In this TBN Christmas special; Max Lucado unwraps the unexpected moments in the story of Christ’s birth. Throughout his teaching; Max will be joined by guest speakers and talented musical artists performing the songs that define the holiday season.
#Religion;Music;Special
#Challenges
#Christmas
#Fear
#Manger
#Jesus
#Savior
#Trust God
#God's Will
#Christianity
#Music
#Singer/Songwriter
#Virgin Birth
#Tradition-American
#Zach Williams
#For King and Country
#Rend Collective
#Tommee
#Tauren Wells
#Max Lucado
#Isaiah 7:14
#Luke 2:7
Closed captions
Show Timecode
Unwrapping The Unexpected With Max Lucado | Unwrapping The Unexpected With Max Lucado | December 17, 2021
- - MAX LUCADO: GOD'S BEST GIFTS OFTEN COME IN
- 00:00:00.748 --> 00:00:02.650
- UNEXPECTED PACKAGES ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
- 00:00:02.650 --> 00:00:06.420
- YOU SEE, CHRISTMAS INVITES US TO BELIEVE THE
- 00:00:06.420 --> 00:00:09.256
- WILDEST OF PROMISES.
- 00:00:09.256 --> 00:00:11.258
- GOD BECAME ONE OF US SO WE COULD BECOME ONE WITH HIM.
- 00:00:11.258 --> 00:00:15.830
- NOW, THAT'S A PLOT TWIST IF I EVER HEARD ONE.
- 00:00:15.830 --> 00:00:18.732
- AND BELIEVE ME, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS IS FULL OF THEM.
- 00:00:18.732 --> 00:00:22.403
- JOIN ME AS I UNWRAP THE UNEXPECTED MOMENTS IN
- 00:00:22.403 --> 00:00:26.173
- THE STORY OF CHRIST'S BIRTH, THE UNLIKELY
- 00:00:26.173 --> 00:00:29.510
- PEOPLE GOD USES, THE UNUSUAL PLACES HE TAKES
- 00:00:29.510 --> 00:00:33.080
- THEM, AND THE UNEXPECTED KING HE SENDS TO CHANGE
- 00:00:33.080 --> 00:00:36.884
- OUR WORLD FOR ETERNITY.
- 00:00:36.884 --> 00:00:41.355
- I HAVE SO MUCH IN STORE FOR YOU.
- 00:00:41.355 --> 00:00:43.357
- INCREDIBLE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES FROM
- 00:00:43.357 --> 00:00:45.025
- TALENTED GIFTS.
- 00:00:45.025 --> 00:00:46.627
- PLUS, I'LL GET A LITTLE HELP TELLING THE NATIVITY
- 00:00:46.627 --> 00:00:48.829
- STORY FROM SOME YOUNG FRIENDS WHO ARE SURE TO
- 00:00:48.829 --> 00:00:51.632
- KEEP ME ON MY TOES.
- 00:00:51.632 --> 00:00:53.200
- I'M MAX LUCADO, AND THIS IS UNWRAPPING
- 00:00:53.200 --> 00:00:56.337
- THE UNEXPECTED.
- 00:00:56.337 --> 00:00:58.172
- ♪♪
- 00:00:58.172 --> 00:01:08.082
- - I'D LIKE TO TAKE YOU BACK TO A NIGHT SOME
- 00:01:08.082 --> 00:01:09.984
- 2.000 YEARS AGO IN A LITTLE TOWN
- 00:01:09.984 --> 00:01:12.520
- CALLED BETHLEHEM.
- 00:01:12.520 --> 00:01:14.188
- OH, YOU KNOW THAT NIGHT, THE NIGHT OF OUR DEAR
- 00:01:14.188 --> 00:01:17.291
- SAVIOR'S BIRTH.
- 00:01:17.291 --> 00:01:18.826
- COUNTLESS CAROLS TELL THE TALE, AND AS SOON AS THEY
- 00:01:18.826 --> 00:01:22.796
- START TO PLAY, EARLIER AND EARLIER EACH YEAR I MIGHT
- 00:01:22.796 --> 00:01:26.333
- ADD, WE KNOW WHAT IT MEANS.
- 00:01:26.333 --> 00:01:28.469
- CHRISTMAS IS COMING.
- 00:01:28.469 --> 00:01:31.138
- AND WE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
- 00:01:31.138 --> 00:01:33.374
- CHRISTMAS PAGEANTS AND GIFT EXCHANGES.
- 00:01:33.374 --> 00:01:36.644
- WE TRADE WISH LISTS AND RECIPES.
- 00:01:36.644 --> 00:01:39.146
- WE HANG WREATHS AND STOCKINGS.
- 00:01:39.146 --> 00:01:41.081
- THE TREES GO UP.
- 00:01:41.081 --> 00:01:42.283
- THE LIGHTS GO UP.
- 00:01:42.283 --> 00:01:43.784
- AND USUALLY THE NUMBERS ON THE SCALE GO UP.
- 00:01:43.784 --> 00:01:46.086
- BUT WE'RE NOT SURPRISED.
- 00:01:46.086 --> 00:01:48.322
- IN FACT, IT'S A TRADITION.
- 00:01:48.322 --> 00:01:50.457
- WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR DECADES.
- 00:01:50.457 --> 00:01:52.493
- WHEN IT COMES TO CHRISTMAS, WE'RE ALL OLD PROS.
- 00:01:52.493 --> 00:01:56.030
- BUT BACK IN BETHLEHEM NOBODY KNEW CHRISTMAS WAS
- 00:01:56.030 --> 00:01:59.400
- COMING, AND MOST DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL LONG AFTER
- 00:01:59.400 --> 00:02:03.103
- IT CAME.
- 00:02:03.103 --> 00:02:04.538
- IMAGINE THE NIGHT THAT JESUS WAS BORN.
- 00:02:04.538 --> 00:02:09.710
- THE NOISE AND THE BUSTLE BEGAN EARLIER THAN USUAL
- 00:02:09.710 --> 00:02:12.680
- IN THE VILLAGE.
- 00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:14.215
- AS DARKNESS GAVE WAY TO DAWN, PEOPLE WERE
- 00:02:14.215 --> 00:02:17.184
- ALREADY ON THE STREETS, AND VENDERS WERE
- 00:02:17.184 --> 00:02:20.187
- POSITIONING THEMSELVES ON THE CORNERS OF THE MOST
- 00:02:20.187 --> 00:02:23.324
- HEAVENLY TRAVELED AVENUES.
- 00:02:23.324 --> 00:02:25.993
- THE STORE OWNERS WERE UNLOCKING THE DOORS TO
- 00:02:25.993 --> 00:02:27.761
- THEIR SHOPS AND CHILDREN WERE AWAKENED BY THE
- 00:02:27.761 --> 00:02:30.397
- EXCITED BARKINGS OF THE STREET DOGS AND THE
- 00:02:30.397 --> 00:02:33.934
- COMPLAINTS OF DONKEYS PULLING CARTS.
- 00:02:33.934 --> 00:02:36.437
- THE OWNER OF THE INN HAD AWAKENED EARLIER THAN
- 00:02:36.437 --> 00:02:39.740
- MOST IN THE TOWN.
- 00:02:39.740 --> 00:02:41.208
- AFTER ALL, THE INN WAS FULL.
- 00:02:41.208 --> 00:02:43.777
- ALL THE BEDS WERE TAKEN.
- 00:02:43.777 --> 00:02:45.312
- EVERY AVAILABLE MAT OR BLANKET HAD BEEN PUT TO USE.
- 00:02:45.312 --> 00:02:47.681
- SOON ALL THE CUSTOMERS WOULD BE STIRRING, AND
- 00:02:47.681 --> 00:02:50.985
- THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
- 00:02:50.985 --> 00:02:52.886
- I WONDER WHAT THE CONVERSATION WAS LIKE AT
- 00:02:52.886 --> 00:02:55.589
- THE INN KEEPER'S BREAKFAST TABLE
- 00:02:55.589 --> 00:02:56.991
- THAT MORNING.
- 00:02:56.991 --> 00:02:58.525
- DID ANYONE MENTION THE ARRIVAL OF THE YOUNG
- 00:02:58.525 --> 00:03:01.495
- COUPLE THE NIGHT BEFORE?
- 00:03:01.495 --> 00:03:02.997
- DID ANYONE COMMENT ON THE PREGNANCY OF THE GIRL, ON
- 00:03:02.997 --> 00:03:06.000
- THE DONKEY? NO.
- 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:09.169
- IT'S DOUBTFUL THAT ANYONE MENTIONED THE COUPLE'S
- 00:03:09.169 --> 00:03:11.038
- ARRIVAL OR WORRIED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE GIRL.
- 00:03:11.038 --> 00:03:13.874
- THEY WERE ALL TOO BUSY.
- 00:03:13.874 --> 00:03:16.377
- THE DAY WAS UPON THEM.
- 00:03:16.377 --> 00:03:17.678
- THE DAY'S BREAD HAD TO BE MADE.
- 00:03:17.678 --> 00:03:19.713
- THE MORNING'S CHORES HAD TO BE DONE.
- 00:03:19.713 --> 00:03:22.249
- THERE WAS TOO MUCH TO DO TO IMAGINE THAT THE
- 00:03:22.249 --> 00:03:25.085
- IMPOSSIBLE HAD OCCURRED.
- 00:03:25.085 --> 00:03:26.887
- GOD HAD ENTERED THE WORLD AS A BABY.
- 00:03:26.887 --> 00:03:31.058
- BUT WHO COULD EXPECT SOMETHING SO UNEXPECTED?
- 00:03:31.058 --> 00:03:34.662
- NO, NO ONE SUSPECTED THE MIRACLE IN THEIR MIDST.
- 00:03:34.662 --> 00:03:38.565
- AND YET WERE SOMEONE TO CHANCE ON THE SHEEP'S
- 00:03:38.565 --> 00:03:42.202
- STABLE ON THE OUT SKIRTS OF BETHLEHEM THAT
- 00:03:42.202 --> 00:03:44.772
- MORNING, WHAT A PECULIAR SCENE THEY WOULD BEHOLD.
- 00:03:44.772 --> 00:03:48.542
- THE STABLE STINKS LIKE ALL STABLES DO.
- 00:03:48.542 --> 00:03:53.280
- THE STENCH OF URINE, DUNG AND SHEEP WREAKS
- 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:56.784
- PUNGENTLY IN THE AIR.
- 00:03:56.784 --> 00:03:58.319
- THE GROUND IS HARD.
- 00:03:58.319 --> 00:03:59.520
- THE HAY SCARCE.
- 00:03:59.520 --> 00:04:00.921
- THE COB WEBS CLING TO THE CEILING, AND A
- 00:04:00.921 --> 00:04:03.290
- MOUSE SCURRIES ACROSS THE DIRT FLOOR.
- 00:04:03.290 --> 00:04:05.926
- A MORE LOWLY PLACE OF BIRTH COULD NOT EXIST.
- 00:04:05.926 --> 00:04:10.831
- OFF TO ONE SIDE SITS A GROUP OF SHEPHERDS.
- 00:04:10.831 --> 00:04:13.200
- THEY SIT SILENTLY ON THE FLOOR, PERHAPS PERPLEXED.
- 00:04:13.200 --> 00:04:16.370
- PERHAPS IN AWE.
- 00:04:16.370 --> 00:04:17.871
- NO DOUBT IN AMAZEMENT.
- 00:04:17.871 --> 00:04:19.773
- THEIR NIGHT WATCH HAD BEEN INTERRUPTED BY AN
- 00:04:19.773 --> 00:04:22.343
- EXPLOSION OF LIGHT FROM HEAVEN AND A SYMPHONY
- 00:04:22.343 --> 00:04:25.245
- OF ANGELS.
- 00:04:25.245 --> 00:04:26.613
- GOD GOES TO THOSE WHO HAVE TIME TO HEAR HIM,
- 00:04:26.613 --> 00:04:30.017
- SO ON THIS CLOUDLESS NIGHT HE WENT TO
- 00:04:30.017 --> 00:04:32.619
- SIMPLE SHEPHERDS.
- 00:04:32.619 --> 00:04:34.621
- NEAR THE YOUNG MOTHER SITS THE WEARY FATHER.
- 00:04:34.621 --> 00:04:37.458
- IF ANYONE IS DOZING, HE IS.
- 00:04:37.458 --> 00:04:40.227
- HE CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME HE SAT DOWN.
- 00:04:40.227 --> 00:04:43.197
- AND NOW THAT THE EXCITEMENT HAS SUBSIDED A
- 00:04:43.197 --> 00:04:45.432
- BIT, NOW THAT MARY AND THE BABY ARE COMFORTABLE,
- 00:04:45.432 --> 00:04:49.937
- HE LEANS AGAINST THE WALL OF THE STABLE AND FEELS
- 00:04:49.937 --> 00:04:51.572
- HIS EYES GROW WEARY.
- 00:04:51.572 --> 00:04:53.240
- HE STILL HASN'T FIGURED IT ALL OUT.
- 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:55.409
- THE MYSTERY OF THE EVENT STILL PUZZLES HIM, BUT HE
- 00:04:55.409 --> 00:05:00.180
- HASN'T THE ENERGY TO WRESTLE WITH
- 00:05:00.180 --> 00:05:02.216
- THE QUESTIONS.
- 00:05:02.216 --> 00:05:03.350
- WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT THE BABY IS FINE AND MARY
- 00:05:03.350 --> 00:05:06.153
- IS SAFE.
- 00:05:06.153 --> 00:05:07.921
- AS SLEEP COMES, HE REMEMBERS THE NAME THE
- 00:05:07.921 --> 00:05:10.057
- ANGEL TOLD HIM TO USE.
- 00:05:10.057 --> 00:05:12.393
- JESUS.
- 00:05:12.393 --> 00:05:13.594
- WE WILL CALL HIM JESUS.
- 00:05:13.594 --> 00:05:17.798
- WIDE AWAKE IS MARY, SO YOUNG.
- 00:05:17.798 --> 00:05:20.701
- HER HEAD RESTS ON THE SOFT LEATHER OF
- 00:05:20.701 --> 00:05:23.337
- JOSEPH'S SADDLE.
- 00:05:23.337 --> 00:05:25.339
- THE PAIN HAS BEEN ECLIPSED BY WONDER.
- 00:05:25.339 --> 00:05:28.742
- SHE LOOKS INTO THE FACE OF THE BABY, HER SON, HER
- 00:05:28.742 --> 00:05:32.212
- LORD, HIS MAJESTY.
- 00:05:32.212 --> 00:05:37.317
- AT THIS POINT IN HISTORY, THE HUMAN BEING WHO BEST
- 00:05:37.317 --> 00:05:40.387
- UNDERSTANDS WHO GOD IS AND WHAT HE IS DOING IS A
- 00:05:40.387 --> 00:05:43.590
- TEENAGE GIRL IN A SMELLY STABLE.
- 00:05:43.590 --> 00:05:47.528
- SHE COULDN'T TAKE HER EYES OFF OF HIM.
- 00:05:47.528 --> 00:05:50.097
- SOMEHOW MARY KNOWS SHE IS HOLDING GOD.
- 00:05:50.097 --> 00:05:53.300
- SO THIS IS HE.
- 00:05:53.300 --> 00:05:55.302
- SHE REMEMBERS THE WORDS OF THE ANGEL.
- 00:05:55.302 --> 00:05:58.138
- HIS KINGDOM WILL NEVER END.
- 00:05:58.138 --> 00:06:00.908
- HE HARDLY LOOKS LIKE A KING.
- 00:06:00.908 --> 00:06:04.178
- HIS FACE IS PRUNISH AND RED.
- 00:06:04.178 --> 00:06:06.180
- HIS CRY THOUGH STRONG AND HEALTHY IS STILL THE
- 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:08.415
- HELPLESS AND PIERCING CRY OF A BABY.
- 00:06:08.415 --> 00:06:10.818
- AND HE IS ABSOLUTELY DEPENDENT UPON MARY FOR
- 00:06:10.818 --> 00:06:14.521
- HIS WELL-BEING.
- 00:06:14.521 --> 00:06:16.089
- MAJESTY IN THE MIDST OF THE MUNDANE.
- 00:06:16.089 --> 00:06:19.126
- HOLINESS IN THE FILTH OF SHEEP MANURE AND SWEAT.
- 00:06:19.126 --> 00:06:23.864
- DIVINITY ENTERING THE WORLD ON THE FLOOR OF A
- 00:06:23.864 --> 00:06:27.167
- STABLE THROUGH THE WOMB OF A TEENAGER AND IN THE
- 00:06:27.167 --> 00:06:30.904
- PRESENCE OF A CARPENTER.
- 00:06:30.904 --> 00:06:34.308
- SHE TOUCHES THE FACE OF THE INFANT GOD.
- 00:06:34.308 --> 00:06:36.944
- HOW LONG WAS YOUR JOURNEY.
- 00:06:36.944 --> 00:06:39.980
- THIS BABY HAD OVERLOOKED THE UNIVERSE.
- 00:06:39.980 --> 00:06:42.850
- AND THESE RAGS KEEPING HIM WARM WERE THE ROBES
- 00:06:42.850 --> 00:06:45.619
- OF ETERNITY.
- 00:06:45.619 --> 00:06:47.521
- HIS GOLDEN THRONE ROOM HAD BEEN ABANDONED IN
- 00:06:47.521 --> 00:06:49.790
- FAVOR OF A DIRTY SHEEP PEN.
- 00:06:49.790 --> 00:06:51.992
- AND WORSHIPPING ANGELS HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH
- 00:06:51.992 --> 00:06:54.528
- KIND BUT BEWILDERED SHEPHERDS.
- 00:06:54.528 --> 00:06:58.432
- MEANWHILE THE CITY HUMS.
- 00:06:58.432 --> 00:07:02.035
- THE MERCHANTS ARE UNAWARE THAT GOD HAS VISITED
- 00:07:02.035 --> 00:07:03.871
- THEIR PLANET.
- 00:07:03.871 --> 00:07:05.973
- THE INN KEEPER WOULD NEVER HAD BELIEVED THAT
- 00:07:05.973 --> 00:07:08.141
- HE JUST SENT GOD INTO THE COLD.
- 00:07:08.141 --> 00:07:10.644
- AND THE PEOPLE WOULD SCOFF AT ANYONE WHO TOLD
- 00:07:10.644 --> 00:07:13.146
- THEM THE MESSIAH LAY IN THE ARMS OF A TEENAGER ON
- 00:07:13.146 --> 00:07:16.517
- THE OUTSKIRTS OF THEIR VILLAGE.
- 00:07:16.517 --> 00:07:18.485
- THEY WERE ALL TOO BUSY TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY.
- 00:07:18.485 --> 00:07:23.991
- THOSE WHO MISSED HIS MAJESTY'S ARRIVAL THAT
- 00:07:23.991 --> 00:07:27.227
- NIGHT MISSED IT NOT BECAUSE OF EVIL ACTS
- 00:07:27.227 --> 00:07:29.763
- OR MALICE.
- 00:07:29.763 --> 00:07:31.465
- NO, THEY MISSED IT BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY
- 00:07:31.465 --> 00:07:34.368
- WEREN'T LOOKING IN THE RIGHT SPOT.
- 00:07:34.368 --> 00:07:38.438
- LITTLE HAS CHANGED IN THE LAST 2.000 YEARS.
- 00:07:38.438 --> 00:07:42.576
- WE LONG TO SEE GOD AT WORK, BUT WE EXPECT HIM
- 00:07:42.576 --> 00:07:44.878
- TO WORK ON OUR TIMETABLE.
- 00:07:44.878 --> 00:07:48.115
- WE LOOK FOR HIM YET ASSUME HE CAN ONLY BE
- 00:07:48.115 --> 00:07:50.017
- FOUND IN CERTAIN PLACES WITH CERTAIN PEOPLE.
- 00:07:50.017 --> 00:07:53.186
- ON THE NIGHT OF THE NATIVITY, EVERYTHING
- 00:07:53.186 --> 00:07:56.223
- WAS UNEXPECTED.
- 00:07:56.223 --> 00:07:57.691
- THE TIME, THE PLACE, THE PEOPLE.
- 00:07:57.691 --> 00:08:00.127
- WITH THE STAR BETHLEHEM SHINING IN THE HEAVENS,
- 00:08:00.127 --> 00:08:02.262
- GOD UNWRAPPED EARTH'S EXPECTATIONS AND
- 00:08:02.262 --> 00:08:05.666
- SURPRISED MANKIND WITH THE CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR
- 00:08:05.666 --> 00:08:08.602
- THE AGES.
- 00:08:08.602 --> 00:08:28.455
- ♪ OH, SILENT NIGHT ...
- 00:08:29.089 --> 00:08:34.795
- ♪ HOLY NIGHT ...
- 00:08:34.795 --> 00:08:39.099
- ♪ ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT ...
- 00:08:39.099 --> 00:08:49.042
- ♪ ROUND YON VIRGIN, MOTHER AND CHILD ...
- 00:08:49.042 --> 00:09:00.220
- ♪ HOLY INFANT SO TENDER AND MILD ...
- 00:09:00.220 --> 00:09:10.130
- ♪ SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE ...
- 00:09:10.130 --> 00:09:29.750
- ♪ OH, SILENT NIGHT ...
- 00:09:20.774 --> 00:09:34.755
- ♪ HOLY NIGHT ...
- 00:09:34.755 --> 00:09:40.293
- ♪ SHEPHERDS QUAKE AT THE SIGHT ...
- 00:09:40.293 --> 00:09:50.971
- ♪ GLORY STREAMS FROM HEAVEN ABOVE ...
- 00:09:50.971 --> 00:10:00.847
- ♪ HEAVENLY HOSTS SING HALLELUJAH ...
- 00:10:00.847 --> 00:10:12.259
- ♪ CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN ...
- 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:35.649
- ♪ SILENT NIGHT ...
- 00:10:22.069 --> 00:10:42.389
- ♪ HOLY NIGHT ...
- 00:10:42.389 --> 00:10:54.301
- ♪ SILENT NIGHT ...
- 00:10:54.835 --> 00:11:04.778
- ♪ HOLY NIGHT ...
- 00:11:05.245 --> 00:11:14.955
- ♪ SILENT NIGHT ...
- 00:11:15.489 --> 00:11:25.098
- ♪ HOLY NIGHT ...
- 00:11:25.565 --> 00:11:33.640
- ♪ OH, SILENT NIGHT ...
- 00:11:33.640 --> 00:11:38.378
- ♪ HOLY NIGHT ...
- 00:11:38.378 --> 00:11:43.984
- ♪ SON OF GOD ...
- 00:11:43.984 --> 00:11:49.956
- ♪ LOVE'S PURE LIGHT ...
- 00:11:49.956 --> 00:11:55.262
- ♪ THE RADIANT BEAMS FROM THY HOLY FACE ...
- 00:11:55.262 --> 00:12:05.505
- ♪ WITH THE DAWN OF YOUR REDEEMING GRACE ...
- 00:12:05.505 --> 00:12:15.782
- ♪ JESUS, LORD AT THY BIRTH ...
- 00:12:15.782 --> 00:12:41.208
- - THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW KICKS OFF THE
- 00:12:42.108 --> 00:12:43.677
- CHRISTMAS STORY AND ALL ITS CONUNDRUMS.
- 00:12:43.677 --> 00:12:46.346
- LISTEN TO WHAT IT SAYS.
- 00:12:46.346 --> 00:12:48.448
- "THIS IS HOW THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST CAME ABOUT.
- 00:12:48.448 --> 00:12:52.619
- HIS MOTHER MARY WAS PLEDGED IN MARRIAGE TO
- 00:12:52.619 --> 00:12:54.921
- JOSEPH, BUT BEFORE THEY CAME TOGETHER SHE WAS
- 00:12:54.921 --> 00:12:58.425
- FOUND TO BE WITH CHILD THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT."
- 00:12:58.425 --> 00:13:01.795
- BEFORE?
- 00:13:01.795 --> 00:13:03.730
- BEFORE MARY AND JOSEPH WERE MARRIED?
- 00:13:03.730 --> 00:13:06.032
- BEFORE THEY CAME TOGETHER, MARY
- 00:13:06.032 --> 00:13:08.702
- BECAME PREGNANT?
- 00:13:08.702 --> 00:13:10.470
- NOW, YOU MAY NOT BE TOO FAMILIAR WITH JEWISH
- 00:13:10.470 --> 00:13:12.472
- CUSTOMS AT THAT TIME, BUT THERE WAS AN
- 00:13:12.472 --> 00:13:14.474
- EXPECTED ORDER.
- 00:13:14.474 --> 00:13:16.209
- FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MARRIAGE, THEN
- 00:13:16.209 --> 00:13:18.178
- COMES THE BABY CARRIAGE.
- 00:13:18.178 --> 00:13:20.847
- ONE THING CAME AFTER THE OTHER, BUT BEFORE?
- 00:13:20.847 --> 00:13:25.018
- BEFORE WASN'T JUST INCONVENIENT.
- 00:13:25.018 --> 00:13:27.954
- IT WAS SCANDALOUS.
- 00:13:27.954 --> 00:13:29.356
- CRIMINAL.
- 00:13:29.356 --> 00:13:30.357
- MARY AND JOSEPH WERE BETROTHED.
- 00:13:30.357 --> 00:13:33.059
- VOWS HAD BEEN EXCHANGED.
- 00:13:33.059 --> 00:13:34.995
- GIFTS GIVEN.
- 00:13:34.995 --> 00:13:36.029
- FUTURES PROMISED.
- 00:13:36.029 --> 00:13:37.330
- THIS WASN'T A COURTSHIP.
- 00:13:37.330 --> 00:13:38.531
- IT WAS A COVENANT.
- 00:13:38.531 --> 00:13:41.668
- AND FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN, MARY HAD
- 00:13:41.668 --> 00:13:43.403
- BROKEN IT.
- 00:13:43.403 --> 00:13:44.871
- AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE DAY WERE HARSH.
- 00:13:44.871 --> 00:13:46.706
- MARY KNEW IT.
- 00:13:46.706 --> 00:13:48.008
- JOSEPH KNEW IT.
- 00:13:48.008 --> 00:13:49.342
- GOD SURELY KNEW IT.
- 00:13:49.342 --> 00:13:52.045
- SO WHY?
- 00:13:52.045 --> 00:13:53.713
- WHY WOULD GOD SEND HIS SPIRIT BEFORE?
- 00:13:53.713 --> 00:13:56.249
- WELL, MARY HAD TO WONDER.
- 00:13:56.249 --> 00:13:58.718
- AND YOU CAN PROBABLY RELATE.
- 00:13:58.718 --> 00:14:00.754
- WE'VE HAD ALL MOMENTS WHEN THE UNEXPECTED CAME
- 00:14:00.754 --> 00:14:03.023
- UPON US WAY TOO SOON.
- 00:14:03.023 --> 00:14:05.158
- MOMENTS WHEN YOU'VE SAID, WHY NOW?
- 00:14:05.158 --> 00:14:08.495
- WHY BEFORE?
- 00:14:08.495 --> 00:14:09.796
- BEFORE ALL THE PROBLEMS ARE SOLVED?
- 00:14:09.796 --> 00:14:12.565
- BEFORE THE DETAILS ARE SQUARED AWAY?
- 00:14:12.565 --> 00:14:15.769
- MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE HE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS
- 00:14:15.769 --> 00:14:18.705
- WHAT THE AFTER HOLDS.
- 00:14:18.705 --> 00:14:21.875
- GOD MAY BE BIRTHING SOMETHING IN YOU, AND
- 00:14:21.875 --> 00:14:24.978
- LIKE MARY, YOU'RE NOT READY FOR IT.
- 00:14:24.978 --> 00:14:28.481
- BY THE WORLD'S STANDARD IT'S TOO SOON.
- 00:14:28.481 --> 00:14:30.817
- YOU'RE TOO YOUNG OR UNQUALIFIED,
- 00:14:30.817 --> 00:14:33.186
- UNDER PREPARED, UNDERFUNDED.
- 00:14:33.186 --> 00:14:35.622
- WHATEVER IT MAY BE, WHAT IF GOD SEES THAT HIS
- 00:14:35.622 --> 00:14:39.359
- BEFORE-YOU'RE-READY TIMING WOULD YIELD A MORE
- 00:14:39.359 --> 00:14:42.495
- MIRACULOUS AFTER?
- 00:14:42.495 --> 00:14:44.698
- MARY MUST HAVE SENSED THIS.
- 00:14:44.698 --> 00:14:47.367
- WHEN THE ANGEL GABRIEL REVEALED GOD'S PLAN TO
- 00:14:47.367 --> 00:14:50.637
- HER, SHE DIDN'T RESPOND WITH DOUBTS AND FEARS.
- 00:14:50.637 --> 00:14:54.474
- NO, SHE SAID, BE IT UNTO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.
- 00:14:54.474 --> 00:14:58.411
- THE YOUNG WOMAN'S REACTION COULDN'T BE MORE
- 00:14:58.411 --> 00:15:01.548
- DIFFERENT THAN THAT OF THE PRIEST WHO GABRIEL
- 00:15:01.548 --> 00:15:04.050
- HAD VISITED A FEW MONTHS BEFORE.
- 00:15:04.050 --> 00:15:06.853
- THE PRIEST'S NAME WAS ZECHARIAH, AND HE WAS
- 00:15:06.853 --> 00:15:09.422
- MARRIED TO MARY'S COUSIN, ELIZABETH.
- 00:15:09.422 --> 00:15:12.325
- NOW, THEY WERE AN OLDER COUPLE UNABLE TO HAVE
- 00:15:12.325 --> 00:15:14.861
- CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN.
- 00:15:14.861 --> 00:15:16.496
- WHEN GABRIEL'S INTERRUPTED ZECHARIAH'S
- 00:15:16.496 --> 00:15:18.531
- PRIESTLY DUTIES WITH NEWS HE WOULD HAVE A SON, THE
- 00:15:18.531 --> 00:15:21.634
- OLD MAN ALL BUT LAUGHED.
- 00:15:21.634 --> 00:15:23.169
- IT WAS TOO LATE.
- 00:15:23.169 --> 00:15:24.537
- IS MAYBE IF GOD HAD COME TO HIM BEFORE.
- 00:15:24.537 --> 00:15:26.706
- BUT NOW?
- 00:15:26.706 --> 00:15:28.141
- NO WAY.
- 00:15:28.141 --> 00:15:29.576
- ZECHARIAH'S DOUBTS WERE SILENCED, LITERALLY.
- 00:15:29.576 --> 00:15:32.779
- HE WAS TOLD HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO SPEAK UNTIL THE
- 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:35.448
- DAY HIS WIFE GAVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THAT'S
- 00:15:35.448 --> 00:15:37.917
- EXACTLY WHAT CAME TO BE.
- 00:15:37.917 --> 00:15:40.020
- WHEN HIS BARREN WIFE ELIZABETH GAVE BIRTH TO A
- 00:15:40.020 --> 00:15:43.623
- BOY, ZECHARIAH FINALLY TOOK A CUE FROM MARY AND
- 00:15:43.623 --> 00:15:47.260
- RELEASED A SONG THAT RIVALED THE MAGNIFICON.
- 00:15:47.260 --> 00:15:50.630
- THIS IS WHAT GOD DOES.
- 00:15:50.630 --> 00:15:52.265
- HE TAKES OUR DOUBTS AND HE TURNS THEM INTO SONGS.
- 00:15:52.265 --> 00:15:56.169
- FOR MARY, IT WAS TOO SOON.
- 00:15:56.169 --> 00:15:59.272
- FOR ZECHARIAH, IT WAS TOO LATE.
- 00:15:59.272 --> 00:16:01.241
- BUT FOR GOD, THE TIMING WAS PERFECT.
- 00:16:01.241 --> 00:16:04.511
- I WONDER IF GOD INCLUDED ZECHARIAH'S STORY IN THE
- 00:16:04.511 --> 00:16:08.782
- GOSPEL FOR THOSE OF US WALKING INTO LIFE'S
- 00:16:08.782 --> 00:16:11.351
- LATTER YEARS.
- 00:16:11.351 --> 00:16:13.186
- THOSE OF US WHO HAVE GIVEN UP ON A DREAM OR
- 00:16:13.186 --> 00:16:16.122
- FORGOTTEN A PRAYER.
- 00:16:16.122 --> 00:16:17.490
- THOSE WHO FEEL LIKE IT'S TOO LATE TO GIVE BIRTH TO
- 00:16:17.490 --> 00:16:21.194
- SOMETHING NEW, OR TO LEAVE A LEGACY OF
- 00:16:21.194 --> 00:16:23.496
- SIGNIFICANCE.
- 00:16:23.496 --> 00:16:25.265
- THROUGH THE BIRTH OF THEIR SON JOHN THE
- 00:16:25.265 --> 00:16:27.467
- BAPTIST, ZECHARIAH AND ELIZABETH WERE FOREVER
- 00:16:27.467 --> 00:16:30.470
- WOVEN INTO THE STORY OF JESUS.
- 00:16:30.470 --> 00:16:33.139
- THAT IS WHAT GOD WILL DO FOR EACH OF US WHEN WE
- 00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:35.308
- STEP INTO THE TIMELINE OF HIS STORY, BUT WHEN YOU
- 00:16:35.308 --> 00:16:38.578
- DO YOU MUST BE PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED AGAIN
- 00:16:38.578 --> 00:16:42.115
- AND AGAIN.
- 00:16:42.115 --> 00:16:44.384
- THAT'S WHAT MARY WOULD SOON DISCOVER.
- 00:16:44.384 --> 00:16:46.486
- YOU SEE, A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE BIRTH OF JOHN
- 00:16:46.486 --> 00:16:48.955
- THE BAPTIST, SHE ENCOUNTERS ANOTHER
- 00:16:48.955 --> 00:16:51.458
- UNEXPECTED EVENT.
- 00:16:51.458 --> 00:16:53.359
- A CENSUS.
- 00:16:53.359 --> 00:16:54.828
- NOW AT NINE MONTHS PREGNANT, YOUNG MARY MUST
- 00:16:54.828 --> 00:16:58.198
- JOURNEY TO THE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, THE LAND OF
- 00:16:58.198 --> 00:17:00.366
- JOSEPH'S BIRTH.
- 00:17:00.366 --> 00:17:01.801
- THIS ISN'T HOW SHE PLANNED TO CELEBRATE THE
- 00:17:01.801 --> 00:17:03.970
- BIRTH OF JESUS.
- 00:17:03.970 --> 00:17:05.839
- NO MATTER HOW YOU CUT IT, THIS ISN'T A GOOD TIME OF
- 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:08.641
- THE YEAR TO BE AWAY FROM THOSE YOU LOVE.
- 00:17:08.641 --> 00:17:11.144
- MAYBE THIS ISN'T HOW YOU PLANNED TO SPEND YOUR
- 00:17:11.144 --> 00:17:14.314
- CHRISTMAS EITHER.
- 00:17:14.314 --> 00:17:15.849
- CHRISTMAS HAS ALWAYS BEEN FILLED WITH
- 00:17:15.849 --> 00:17:18.051
- THE UNEXPECTED.
- 00:17:18.051 --> 00:17:19.586
- WHAT BRINGS US STRESS BROUGHT MARY STRESS.
- 00:17:19.586 --> 00:17:22.055
- BUT IF YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT, WHAT BROUGHT
- 00:17:22.055 --> 00:17:24.457
- HER JOY CAN BRING US JOY AS WELL IF WE ALLOW IT.
- 00:17:24.457 --> 00:17:28.128
- CAN WE GO BACK TO MARY'S STORY?
- 00:17:28.128 --> 00:17:30.897
- THE SCRIPTURE TELLS IT LIKE THIS ...
- 00:17:30.897 --> 00:17:45.278
- TRY TO IMAGINE THE MAJESTY OF THE MOMENT
- 00:17:46.212 --> 00:17:47.847
- WHEN UNTO US A WAS BORN AND UNTO US A GIFT
- 00:17:47.847 --> 00:17:50.917
- WAS GIVEN.
- 00:17:50.917 --> 00:17:52.752
- THE HAND OF THE ONE WHO HUNG THE STARS NOW
- 00:17:52.752 --> 00:17:55.255
- CLUTCHES MARY'S FINGER.
- 00:17:55.255 --> 00:17:57.624
- THE TINY FEET OF THE SKY WALKER CUPPED IN
- 00:17:57.624 --> 00:18:00.260
- JOSEPH'S PALM.
- 00:18:00.260 --> 00:18:02.228
- NO WONDER THE ANGELS FILLED THE SHEPHERDS'
- 00:18:02.228 --> 00:18:04.797
- FIELD WITH WORSHIP.
- 00:18:04.797 --> 00:18:06.833
- ANY DOUBT OF THE FATHER'S LOVE DISAPPEARED THE
- 00:18:06.833 --> 00:18:09.435
- NIGHT GOD WAS WRAPPED IN BARN YARD TOWELS SO THE
- 00:18:09.435 --> 00:18:12.505
- HAY WOULDN'T SCRATCH HIS BACK.
- 00:18:12.505 --> 00:18:15.074
- GOD WAS CONTENT TO ENTER THE WORLD IN THE PRESENCE
- 00:18:15.074 --> 00:18:18.378
- OF A SLEEPY COW AND A WIDE EYED CARPENTER.
- 00:18:18.378 --> 00:18:21.347
- DID THEY HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THEY WERE WITNESSING?
- 00:18:21.347 --> 00:18:24.918
- DID THEY HAVE A CLUE THAT THE RIVER OF HISTORY WAS
- 00:18:24.918 --> 00:18:27.587
- BEING REROUTED BEFORE THEIR EYES?
- 00:18:27.587 --> 00:18:30.757
- WE DON'T KNOW.
- 00:18:30.757 --> 00:18:32.492
- THE COW NEVER SPOKE, AND JOSEPH DIDN'T KEEP A DIARY.
- 00:18:32.492 --> 00:18:35.562
- WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THEY KNEW, BUT MARY, DID
- 00:18:35.562 --> 00:18:38.765
- SHE KNOW?
- 00:18:38.765 --> 00:18:41.801
- YOU BETTER BELIEVE SHE DID.
- 00:18:41.801 --> 00:18:44.437
- SHE MAY HAVE QUESTIONED THE MANGER AND THE
- 00:18:44.437 --> 00:18:46.806
- MIDNIGHT RIDE, BUT REGARDING THE CHILD IN
- 00:18:46.806 --> 00:18:49.342
- HER ARMS, SHE HAD NO DOUBT.
- 00:18:49.342 --> 00:18:52.345
- SHE HAD NO DOUBT BECAUSE SHE WAS AT THE SAME TIME
- 00:18:52.345 --> 00:18:56.049
- A VIRGIN AND A MOTHER.
- 00:18:56.049 --> 00:18:59.352
- SUCH A MIRACLE IN HER WOMB COULD ONLY HAVE COME
- 00:18:59.352 --> 00:19:02.555
- FROM GOD, SO THIS MIRACLE IN THE MANGER MUST BE
- 00:19:02.555 --> 00:19:04.958
- GOD HIMSELF.
- 00:19:04.958 --> 00:19:07.093
- IN THAT MOMENT, MARY DIDN'T QUESTION
- 00:19:07.093 --> 00:19:09.696
- GOD'S TIMING.
- 00:19:09.696 --> 00:19:11.264
- SHE WAS LOOKING AT THE FACE OF GOD, AND IT
- 00:19:11.264 --> 00:19:13.766
- WASN'T A MOMENT TOO SOON.
- 00:19:13.766 --> 00:19:16.703
- WAS THE FIRST CHRISTMAS DIFFERENT THAN SHE
- 00:19:16.703 --> 00:19:18.638
- HAD PLANNED?
- 00:19:18.638 --> 00:19:20.073
- YES, BUT IT TURNED OUT GREATER THAN SHE COULD
- 00:19:20.073 --> 00:19:22.108
- HAVE DREAMED.
- 00:19:22.108 --> 00:19:24.611
- MAY THE SAME HAPPEN TO YOURS.
- 00:19:24.611 --> 00:19:28.815
- ♪♪
- 00:19:28.815 --> 00:19:29.001
- ♪♪
- 00:19:29.001 --> 00:19:37.725
- - ALL THE BEST STORIES HAVE A FEW TWISTS AND TURNS.
- 00:19:37.725 --> 00:19:40.561
- I WONDER IF GOD HAD THAT IN MIND WHEN HE WAS
- 00:19:40.561 --> 00:19:43.364
- WEAVING TOGETHER THE PLOT POINTS OF HISTORY.
- 00:19:43.364 --> 00:19:47.468
- LOOK AT THE CHRISTMAS STORY, FOR EXAMPLE.
- 00:19:47.468 --> 00:19:49.803
- IT'S CHOCK FULL OF UNEXPECTED TWISTS
- 00:19:49.803 --> 00:19:52.206
- AND TURNS.
- 00:19:52.206 --> 00:19:53.340
- YOU CAN READ ABOUT THEM IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
- 00:19:53.340 --> 00:19:56.543
- AND LUKE.
- 00:19:56.543 --> 00:19:58.279
- BUT IF YOU'RE NOT PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION, YOU CAN
- 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.847
- LOSE TRACK OF ALL THE MIRACULOUS EVENTS.
- 00:19:59.847 --> 00:20:03.317
- THAT'S WHY I ENLISTED A FEW YOUNG FRIENDS TO HELP
- 00:20:03.317 --> 00:20:06.153
- ME SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT.
- 00:20:06.153 --> 00:20:08.455
- LET'S HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.
- 00:20:08.455 --> 00:20:11.292
- I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE.
- 00:20:11.292 --> 00:20:13.227
- I AM SO GLAD.
- 00:20:13.227 --> 00:20:14.828
- ARE YOU GLAD TO BE HERE?
- 00:20:14.828 --> 00:20:15.829
- - YEAH!
- 00:20:15.829 --> 00:20:16.463
- - YEAH.
- 00:20:16.463 --> 00:20:17.364
- - WHO ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERS IN THE
- 00:20:17.364 --> 00:20:18.732
- CHRISTMAS STORY?
- 00:20:18.732 --> 00:20:20.100
- - GOD.
- 00:20:20.100 --> 00:20:21.935
- - JESUS.
- 00:20:21.035 --> 00:20:24.004
- - AND SANTA CLAUS AND HIS WIFE.
- 00:20:22.703 --> 00:20:26.740
- - SANTA CLAUS AND HIS WIFE?
- 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:28.509
- - NO, SANTA CLAUS?
- 00:20:28.509 --> 00:20:29.643
- - WHO KNOWS THE NAME OF THE TOWN WHERE JESUS
- 00:20:29.643 --> 00:20:32.313
- WAS BORN?
- 00:20:32.313 --> 00:20:33.814
- - BETHLEHEM.
- 00:20:33.814 --> 00:20:34.882
- - BETHLEHEM!
- 00:20:34.882 --> 00:20:35.983
- - BETHLEHEM.
- 00:20:35.983 --> 00:20:37.251
- WHO KNOWS WHERE BETHLEHEM IS?
- 00:20:37.251 --> 00:20:38.886
- - A STABLE.
- 00:20:38.886 --> 00:20:40.954
- - IN THE STABLE?
- 00:20:40.954 --> 00:20:41.922
- - YEAH.
- 00:20:41.922 --> 00:20:42.723
- - IN THE DESERT.
- 00:20:42.723 --> 00:20:43.791
- - IS IT IN THE DESERT?
- 00:20:43.791 --> 00:20:44.858
- - IT'S THE DESERT.
- 00:20:44.858 --> 00:20:45.726
- IT'S THE DESERT.
- 00:20:45.726 --> 00:20:46.427
- IN THE DESERT.
- 00:20:46.427 --> 00:20:47.394
- - IS IT A LONG WAY FROM US?
- 00:20:47.394 --> 00:20:48.562
- - IT'S 225 MILES AWAY!
- 00:20:48.562 --> 00:20:51.198
- - WHICH WAY?
- 00:20:51.198 --> 00:20:52.232
- - THAT WAY. - THAT WAY.
- 00:20:52.232 --> 00:20:53.767
- - THAT WAY.
- 00:20:53.767 --> 00:20:55.436
- - HOW DID JOSEPH AND MARY GET TO BETHLEHEM?
- 00:20:55.436 --> 00:20:57.338
- DID THEY TAKE A CAR?
- 00:20:57.338 --> 00:20:59.340
- - ON A DONKEY.
- 00:20:59.340 --> 00:21:00.174
- - ON A DONKEY?
- 00:21:00.174 --> 00:21:01.175
- - YEAH.
- 00:21:01.175 --> 00:21:02.443
- - WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STABLE SMELLED LIKE WHEN JESUS --
- 00:21:02.443 --> 00:21:05.079
- - I THINK IT SMELLED LIKE SNOW.
- 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:08.115
- - LIKE SNOW.
- 00:21:08.115 --> 00:21:09.116
- - IT SMELLED KIND OF LIKE WORMS.
- 00:21:09.116 --> 00:21:13.220
- - EW!
- 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:14.555
- - EW-EE!
- 00:21:14.555 --> 00:21:16.490
- - SLIMY.
- 00:21:16.490 --> 00:21:18.392
- - DO YOU REMEMBER THE KIND OF ANIMALS?
- 00:21:18.392 --> 00:21:19.993
- - COWS.
- 00:21:19.993 --> 00:21:21.729
- HORSES.
- 00:21:21.729 --> 00:21:23.097
- UM, SHEEP.
- 00:21:23.097 --> 00:21:24.064
- - DO YOU THINK ANY MONKEYS WERE THERE?
- 00:21:24.064 --> 00:21:25.065
- - NO.
- 00:21:25.065 --> 00:21:26.767
- - DO YOU THINK YOUR PUPPY DOG WAS THERE?
- 00:21:26.767 --> 00:21:28.168
- - NO?
- 00:21:28.168 --> 00:21:29.737
- OH MY GOODNESS!
- 00:21:29.737 --> 00:21:30.738
- - I'M ABOUT TO GET A DOG, BUT I THINK WE'RE
- 00:21:30.738 --> 00:21:33.474
- GOING TO NAME IT VELCRO.
- 00:21:33.474 --> 00:21:35.008
- I DON'T KNOW.
- 00:21:35.008 --> 00:21:36.009
- - VELCRO IS A GOOD NAME FOR A DOG.
- 00:21:36.009 --> 00:21:38.045
- WHO WAS THERE WHEN JESUS WAS BORN?
- 00:21:38.045 --> 00:21:40.581
- - MARY AND JOSEPH.
- 00:21:40.581 --> 00:21:43.584
- - COWS AND ANIMALS.
- 00:21:42.249 --> 00:21:46.887
- COWS AND ANIMALS.
- 00:21:46.887 --> 00:21:48.155
- - PIGGIES.
- 00:21:48.155 --> 00:21:50.023
- - MARY AND JOSEPH.
- 00:21:49.123 --> 00:21:53.527
- - AND THE WISE MEN.
- 00:21:53.527 --> 00:21:55.863
- WERE THERE ANY SHEPHERDS?
- 00:21:54.728 --> 00:21:57.364
- - YES, YES, YES, YES.
- 00:21:57.364 --> 00:22:01.168
- - WISE MEN.
- 00:22:01.168 --> 00:22:04.972
- WHAT PRESENTS DID THE WISE MEN BRING TO JESUS?
- 00:22:03.137 --> 00:22:08.008
- - HE BRINGS GEMS.
- 00:22:08.008 --> 00:22:10.511
- - GEMS. WOW!
- 00:22:10.511 --> 00:22:13.046
- WHAT KIND OF GEMS?
- 00:22:13.046 --> 00:22:14.615
- - LIKE SPARKLING GEMS.
- 00:22:14.615 --> 00:22:15.983
- - SPARKLING GEMS?
- 00:22:15.983 --> 00:22:17.017
- - YEAH.
- 00:22:17.017 --> 00:22:17.985
- - HOW DO YOU THINK CHRISTMAS MAKES YOU
- 00:22:17.985 --> 00:22:18.919
- FEEL INSIDE?
- 00:22:18.919 --> 00:22:20.354
- - HAPPY.
- 00:22:20.354 --> 00:22:22.356
- - COZY.
- 00:22:21.321 --> 00:22:23.424
- - HAPPY AND COZY?
- 00:22:23.424 --> 00:22:24.258
- - YEAH.
- 00:22:24.258 --> 00:22:25.559
- - HOW DO YOU CARRY CHRISTMAS IN YOUR HEART?
- 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:27.294
- - YOUR HEART DOESN'T HAVE HANDS SO IT CAN'T
- 00:22:27.294 --> 00:22:29.029
- CARRY IT.
- 00:22:29.029 --> 00:22:30.330
- - NO.
- 00:22:30.330 --> 00:22:31.231
- - IT CAN'T CARRY A CHRISTMAS TREE.
- 00:22:31.231 --> 00:22:32.266
- - IT CAN'T, CAN IT?
- 00:22:32.266 --> 00:22:33.534
- - IN JOY?
- 00:22:33.534 --> 00:22:36.003
- - AND PEACE.
- 00:22:35.002 --> 00:22:38.005
- YEAH.
- 00:22:37.004 --> 00:22:39.139
- - AND HAPPINESS.
- 00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:40.240
- - HAPPINESS.
- 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.208
- - SO HAPPY!
- 00:22:41.208 --> 00:22:42.242
- - SO HAPPY?
- 00:22:42.242 --> 00:22:43.177
- YEAH.
- 00:22:43.177 --> 00:22:44.077
- - IT MAKES ME SO HYPER.
- 00:22:44.077 --> 00:22:45.345
- - HYPER.
- 00:22:45.345 --> 00:22:46.213
- [ CHUCKLING ]
- 00:22:46.213 --> 00:22:46.847
- - SAY IT.
- 00:22:46.847 --> 00:22:47.381
- SAY IT.
- 00:22:47.381 --> 00:22:48.015
- - TOYS.
- 00:22:48.015 --> 00:22:48.649
- IT MAKES YOU FEEL TOYS.
- 00:22:48.649 --> 00:22:53.287
- - THE GREAT CHALLENGE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR IS
- 00:22:54.321 --> 00:22:55.956
- REMEMBERING ITS ORIGINAL INTENT.
- 00:22:55.956 --> 00:22:58.592
- THERE ARE SOME PLACES TO GO.
- 00:22:58.592 --> 00:23:00.794
- SO MANY PEOPLE TO SEE.
- 00:23:00.794 --> 00:23:03.197
- WE HURRY, DECORATING THE TREE, WRAPPING THE GIFTS.
- 00:23:03.197 --> 00:23:06.800
- WE WORRY, HOW CAN I AFFORD WHAT I NEED TO BUY?
- 00:23:06.800 --> 00:23:10.204
- HOW CAN I TRAVEL WHERE I NEED TO GO?
- 00:23:10.204 --> 00:23:12.473
- AND WE PARTY?
- 00:23:12.473 --> 00:23:13.674
- BAKING THE COOKIES AND FILLING OUR CALENDARS
- 00:23:13.674 --> 00:23:16.210
- WITH EVENTS.
- 00:23:16.210 --> 00:23:17.711
- ONE THING THAT NEVER MAKES THE HOLIDAY TO-DO
- 00:23:17.711 --> 00:23:20.614
- LIST IS THE UNEXPECTED.
- 00:23:20.614 --> 00:23:23.116
- THE INTERRUPTIONS.
- 00:23:23.116 --> 00:23:24.051
- THE INCONVENIENCES.
- 00:23:24.051 --> 00:23:25.619
- THE INEVITABLE.
- 00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:26.987
- IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR, BUT
- 00:23:26.987 --> 00:23:30.624
- IT'S BOUND TO COME WITH A FEW COMPLICATIONS.
- 00:23:30.624 --> 00:23:32.960
- IF YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT, CHRISTMAS AND EVEN
- 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:35.996
- CHRISTIANITY WAS BORN IN ONE BIG
- 00:23:35.996 --> 00:23:38.966
- HEAVENLY INTERRUPTION.
- 00:23:38.966 --> 00:23:41.001
- GOD TAPPED HUMANITY ON ITS COLLECTIVE SHOULDER.
- 00:23:41.001 --> 00:23:44.204
- PARDON ME, HE SAID.
- 00:23:44.204 --> 00:23:46.240
- AND ETERNITY INTERRUPTED TIME.
- 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:48.909
- DIVINITY INTERRUPTED CARNALITY AND INTERRUPTED
- 00:23:48.909 --> 00:23:52.779
- THE EARTH IN THE FORM OF A BABY.
- 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:56.683
- JUST ASK THE BETHLEHEM SHEPHERDS.
- 00:23:56.683 --> 00:23:58.952
- WE KNOW SO LITTLE ABOUT THESE MEN.
- 00:23:58.952 --> 00:24:01.088
- THEIR NAMES, THEIR AGES, HOW MANY WERE ON DUTY
- 00:24:01.088 --> 00:24:04.258
- THAT NIGHT.
- 00:24:04.258 --> 00:24:05.392
- WE DON'T KNOW.
- 00:24:05.392 --> 00:24:06.760
- BUT THIS MUCH WE CAN SAFELY ASSUME, THEY HAD NO
- 00:24:06.760 --> 00:24:10.063
- EXPECTATIONS OF EXCITEMENT.
- 00:24:10.063 --> 00:24:11.932
- THESE ARE SHEEP THEY ARE WATCHING.
- 00:24:11.932 --> 00:24:14.868
- THAT NIGHT, SOME SHEPHERDS WERE IN THE
- 00:24:14.868 --> 00:24:18.105
- FIELDS NEARBY WATCHING THEIR SHEEP.
- 00:24:18.105 --> 00:24:21.275
- WE COUNT SHEEP TO GO TO SLEEP.
- 00:24:21.275 --> 00:24:23.677
- BESIDES, THIS IS THE NIGHT SHIFT.
- 00:24:23.677 --> 00:24:26.280
- MIGHT AS WELL WATCH PAINT DRY.
- 00:24:26.280 --> 00:24:29.349
- SHEPHERDS WATCHING SHEEP SLEEP?
- 00:24:29.349 --> 00:24:32.686
- SAYING THAT SENTENCE IS MORE EXCITING THAN DOING
- 00:24:32.686 --> 00:24:35.322
- THEIR JOB.
- 00:24:35.322 --> 00:24:36.690
- THEIR GREATEST CHALLENGE WAS STAYING AWAKE.
- 00:24:36.690 --> 00:24:40.093
- THESE MEN EXPECTED NO EXCITED.
- 00:24:40.093 --> 00:24:42.095
- NOR DID THEY WANT ANY.
- 00:24:42.095 --> 00:24:44.431
- ANY EXCITEMENT WAS BAD EXCITEMENT.
- 00:24:44.431 --> 00:24:46.400
- WOLVES, MOUNTAIN LIONS, POACHERS.
- 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:49.069
- SHEPHERDS TREASURED THE PREDICTABLE.
- 00:24:49.069 --> 00:24:51.438
- THEY COVETED THE CALM.
- 00:24:51.438 --> 00:24:53.540
- THEIR SINGULAR AIM WAS TO BE ABLE TO TELL THEIR
- 00:24:53.540 --> 00:24:56.577
- WIVES, EH, NOTHING HAPPENED LAST NIGHT.
- 00:24:56.577 --> 00:25:00.714
- JUST BECAUSE THEY WANTED A CALM NIGHT HOWEVER, DID
- 00:25:00.714 --> 00:25:03.584
- NOT MEAN THEY WOULD GET IT.
- 00:25:03.584 --> 00:25:05.786
- AND FORGIVE THE REMINDER, JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT A
- 00:25:05.786 --> 00:25:09.289
- CALM LIFE, DON'T BANK ON HAVING IT.
- 00:25:09.289 --> 00:25:12.225
- YOU MIGHT BE THINKING MY LIFE IS COMFORTABLE.
- 00:25:12.225 --> 00:25:15.696
- HEAVEN ON EARTH.
- 00:25:15.696 --> 00:25:17.397
- BUT THEN THE EARTH SPINS AND LIFE HAS YOU LOOKING
- 00:25:17.397 --> 00:25:20.300
- TO HEAVEN FOR ANSWERS.
- 00:25:20.300 --> 00:25:22.336
- A DOCTOR SAYS PREGNANT.
- 00:25:22.336 --> 00:25:24.972
- THE BOSS SAYS TRANSFER.
- 00:25:24.972 --> 00:25:27.474
- THE AUTO MECHANIC SAYS TOTALED.
- 00:25:27.474 --> 00:25:30.277
- THESE THINGS CAN BE UNEXPECTED.
- 00:25:30.277 --> 00:25:33.347
- BUT ACCIDENTAL?
- 00:25:33.347 --> 00:25:34.514
- ABSOLUTELY NOT.
- 00:25:34.514 --> 00:25:46.860
- THAT'S WHAT THE SCRIPTURE SAYS.
- 00:25:47.661 --> 00:25:49.563
- AND OUR TYPICAL INITIAL RESPONSIBLE IS THE
- 00:25:49.563 --> 00:25:52.499
- SAME AS THAT OF THE SHEPHERDS.
- 00:25:52.499 --> 00:25:55.335
- FEAR.
- 00:25:55.335 --> 00:25:57.137
- THEN AN ANGEL OF THE LORD STOOD BEFORE THEM.
- 00:25:57.137 --> 00:26:05.612
- CHANGE TENDS TO BRING FEAR BEFORE IT
- 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:08.849
- BRINGS FAITH.
- 00:26:08.849 --> 00:26:10.517
- WHEN SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS, WE
- 00:26:10.517 --> 00:26:13.153
- ASSUME THE WORST BEFORE WE LOOK FOR THE BEST.
- 00:26:13.153 --> 00:26:16.189
- GOD INTERRUPTS OUR LIVES WITH SOMETHING WE'VE
- 00:26:16.189 --> 00:26:18.091
- NEVER SEEN, AND RATHER THAN PRAISE, WE PANIC.
- 00:26:18.091 --> 00:26:21.428
- WE INTERPRET THE PRESENCE OF A PROBLEM AS THE
- 00:26:21.428 --> 00:26:23.530
- ABSENCE OF GOD, AND SCOOT.
- 00:26:23.530 --> 00:26:27.634
- GOOD THING THE SHEPHERDS LINGERED.
- 00:26:27.634 --> 00:26:29.903
- OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT HAVE MISSED THE SECOND VERSE.
- 00:26:29.903 --> 00:26:34.341
- TODAY YOUR SAVIOR WAS BORN IN THE TOWN OF DAVID.
- 00:26:34.341 --> 00:26:38.945
- HE IS CHRIST THE LORD.
- 00:26:38.945 --> 00:26:41.982
- THAT'S WHAT I HOPE YOU WILL DO,
- 00:26:41.982 --> 00:26:44.618
- LINGER AT THE MANGER, LINGER AT THE UNEXPECTED
- 00:26:44.618 --> 00:26:47.921
- PLACES GOD LEADS YOU TO THIS SEASON
- 00:26:47.921 --> 00:26:51.124
- AND IN EVERY SEASON.
- 00:26:51.124 --> 00:26:52.959
- THINK ABOUT THE MANGER FOR A MOMENT.
- 00:26:52.959 --> 00:26:54.961
- IT'S PEACEFUL AND SERENE IN A CHRISTMAS SCENE,
- 00:26:54.961 --> 00:26:57.631
- BUT IN REAL LIFE IT WASN'T IN MARY AND
- 00:26:57.631 --> 00:27:00.967
- JOSEPH'S PLAN. IT WASN'T EVEN THE BACKUP PLAN.
- 00:27:00.967 --> 00:27:05.672
- A JOURNEY OF INCONVENIENCE LED THEM TO
- 00:27:05.672 --> 00:27:07.674
- THE MANGER, AND YET GOD DELIVERED THE GREATEST
- 00:27:07.674 --> 00:27:10.610
- GIFT TO THEM IN THAT UNEXPECTED PLACE.
- 00:27:10.610 --> 00:27:15.048
- OR LOOK AT THE WISEMEN.
- 00:27:15.048 --> 00:27:17.050
- THEY LEFT THEIR HOME IN SEARCH OF A KING WHOSE
- 00:27:17.050 --> 00:27:19.386
- REIGN WAS WRITTEN IN THE HEAVENS,
- 00:27:19.386 --> 00:27:21.722
- BUT THE STARS LED THEM ON A WINDING JOURNEY FROM
- 00:27:21.722 --> 00:27:25.492
- THE FAR EAST TO KING HEROD'S COURT AND THEN
- 00:27:25.492 --> 00:27:28.562
- TO A LITTLE TOWN CALLED BETHLEHEM.
- 00:27:28.562 --> 00:27:31.598
- SCHOLARS BELIEVE THIS JOURNEY TOOK OVER A YEAR.
- 00:27:31.598 --> 00:27:35.502
- I'M SURE THEY IMAGINED LAYING DOWN THEIR GIFTS
- 00:27:35.502 --> 00:27:38.071
- BEFORE A GILDED THRONE ONLY TO FIND THEIR
- 00:27:38.071 --> 00:27:40.974
- DESTINATION WAS A HUMBLE STABLE.
- 00:27:40.974 --> 00:27:44.778
- BUT THE TWISTS AND TURNS, THE PERSEVERANCE THE
- 00:27:44.778 --> 00:27:48.014
- JOURNEY REQUIRED, IT WAS ALL WORTH IT BECAUSE THEY
- 00:27:48.014 --> 00:27:51.551
- WERE FOLLOWING A PROMISE,
- 00:27:51.551 --> 00:27:54.054
- A PROMISE THAT LED THEM TO JESUS.
- 00:27:54.054 --> 00:27:57.357
- MAYBE YOU CAN RELATE.
- 00:27:57.357 --> 00:27:58.959
- MAYBE HEAVEN'S INTERRUPTED YOUR CALM LIFE.
- 00:27:58.959 --> 00:28:01.962
- MAYBE YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A PLACE OF
- 00:28:01.962 --> 00:28:04.164
- INCONVENIENCE OR ON A JOURNEY THAT'S TAKING
- 00:28:04.164 --> 00:28:07.234
- LONGER THAN YOU EXPECTED.
- 00:28:07.234 --> 00:28:09.503
- IN THE FACE OF UNCERTAINTY,
- 00:28:09.503 --> 00:28:11.538
- BE CERTAIN OF THIS, THERE IS A PROMISE WAITING
- 00:28:11.538 --> 00:28:14.641
- FOR YOU IN THE MANGER.
- 00:28:14.641 --> 00:28:16.810
- YOU MAY NOT SEE IT IN THE STARS,
- 00:28:16.810 --> 00:28:18.745
- BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND IT IN THE SCRIPTURES.
- 00:28:18.745 --> 00:28:21.815
- THE FIRST CHAPTER OF 2 CORINTHIANS TELLS US...
- 00:28:21.815 --> 00:28:37.230
- THOSE ARE GOD'S WORDS WRITTEN TO YOU.
- 00:28:38.131 --> 00:28:41.535
- IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A PROMISE FROM GOD,
- 00:28:41.535 --> 00:28:44.571
- LOOK FOR JESUS.
- 00:28:44.571 --> 00:28:45.906
- HE IS THE PROMISE FULFILLED.
- 00:28:45.906 --> 00:28:47.440
- HE IS THE ONE WHO MEETS US IN THE PLACES
- 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:50.310
- WE LEAST EXPECT.
- 00:28:50.310 --> 00:28:53.246
- SO HERE'S MY PRAYER THIS CHRISTMAS.
- 00:28:53.246 --> 00:28:55.615
- LIKE THE SHEPHERDS, MAY WE LINGER IN HEAVEN'S PRESENCE.
- 00:28:55.615 --> 00:28:59.619
- LIKE MARY AND JOSEPH, MAY WE RECEIVE GOD'S GIFTS
- 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:02.956
- IN THE MIDST OF INCONVENIENCE.
- 00:29:02.956 --> 00:29:06.493
- AND LIKE THE WISEMEN, MAY WE SEARCH ENDLESSLY
- 00:29:06.493 --> 00:29:09.729
- FOR THE KING. AND THROUGH JESUS,
- 00:29:09.729 --> 00:29:12.632
- MAY WE EMBRACE THE PROMISE OF THE MANGER.
- 00:29:12.632 --> 00:29:17.337
- [MUSIC]
- 00:29:17.337 --> 00:29:34.187
- ♪ JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME...
- 00:29:34.187 --> 00:29:41.695
- ♪ LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING...
- 00:29:41.695 --> 00:29:49.836
- ♪ LET EV'RY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM...
- 00:29:49.836 --> 00:29:57.777
- ♪ AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING...
- 00:29:57.777 --> 00:30:05.952
- ♪ AND HEAV'N, AND HEAV'N AND NATURE SING...
- 00:30:01.882 --> 00:30:12.692
- ♪ OH, OH, OH...
- 00:30:12.692 --> 00:30:28.275
- ♪ JOY TO THE WORLD, THE SAVIOR REIGNS...
- 00:30:28.275 --> 00:30:35.715
- ♪ LET MEN THEIR SONGS EMPLOY...
- 00:30:35.715 --> 00:30:43.890
- ♪ WHILE FIELDS AND FLOODS...
- 00:30:43.890 --> 00:30:47.761
- ♪ ROCKS, HILLS, AND PLAINS...
- 00:30:47.761 --> 00:30:51.731
- ♪ REPEAT THE SOUNDING JOY...
- 00:30:51.731 --> 00:30:55.869
- ♪ REPEAT THE SOUNDING JOY...
- 00:30:55.869 --> 00:30:59.873
- ♪ REPEAT, REPEAT THE SOUNDING JOY...
- 00:30:59.873 --> 00:31:06.746
- ♪ OH, OH, OH...
- 00:31:06.746 --> 00:31:13.420
- ♪ THE SOUNDING JOY...
- 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:15.188
- ♪ OH, OH, OH...
- 00:31:15.188 --> 00:31:22.529
- ♪ HE RULES THE WORLD WITH TRUTH AND GRACE...
- 00:31:22.529 --> 00:31:29.769
- ♪ AND MAKES THE NATIONS PROVE...
- 00:31:29.769 --> 00:31:37.877
- ♪ THE GLORIES OF HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS...
- 00:31:37.877 --> 00:31:45.719
- ♪ AND WONDERS OF HIS LOVE...
- 00:31:45.719 --> 00:31:53.860
- ♪ AND WONDERS, WONDERS OF HIS LOVE...
- 00:31:49.756 --> 00:32:12.245
- ♪ OH, OH, OH...
- 00:32:12.245 --> 00:32:26.459
- ♪ EVERY BOY, EVERY GIRL...
- 00:32:26.459 --> 00:32:31.231
- ♪ SING JOY TO THE WORLD!
- 00:32:31.231 --> 00:32:40.006
- ♪♪
- 00:32:40.006 --> 00:32:51.217
- - A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER.
- 00:32:51.918 --> 00:32:53.787
- WE ALL HAVE ONE OF THOSE.
- 00:32:53.787 --> 00:32:55.522
- THE YEAR THE TURKEY BURNED.
- 00:32:55.522 --> 00:32:57.090
- THE YEAR EVERYONE GOT A BICYCLE.
- 00:32:57.090 --> 00:32:59.626
- THE YEAR THERE WAS A WHITE CHRISTMAS IN TEXAS.
- 00:32:59.626 --> 00:33:03.096
- FOR ME, IT WAS THE YEAR OF THE BIG BOX.
- 00:33:03.096 --> 00:33:06.266
- I WAS JUST A BOY, AND THAT YEAR THERE WAS A
- 00:33:06.266 --> 00:33:08.835
- LARGE CARDBOARD BOX SITTING IN THE CORNER
- 00:33:08.835 --> 00:33:11.538
- OF OUR LIVING ROOM FOR WEEKS.
- 00:33:11.538 --> 00:33:13.406
- NO WRAPPING, NO MARKING, IT WAS JUST A BOX,
- 00:33:13.406 --> 00:33:16.709
- TOO BIG TO FIT UNDER THE TREE AND HONESTLY TOO
- 00:33:16.709 --> 00:33:19.145
- UNREMARKABLE TO BELONG.
- 00:33:19.145 --> 00:33:21.614
- THOSE EVERGREEN BRANCHES DECKED OUT WITH ORNAMENTS
- 00:33:21.614 --> 00:33:24.417
- AND TINSEL CALL FOR EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE GIFTS.
- 00:33:24.417 --> 00:33:28.254
- ON CHRISTMAS MORNING YOU NEED BOWS TO RIP OFF AND
- 00:33:28.254 --> 00:33:30.924
- PAPER TO TEAR, AND WHEN CHRISTMAS MORNING CAME,
- 00:33:30.924 --> 00:33:34.327
- THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DID.
- 00:33:34.327 --> 00:33:37.097
- BUT AFTER ALL THE GIFTS WERE UNWRAPPED,
- 00:33:37.097 --> 00:33:39.165
- OUR ATTENTION FINALLY TURNED TO THE
- 00:33:39.165 --> 00:33:41.067
- BIG CARDBOARD BOX.
- 00:33:41.067 --> 00:33:43.103
- TO BE HONEST, IT HAD BEEN THERE SO LONG I DIDN'T
- 00:33:43.103 --> 00:33:45.438
- EVEN NOTICE IT, BUT DAD EXPLAINED THE
- 00:33:45.438 --> 00:33:48.741
- GIFT WAS FOR MY MOM.
- 00:33:48.741 --> 00:33:51.511
- WHILE WE PLAYED WITH OUR GIFTS, MOM OPENED
- 00:33:51.511 --> 00:33:53.913
- THE BOX AND SHE PULLED OUT ANOTHER BOX.
- 00:33:53.913 --> 00:33:57.817
- NOW WE WERE INTRIGUED.
- 00:33:57.817 --> 00:33:59.953
- WE GATHERED AROUND AS SHE OPENED THE PACKAGE
- 00:33:59.953 --> 00:34:02.222
- REVEALING YET ANOTHER BOX.
- 00:34:02.222 --> 00:34:05.425
- THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL FINALLY SHE
- 00:34:05.425 --> 00:34:08.561
- REACHED INTO THE SMALL BOX AND REVEALED A SMOOTH
- 00:34:08.561 --> 00:34:12.565
- VELVET RING BOX WITH A PRECIOUS GEM
- 00:34:12.565 --> 00:34:16.736
- GLEAMING INSIDE.
- 00:34:16.736 --> 00:34:18.438
- I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT MOMENT.
- 00:34:18.438 --> 00:34:20.874
- NOT ONLY THE THRILL BUT THE LESSON I LEARNED.
- 00:34:20.874 --> 00:34:24.377
- SOMETIMES THE BEST GIFTS COME IN UNEXPECTED
- 00:34:24.377 --> 00:34:28.148
- PACKAGES, ON CHRISTMAS MORNING BUT ALSO
- 00:34:28.148 --> 00:34:31.518
- IN GOD'S STORY.
- 00:34:31.518 --> 00:34:33.620
- AS YOU CAN TELL BY NOW, I LOVE TO IMAGINE WHAT LIFE
- 00:34:33.620 --> 00:34:36.256
- WAS LIKE FOR THE PEOPLE WE READ ABOUT IN SCRIPTURE.
- 00:34:36.256 --> 00:34:39.292
- MARY AND JOSEPH, THE WISEMEN, THE DISCIPLES,
- 00:34:39.292 --> 00:34:42.028
- BUT MOST OF ALL JESUS.
- 00:34:42.028 --> 00:34:45.765
- IN ISAIAH 53, THE PROPHET WRITES ABOUT
- 00:34:45.765 --> 00:34:48.468
- THE COMING MESSIAH...
- 00:34:48.468 --> 00:34:56.943
- IN MANY WAYS, JESUS HIMSELF WAS JUST LIKE
- 00:34:57.911 --> 00:35:01.214
- THAT PRESENT SITTING IN THE CORNER OF OUR LIVING
- 00:35:01.214 --> 00:35:04.017
- ROOM, NO FANCY WRAPPING, NOTHING TO ATTRACT THE EYE.
- 00:35:04.017 --> 00:35:08.721
- HE WAS THE MESSIAH, THE SAVIOR,
- 00:35:08.721 --> 00:35:10.657
- THE ULTIMATE GIFT, BUT HE DIDN'T COME IN THE
- 00:35:10.657 --> 00:35:13.760
- PACKAGE ANYONE EXPECTED.
- 00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:16.663
- LET'S LOOK AT HIS NAME FOR EXAMPLE: JESUS.
- 00:35:16.663 --> 00:35:19.933
- OF ALL THE NAMES USED FOR GOD'S SON IN THE GOSPELS,
- 00:35:19.933 --> 00:35:23.236
- JESUS TAKES THE NUMBER ONE SPOT.
- 00:35:23.236 --> 00:35:25.104
- IT APPEARS OVER 600 TIMES.
- 00:35:25.104 --> 00:35:27.941
- BUT IT'S NOT A NAME THAT WOULD HAVE STOOD OUT IN
- 00:35:27.941 --> 00:35:31.377
- HIS TIME. IN FACT, IT WAS A VERY COMMON NAME,
- 00:35:31.377 --> 00:35:34.948
- THE GREEK FORM OF JOSHUA.
- 00:35:34.948 --> 00:35:37.684
- THERE WERE AT LEAST FIVE HIGH PRIESTS KNOWN AS
- 00:35:37.684 --> 00:35:40.186
- JESUS, AND THE WRITINGS OF THE HISTORIAN JOE
- 00:35:40.186 --> 00:35:43.089
- CEPHAS REFERRED TO ABOUT 20 PEOPLE CALLED JESUS.
- 00:35:43.089 --> 00:35:47.327
- SOME MANUSCRIPTS EVEN GIVE JESUS AS THE
- 00:35:47.327 --> 00:35:50.330
- FIRST NAME OF BARABBAS, THE MURDERER.
- 00:35:50.330 --> 00:35:53.132
- IMAGINE HOW THAT TRANSLATES ON GOOD FRIDAY.
- 00:35:53.132 --> 00:35:55.568
- WHICH WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO RELEASE TO YOU,
- 00:35:55.568 --> 00:35:57.470
- JESUS BARABBAS OR JESUS CALLED THE MESSIAH?
- 00:35:57.470 --> 00:36:01.407
- WHAT'S THE POINT?
- 00:36:01.407 --> 00:36:03.142
- WELL JESUS WAS JUST ANOTHER JOE.
- 00:36:03.142 --> 00:36:06.012
- IF HE CAME TODAY, HIS NAME MIGHT HAVE BEEN
- 00:36:06.012 --> 00:36:08.248
- JOHN OR BOB OR JIM OR MAX.
- 00:36:08.248 --> 00:36:11.451
- NO. WHEN GOD CHOSE THE NAME HIS SON WOULD CARRY,
- 00:36:11.451 --> 00:36:15.622
- HE CHOSE A HUMAN NAME.
- 00:36:15.622 --> 00:36:17.624
- HE CHOSE A NAME SO TYPICAL THAT IT WOULD
- 00:36:17.624 --> 00:36:20.293
- APPEAR TWO OR THREE TIMES ON ANY GIVEN CLASS ROLL.
- 00:36:20.293 --> 00:36:24.163
- YOU SEE, FROM THE MOMENT JESUS ENTERED THE WORLD,
- 00:36:24.163 --> 00:36:27.467
- GOD MADE IT CLEAR HE WASN'T COMING TO DEMAND
- 00:36:27.467 --> 00:36:29.969
- OUR ATTENTION BUT TO DISPLAY HIS AFFECTION.
- 00:36:29.969 --> 00:36:34.474
- IN ORDER TO SERVE US AND SAVE US,
- 00:36:34.474 --> 00:36:37.176
- GOD BECAME A MAN, A REGULAR JOE.
- 00:36:37.176 --> 00:36:40.413
- HE WAS TOUCHABLE, APPROACHABLE, REACHABLE,
- 00:36:40.413 --> 00:36:43.416
- AND WHAT'S MORE HE WAS ORDINARY.
- 00:36:43.416 --> 00:36:46.252
- YOU PROBABLY WOULDN'T NOTICE HIM
- 00:36:46.252 --> 00:36:47.754
- IN THE GROCERY STORE.
- 00:36:47.754 --> 00:36:49.389
- HE WOULDN'T TURN HEADS BY THE CLOTHES HE WORE OR
- 00:36:49.389 --> 00:36:52.292
- THE JEWELRY HE FLASHED.
- 00:36:52.292 --> 00:36:54.027
- IT WAS HUMBLE, UNASSUMING.
- 00:36:54.027 --> 00:36:56.796
- JUST CALL ME JESUS YOU CAN ALMOST HEAR HIM SAY.
- 00:36:56.796 --> 00:37:00.867
- THE SON OF GOD CAME NOT AS A FLASH OF LIGHT OR AN
- 00:37:00.867 --> 00:37:05.471
- UNAPPROACHABLE CONQUEROR BUT AS ONE WHOSE FIRST
- 00:37:05.471 --> 00:37:08.841
- CRIES WERE HEARD BY A PEASANT GIRL
- 00:37:08.841 --> 00:37:10.810
- AND A CARPENTER.
- 00:37:10.810 --> 00:37:13.012
- THIS IS THE UNEXPECTED KING.
- 00:37:13.012 --> 00:37:16.115
- JESUS MAY HAVE HAD PIMPLES,
- 00:37:16.115 --> 00:37:17.917
- HE MAY HAVE BEEN TONE DEAF,
- 00:37:17.917 --> 00:37:20.153
- PERHAPS THE GIRL DOWN THE STREET HAD A CRUSH ON HIM
- 00:37:20.153 --> 00:37:22.622
- OR VICE VERSA.
- 00:37:22.622 --> 00:37:24.791
- IT COULD BE THAT HIS KNEES WERE BONY.
- 00:37:24.791 --> 00:37:27.794
- ONE THING'S FOR SURE, HE WAS WHILE COMPLETELY
- 00:37:27.794 --> 00:37:30.563
- DIVINE, COMPLETELY HUMAN.
- 00:37:30.563 --> 00:37:33.700
- FOR 33 YEARS HE WOULD FEEL EVERYTHING YOU
- 00:37:33.700 --> 00:37:36.436
- AND I HAVE EVER FELT.
- 00:37:36.436 --> 00:37:38.171
- HE FELT WEAK, HE GREW WEARY.
- 00:37:38.171 --> 00:37:40.773
- HE WAS AFRAID OF FAILURE.
- 00:37:40.773 --> 00:37:42.909
- HE WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO WOOING WOMEN.
- 00:37:42.909 --> 00:37:45.745
- HE GOT COLDS, BURPED, HAD BODY ODOR.
- 00:37:45.745 --> 00:37:49.615
- HIS FEELINGS GOT HURT, HIS FEET GOT TIRED,
- 00:37:49.615 --> 00:37:52.452
- AND HIS HEAD ACHED.
- 00:37:52.452 --> 00:37:55.021
- TO THINK OF JESUS IN SUCH A LIGHT IS, WELL,
- 00:37:55.021 --> 00:38:00.360
- IT ALMOST SEEMS IRREVERENT, DOESN'T IT?
- 00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:03.329
- IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE LIKE TO DO.
- 00:38:03.329 --> 00:38:05.365
- IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE.
- 00:38:05.365 --> 00:38:07.033
- IT IS MUCH EASIER TO KEEP THE HUMANITY OUT OF THE
- 00:38:07.033 --> 00:38:10.603
- INCARNATION, CLEAN THE MANURE FROM AROUND THE
- 00:38:10.603 --> 00:38:13.239
- MANGER, WIPE THE SWEAT OUT OF HIS EYES,
- 00:38:13.239 --> 00:38:16.142
- PRETEND HE NEVER SNORED OR BLEW HIS NOSE OR HIT
- 00:38:16.142 --> 00:38:19.645
- HIS THUMB WITH A HAMMER.
- 00:38:19.645 --> 00:38:21.581
- HE'S EASIER TO STOMACH THAT WAY.
- 00:38:21.581 --> 00:38:23.383
- THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT KEEPING HIM DIVINE THAT
- 00:38:23.383 --> 00:38:26.085
- KEEPS HIM DISTANT AND PACKAGED,
- 00:38:26.085 --> 00:38:28.955
- PREDICTABLE, BUT DON'T DO IT.
- 00:38:28.955 --> 00:38:31.157
- FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE DON'T.
- 00:38:31.157 --> 00:38:33.359
- LET HIM BE AS HUMAN AS HE INTENDED TO BE.
- 00:38:33.359 --> 00:38:37.430
- LET HIM INTO THE MIRE AND MUCK OF OUR WORLD,
- 00:38:37.430 --> 00:38:40.500
- FOR ONLY IF WE LET HIM IN CAN HE PULL US OUT.
- 00:38:40.500 --> 00:38:44.837
- WHEN JESUS HUNG ON THE CROSS,
- 00:38:44.837 --> 00:38:46.839
- A SIGN HUNG OVER HIS HEAD, "KING OF THE JEWS".
- 00:38:46.839 --> 00:38:51.144
- THE ONLY CROWN HE EVER WORE WAS MADE OF THORNS
- 00:38:51.144 --> 00:38:54.981
- AND YET THE ANGEL GABRIEL DECLARED THE RULE OF HIS
- 00:38:54.981 --> 00:38:58.151
- KINGDOM WILL SEE NO END.
- 00:38:58.151 --> 00:39:00.420
- HE WAS THE UNEXPECTED KING.
- 00:39:00.420 --> 00:39:04.357
- IF GOD WAS WILLING TO WRAP HIMSELF IN RAGS
- 00:39:04.357 --> 00:39:08.661
- AND DRINK FROM A MOTHER'S BREAST,
- 00:39:08.661 --> 00:39:11.130
- THEN ALL QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS LOVE FOR US
- 00:39:11.130 --> 00:39:14.133
- ARE OFF THE TABLE.
- 00:39:14.133 --> 00:39:16.202
- IF HE IS WILLING TO BE BORN IN A BARNYARD,
- 00:39:16.202 --> 00:39:18.938
- THEN EXPECT HIM TO BE AT WORK ANYWHERE, BARS,
- 00:39:18.938 --> 00:39:22.775
- BEDROOMS, BOARD ROOMS AND BROTHELS.
- 00:39:22.775 --> 00:39:25.745
- NO PLACE IS TOO COMMON, NO PERSON TOO HARDENED,
- 00:39:25.745 --> 00:39:30.149
- NO DISTANCE TOO FAR.
- 00:39:30.149 --> 00:39:32.051
- THERE IS NO PERSON HE CANNOT REACH,
- 00:39:32.051 --> 00:39:34.454
- THERE IS NO LIMIT TO HIS LOVE.
- 00:39:34.454 --> 00:39:36.789
- WHEN CHRIST WAS BORN, SO WAS OUR HOPE.
- 00:39:36.789 --> 00:39:41.627
- BETWEEN THE PRESENTS AND THE PACKING AND THE
- 00:39:41.627 --> 00:39:44.397
- PARTIES, CLEAR SOME TIME TO GAZE INTO THE
- 00:39:44.397 --> 00:39:47.733
- FACE OF THE NEWBORN KING.
- 00:39:47.733 --> 00:39:50.803
- TOUCH THE TINY HAND THAT WILL SOON CALM THE STORM.
- 00:39:50.803 --> 00:39:54.140
- LISTEN TO THE SOFT VOICE THAT WILL SOON
- 00:39:54.140 --> 00:39:56.042
- CALL THE DEAD TO LIFE.
- 00:39:56.042 --> 00:39:58.144
- CRADLE THE SMALL FEET THAT WILL LEAD MANKIND
- 00:39:58.144 --> 00:40:01.047
- TO MERCY BY BEING NAILED TO A CROSS.
- 00:40:01.047 --> 00:40:05.451
- AND BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE
- 00:40:05.451 --> 00:40:09.322
- SINS OF THE WORLD.
- 00:40:09.322 --> 00:40:12.391
- TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO JESUS,
- 00:40:12.391 --> 00:40:14.961
- THE UNEXPECTED KING.
- 00:40:14.961 --> 00:40:17.563
- INVITE HIM TO BE WHO HE CAME TO BE.
- 00:40:17.563 --> 00:40:20.333
- INVITE HIM TO BE YOUR SAVIOR.
- 00:40:20.333 --> 00:40:23.302
- WE CAN'T HOLD THE BABY AT BETHLEHEM IN OUR ARMS,
- 00:40:23.302 --> 00:40:26.072
- BUT WE CAN HOLD THE PROMISE OF BETHLEHEM
- 00:40:26.072 --> 00:40:27.840
- IN OUR HEARTS.
- 00:40:27.840 --> 00:40:29.475
- WE CAN'T TOUCH HIS FACE WITH OUR HANDS,
- 00:40:29.475 --> 00:40:31.410
- BUT WE CAN ALWAYS REACH HIM WITH OUR FAITH.
- 00:40:31.410 --> 00:40:36.115
- [MUSIC]
- 00:40:36.115 --> 00:40:46.626
- ♪ I DON'T WANNA TAKE THOSE LIGHTS DOWN OFF THE TREE...
- 00:40:46.626 --> 00:40:51.564
- ♪ PACK UP THE STOCKINGS OR PULL DOWN THE WREATH...
- 00:40:51.564 --> 00:40:56.102
- ♪ I DON'T WANT CHRISTMAS TO END...
- 00:40:56.102 --> 00:41:02.675
- ♪ WE CAN LEAVE THE WRAPPING PAPER SCATTERED ON THE FLOOR...
- 00:41:02.675 --> 00:41:07.280
- ♪ LET THE FIRE CRACKLE A LITTLE BIT MORE...
- 00:41:07.280 --> 00:41:12.151
- ♪ NO, I DON'T WANT CHRISTMAS TO END...
- 00:41:12.151 --> 00:41:18.424
- ♪ IT'S BEEN A LONG, LONG YEAR...
- 00:41:18.424 --> 00:41:22.695
- ♪ WISH WE COULD STAY RIGHT HERE...
- 00:41:22.695 --> 00:41:26.432
- ♪ LET'S WAKE UP TOMORROW...
- 00:41:26.432 --> 00:41:29.535
- ♪ AND DO IT ALL AGAIN...
- 00:41:29.535 --> 00:41:34.507
- ♪ THESE MOMENTS I LOVE THE MOST...
- 00:41:34.507 --> 00:41:38.611
- ♪ MY HEART JUST CAN'T LET GO...
- 00:41:38.611 --> 00:41:42.248
- ♪ SO I'M HOLDING ON...
- 00:41:42.248 --> 00:41:44.717
- ♪ I DON'T WANT CHRISTMAS TO END...
- 00:41:44.717 --> 00:41:51.991
- ♪ SNOW IS FALLING AND MY WORLD FEELS RIGHT...
- 00:41:51.991 --> 00:41:55.394
- ♪ I GOT CHILDREN LAUGHING, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE...
- 00:41:55.394 --> 00:42:00.666
- ♪ I DON'T WANT CHRISTMAS TO END...
- 00:42:00.666 --> 00:42:06.706
- ♪ AS I'M TELLING STORIES NEW,
- 00:42:06.706 --> 00:42:09.475
- ♪ TELLING STORIES PAST...
- 00:42:09.475 --> 00:42:11.377
- ♪ WHY DOES IT HAVE TO COME AND GO SO FAST...
- 00:42:11.377 --> 00:42:16.616
- ♪ OH, I DON'T WANT CHRISTMAS TO END...
- 00:42:16.616 --> 00:42:22.788
- ♪ IT'S BEEN A LONG, LONG YEAR...
- 00:42:22.788 --> 00:42:26.859
- ♪ WISH WE COULD STAY RIGHT HERE...
- 00:42:26.859 --> 00:42:30.696
- ♪ LET'S WAKE UP TOMORROW...
- 00:42:30.696 --> 00:42:33.566
- ♪ AND DO IT ALL AGAIN...
- 00:42:33.566 --> 00:42:38.604
- ♪ THESE MOMENTS I LOVE THE MOST...
- 00:42:38.604 --> 00:42:42.942
- ♪ MY HEART JUST CAN'T LET GO...
- 00:42:42.942 --> 00:42:46.646
- ♪ SO I'M HOLDING ON...
- 00:42:46.646 --> 00:42:49.048
- ♪ I DON'T WANT CHRISTMAS TO END...
- 00:42:49.048 --> 00:42:54.553
- [MUSIC]
- 00:42:54.553 --> 00:43:11.470
- ♪ IT'S BEEN A LONG, LONG YEAR...
- 00:43:11.470 --> 00:43:15.474
- ♪ WISH WE COULD STAY RIGHT HERE...
- 00:43:15.474 --> 00:43:19.178
- ♪ LET'S WAKE UP TOMORROW...
- 00:43:19.178 --> 00:43:22.248
- ♪ AND DO IT ALL AGAIN...
- 00:43:22.248 --> 00:43:27.153
- ♪ THESE MOMENTS I LOVE THE MOST...
- 00:43:27.153 --> 00:43:31.424
- ♪ AND MY HEART JUST CAN'T LET IT GO...
- 00:43:31.424 --> 00:43:35.361
- ♪ SO I'M HOLDING ON, I'M HOLDIN' ON...
- 00:43:35.361 --> 00:43:38.998
- ♪ PLEASE, CHRISTMAS, DON'T END...
- 00:43:38.998 --> 00:43:43.469
- ♪ I KNOW IT'S GETTING LATE...
- 00:43:43.469 --> 00:43:46.238
- ♪ AND IT'S NO SURPRISE...
- 00:43:46.238 --> 00:43:48.074
- ♪ I DON'T WANT TO SAY GOODNIGHT,
- 00:43:48.074 --> 00:43:50.042
- ♪ DON'T WANT TO SAY GOODBYE...
- 00:43:50.042 --> 00:43:53.446
- ♪ I DON'T WANT CHRISTMAS...
- 00:43:53.446 --> 00:44:02.321
- ♪ I DON'T WANT CHRISTMAS TO END ♪♪
- 00:43:57.583 --> 00:44:17.000
- ♪ I DON'T WANT CHRISTMAS TO END ♪♪
- 00:44:17.000 --> 00:44:17.135
- [MUSIC]
- 00:44:17.469 --> 00:44:23.174
- - WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO
- 00:44:23.174 --> 00:44:25.777
- ON CHRISTMAS MORNING?
- 00:44:25.777 --> 00:44:28.146
- - OPEN PRESENTS. - OPEN PRESENTS!
- 00:44:28.146 --> 00:44:30.582
- - OH, I LIKE TO GET PRESENTS OPEN RIGHT AWAY.
- 00:44:30.582 --> 00:44:33.752
- - ME TOO! ME TOO!
- 00:44:33.752 --> 00:44:35.120
- - YES, MA'AM. - BREAKFAST.
- 00:44:35.120 --> 00:44:37.422
- - BREAKFAST, WHAT DO YOU SEAT?
- 00:44:37.422 --> 00:44:38.923
- - CINNAMON ROLLS.
- 00:44:38.923 --> 00:44:40.759
- - CINNAMON ROLLS, OH, MY GOODNESS.
- 00:44:40.759 --> 00:44:43.128
- WHAT'S THE BEST PRESENT YOU'VE EVER OPENED?
- 00:44:43.128 --> 00:44:45.997
- - A MARIO KART SET.
- 00:44:45.997 --> 00:44:47.532
- - A MARIO TOY SET?
- 00:44:47.532 --> 00:44:49.501
- - BABIES. - BABIES?
- 00:44:49.501 --> 00:44:51.336
- - A PUPPY! - A PUPPY?
- 00:44:51.336 --> 00:44:52.804
- - MY LITTLE PONY.
- 00:44:52.804 --> 00:44:55.240
- - MY HOVER BOARD. - YOUR HOVER BOARD?
- 00:44:55.240 --> 00:44:57.142
- - A UNICORN I GOT FOR CHRISTMAS,
- 00:44:57.142 --> 00:44:59.177
- I LOVED IT SO MUCH!
- 00:44:59.177 --> 00:45:00.879
- - THE UNICORN?
- 00:45:00.879 --> 00:45:02.113
- I'M GONNA SAY SOMETHING THEN YOU TELL ME
- 00:45:02.113 --> 00:45:03.748
- WHAT POPS INTO YOUR HEAD, OKAY?
- 00:45:03.748 --> 00:45:05.450
- - OKAY.
- 00:45:05.450 --> 00:45:06.718
- - MARY... - JOSEPH!
- 00:45:06.718 --> 00:45:09.320
- - JOSEPH. MERRY... - CHRISTMAS!
- 00:45:09.320 --> 00:45:11.990
- - CHRISTMAS. JINGLE...
- 00:45:11.990 --> 00:45:14.526
- - BELLS.
- 00:45:14.526 --> 00:45:16.528
- - SILENT...
- 00:45:16.528 --> 00:45:17.896
- - NIGHT.
- 00:45:17.896 --> 00:45:19.531
- - YOU'RE AMAZING! RUDOLPH THE...
- 00:45:19.531 --> 00:45:22.433
- - RED NOSED REINDEER!
- 00:45:22.433 --> 00:45:25.036
- - HOW DO YOU KNOW ALL THESE THINGS ALREADY?
- 00:45:25.036 --> 00:45:27.338
- - I KNOW EVERYTHING.
- 00:45:27.338 --> 00:45:29.641
- - OKAY, IF I START, I'M GONNA START A SONG AND
- 00:45:29.641 --> 00:45:32.544
- SEE IF YOU CAN SING THE NEXT PHRASE.
- 00:45:32.544 --> 00:45:35.046
- OKAY, ARE YOU NERVOUS?
- 00:45:35.046 --> 00:45:36.881
- - YES.
- 00:45:36.881 --> 00:45:37.949
- - THIS IS REALLY HARD. JINGLE...
- 00:45:37.949 --> 00:45:40.919
- - BELLS, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE ALL THE WAY.
- 00:45:40.919 --> 00:45:45.590
- - THAT'S A GOOD ONE.
- 00:45:45.590 --> 00:45:46.758
- OH, WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE
- 00:45:46.758 --> 00:45:49.160
- IN A ONE HORSE OPEN SLEIGH. HEY!
- 00:45:49.160 --> 00:45:52.630
- HAD A VERY SHINY EAR.
- 00:45:52.630 --> 00:45:54.933
- - NO!
- 00:45:54.933 --> 00:45:56.067
- - NOSE!
- 00:45:56.067 --> 00:45:57.602
- - NOSE? MAYBE IT WAS AN EAR.
- 00:45:57.602 --> 00:46:00.338
- NO, IT WAS A SHINY TONGUE.
- 00:46:00.338 --> 00:46:02.173
- - NO!
- 00:46:02.173 --> 00:46:03.842
- - SHINY FOOT?
- 00:46:03.842 --> 00:46:06.878
- - [SINGING] GOD IS AMAZING,
- 00:46:06.878 --> 00:46:10.248
- HE BRUNG A CHILD DOWN.
- 00:46:10.248 --> 00:46:12.917
- THIS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BELIEVE.
- 00:46:12.917 --> 00:46:16.421
- - THAT'S A GREAT SONG.
- 00:46:16.421 --> 00:46:17.956
- DID YOU JUST MAKE THAT UP?
- 00:46:17.956 --> 00:46:19.224
- - YES.
- 00:46:19.224 --> 00:46:20.291
- - WHY DO YOU THINK GOD SENT JESUS TO THE WORLD?
- 00:46:20.291 --> 00:46:23.194
- - DIE ON THE CROSS FOR ALL SINS.
- 00:46:23.194 --> 00:46:26.331
- - TO TAKE ALL OUR SINS AND PUT THEM ON THE CROSS.
- 00:46:26.331 --> 00:46:31.436
- - DOES THAT MEAN HE LOVES YOU?
- 00:46:31.436 --> 00:46:34.072
- - YES!
- 00:46:34.072 --> 00:46:35.139
- - HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK HE LOVES YOU?
- 00:46:35.139 --> 00:46:37.008
- - MORE THAN OUR DAD AND MOM.
- 00:46:37.008 --> 00:46:38.776
- - EVEN MORE THAN YOUR DAD AND MOM?
- 00:46:38.776 --> 00:46:41.279
- THAT'S A LOT, ISN'T IT?
- 00:46:41.279 --> 00:46:43.181
- - ONE THOUSAND MILLION HUNDRED NINETY-NINE!
- 00:46:43.181 --> 00:46:46.484
- - IF YOU COULD SAY ANYTHING TO JESUS RIGHT
- 00:46:46.484 --> 00:46:50.355
- NOW, I MEAN RIGHT NOW.
- 00:46:50.355 --> 00:46:52.957
- - I LOVE YOU.
- 00:46:52.957 --> 00:46:54.926
- - I WOULD SAY JESUS, YOU'RE THE BEST PERSON EVER.
- 00:46:54.926 --> 00:46:58.196
- I WANT TO STAY WITH YOU FOR A THOUSAND DAYS.
- 00:46:58.196 --> 00:47:01.833
- - WOULD YOU ASK HIM ANY QUESTIONS?
- 00:47:01.833 --> 00:47:03.534
- - YEAH, HOW OLD ARE YOU.
- 00:47:03.534 --> 00:47:04.836
- - HOW OLD ARE YOU?
- 00:47:04.836 --> 00:47:06.037
- - HOW ARE YOU. - HOW ARE YOU.
- 00:47:06.037 --> 00:47:07.739
- - HI LITTLE BABY, YOU'RE SO CUTE.
- 00:47:07.739 --> 00:47:11.409
- I JUST WANT TO HUG YOU RIGHT NOW.
- 00:47:11.409 --> 00:47:13.011
- - YOU WANT TO HUG.
- 00:47:13.011 --> 00:47:14.279
- - YOU'RE SO CUTE I JUST WANT TO HUG YOU SO MUCH.
- 00:47:14.279 --> 00:47:18.283
- - THAT'S WHAT I SAY.
- 00:47:18.283 --> 00:47:19.918
- - WHERE AM I GONNA BE IN 50 YEARS.
- 00:47:19.918 --> 00:47:21.986
- - IN 50 YEARS, YEAH.
- 00:47:21.986 --> 00:47:24.389
- WELL YOU KNOW WHAT, HE DOES HEAR YOU RIGHT NOW,
- 00:47:24.389 --> 00:47:27.692
- AND HE LOVES YOU, AND SOMEDAY WE'LL GET TO ASK
- 00:47:27.692 --> 00:47:30.628
- HIM EVERY QUESTION AND HE WILL ANSWER IT.
- 00:47:30.628 --> 00:47:33.998
- DO YOU KNOW WHEN THAT'S GONNA BE?
- 00:47:33.998 --> 00:47:35.900
- - NO. - RIGHT NOW.
- 00:47:35.900 --> 00:47:37.902
- - WHEN WE'RE IN HEAVEN.
- 00:47:37.902 --> 00:47:39.370
- BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU CAN TALK TO JESUS RIGHT NOW?
- 00:47:39.370 --> 00:47:42.073
- - YOU CAN PRAY.
- 00:47:42.073 --> 00:47:44.242
- YOU IT TELL HIM WHATEVER YOU WANT TO.
- 00:47:43.207 --> 00:47:48.680
- - JESUS UNDERSTANDS YOU.
- 00:47:49.247 --> 00:47:51.282
- HE UNDERSTANDS SMALL TOWN ANONYMITY
- 00:47:51.282 --> 00:47:53.685
- AND BIG CITY PRESSURE.
- 00:47:53.685 --> 00:47:55.987
- HE'S WALKED THROUGH PASTURES OF SHEEP AND
- 00:47:55.987 --> 00:47:58.056
- PALACES OF KINGS.
- 00:47:58.056 --> 00:47:59.857
- HE'S FACED HUNGER, SORROW AND DEATH.
- 00:47:59.857 --> 00:48:02.427
- AND HE WANTS TO FACE THEM WITH YOU.
- 00:48:02.427 --> 00:48:05.296
- JESUS UNDERSTANDS OUR WEAKNESSES,
- 00:48:05.296 --> 00:48:07.699
- FOR HE FACED ALL OF THE SAME TESTINGS WE DO,
- 00:48:07.699 --> 00:48:10.601
- YET HE DID NOT SIN.
- 00:48:10.601 --> 00:48:12.971
- IF JESUS UNDERSTANDS OUR WEAKNESSES,
- 00:48:12.971 --> 00:48:15.406
- THEN SO DOES GOD.
- 00:48:15.406 --> 00:48:16.741
- JESUS WAS GOD IN HUMAN FORM.
- 00:48:16.741 --> 00:48:19.110
- HE WAS GOD WITH US.
- 00:48:19.110 --> 00:48:21.346
- THAT IS WHY JESUS WAS CALLED EMMANUEL.
- 00:48:21.346 --> 00:48:25.883
- EMMANUEL APPEARS IN THE SAME HEBREW FORM AS IT
- 00:48:25.883 --> 00:48:28.486
- DID 2.000 YEARS AGO.
- 00:48:28.486 --> 00:48:30.822
- EMMANU MEANS WITH US.
- 00:48:30.822 --> 00:48:32.890
- EL REFERS TO ELOHIM OR GOD.
- 00:48:32.890 --> 00:48:35.860
- SO EMMANUEL IS NOT AN ABOVE US GOD OR SOMEWHERE
- 00:48:35.860 --> 00:48:39.564
- IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD GOD.
- 00:48:39.564 --> 00:48:41.299
- HE CAME AS THE WITH US GOD.
- 00:48:41.299 --> 00:48:44.068
- I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, JESUS SAID,
- 00:48:44.068 --> 00:48:47.171
- BEFORE HE ASCENDED TO HEAVEN,
- 00:48:47.171 --> 00:48:49.007
- TO THE VERY END OF THE AGE.
- 00:48:49.007 --> 00:48:52.143
- THAT IS OUR EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US.
- 00:48:52.143 --> 00:48:56.247
- PROPHETS WEREN'T ENOUGH.
- 00:48:56.247 --> 00:48:58.182
- APOSTLES WOULDN'T DO.
- 00:48:58.182 --> 00:48:59.884
- ANGELS WON'T SUFFICE.
- 00:48:59.884 --> 00:49:01.686
- GOD SENT MORE THAN MIRACLES,
- 00:49:01.686 --> 00:49:03.488
- MORE THAN MESSAGES.
- 00:49:03.488 --> 00:49:04.956
- HE SENT HIMSELF.
- 00:49:04.956 --> 00:49:06.724
- HE SENT HIS SON.
- 00:49:06.724 --> 00:49:08.126
- THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US.
- 00:49:08.126 --> 00:49:11.529
- HE DIDN'T HAVE TO, DID HE?
- 00:49:11.529 --> 00:49:14.265
- JESUS COULD HAVE BECOME A VOICE,
- 00:49:14.265 --> 00:49:15.933
- A VOICE IN THE AIR.
- 00:49:15.933 --> 00:49:17.301
- JESUS COULD HAVE BECOME A MESSAGE,
- 00:49:17.301 --> 00:49:19.003
- A MESSAGE IN THE SKY.
- 00:49:19.003 --> 00:49:20.571
- JESUS COULD HAVE BECOME A LIGHT, A LIGHT IN THE
- 00:49:20.571 --> 00:49:22.907
- NIGHT. BUT HE BECAME MORE, SO MUCH MORE.
- 00:49:22.907 --> 00:49:26.744
- HE BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US.
- 00:49:26.744 --> 00:49:29.981
- WHAT A BEGINNING.
- 00:49:29.981 --> 00:49:31.416
- WHAT AN ENTRANCE.
- 00:49:31.416 --> 00:49:32.650
- WHAT A MOMENT.
- 00:49:32.650 --> 00:49:34.085
- BUT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER MOMENT
- 00:49:34.085 --> 00:49:37.021
- JUST AS MIRACULOUS.
- 00:49:37.021 --> 00:49:39.023
- THE BIRTH OF CHRIST IS AN ARROW POINTING TO HIS
- 00:49:39.023 --> 00:49:42.193
- RETURN. IN A MOMENT WHEN WE LEAST EXPECT,
- 00:49:42.193 --> 00:49:45.430
- HE WILL COME AGAIN.
- 00:49:45.430 --> 00:49:47.432
- YOU SEE, IN BECOMING MAN, GOD MADE IT POSSIBLE
- 00:49:47.432 --> 00:49:50.902
- FOR MAN TO SEE GOD.
- 00:49:50.902 --> 00:49:53.404
- AS A RESULT, WE WILL ALL BE CHANGED IN A MOMENT IN
- 00:49:53.404 --> 00:49:57.041
- THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE.
- 00:49:57.041 --> 00:49:59.644
- THE FIRST MOMENT OF TRANSFORMATION WENT
- 00:49:59.644 --> 00:50:01.879
- UNNOTICED BY THE WORLD, BUT YOU CAN BET YOUR
- 00:50:01.879 --> 00:50:04.715
- SWEET SEPTEMBER THAT THE SECOND ONE WON'T.
- 00:50:04.715 --> 00:50:08.119
- THE NEXT TIME YOU USE THE PHRASE JUST A MOMENT,
- 00:50:08.119 --> 00:50:11.189
- REMEMBER THAT'S ALL THE TIME IT WILL TAKE TO
- 00:50:11.189 --> 00:50:13.825
- CHANGE THIS WORLD.
- 00:50:13.825 --> 00:50:15.960
- HISTORY IS NOT AN ENDLESS SUCCESSION OF MEANINGLESS
- 00:50:15.960 --> 00:50:18.863
- CIRCLES BUT A DIRECTED MOVEMENT TOWARD
- 00:50:18.863 --> 00:50:21.365
- A GREAT EVENT.
- 00:50:21.365 --> 00:50:23.534
- AND GOD HAS A TIMELINE AND BECAUSE OF BETHLEHEM
- 00:50:23.534 --> 00:50:27.105
- WE KNOW WHERE WE STAND ON IT.
- 00:50:27.105 --> 00:50:29.774
- AS YOU LOOK FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS,
- 00:50:29.774 --> 00:50:32.043
- LOOK FORWARD TO THIS.
- 00:50:32.043 --> 00:50:33.578
- ONE DAY THERE WILL BE A SUDDEN PERSONAL VISIBLE
- 00:50:33.578 --> 00:50:36.581
- BODILY RETURN OF CHRIST.
- 00:50:36.581 --> 00:50:39.217
- JESUS SAID I WILL COME AGAIN.
- 00:50:39.217 --> 00:50:42.520
- THE AUTHOR OF HEBREWS DECLARED CHRIST WILL
- 00:50:42.520 --> 00:50:44.956
- APPEAR A SECOND TIME, NOT TO DEAL WITH SIN BUT TO
- 00:50:44.956 --> 00:50:48.659
- SAVE THOSE WHO ARE EAGERLY WAITING ON HIM.
- 00:50:48.659 --> 00:50:51.863
- AS CHRIST CAME, HE WILL COME,
- 00:50:51.863 --> 00:50:55.133
- BUT HE WON'T COME AS HE CAME.
- 00:50:55.133 --> 00:50:57.068
- HE CAME QUIETLY IN BETHLEHEM.
- 00:50:57.068 --> 00:50:59.170
- HE WILL RETURN IN GLORY WITH A SHOUT.
- 00:50:59.170 --> 00:51:01.806
- ALL WHO ARE IN THEIR GRAVES WILL HEAR HIS
- 00:51:01.806 --> 00:51:03.708
- VOICE AND COME OUT.
- 00:51:03.708 --> 00:51:05.676
- IN BETHLEHEM, THE JUST BORN JESUS SLEPT.
- 00:51:05.676 --> 00:51:08.880
- UPON HIS RETURN, THE LORD WILL COME DOWN
- 00:51:08.880 --> 00:51:10.882
- FROM HEAVEN WITH A LOUD COMMAND,
- 00:51:10.882 --> 00:51:13.217
- WITH THE SIGHS OF AN ARCHANGEL AND WITH THE
- 00:51:13.217 --> 00:51:15.720
- TRUMPET CALL OF GOD.
- 00:51:15.720 --> 00:51:17.755
- AT THE FIRST COMING, FEW PEOPLE NOTICED.
- 00:51:17.755 --> 00:51:20.258
- AT HIS SECOND, ALL THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD WILL
- 00:51:20.258 --> 00:51:22.793
- BE GATHERED BEFORE HIM.
- 00:51:22.793 --> 00:51:25.263
- IN BETHLEHEM, JOSEPH PLACED JESUS IN A MANGER.
- 00:51:25.263 --> 00:51:29.100
- AT HIS RETURN, JESUS WILL BE SEATED ON A THRONE.
- 00:51:29.100 --> 00:51:32.703
- THE SON OF MAN WILL COME IN GREAT GLORY
- 00:51:32.703 --> 00:51:34.772
- WITH ALL HIS ANGELS.
- 00:51:34.772 --> 00:51:36.574
- HE WILL BE KING AND SIT ON HIS GREAT THRONE.
- 00:51:36.574 --> 00:51:40.711
- THIS CHRISTMAS, ENJOY THE FRUIT OF THE FIRST COMING
- 00:51:40.711 --> 00:51:43.881
- BUT ANTICIPATE THE GLORY OF THE SECOND.
- 00:51:43.881 --> 00:51:47.351
- WE ARE LIVING BETWEEN THE ADVENTS,
- 00:51:47.351 --> 00:51:50.021
- TWO UNEXPECTED MOMENTS THAT TRANSFORM OUR ETERNITY.
- 00:51:50.021 --> 00:51:53.824
- LET JESUS' FIRST ARRIVAL WHET YOUR APPETITE
- 00:51:53.824 --> 00:51:57.395
- FOR THE FINAL ONE.
- 00:51:57.395 --> 00:51:59.397
- AND IF YOU HAVEN'T DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS,
- 00:51:59.397 --> 00:52:02.533
- OH, I SO HOPE YOU DO.
- 00:52:02.533 --> 00:52:04.902
- HE HAS A GIFT WITH YOUR NAME ON IT AND
- 00:52:04.902 --> 00:52:07.004
- IT'S CALLED SALVATION.
- 00:52:07.004 --> 00:52:09.674
- RECEIVE IT BY FAITH AND WATCH THE UNEXPECTED KING
- 00:52:09.674 --> 00:52:14.245
- MAKE HIS HOME IN THE MOST UNEXPECTED PLACE,
- 00:52:14.245 --> 00:52:17.515
- YOUR HEART.
- 00:52:17.515 --> 00:52:19.917
- IF YOU'VE NEVER INVITED HIM TO COME INTO YOUR
- 00:52:19.917 --> 00:52:22.220
- HEART, YOU CAN DO THAT RIGHT NOW.
- 00:52:22.220 --> 00:52:25.856
- WHAT A CHRISTMAS THIS WILL BE AS YOU SAY YES TO
- 00:52:25.856 --> 00:52:29.260
- THE KING OF KINGSS. CAN I LEAD YOU IN A PRAYER,
- 00:52:29.260 --> 00:52:32.496
- A PRAYER OF SALVATION?
- 00:52:32.496 --> 00:52:34.565
- GRACIOUS LORD, OUR KING, WE THANK YOU
- 00:52:34.565 --> 00:52:37.568
- FOR THE UNSPEAKABLE GIFT OF GRACE,
- 00:52:37.568 --> 00:52:40.338
- AND WE RECEIVE THAT GRACE IN OUR HEART TODAY AND
- 00:52:40.338 --> 00:52:43.307
- CALL YOU OUR LORD, AND WE LOOK TO THE DAY YOU
- 00:52:43.307 --> 00:52:45.943
- RETURN TO TAKE US HOME.
- 00:52:45.943 --> 00:52:48.246
- THROUGH CHRIST WE PRAY, AMEN.
- 00:52:48.246 --> 00:52:52.283
- IF YOU OFFERED THAT PRAYER FOR THE VERY FIRST
- 00:52:52.283 --> 00:52:55.086
- TIME IN YOUR LIFE, LET ME BE THE FIRST TO
- 00:52:55.086 --> 00:52:57.188
- WELCOME YOU INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD.
- 00:52:57.188 --> 00:53:01.459
- MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!
- 00:53:01.459 --> 00:53:03.527
- THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING
- 00:53:03.527 --> 00:53:05.963
- A PART OF UNWRAPPING THE UNEXPECTED.
- 00:53:05.963 --> 00:53:05.963
