them, 00:02:00.660 --> 00:02:03.300 Keep watch. Be careful that no one fools you. 00:02:04.180 --> 00:02:07.140 Many will come in my name. They will claim, I am he. 00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:08.979 They will fool many people. 00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:14.360 You will hear about wars. You will also hear people talking about future wars. 00:02:15.160 --> 00:02:17.800 Don't be alarmed. Those things must happen. 00:02:18.600 --> 00:02:20.320 But the end still isn't here. 00:02:21.420 --> 00:02:22.680 Nation will fight against nation. 00:02:23.340 --> 00:02:24.740 Kingdom will fight against kingdom. 00:02:25.600 --> 00:02:27.280 There will be earthquakes in many places. 00:02:28.040 --> 00:02:29.020 People will go hungry. 00:02:30.020 --> 00:02:32.380 All of those things are the beginning of birth pains. 00:02:33.220 --> 00:02:33.780 Watch out. 00:02:34.300 --> 00:02:36.240 You will be handed over to the local courts. 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:38.740 You will be whipped in the synagogues. 00:02:39.400 --> 00:02:42.380 You will stand in front of governors and kings because of me. 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:44.980 In that way, you will be witnesses to them. 00:02:45.880 --> 00:02:49.760 The good news has to be preached to all nations before the end comes. 00:02:50.800 --> 00:02:52.500 You will be arrested and brought to trial. 00:02:53.260 --> 00:02:55.700 But don't worry ahead of time about what you will say. 00:02:56.500 --> 00:02:59.020 Just say what God brings to your mind at the time. 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:01.540 It is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 00:03:03.100 --> 00:03:05.180 Brothers will hand over brothers to be killed. 00:03:05.940 --> 00:03:07.440 Fathers will hand over their children. 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:11.540 Children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death. 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:14.100 Everyone will hate you because of me. 00:03:14.820 --> 00:03:17.640 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 00:03:18.380 --> 00:03:20.500 You will see the hated thing that destroys. 00:03:21.320 --> 00:03:22.860 It will stand where it does not belong. 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:25.300 The reader should understand this. 00:03:26.240 --> 00:03:28.880 Then those who are in Judea should escape to the mountains. 00:03:30.060 --> 00:03:33.480 No one on the roof should go down into his house to take anything out. 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:36.580 No one in the field should go back to get his coat. 00:03:37.320 --> 00:03:39.880 How awful it will be in those days for pregnant women! 00:03:40.420 --> 00:03:41.880 How awful for nursing mothers! 00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:44.520 Pray that this will not happen in winter. 00:03:45.220 --> 00:03:49.900 Those days will be worse than any others from the time God created the world until now, 00:03:50.340 --> 00:03:52.240 and there will never be any like them again. 00:03:52.860 --> 00:03:55.880 If the Lord had not cut the time short, no one would live. 00:03:56.640 --> 00:03:59.780 But because of God's chosen people, He has shortened it. 00:04:00.680 --> 00:04:02.580 At that time someone may say to you, 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:05.860 Look, here is the Christ, or, Look, there He is. 00:04:06.320 --> 00:04:07.160 Do not believe it. 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:10.040 False Christs and false prophets will appear. 00:04:10.820 --> 00:04:12.320 They will do signs and miracles. 00:04:13.040 --> 00:04:15.740 They will try to fool God's chosen people if possible. 00:04:16.540 --> 00:04:17.040 Keep watch. 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:19.440 I have told you everything ahead of time. 00:04:20.660 --> 00:04:23.160 So in those days there will be terrible suffering. 00:04:23.780 --> 00:04:27.020 After that, Scripture says, the sun will be darkened. 00:04:27.580 --> 00:04:28.740 The moon will not shine. 00:04:29.580 --> 00:04:31.040 The stars will fall from the sky. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:33.800 The heavenly bodies will be shaken. 00:04:34.820 --> 00:04:37.820 At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds. 00:04:38.660 --> 00:04:40.680 He will come with great power and glory. 00:04:41.320 --> 00:04:45.940 He will send His angels. He will gather His chosen people from all four directions. 00:04:46.880 --> 00:04:49.920 He will bring them from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. 00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:52.700 Learn a lesson from the fig tree. 00:04:53.700 --> 00:04:58.100 As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 00:04:58.900 --> 00:05:03.520 In the same way, when you see those things happening, you know that the end is near. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:05.440 It is right at the door. 00:05:06.380 --> 00:05:08.160 What I am about to tell you is true. 00:05:08.740 --> 00:05:14.820 The people living at that time will certainly not pass away until all those things have happened. 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:19.080 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 00:05:20.080 --> 00:05:22.220 No one knows about that day or hour. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:24.460 Not even the angels in heaven know. 00:05:24.960 --> 00:05:26.120 The Son does not know. 00:05:26.520 --> 00:05:27.580 Only the Father knows. 00:05:28.380 --> 00:05:29.040 Keep watch. 00:05:29.520 --> 00:05:30.060 Stay awake. 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:32.760 You do not know when that time will come. 00:05:33.420 --> 00:05:34.960 It's like a man going away. 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:37.740 He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge. 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:44.660 Each one is given a task to do. He tells the one at the door to keep watch. So keep watch. 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:50.560 You do not know when the owner of the house will come back. It may be in the evening or at midnight. 00:05:51.440 --> 00:05:56.980 It may be when the rooster crows or at dawn. He may come suddenly. So do not let him find you 00:05:57.260 --> 00:06:06.639 sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone. Watch. Mark chapter 14. It was now two days before 00:06:06.660 --> 00:06:12.400 Passover and the festival of thin bread. The chief priests and the teachers of the law of Moses were 00:06:12.600 --> 00:06:17.380 planning how they could sneak around and have Jesus arrested and put to death. They were saying, 00:06:17.700 --> 00:06:23.580 we must not do it during the festival because the people will riot. Jesus was eating in Bethany at 00:06:23.640 --> 00:06:28.840 the home of Simon, who once had leprosy, when a woman came in with a very expensive bottle of 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:35.599 sweet-smelling perfume. After breaking it open, she poured the perfume on Jesus' head. This made 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:41.340 some of the guests angry, and they complained, Why such a waste? We could have sold this perfume for 00:06:41.520 --> 00:06:47.340 more than 300 silver coins and given the money to the poor. So they started saying cruel things to 00:06:47.340 --> 00:06:53.380 the woman. But Jesus said, Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She's done a beautiful thing 00:06:53.540 --> 00:06:58.380 for me. You will always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can give to them. 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:04.539 But you won't always have me here with you. She has done all she could by pouring perfume on my 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:09.660 body to prepare it for burial. You may be sure that whenever the good news is told all over the 00:07:09.900 --> 00:07:16.460 world, people will remember what she has done, and they will tell others. Judas Iscariot was one of 00:07:16.520 --> 00:07:22.240 the twelve disciples. He went to the chief priests and offered to help them arrest Jesus. They were 00:07:22.380 --> 00:07:27.440 glad to hear this, and they promised to pay him. So Judas started looking for a good chance to 00:07:27.660 --> 00:07:34.520 betray Jesus. It was the first day of the festival of thin bread, and the Passover lambs were being 00:07:35.260 --> 00:07:39.340 Jesus' disciples asked him, Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal? 00:07:40.040 --> 00:07:45.580 Jesus said to two of the disciples, Go into the city, where you will meet a man carrying a jar of water. 00:07:46.290 --> 00:07:49.440 Follow him, and when he goes into a house, say to the owner, 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:54.280 Our teacher wants to know if you have a room where he can eat the Passover meal with his disciples. 00:07:55.520 --> 00:08:00.620 The owner will take you upstairs and show you a large room, furnished and ready for you to use. 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:02.340 Prepare the meal there. 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:07.140 The two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had told them, 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:09.220 so they prepared the Passover meal. 00:08:10.080 --> 00:08:13.280 While Jesus and the twelve disciples were eating together that evening, 00:08:13.700 --> 00:08:17.360 he said, The one who will betray me is now eating with me. 00:08:18.160 --> 00:08:22.260 This made the disciples sad, and one after another they said to Jesus, 00:08:22.880 --> 00:08:24.220 You surely don't mean me. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:29.640 He answered, It is one of you twelve men who is eating from this dish with me. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:36.219 The Son of Man will die, just as the Scriptures say, but it is going to be terrible for the one 00:08:36.219 --> 00:08:42.180 who betrays me. That man would be better off if he had never been born. During the meal, 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:47.960 Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:55.020 disciples and said, Take this, it is my body. Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. 00:08:55.340 --> 00:08:57.980 He gave it to his disciples, and they all drank some. 00:08:58.610 --> 00:09:04.540 Then he said, This is my blood, which is poured out for many people, and with it God makes 00:09:04.540 --> 00:09:05.060 his agreement. 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:11.080 From now on I will not drink any wine, until I drink new wine in God's kingdom. 00:09:12.060 --> 00:09:14.960 Then they sang a hymn, and went out to the Mount of Olives. 00:09:15.940 --> 00:09:21.940 Jesus said to his disciples, All of you will reject me, as the scriptures say, I will strike 00:09:22.180 --> 00:09:24.100 down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. 00:09:24.900 --> 00:09:28.260 But after I am raised to life, I will go ahead of you to Galilee. 00:09:29.160 --> 00:09:33.360 Peter spoke up, Even if all the others reject you, I never will. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:38.560 Jesus replied, This very night, before a rooster crows twice, 00:09:39.370 --> 00:09:41.720 you will say three times that you don't know me. 00:09:42.880 --> 00:09:45.140 But Peter was so sure of himself that he said, 00:09:45.910 --> 00:09:49.020 Even if I have to die with you, I will never say I don't know you. 00:09:50.060 --> 00:09:51.740 All the others said the same thing. 00:09:52.940 --> 00:09:57.160 Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he told them, 00:09:57.760 --> 00:09:58.780 Sit here while I pray. 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:02.300 Jesus took along Peter, James, and John. 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:05.140 He was sad and troubled and told them, 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:08.340 I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. 00:10:09.300 --> 00:10:10.860 Stay here and keep awake with me. 00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:14.300 Jesus walked on a little way. 00:10:14.920 --> 00:10:16.820 Then he knelt down on the ground and prayed, 00:10:17.660 --> 00:10:21.380 Father, if it is possible, don't let this happen to me. 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:26.660 Father, you can do anything. Don't make me suffer by drinking from this cup, 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:33.520 but do what you want and not what I want. When Jesus came back and found the disciples sleeping, 00:10:33.750 --> 00:10:40.800 he said to Simon Peter, Are you asleep? Can't you stay awake for just one hour? Stay awake and pray 00:10:40.800 --> 00:10:46.880 that you won't be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak. Jesus went back and 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:51.540 prayed the same prayer. But when he returned to the disciples, he found them sleeping again. 00:10:52.160 --> 00:10:56.520 They simply could not keep their eyes open, and they did not know what to say. 00:10:57.380 --> 00:11:00.300 When Jesus returned to the disciples the third time, he said, 00:11:00.800 --> 00:11:03.780 Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough of this! 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:07.440 The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. 00:11:08.080 --> 00:11:11.540 Get up, let's go. The one who will betray me is already here. 00:11:12.280 --> 00:11:15.220 Jesus was still speaking when Judas the betrayer came up. 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:20.460 He was one of the twelve disciples, and a mob of men armed with swords and clubs were with him. 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:26.160 They had been sent by the chief priests, the nation's leaders, and the teachers of the law of Moses. 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:32.600 Judas had told him ahead of time, Arrest the man I greet with a kiss. Tie him up and lead him away. 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:39.840 Judas walked right up to Jesus and said, Teacher. Then Judas kissed him. And the men grabbed Jesus 00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:45.539 and arrested him. Someone standing there pulled out a sword. He struck the servant of the high 00:11:45.560 --> 00:11:51.640 priest and cut off his ear. Jesus said to the mob, Why do you come with swords and clubs to arrest me 00:11:51.780 --> 00:11:56.560 like a criminal? Day after day I was with you and taught in the temple, and you didn't arrest me. 00:11:57.460 --> 00:12:02.840 But what the scriptures say must come true. All of Jesus' disciples ran off and left him. 00:12:03.780 --> 00:12:08.580 One of them was a young man who was wearing only a linen cloth, and when the men grabbed him, 00:12:08.920 --> 00:12:14.140 he left the cloth behind and ran away naked. Jesus was led off to the high priest. 00:12:14.900 --> 00:12:20.240 Then the chief priests, the nation's leaders, and the teachers of the law of Moses all met together. 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:25.680 Peter had followed at a distance, and when he reached the courtyard of the high priest's house, 00:12:26.050 --> 00:12:29.140 he sat down with the guards to warm himself beside a fire. 00:12:30.400 --> 00:12:35.140 The chief priests and the whole council tried to find someone to accuse Jesus of a crime 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:39.440 so they could put him to death, but they could not find anyone to accuse him. 00:12:40.140 --> 00:12:44.360 Many people did tell lies against Jesus, but they did not agree on what they said. 00:12:45.160 --> 00:12:50.760 Some men stood up and lied about him. They said, We heard him say he would tear down this temple 00:12:50.920 --> 00:12:55.740 that we built. He also claimed that in three days he would build another one without any help. 00:12:56.960 --> 00:13:02.420 But even then they did not agree on what they said. The high priest stood up in the council and asked 00:13:02.540 --> 00:13:07.599 Jesus, Why don't you say something in your own defense? Don't you hear the charges they are 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:14.480 making against you? But Jesus kept quiet and did not say a word. The high priest asked him another 00:13:14.680 --> 00:13:22.220 question. Are you the Messiah, the Son of the glorious God? Yes, I am, Jesus answered. Soon 00:13:22.400 --> 00:13:27.660 you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of God All-Powerful and coming with the 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:33.419 clouds of heaven. At once the high priest ripped his robe apart and shouted, Why do we need more 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:39.820 witnesses. You heard him claim to be God. What is your decision? They all agreed he should be put 00:13:39.900 --> 00:13:45.640 to death. Some of the people started spitting on Jesus. They blindfolded him, hit him with their 00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:52.160 fists, and said, Tell us who hit you. Then the guards took charge of Jesus and beat him. While 00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:57.139 Peter was still in the courtyard, a servant girl of the high priest came up and saw Peter warming 00:13:57.160 --> 00:14:03.720 himself by the fire. She stared at him and said, You were with Jesus from Nazareth. Peter replied, 00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:08.860 That isn't true. I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have any idea what you mean. 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:15.400 He went out to the gate, and a rooster crowed. The servant girl saw Peter again and said to the 00:14:15.470 --> 00:14:22.420 people standing there, This man is one of them. No, I'm not, Peter replied. A little while later, 00:14:22.640 --> 00:14:28.000 some of the people said to Peter, You certainly are one of them. You're a Galilean. This time, 00:14:28.130 --> 00:14:33.300 Peter began to curse and swear, I don't even know the man you're talking about. At once, 00:14:33.430 --> 00:14:38.200 the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had told him, 00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:42.960 Before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don't know me. 00:14:44.140 --> 00:14:51.860 So Peter started crying. You know that fragrances, aromas, smells can have an enormous effect on us, 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:55.980 right? One of the greatest things about the Christmas season is the smell of the Christmas 00:14:56.160 --> 00:15:00.920 tree in the house. It brings back memories of Christmas's past, and it just gets me into the 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:06.520 Christmas spirit. The smell of the classic version of Old Spice aftershave makes me think back to when 00:15:06.540 --> 00:15:12.180 I was a little boy and watching my dad shave. And the lovely Lady Leanne has a favorite perfume that, 00:15:12.380 --> 00:15:18.180 whenever I catch a whiff of it, makes me think of her. As I was reading Mark 14, which I have many, 00:15:18.400 --> 00:15:23.440 many times, something occurred to me that I've never thought of before. It was when Jesus was 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:27.780 in the home of Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 00:15:28.310 --> 00:15:33.820 You may remember an earlier time when Jesus visited their home. He was speaking, and Martha 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:38.780 was busy being a hostess, probably preparing a meal, making sure everyone was comfortable, 00:15:38.930 --> 00:15:45.739 and keeping the house in order. Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet, hanging on every word. And Martha 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:50.520 finally complained to Jesus that Mary wasn't doing her fair share of the work, and Jesus said, 00:15:50.680 --> 00:15:56.300 Calm down, Martha. It's okay. Don't worry about the little things. Concentrate on what is important. 00:15:57.200 --> 00:16:02.760 Well, here in our chapter today, Jesus knows that his crucifixion is literally just hours away, 00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:09.020 and he's come to visit his beloved friends one last time. And Mary, from a deep love for this 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:14.439 man who has been such a good and true friend, pours an expensive and sweet-smelling perfume 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:19.700 on his head. And from the account of this scene in John's Gospel, we see that it must have run down 00:16:19.810 --> 00:16:25.300 all the way to his feet, because she wiped his feet dry with her hair. Now some of the other 00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:31.180 guests who saw this got upset. They said, We could have sold a perfume for more than 300 silver coins 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:36.840 and given the money to the poor. And they said some nasty things to her. But Jesus told him to 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:42.179 leave her alone. He said, She's done a beautiful thing for me. You will always have the poor with 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:46.940 you, and whenever you want to, you can give to them. But you won't always have me here with you. 00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:53.040 She's done all she could by pouring perfume on my body to prepare it for burial. You may be sure 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:58.220 that whenever the good news is told all over the world, people will remember what she has done, 00:16:58.660 --> 00:17:04.300 and they will tell others. Now here's the part that I'd never thought of before. Back then, 00:17:04.520 --> 00:17:10.739 people rarely bathed. So there is every possibility that Jesus still had the aroma of that sweet 00:17:10.760 --> 00:17:15.939 perfume on him when he was taken to be tried in front of the Sanhedrin, and when he was taken to 00:17:16.060 --> 00:17:22.300 Pilate, and when he was beaten, and when he hung on the cross. I can just imagine him catching the 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:27.939 aroma during that beating, and when he was hanging in agony on the cross. You know that there had to 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:33.260 be a part of him that remembered this beautiful loving sacrifice that Mary made for him, and the 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:38.260 love and admiration in her eyes when she poured it on his head and wiped his feet with her hair. 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:43.880 And I think it made him think of his love for her and for you and me. 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:49.260 I think it helped to give him comfort in the darkest hour anyone has ever experienced. 00:17:50.620 --> 00:17:52.260 What do you think? I'd like to know. 00:17:52.780 --> 00:17:56.900 Comment at LifespringMedia.com slash S12E117. 00:17:57.920 --> 00:18:00.860 Tomorrow's reading is 2 Corinthians 1-3. 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:01.760 Boost, boost, boost! 00:18:12.580 --> 00:18:16.700 On this date in Church history, December 25th, the year 336. 00:18:17.450 --> 00:18:21.660 The earliest reference to observing Jesus' nativity on December 25th 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:24.800 is found in the Philokalian calendar of 354, 00:18:25.150 --> 00:18:28.480 which dates the Roman origin of the practice to 336. 00:18:29.280 --> 00:18:32.440 And on this date, December 25, 1413. 00:18:33.340 --> 00:18:36.940 In a letter composed 19 months before he was burned at the stake, 00:18:37.560 --> 00:18:39.960 Bohemian reformer Jan Hus proclaims, 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:45.520 Rejoice that the immortal God is born, so that mortal men may live in eternity. 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:47.680 Amen to that. Hallelujah. 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:52.700 Let's pray. 00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:55.280 Our Lord, how we thank you for Christmas. 00:18:55.860 --> 00:18:59.900 Not the glitz, not the lights, not the tinsel or even the gift exchanges. 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:06.440 We thank you for the birth of our Savior, Emmanuel, God with us, Jesus of Nazareth. 00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:11.900 That first Christmas gift will forever be the greatest and most costly gift. 00:19:12.540 --> 00:19:17.300 How generous, how gracious, how loving that gift was and forever will be, Lord. 00:19:17.800 --> 00:19:18.380 We thank you. 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.600 Today is about Jesus. 00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:25.800 I pray that as we gather with family and friends today, or even if we're alone today, 00:19:26.080 --> 00:19:29.800 I pray that we will remember to give Jesus our attention and love. 00:19:30.540 --> 00:19:31.980 I pray this in Jesus' name. 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:32.780 Thank you. 00:19:33.320 --> 00:19:33.540 Amen. 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:38.720 Well, beloved, even when I'm on vacation, please send in your prayer requests and praises. 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:43.560 I'll be checking my email every day and responding, and as always, I'll pray for you. 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:48.820 Go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com and put your prayer requests and praises in there. 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:57.680 Not long after I started the LifeSpring podcast, probably sometime in 2005, a listener in England 00:19:57.790 --> 00:20:03.660 and I became email friends. His name was James Cooper, and he contributed sound bites and such, 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:09.460 and he told me about a website that he'd created called whychristmas.com, and he asked if I'd be 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:15.459 interested in doing a seasonal Christmas podcast with him. I did, and we collaborated to create the 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:21.020 LifeSpring Why Christmas podcast, which we did for a few years. I think it was in 2010 that we put 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:26.080 together what I'm going to play for you now. It's The Christmas Story, as performed by several of 00:20:26.080 --> 00:20:32.020 our friends. James wrote it, I narrated it, and at the end of today's show, after playing my favorite 00:20:32.260 --> 00:20:37.020 Christmas song, I'll read the cast members' names and give you a thumbnail sketch of who they are. 00:20:37.470 --> 00:20:40.200 There are some very talented people in this cast. 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:48.740 Long ago, actually about 2,000 years, when King Herod ruled Judea, that's now part of Israel, 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:54.280 God sent the angel Gabriel to a young woman who lived in a village called Nazareth. 00:20:55.080 --> 00:20:59.520 The girl's name was Mary, and she was engaged to marry a man named Joseph. 00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:02.720 Gabriel suddenly appeared to Mary. 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:06.700 Peace be with you. God has blessed you and is pleased with you. 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:12.360 As you can imagine, Mary was very surprised by this and wondered what the angel meant. 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:14.400 But Gabriel explained more to her. 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:17.700 Don't be afraid, Mary. God has been very kind to you. 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:20.860 He's chosen you to be the mother of His own son. 00:21:21.840 --> 00:21:25.920 You will give birth to a baby boy, and he will be called Jesus. 00:21:26.800 --> 00:21:28.200 How can I have a baby? 00:21:28.800 --> 00:21:30.680 You will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:35.320 Your baby will be God's own son, and His kingdom will never end. 00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:42.040 Your cousin, Elizabeth, who everyone said was too old to have a baby, is six months pregnant with a baby boy. 00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:44.720 Nothing is impossible with God. 00:21:45.080 --> 00:21:49.420 I don't completely understand what you mean, but I trust God. 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.980 So let it happen as God chooses. 00:21:52.820 --> 00:21:55.780 The baby Elizabeth was to have was also special. 00:21:56.540 --> 00:22:01.840 He would be called John, and as an adult, he would prepare people to welcome Jesus. 00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:10.860 Gabriel had told Zechariah, Elizabeth's husband, about their unexpected son when Zechariah was in the Jewish temple working as a priest. 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:17.640 Zechariah didn't believe the angel, so Gabriel had made him mute until after John was born. 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:27.200 So, a few days later, knowing her cousin was pregnant, Mary said goodbye to her family and friends and went to visit Elizabeth and Zechariah. 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:37.640 Elizabeth was very happy to see Mary. 00:22:38.010 --> 00:22:41.580 She knew that Mary had been chosen by God to be the mother of His Son. 00:22:42.560 --> 00:22:47.520 When Elizabeth saw Mary arriving, she knew that something very special had happened to Mary. 00:22:48.060 --> 00:22:48.940 She told Mary, 00:22:49.380 --> 00:22:53.200 God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:57.180 I am so honored that the mother of my God is visiting me. 00:22:57.850 --> 00:23:00.660 When I heard you coming, the baby inside me jumped for joy. 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:05.620 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said. 00:23:06.040 --> 00:23:10.640 Mary was also very excited, and she sang a special song of joy to God. 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:20.240 With all my heart, I praise the Lord, and I am glad because of God my Savior. 00:23:21.300 --> 00:23:24.400 God cares for me, His humble servant girl. 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:28.940 From now on, all people will say God has blessed me. 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:35.280 God, the Mighty One, has done great things for me, and His name is holy. 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:38.840 He shows mercy to everyone who worships Him. 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:44.200 The Lord has used His powerful arm to scatter those who are proud. 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:50.340 God drags strong rulers from their thrones and puts humble people in places of power. 00:23:51.280 --> 00:23:56.160 God gives the hungry good things to eat and sends the rich away with nothing. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:24:01.400 God helps His servant Israel and is always merciful to His people. 00:24:02.090 --> 00:24:08.220 The Lord made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his family forever. 00:24:09.320 --> 00:24:13.780 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home to Nazareth. 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:26.340 When Joseph found out that Mary was expecting a baby 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:28.160 before their marriage had taken place, 00:24:28.760 --> 00:24:29.900 he was very worried. 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:32.720 He thought Mary had been unfaithful to him 00:24:32.760 --> 00:24:34.960 and wondered if he should cancel the wedding altogether. 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:38.800 Then an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. 00:24:39.540 --> 00:24:41.140 Don't be afraid to marry Mary. 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:44.740 She has been chosen by God to be the mother of his son. 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:48.740 The baby will be called Jesus, and he will save his people. 00:24:49.780 --> 00:24:53.960 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel had told him to do and married Mary. 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:10.220 At this time, the land where Mary and Joseph lived was part of the Roman Empire. 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:14.780 The Roman Emperor Augustus wanted to have a list of all the people in the empire 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:16.700 to make sure they paid their taxes. 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:21.420 He ordered everyone to return to the town where their families originally came from 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:24.700 and enter their names in a register or census there. 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:35.740 Mary and Joseph traveled a long way, about 70 miles or 115 kilometers, 00:25:36.280 --> 00:25:40.080 from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the town where Joseph's family came from. 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:45.800 Most people walked, but some people had a donkey to help carry the goods needed for the journey. 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:51.620 Joseph and Mary traveled very slowly because Mary's baby was due to be born very soon. 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:56.100 When they reached Bethlehem, they had trouble finding somewhere to stay. 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:59.820 So many people had come to register their names in the census 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:05.560 that every house was full and every bed was taken in all of the spare rooms. 00:26:06.320 --> 00:26:14.660 The only shelter that they could find was with the animals, in a cave, stable, or in the bottom floor of a house, where the family animals were kept. 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:21.480 So, in this unclean and probably smelly place, Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Son of God. 00:26:24.600 --> 00:26:29.920 It was the custom to wrap newborn babies tightly in a long cloth called swaddling clothes. 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:32.780 People thought it helped you grow straight arms and legs. 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:36.840 Jesus' bed was the manger, the animal's feeding trough. 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:46.720 Out in the hills and fields outside Bethlehem, 00:26:47.040 --> 00:26:50.000 some shepherds were looking after their sheep through the long night. 00:26:51.260 --> 00:26:52.700 Wow, it's cold out here! 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:54.540 Put another log on the fire, Amos. 00:26:55.340 --> 00:26:58.420 But as the new day began, an angel suddenly appeared, 00:26:58.900 --> 00:27:01.100 and the glory of God shone around the angel. 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:03.920 The shepherds were very, very frightened 00:27:04.410 --> 00:27:05.560 But the angel said 00:27:05.760 --> 00:27:06.580 Don't be afraid 00:27:06.860 --> 00:27:08.960 I have good news for you and everyone 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:11.260 Today, down in Bethlehem 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:13.660 The Savior sent by God has been born 00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:15.880 You will find him as a baby 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:18.340 Wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:20.840 Then many more angels appeared 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.860 Lighting up the sky 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:24.200 All the angels sang 00:27:24.540 --> 00:27:25.618 Praising God 00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:42.280 Wow, that was amazing. 00:27:42.540 --> 00:27:44.320 Let's go to Bethlehem and see what happened. 00:27:44.580 --> 00:27:46.220 Great idea. Let's go. Come on. 00:27:46.300 --> 00:27:48.980 Yeah, let's go. Last one there is a Philistine. 00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:50.500 Let's go. 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:55.620 So the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph. 00:27:56.440 --> 00:28:00.080 The baby Jesus was lying in a manger just as they had been told. 00:28:00.760 --> 00:28:04.160 When they saw this, they told everyone what the angel had said to them. 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:06.900 Man, this angel just suddenly appeared! 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:08.700 It was so scary! 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:13.340 Yeah, but the angel said it was okay that a special baby had been born here in Bethlehem. 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:16.240 Yeah, then all these other angels were singing to God. 00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:18.780 It was the best singing I've ever heard. 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:21.060 So we decided to come down and see if it was true. 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:23.840 And it was, just like the angel said. 00:28:24.260 --> 00:28:24.920 Amazing. 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:29.620 The people who heard their story were also amazed. 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:32.880 And the shepherds went back to their sheep on the hills, 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:36.980 praising God for sending his son to be their savior. 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:44.700 When Jesus was born, a brand new bright star appeared in the sky. 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:48.900 Some wise men in a faraway country saw the star. 00:28:49.580 --> 00:28:52.340 They were very clever men that studied the stars. 00:28:52.800 --> 00:28:55.700 I say, that's a rather bright star up there. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:59.520 Indeed, let me have a look in the old manuscripts to see if it means anything. 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:01.140 I've already found something. 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.300 Listen to this. 00:29:02.760 --> 00:29:10.260 A star in that part of the sky at this time of year means that a new and very important king has been born in Judea. 00:29:10.540 --> 00:29:16.440 So, knowing how important this event was, they set out to find the new king and bring gifts. 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:20.620 The wise men followed the star towards the country of Judea. 00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:27.180 When they got to the capital, Jerusalem, they began to ask people, 00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:30.060 Where is the child who is born to be the king of the Jews? 00:29:30.760 --> 00:29:33.880 We've seen a special star and have come to see him. 00:29:34.100 --> 00:29:35.220 And we brought presents. 00:29:36.280 --> 00:29:38.620 When Herod, the king of Judea, heard this, 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:43.320 it made him very angry to think that someone might be going to take his place as king. 00:29:44.040 --> 00:29:47.260 So he called the wise men to the palace and tried to trick them. 00:30:00.139 --> 00:30:03.840 But Herod really had an evil plan to kill the new king 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:06.360 and wanted to use the wise men to find him. 00:30:10.120 --> 00:30:12.820 The wise men followed the star towards Bethlehem 00:30:13.080 --> 00:30:15.380 where the old writing said that the king would be born. 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:21.860 It seemed to stop and shine down directly over the house where Jesus and his family were now living. 00:30:22.560 --> 00:30:25.900 The wise men entered the house and found Jesus with Mary. 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:28.500 They bowed down and worshipped him. 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:31.960 The wise men spread the gifts they had brought before Jesus. 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:35.440 The gifts were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:41.140 In a dream, the wise men were warned by God about Herod's trick and evil plan, 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:45.180 so they returned home to their countries in the east by a different way. 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:50.160 When the wise men had gone, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. 00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:53.980 Get up quickly and escape to Egypt with Jesus and Mary. 00:30:54.780 --> 00:30:56.020 King Herod wants to kill him. 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:59.300 Stay there until I tell you it's safe to come back. 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:02.020 So Joseph got up, took Jesus and Mary, 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:06.380 and during the night they left for Egypt, where they stayed until Herod died. 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:14.240 When Herod realized that he had been tricked by the wise men, 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:20.860 He was furious and gave orders to kill all the boys age two or younger in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. 00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:28.040 This was to try and kill the new king, as his plan to find the location of the new king from the wise men had failed. 00:31:32.840 --> 00:31:37.140 After Herod had died, Joseph had another dream in which an angel appeared to him. 00:31:37.550 --> 00:31:43.500 Get up, take Jesus and Mary and go back to Israel, for the people who tried to kill Jesus are dead. 00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:48.240 So Joseph got up, took Jesus and Mary, and they went back to Israel. 00:31:48.760 --> 00:31:53.360 But when they heard that Herod's son was now king of Judea, Joseph was afraid to go there. 00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:57.840 So instead, they returned to live in their old town of Nazareth. 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:07.440 I interviewed this man in August of 2006. 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:10.120 He's a talented singer and songwriter. 00:32:10.360 --> 00:32:16.220 He's a very funny guy, and he wrote what I consider to be the best Christmas song in my lifetime at least. 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:20.940 He was a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, and while with that group, he wrote, 00:32:21.300 --> 00:32:22.320 Mary Did You Know? 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:25.840 I don't know how many times other people have recorded this song, 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:29.620 but it doesn't get any better than hearing it sung by the guy who wrote it. 00:32:30.300 --> 00:32:32.960 This is Mark Lowry with Mary Did You Know? 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:36.460 And remember, after the song, I'll read the credits for today's Christmas story. 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:40.340 I'd love to sit down with Mary. 00:32:40.390 --> 00:32:41.380 I want to know some things. 00:32:43.300 --> 00:32:44.620 I won't be able to ask her those questions 00:32:44.730 --> 00:32:45.400 until I get to heaven, 00:32:46.430 --> 00:32:49.600 but I did write a few of them down a few years ago. 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:56.500 And on the Gaither bus one weekend, 00:32:56.630 --> 00:32:59.800 I handed this lyric to Buddy Green, 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:02.600 and he called me on Monday 00:33:03.310 --> 00:33:05.080 and sang this to me over the phone. 00:33:07.060 --> 00:33:19.500 Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water? 00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:32.960 Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? 00:33:35.300 --> 00:33:45.840 Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? 00:33:47.330 --> 00:33:58.980 This child that you delivered will soon deliver you, Mary. 00:33:59.840 --> 00:34:09.780 Did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? 00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:21.659 Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand? 00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:34.159 Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? 00:34:34.750 --> 00:34:45.280 When you kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God. 00:34:47.080 --> 00:34:57.120 The blind will see, the deaf will hear, and the dead will live again. 00:34:58.510 --> 00:35:08.580 The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb. 00:35:20.020 --> 00:35:21.420 Mary 00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:26.500 Mary 00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:40.380 Did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? 00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:56.180 Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? 00:35:58.100 --> 00:36:09.360 Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb? 00:36:11.420 --> 00:36:28.300 This sleeping child you're holding is the great I 00:36:32.080 --> 00:36:32.600 Hell. 00:36:44.020 --> 00:36:47.200 A huge thank you to everyone who's taken part in this recording. 00:36:47.720 --> 00:36:49.340 James and I are very, very grateful. 00:36:50.160 --> 00:36:55.160 Gabriel was played by Anthony Gedick, a very talented voiceover guy and a friend of mine. 00:36:55.210 --> 00:36:58.360 He used to have a podcast on the Godcast Network. 00:36:59.060 --> 00:37:03.680 You can find him at gettig.net, G-E-T-T-I-G.net. 00:37:04.700 --> 00:37:06.200 Mary was played by Carmen Tyler. 00:37:06.670 --> 00:37:08.980 You can find her at carmantyler.com. 00:37:09.860 --> 00:37:12.320 Elizabeth was played by Natalie Nicole Gilbert, 00:37:12.430 --> 00:37:14.720 a talented singer and voiceover artist, 00:37:15.180 --> 00:37:18.000 who you can find at natalienicolegilbert.com. 00:37:18.620 --> 00:37:20.540 The Angel was played by Bob Sauer, 00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:23.220 another very, very talented voiceover artist. 00:37:23.290 --> 00:37:25.360 He used to work for the Billy Graham organization. 00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:27.400 He's at bobsauer.com. 00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:32.660 Shepard number one was played by my friend, Brian Duncan at brianduncan.com. 00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:35.700 Shepard two was played by Kenny Metcalf. 00:37:36.060 --> 00:37:41.360 Kenny's the guy that introduced the members of what would become the band Striper to Jesus. 00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:45.760 He also does a great tribute show to Elton John, the early years. 00:37:46.800 --> 00:37:50.720 Shepard three was Dave D'Andrea, another very talented voiceover man. 00:37:51.000 --> 00:37:52.800 He's at davedandrea.com. 00:37:53.280 --> 00:37:57.140 Wise man number one was played by Ron Plouffe, my very good friend. 00:37:57.580 --> 00:37:59.740 You can find him at griddlecakes.com. 00:37:59.790 --> 00:38:01.300 He does a fantastic podcast. 00:38:02.300 --> 00:38:04.660 Wise man number two was Ron Stroop. 00:38:05.240 --> 00:38:06.840 He's at ronstroop.com. 00:38:06.910 --> 00:38:08.700 He was an early podcaster. 00:38:09.300 --> 00:38:11.160 Wise man number three was Rev Tim. 00:38:11.550 --> 00:38:13.340 He was also on the Godcast Network. 00:38:14.220 --> 00:38:16.060 King Herod was played by James Cooper. 00:38:16.720 --> 00:38:18.880 And yours truly was the narrator. 00:38:19.760 --> 00:38:21.500 I'll have links on the show notes page. 00:38:22.300 --> 00:38:26.600 And that does it for this Christmas edition of the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. 00:38:26.780 --> 00:38:31.540 Until tomorrow, and actually until January 13th, may God bless you richly. 00:38:31.760 --> 00:38:32.720 Thank you for being here. 00:38:33.140 --> 00:38:34.100 Have a Merry Christmas. 00:38:34.700 --> 00:38:35.700 My name is Steve Webb. 00:38:36.180 --> 00:38:36.260 Bye.