1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.LT 2 00:00:03,795 --> 00:00:05,797 The story of the first Christmas, 3 00:00:05,881 --> 00:00:06,924 we, um... 4 00:00:07,507 --> 00:00:09,635 we revisit it every year. Thank you. 5 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.LT 6 00:00:10,302 --> 00:00:13,055 Maybe you... Maybe you know a little bit about it. 7 00:00:13,138 --> 00:00:14,264 Maybe you know a lot. 8 00:00:15,224 --> 00:00:16,808 I used to think that I did. 9 00:00:17,684 --> 00:00:21,104 But like many of you, I was a kid when I first started 10 00:00:21,188 --> 00:00:25,150 to learn about the Bible, its stories, the miracles. 11 00:00:26,443 --> 00:00:28,278 But it was the first Christmas that always seemed 12 00:00:28,362 --> 00:00:30,697 to be bigger than all of it. 13 00:00:32,282 --> 00:00:34,201 I think I was about... 14 00:00:34,743 --> 00:00:36,662 I think I was about four years old 15 00:00:37,162 --> 00:00:39,957 when I was selected to be a shepherd 16 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:42,251 in our church's yearly production 17 00:00:42,334 --> 00:00:43,418 of the Nativity. 18 00:00:44,711 --> 00:00:46,088 It would be my acting debut, 19 00:00:46,171 --> 00:00:48,173 and I would have one line. "Hark." 20 00:00:48,882 --> 00:00:52,886 And I knew it well leading into that evening, but I kept... 21 00:00:54,137 --> 00:00:56,682 I kept missing my cue of the star reveal 22 00:00:56,765 --> 00:00:59,935 because my oversized turban kept falling 23 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,105 across my eyes. 24 00:01:03,188 --> 00:01:04,773 The play kept going, of course, 25 00:01:06,024 --> 00:01:09,069 but I refused to let my big acting moment go. 26 00:01:09,903 --> 00:01:12,739 And regardless of where we were at, I pointed upward, 27 00:01:12,823 --> 00:01:15,492 and I yelled my line just about as loud as I could, 28 00:01:16,326 --> 00:01:18,495 bringing the play to a momentary stop. 29 00:01:19,371 --> 00:01:23,292 I'm guessing that my mother was mildly amused. 30 00:01:24,209 --> 00:01:26,378 My father, not... not... not so much. 31 00:01:28,338 --> 00:01:30,465 But the play continued, and I'd done my part. 32 00:01:30,549 --> 00:01:33,468 The next year, they made me a Wise Man, 33 00:01:34,469 --> 00:01:37,222 but this time I couldn't pronounce 34 00:01:37,306 --> 00:01:39,975 the gift we gave the Baby Jesus. 35 00:01:40,058 --> 00:01:41,184 Frankincense. 36 00:01:42,060 --> 00:01:44,646 It just didn't seem to-- It still doesn't. 37 00:01:45,439 --> 00:01:46,982 It doesn't roll off my tongue. 38 00:01:47,566 --> 00:01:48,692 But I never... 39 00:01:49,443 --> 00:01:51,486 But I never forgot those evenings 40 00:01:52,279 --> 00:01:53,989 and the chance to be in those plays. 41 00:01:56,199 --> 00:01:57,659 Those songs we belted out, 42 00:01:59,703 --> 00:02:01,455 they're forever a part of me. 43 00:02:07,044 --> 00:02:08,754 You know, it's easy to think of Christmas 44 00:02:08,837 --> 00:02:12,674 as the busiest shopping season of the year. 45 00:02:13,425 --> 00:02:16,094 Things seem to move so quickly. 46 00:02:16,178 --> 00:02:19,264 We think of Santa Claus, reindeer, 47 00:02:21,141 --> 00:02:24,019 decorating the house, packages under the tree, 48 00:02:24,102 --> 00:02:25,854 family and friends celebrating. 49 00:02:26,355 --> 00:02:28,649 There's a lot to like about this time of year. 50 00:02:29,274 --> 00:02:30,525 But let's... 51 00:02:31,902 --> 00:02:33,987 let's not forget the Christ in Christmas. 52 00:02:35,238 --> 00:02:37,407 Over one-third of the world's population 53 00:02:37,491 --> 00:02:39,368 believe that Jesus Christ was one of the most 54 00:02:39,451 --> 00:02:41,286 important persons that ever lived 55 00:02:41,912 --> 00:02:44,706 and have called him Savior and Lord 56 00:02:44,790 --> 00:02:46,416 for over 2,000 years. 57 00:02:47,918 --> 00:02:49,252 But how did it all start? 58 00:02:51,421 --> 00:02:52,673 What's the real story? 59 00:02:54,716 --> 00:02:57,719 The story is often portrayed as a baby born 60 00:02:57,803 --> 00:03:01,515 in a cozy barn, surrounded by animals. 61 00:03:03,350 --> 00:03:04,851 But there's another version. 62 00:03:05,977 --> 00:03:11,441 One that starts with a pregnant, unwed teenage girl, 63 00:03:12,401 --> 00:03:13,610 a shamed lover, 64 00:03:14,444 --> 00:03:18,073 a treacherous journey followed by a harrowing birth 65 00:03:18,156 --> 00:03:21,118 inside a dark cave. 66 00:03:22,452 --> 00:03:25,163 How Jesus came into this fallen, broken world 67 00:03:25,247 --> 00:03:28,458 is far from what the people of the day expected, 68 00:03:29,418 --> 00:03:32,003 and it's far from the version I played 69 00:03:32,921 --> 00:03:34,256 as a four-year-old. 70 00:03:38,427 --> 00:03:42,264 So whether you're a believer or a skeptic, 71 00:03:43,390 --> 00:03:45,475 or just curious about the real story 72 00:03:45,559 --> 00:03:46,810 behind the tradition, 73 00:03:47,602 --> 00:03:49,479 I invite you to journey with me 74 00:03:50,105 --> 00:03:52,357 all the way back to the first Christmas. 75 00:04:03,243 --> 00:04:05,787 {\an8}Our story begins in the obscure backwater 76 00:04:05,871 --> 00:04:09,082 {\an8}of the Roman Empire. Life was simple, 77 00:04:09,583 --> 00:04:11,877 and it centered around tradition and family. 78 00:04:13,170 --> 00:04:15,380 Nazareth was a small village, 79 00:04:15,464 --> 00:04:17,174 just a couple of hundred people. 80 00:04:18,008 --> 00:04:19,217 It wouldn't be a surprise to believe 81 00:04:19,301 --> 00:04:22,304 that Mary and Joseph probably grew up together. 82 00:04:23,138 --> 00:04:24,973 But now these two childhood friends 83 00:04:25,056 --> 00:04:26,433 are taking a bigger step. 84 00:04:27,100 --> 00:04:30,145 It's not a marriage ceremony, but almost as important. 85 00:04:30,228 --> 00:04:31,730 An engagement. 86 00:04:32,230 --> 00:04:36,109 And who asks for the betrothal to my daughter Mary? 87 00:04:36,985 --> 00:04:38,904 It is I, Joseph, son of Heli, 88 00:04:39,029 --> 00:04:40,655 descendant of the House of David. 89 00:04:41,156 --> 00:04:43,200 And what, Joseph, son of Heli, 90 00:04:43,283 --> 00:04:45,202 is the bride price for this betrothal? 91 00:04:46,578 --> 00:04:48,371 Two hundred and ten silver shekels of Tyre. 92 00:05:00,801 --> 00:05:03,094 I, Joachim... 93 00:05:06,097 --> 00:05:07,599 father of Mary... 94 00:05:12,771 --> 00:05:17,067 ...accept! 95 00:05:32,874 --> 00:05:34,167 {\an8}Mary, the Blessed Mother, 96 00:05:34,251 --> 00:05:37,295 {\an8}must have been young, childbearing age, obviously. 97 00:05:40,298 --> 00:05:42,092 In Judaism in that period, 98 00:05:42,175 --> 00:05:43,718 probably the marriage age 99 00:05:43,802 --> 00:05:45,637 for women was quite a young age, 100 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:48,223 at the age of 12 or the age of 14. 101 00:05:48,932 --> 00:05:50,976 {\an8}And so when a woman becomes betrothed, 102 00:05:51,059 --> 00:05:52,853 {\an8}there's an actual contract that is signed. 103 00:05:57,023 --> 00:05:58,108 This couple today 104 00:05:58,191 --> 00:06:00,235 would not be old enough to legally vote, 105 00:06:01,278 --> 00:06:03,655 but back then, you had to grow up fast. 106 00:06:05,198 --> 00:06:08,535 Joseph was expected to provide and protect his bride-to-be. 107 00:06:09,828 --> 00:06:11,413 The engagement period was a time 108 00:06:11,496 --> 00:06:13,290 where he had to prove that he could. 109 00:06:14,791 --> 00:06:17,502 It feels certain that these two were in love. 110 00:06:32,767 --> 00:06:33,894 Were you nervous? 111 00:06:35,854 --> 00:06:38,064 Um, well, I guess a little, 112 00:06:38,148 --> 00:06:40,901 but, you know, I've practiced many times, so... 113 00:06:41,902 --> 00:06:44,362 You practiced aloud? For me? 114 00:06:44,446 --> 00:06:45,572 That's so sweet. 115 00:06:53,788 --> 00:06:55,582 Mary, can we just get married already? 116 00:06:56,750 --> 00:06:59,294 Joseph, look around you. 117 00:07:01,212 --> 00:07:03,048 Everyone's working so hard to prepare 118 00:07:03,131 --> 00:07:04,424 for our wedding feast. 119 00:07:06,426 --> 00:07:08,803 Wine won't be ready for at least three months. 120 00:07:09,429 --> 00:07:10,555 Three months? 121 00:07:11,139 --> 00:07:12,891 We don't need wine for our wedding. 122 00:07:13,516 --> 00:07:15,685 You waited a year to save for my dowry. 123 00:07:16,227 --> 00:07:17,604 You can wait three more months. 124 00:07:17,687 --> 00:07:18,938 Exactly, a whole year. 125 00:07:22,525 --> 00:07:25,528 Patience leads to abundant understanding, 126 00:07:25,612 --> 00:07:28,281 but impatience leads to stupid mistakes. 127 00:07:31,242 --> 00:07:33,620 There is no version of us that is a mistake. 128 00:08:08,238 --> 00:08:10,699 The small Hebrew nation of Judea 129 00:08:10,782 --> 00:08:12,575 was just one of the many nations 130 00:08:12,659 --> 00:08:14,786 under the boot of mighty Rome... 131 00:08:14,869 --> 00:08:17,956 ...led by Emperor Caesar Augustus. 132 00:08:18,707 --> 00:08:22,335 This vast empire of 45 million people 133 00:08:22,419 --> 00:08:24,254 is known to have sprawled all the way 134 00:08:24,337 --> 00:08:26,131 from modern-day Britain in the west 135 00:08:26,673 --> 00:08:28,842 to present-day Iraq in the east. 136 00:08:30,093 --> 00:08:33,388 They were the most powerful force the world had ever known. 137 00:08:36,599 --> 00:08:38,768 By decree of Caesar Augustus, 138 00:08:39,269 --> 00:08:41,062 emperor of the Roman Empire... 139 00:08:44,315 --> 00:08:47,360 ...all citizens shall register at their ancestral town 140 00:08:47,444 --> 00:08:49,154 for the Census of Quirinius. 141 00:08:50,113 --> 00:08:51,740 Registration begins at dawn. 142 00:08:56,453 --> 00:08:59,497 Rome periodically needed to count 143 00:09:00,832 --> 00:09:03,293 how many people were in their region. 144 00:09:03,376 --> 00:09:05,754 {\an8}It was a monumental undertaking, 145 00:09:06,546 --> 00:09:10,300 {\an8}but they wanted to get an accurate number so they could get more taxes. 146 00:09:14,095 --> 00:09:19,726 {\an8}Rome allowed people to worship any god that they want to, 147 00:09:19,809 --> 00:09:23,938 {\an8}as long as they acknowledge that Caesar is lord. 148 00:09:25,774 --> 00:09:27,734 The half-Assyrian, half-Jewish people 149 00:09:27,817 --> 00:09:29,694 known as the Samaritans 150 00:09:29,778 --> 00:09:31,905 were used as local law enforcement. 151 00:09:33,948 --> 00:09:36,785 The Jews and Samaritans hated each other. 152 00:09:41,164 --> 00:09:44,250 Ah, the famous Galilean wine. 153 00:09:47,378 --> 00:09:49,255 This wine is spoken for, sir. 154 00:09:50,632 --> 00:09:54,636 It would seem, boy... 155 00:09:57,931 --> 00:09:59,641 you are in need of a lesson. 156 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:06,815 Shh! 157 00:10:09,275 --> 00:10:10,652 A good citizen of Rome 158 00:10:11,486 --> 00:10:13,863 should be generous with the state... 159 00:10:16,991 --> 00:10:18,326 in all of his blessings. 160 00:10:22,622 --> 00:10:25,542 Let's take a little ride. 161 00:10:26,084 --> 00:10:29,045 No, no! 162 00:10:29,129 --> 00:10:31,256 Hey! Hey! Hey! 163 00:10:31,381 --> 00:10:33,716 Release my daughter! 164 00:10:34,759 --> 00:10:37,053 Panthera! Enough! 165 00:10:37,137 --> 00:10:39,764 Stupid beast. 166 00:10:40,807 --> 00:10:42,725 No wonder these people hate your kind. 167 00:10:43,434 --> 00:10:45,728 Now go supervise the tally! 168 00:11:14,799 --> 00:11:16,718 {\an8}Judea had been conquered and ruled 169 00:11:16,801 --> 00:11:18,344 {\an8}by other foreign invaders, 170 00:11:19,304 --> 00:11:22,390 but none had ruled the Jewish nation for this long. 171 00:11:24,517 --> 00:11:27,061 Judea was ruled by a puppet king, 172 00:11:27,645 --> 00:11:29,981 tolerated by the Romans because he was willing 173 00:11:30,064 --> 00:11:31,441 to do their dirty work. 174 00:11:32,025 --> 00:11:35,612 The king of the Jews named himself Herod the Great. 175 00:11:36,237 --> 00:11:37,530 Herod was king of the Jews, 176 00:11:37,614 --> 00:11:40,283 {\an8}but he wasn't an independent king 177 00:11:40,366 --> 00:11:42,660 {\an8}the way we might think of monarchs today. 178 00:11:43,161 --> 00:11:45,371 {\an8}He was what you might call a client king. 179 00:11:45,455 --> 00:11:47,665 Rome really had all the control. 180 00:11:47,749 --> 00:11:51,085 Herod is tasked with suppressing the Jewish people 181 00:11:51,169 --> 00:11:53,379 through intimidation and cruelty. 182 00:11:54,464 --> 00:11:57,383 Herod was cynical down to his bone. 183 00:11:57,467 --> 00:12:01,930 {\an8}That is, that he had no feeling of reverence at all 184 00:12:02,513 --> 00:12:05,058 {\an8}for any of the gods, whether it's the God of Israel 185 00:12:05,141 --> 00:12:07,769 {\an8}or whether it's pagan Roman gods. 186 00:12:09,229 --> 00:12:11,439 Herod was a builder of great structures, 187 00:12:11,522 --> 00:12:13,816 who brought wealth to his Roman masters. 188 00:12:16,027 --> 00:12:18,696 {\an8}Josephus wrote that it was quite possible 189 00:12:18,780 --> 00:12:20,365 {\an8}that Herod was insane. 190 00:12:20,448 --> 00:12:22,659 {\an8}Herod was a walking culture of death. 191 00:12:23,618 --> 00:12:26,663 Known for his oversized ego and golden crown, 192 00:12:27,288 --> 00:12:28,790 he suffered from chronic pain 193 00:12:28,873 --> 00:12:31,125 that some say affected his mental state. 194 00:12:34,128 --> 00:12:37,298 Paranoid and brutal, Herod is a ruler willing 195 00:12:37,382 --> 00:12:39,676 to do anything to retain his throne. 196 00:12:40,218 --> 00:12:42,512 The most dangerous kind of survivor. 197 00:13:01,781 --> 00:13:05,660 Father... you summoned me. 198 00:13:08,246 --> 00:13:09,289 Antipater. 199 00:13:13,126 --> 00:13:14,210 Good. 200 00:13:15,336 --> 00:13:16,379 Come. 201 00:13:17,255 --> 00:13:18,381 Join me, son. 202 00:13:30,685 --> 00:13:34,897 Father, is there some way I can be of service? 203 00:13:36,649 --> 00:13:37,859 Yes. 204 00:13:40,820 --> 00:13:42,113 Actually, there is. 205 00:13:48,327 --> 00:13:50,121 I heard whispers... 206 00:13:51,748 --> 00:13:54,876 of a plot to poison me. 207 00:14:00,590 --> 00:14:02,008 Father, that's not true. 208 00:14:03,134 --> 00:14:04,635 How can I assure you my loyalty? 209 00:14:09,515 --> 00:14:11,184 There is in fact one way 210 00:14:12,727 --> 00:14:15,063 that you can give me reassurance. 211 00:14:16,147 --> 00:14:18,149 Anything. Please. 212 00:14:26,115 --> 00:14:28,159 Stupid boy. 213 00:14:49,931 --> 00:14:51,349 Herod was paranoid. 214 00:14:53,309 --> 00:14:56,270 And Herod's sister, Salome, 215 00:14:56,354 --> 00:14:58,481 who was pretty pernicious, actually, 216 00:14:58,564 --> 00:14:59,857 started to spread rumors. 217 00:15:06,614 --> 00:15:07,824 No! 218 00:15:09,075 --> 00:15:10,535 What have you done? 219 00:15:12,161 --> 00:15:13,496 What have you done? 220 00:15:15,414 --> 00:15:17,416 And so Herod comes to believe 221 00:15:17,500 --> 00:15:20,837 that two of his sons by Mariamne, 222 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:23,506 who were really sort of the leading contenders 223 00:15:23,589 --> 00:15:24,841 to inherit his throne, 224 00:15:24,924 --> 00:15:29,095 were trying to sort of push him out and take over. 225 00:15:29,178 --> 00:15:31,639 He is our son! 226 00:15:31,722 --> 00:15:32,807 Your son... 227 00:15:35,351 --> 00:15:37,061 Your own flesh and blood! 228 00:15:37,937 --> 00:15:39,856 Augustus is quoted as saying, 229 00:15:40,481 --> 00:15:43,317 "It's better to be Herod's pig than his son." 230 00:16:01,335 --> 00:16:03,337 The name Mary was the most common 231 00:16:03,421 --> 00:16:05,339 for Jewish women of her time. 232 00:16:06,340 --> 00:16:07,967 A low-income teenage girl 233 00:16:08,050 --> 00:16:10,469 who was just going about an ordinary day. 234 00:16:12,013 --> 00:16:14,473 But this day was far from ordinary, 235 00:16:15,099 --> 00:16:18,227 and she was anything but just another Mary. 236 00:16:53,763 --> 00:16:54,972 Greetings, Mary. 237 00:16:56,682 --> 00:16:58,100 The Lord is with you. 238 00:17:01,187 --> 00:17:04,106 The angel Gabriel was sent from God 239 00:17:04,190 --> 00:17:07,443 to deliver the message to the Blessed Mother. 240 00:17:10,655 --> 00:17:11,822 Don't be afraid, Mary, 241 00:17:13,574 --> 00:17:15,785 for you have found favor with God. 242 00:17:16,911 --> 00:17:21,374 {\an8}This was an extraordinary moment because in salvation history, 243 00:17:21,457 --> 00:17:23,376 whenever a human being 244 00:17:23,459 --> 00:17:25,836 would come into contact with an angel, 245 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:28,214 the human being would exhibit reverence 246 00:17:28,297 --> 00:17:29,590 towards the angel 247 00:17:29,674 --> 00:17:32,635 because the angel is resplendent with grace 248 00:17:32,718 --> 00:17:34,971 because the angel sees God face-to-face. 249 00:17:36,722 --> 00:17:37,974 It's okay. 250 00:17:39,475 --> 00:17:42,395 In Scripture, you see Gabriel, specifically, 251 00:17:42,478 --> 00:17:44,814 would come in and bring a message. 252 00:17:44,897 --> 00:17:48,234 {\an8}And there's always this storyline 253 00:17:48,317 --> 00:17:51,028 {\an8}of the Lord's gonna work in a way 254 00:17:51,112 --> 00:17:54,073 {\an8}that is counter-intuitive, it's counterculture. 255 00:17:55,658 --> 00:17:57,827 And so when angel Gabriel shows up 256 00:17:57,910 --> 00:18:00,329 to Mary, you know, you're looking at a teenager 257 00:18:00,413 --> 00:18:03,249 receiving this news that will change humanity. 258 00:18:11,132 --> 00:18:14,468 You will conceive and give birth to a son. 259 00:18:15,511 --> 00:18:16,846 You will call him Jesus. 260 00:18:17,972 --> 00:18:19,765 He will be very great, 261 00:18:19,849 --> 00:18:21,976 and he will be known as the Son of the Most High. 262 00:18:23,352 --> 00:18:24,770 The Lord God will give him the throne 263 00:18:24,854 --> 00:18:25,938 of his ancestor David, 264 00:18:26,022 --> 00:18:28,649 and he will reign over Israel forever. 265 00:18:29,233 --> 00:18:30,860 His kingdom will never end. 266 00:18:32,945 --> 00:18:34,238 But how can this happen? 267 00:18:34,739 --> 00:18:35,990 I am a virgin. 268 00:18:41,912 --> 00:18:44,290 The Holy Spirit will come upon you, 269 00:18:44,373 --> 00:18:46,500 and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, 270 00:18:46,584 --> 00:18:49,587 so that the baby to be born will be born holy 271 00:18:50,212 --> 00:18:52,590 and will be called the Son of God. 272 00:19:08,230 --> 00:19:09,649 I am the Lord's servant. 273 00:19:10,358 --> 00:19:12,818 May everything you have said about me come true. 274 00:19:35,508 --> 00:19:37,051 Mary herself kind of wonders, 275 00:19:37,134 --> 00:19:39,387 {\an8}"Why, God, did you choose me? 'Cause I'm... 276 00:19:39,470 --> 00:19:41,764 {\an8}I'm just your humble servant." 277 00:19:41,847 --> 00:19:43,349 {\an8}"There's nothing special about me." 278 00:19:43,432 --> 00:19:44,600 {\an8}"I'm not a queen." 279 00:19:44,684 --> 00:19:46,394 "I don't come from an important family." 280 00:19:46,477 --> 00:19:50,898 All the kind of what we might call worldly values 281 00:19:50,981 --> 00:19:52,149 that show success, 282 00:19:53,442 --> 00:19:55,027 Mary doesn't have any of those. 283 00:19:55,653 --> 00:19:59,657 But what she does have is a willingness 284 00:19:59,740 --> 00:20:02,618 to follow whatever God has for her. 285 00:20:04,412 --> 00:20:10,251 Mary is the most sublime and pure human being. 286 00:20:14,422 --> 00:20:17,967 After the angel greeted her, she didn't say, "This can't be." 287 00:20:18,050 --> 00:20:19,385 She said, "How can this be?" 288 00:20:24,098 --> 00:20:27,685 And the angel Gabriel tells her the power of the Most High, 289 00:20:27,768 --> 00:20:29,687 the Holy Spirit, will overshadow you. 290 00:20:30,688 --> 00:20:33,774 This is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 291 00:20:33,858 --> 00:20:37,903 of the virgin conceiving and bearing the Son of God, 292 00:20:37,987 --> 00:20:39,655 Immanuel the Christ. 293 00:20:40,197 --> 00:20:43,409 And this is the turning point in human history. 294 00:20:51,584 --> 00:20:55,129 There was a separation between God and humanity. 295 00:20:55,212 --> 00:20:58,215 And as God is desiring to reach humanity, 296 00:20:58,632 --> 00:21:01,135 uh, there is a gap. 297 00:21:01,677 --> 00:21:04,597 And that gap would have to be filled or connected 298 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:05,848 through a bridge. 299 00:21:05,931 --> 00:21:08,684 Now, that bridge is a human being. 300 00:21:09,268 --> 00:21:11,896 And that bridge is God the Son. 301 00:21:14,982 --> 00:21:17,735 God wanted to show us what He was like. 302 00:21:18,819 --> 00:21:20,654 {\an8}So as we're, like, trying to prove 303 00:21:20,738 --> 00:21:22,573 {\an8}how great we are, God's saying, 304 00:21:22,656 --> 00:21:24,909 {\an8}"But I use the lowly." 305 00:21:26,285 --> 00:21:28,746 Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 306 00:21:33,793 --> 00:21:36,295 This is so massive. 307 00:21:36,378 --> 00:21:39,965 I mean, you're talking about for the first time, 308 00:21:40,049 --> 00:21:43,260 God being inside of a person. 309 00:21:46,096 --> 00:21:48,682 My spirit rejoices in God my Savior. 310 00:21:52,144 --> 00:21:56,190 Mary believes that God is fulfilling His promise 311 00:21:56,273 --> 00:21:58,943 to deliver His people through the Messiah. 312 00:21:59,443 --> 00:22:04,657 And having a baby who grows up to be Messiah, 313 00:22:04,740 --> 00:22:06,784 the Anointed One, the King, 314 00:22:06,867 --> 00:22:09,787 is a promise of Scriptures. 315 00:22:27,221 --> 00:22:28,597 This willingness 316 00:22:28,681 --> 00:22:31,183 to surrender everything to God, 317 00:22:31,267 --> 00:22:36,772 {\an8}she was the right person in the sense 318 00:22:36,856 --> 00:22:41,861 {\an8}that she believed that God can do what is impossible. 319 00:22:44,113 --> 00:22:46,782 Mary didn't ask to be the mother of the Son of God, 320 00:22:47,533 --> 00:22:49,326 but she was available to God. 321 00:22:50,494 --> 00:22:54,123 God saw her servant heart, her faithfulness, 322 00:22:54,206 --> 00:22:55,916 and she chose to obey. 323 00:22:57,293 --> 00:22:59,503 But obedience can come with a price. 324 00:23:00,504 --> 00:23:03,591 And for Mary, that price would mean her reputation, 325 00:23:04,133 --> 00:23:05,885 her future marriage to Joseph, 326 00:23:06,510 --> 00:23:08,012 and even her life. 327 00:23:18,731 --> 00:23:20,149 The Roman Empire, 328 00:23:20,232 --> 00:23:22,902 their reach into these other populations, 329 00:23:22,985 --> 00:23:25,571 those populations could, a lot of times, 330 00:23:25,654 --> 00:23:29,116 keep their own language, keep their own local customs, 331 00:23:29,199 --> 00:23:30,659 but they needed to pay taxes... 332 00:23:30,743 --> 00:23:36,248 ...always taxes, back to the central government, 333 00:23:37,124 --> 00:23:38,667 which grew quite rich. 334 00:23:42,379 --> 00:23:43,714 Straight line! 335 00:23:44,465 --> 00:23:46,091 Straight line, everyone! 336 00:23:47,927 --> 00:23:49,219 Get them in line! 337 00:23:54,266 --> 00:23:56,977 Mary had received word that her cousin Elizabeth 338 00:23:57,061 --> 00:23:58,896 had also recently become pregnant, 339 00:23:59,521 --> 00:24:00,898 and she rushed to help. 340 00:24:02,733 --> 00:24:03,859 Get over here. 341 00:24:03,984 --> 00:24:06,236 The Blessed Mother is the great example 342 00:24:06,320 --> 00:24:09,156 of discipleship, in terms of what did she do 343 00:24:09,239 --> 00:24:11,450 as soon as the angel Gabriel visited her? 344 00:24:11,533 --> 00:24:13,118 She went in haste 345 00:24:13,202 --> 00:24:15,871 through the hill country to visit Elizabeth 346 00:24:15,955 --> 00:24:17,039 and to help her. 347 00:24:17,122 --> 00:24:19,917 To serve Elizabeth in her pregnancy, as well. 348 00:24:24,546 --> 00:24:26,423 Mary! 349 00:24:26,507 --> 00:24:27,508 Mary! 350 00:24:29,677 --> 00:24:30,678 Joseph. 351 00:24:33,347 --> 00:24:34,348 Where are you going? 352 00:24:37,601 --> 00:24:40,312 I'm going to visit my cousin, Elizabeth. 353 00:24:40,396 --> 00:24:41,522 Now? 354 00:24:43,565 --> 00:24:45,109 But what of our wedding preparations? 355 00:24:51,281 --> 00:24:52,908 Everything has changed. 356 00:24:57,037 --> 00:24:58,038 Changed? 357 00:24:58,914 --> 00:24:59,957 What's changed? 358 00:25:05,170 --> 00:25:06,380 I cannot say. 359 00:25:07,464 --> 00:25:08,716 Not yet. 360 00:25:15,139 --> 00:25:17,599 Mary, I don't understand what's happening, 361 00:25:17,683 --> 00:25:19,059 but I will escort you. 362 00:25:20,352 --> 00:25:21,937 It's not safe to journey alone. 363 00:25:23,605 --> 00:25:25,107 Let me tell my father, and I'll join you. 364 00:25:25,190 --> 00:25:26,191 Joseph! 365 00:25:27,609 --> 00:25:29,486 I am traveling with others. 366 00:25:29,570 --> 00:25:31,405 I must take this journey without you. 367 00:25:32,406 --> 00:25:34,616 I pray the Lord will reveal to you why. 368 00:25:45,919 --> 00:25:47,504 Get in line, boy! 369 00:25:49,298 --> 00:25:50,883 My family is not from Nazareth. 370 00:25:52,551 --> 00:25:54,553 Well, you and your family need to get your asses 371 00:25:54,636 --> 00:25:57,347 to wherever that is and register 372 00:25:58,223 --> 00:26:00,893 by the end of the consular year. 373 00:26:16,283 --> 00:26:19,036 After Mary spends the first part of her pregnancy 374 00:26:19,119 --> 00:26:20,537 with her cousin, Elizabeth, 375 00:26:21,371 --> 00:26:23,082 she returns home to Nazareth. 376 00:26:25,292 --> 00:26:27,127 She has a child inside her, 377 00:26:27,753 --> 00:26:29,838 and a story about how it got there. 378 00:26:30,547 --> 00:26:35,469 {\an8}There was a recognition, both of, "God will work it out." 379 00:26:35,552 --> 00:26:38,430 {\an8}That's clear what she says in the Magnificat. 380 00:26:38,514 --> 00:26:41,600 {\an8}She knows, "All generations will call me blessed." 381 00:26:41,683 --> 00:26:43,185 That's what she says. 382 00:26:43,811 --> 00:26:47,022 But I think she also recognizes... 383 00:26:47,523 --> 00:26:49,358 "If people don't believe me, 384 00:26:49,858 --> 00:26:52,778 then I will be seen as having committed a sin." 385 00:26:54,863 --> 00:26:56,406 From a Jewish perspective, 386 00:26:56,490 --> 00:26:59,243 in the ultra-conservative society that they lived in, 387 00:26:59,952 --> 00:27:01,620 under Pharisaic law, 388 00:27:02,204 --> 00:27:05,958 {\an8}if she would be condemned as an adulterous woman, 389 00:27:06,041 --> 00:27:09,044 {\an8}you would be judged in a way and condemned 390 00:27:09,128 --> 00:27:10,963 {\an8}that you would be stoned, put to death. 391 00:27:12,631 --> 00:27:16,885 But she's a young woman that is very convinced, 392 00:27:16,969 --> 00:27:19,263 "This is what I have to go through, 393 00:27:19,346 --> 00:27:21,849 and this is my part to play 394 00:27:21,932 --> 00:27:23,976 to the fulfillment of the Word of God." 395 00:28:02,890 --> 00:28:05,350 Mary, what have you done? 396 00:28:07,936 --> 00:28:09,187 I will explain. 397 00:28:21,241 --> 00:28:24,077 If a teenage girl told you that she was pregnant 398 00:28:24,161 --> 00:28:26,371 with the Son of God and still a virgin, 399 00:28:27,039 --> 00:28:28,332 would you believe her? 400 00:28:29,666 --> 00:28:33,545 Her mother, her future in-laws, and her future husband 401 00:28:33,629 --> 00:28:35,839 all had to face that same question. 402 00:28:36,965 --> 00:28:39,968 The stakes could not be any higher for this young woman, 403 00:28:40,510 --> 00:28:44,097 not to mention for Joseph and both of their families. 404 00:29:16,254 --> 00:29:18,048 I do not want to disgrace you publicly. 405 00:29:28,558 --> 00:29:31,019 I will not openly accuse you of unfaithfulness. 406 00:29:37,192 --> 00:29:38,860 I will end our betrothal quietly. 407 00:29:40,153 --> 00:29:42,322 I'll do my best to protect your reputation. 408 00:30:10,183 --> 00:30:12,811 The Bible says that Joseph was a good man, 409 00:30:13,812 --> 00:30:16,523 but good men can have their hearts broken too. 410 00:30:18,358 --> 00:30:20,861 These two teenagers were meant to be together. 411 00:30:21,570 --> 00:30:25,365 God not only chose Mary, he also chose Joseph. 412 00:30:31,538 --> 00:30:33,457 They both cried out to the same God 413 00:30:33,540 --> 00:30:34,833 with the same prayer, 414 00:30:36,084 --> 00:30:38,086 "Reveal yourself, O Lord." 415 00:30:39,713 --> 00:30:42,132 And God was faithful to answer them both. 416 00:31:13,705 --> 00:31:16,625 Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid 417 00:31:16,708 --> 00:31:18,210 to take Mary as your wife, 418 00:31:18,960 --> 00:31:20,754 for the child within her was conceived 419 00:31:20,837 --> 00:31:22,047 by the Holy Spirit. 420 00:31:23,298 --> 00:31:24,883 She will give birth to a son, 421 00:31:25,884 --> 00:31:27,427 and you are to name him Jesus, 422 00:31:28,095 --> 00:31:30,388 for he will save his people from their sins. 423 00:31:31,098 --> 00:31:32,140 Look. 424 00:32:01,837 --> 00:32:05,173 Joseph. What are you doing here at this hour? 425 00:32:05,257 --> 00:32:06,466 Sir, I need to see Mary. 426 00:32:06,967 --> 00:32:08,176 I need to see her. 427 00:32:09,886 --> 00:32:11,012 I know. 428 00:32:12,806 --> 00:32:15,016 - You know what? - I know. 429 00:32:16,184 --> 00:32:17,227 Joseph? 430 00:32:22,524 --> 00:32:23,608 Dearest Mary, 431 00:32:25,443 --> 00:32:26,945 you are the love of my life, 432 00:32:29,281 --> 00:32:30,657 mother of my Savior. 433 00:32:31,950 --> 00:32:33,118 The Messiah? 434 00:32:33,827 --> 00:32:34,995 The Son of God? 435 00:32:46,298 --> 00:32:48,758 Will you honor me by giving me your hand in marriage? 436 00:32:49,426 --> 00:32:50,886 I will commit to taking care of you 437 00:32:50,969 --> 00:32:52,637 and the child all the days of my life. 438 00:33:01,897 --> 00:33:05,066 Joseph and Mary were most likely quietly wed. 439 00:33:06,151 --> 00:33:07,444 They probably did not have 440 00:33:07,527 --> 00:33:09,404 the typical large Jewish wedding. 441 00:33:10,614 --> 00:33:13,408 A bride showing her pregnancy on her wedding day 442 00:33:13,491 --> 00:33:15,285 would have been the source of rumor. 443 00:33:16,369 --> 00:33:18,830 Joseph did not want Mary to suffer through it. 444 00:33:20,707 --> 00:33:25,545 {\an8}Joseph is the one that God chose to be entrusted 445 00:33:26,046 --> 00:33:29,257 {\an8}with not only caring for the Blessed Mother 446 00:33:29,341 --> 00:33:30,342 {\an8}and protecting her, 447 00:33:30,425 --> 00:33:33,428 but caring for and protecting Christ Jesus. 448 00:33:35,055 --> 00:33:38,099 And so this is a remarkable responsibility. 449 00:33:40,852 --> 00:33:42,187 Months after the wedding, 450 00:33:42,270 --> 00:33:45,357 Mary and Joseph set off on the 90-mile journey 451 00:33:45,440 --> 00:33:47,817 to his ancestral home of Bethlehem, 452 00:33:47,901 --> 00:33:50,612 where they were to register for the Roman census. 453 00:33:51,655 --> 00:33:54,658 {\an8}Joseph needed to travel to his hometown 454 00:33:54,741 --> 00:34:00,205 {\an8}within a certain time frame in order to register. 455 00:34:02,415 --> 00:34:04,292 There in Bethlehem, nobody would know 456 00:34:04,376 --> 00:34:09,464 whether the baby being born is Joseph's baby or not. 457 00:34:09,547 --> 00:34:12,342 {\an8}They would assume that this is a married couple, 458 00:34:12,425 --> 00:34:15,178 {\an8}and it's his baby. 459 00:34:15,679 --> 00:34:17,722 {\an8}So there will be no gossip 460 00:34:18,348 --> 00:34:21,685 {\an8}and no humiliation, which would have been there 461 00:34:22,435 --> 00:34:25,814 if the baby had been born in Joseph's home. 462 00:34:28,441 --> 00:34:31,111 Joseph, be sure you feed Mary 463 00:34:31,194 --> 00:34:32,529 - twice a day. - Of course. 464 00:34:32,612 --> 00:34:34,322 And be sure she drinks plenty of water. 465 00:34:34,406 --> 00:34:35,407 Yes, understood. 466 00:34:35,991 --> 00:34:39,160 Joseph, be careful out there. 467 00:34:40,412 --> 00:34:42,831 And please take care of my daughter and my grandson. 468 00:34:43,540 --> 00:34:44,749 On my life, sir. 469 00:34:47,919 --> 00:34:49,379 Unlike what is usually shown 470 00:34:49,462 --> 00:34:51,506 in most portrayals of Mary and Joseph 471 00:34:51,589 --> 00:34:55,427 making the 90-mile journey alone on a single donkey... 472 00:34:57,220 --> 00:34:59,556 it's more plausible that they would have traveled 473 00:34:59,639 --> 00:35:01,391 in a group for protection. 474 00:35:20,493 --> 00:35:22,996 There was good reason for Mary and Joseph's families 475 00:35:23,079 --> 00:35:24,873 to be concerned about the voyage. 476 00:35:26,207 --> 00:35:28,293 There were bands of outlaws on the road. 477 00:35:29,252 --> 00:35:32,380 Lions and bears roamed the wild lands around it. 478 00:35:33,590 --> 00:35:35,550 And the Roman soldiers who patrolled 479 00:35:35,634 --> 00:35:38,261 were known for committing random acts of violence, 480 00:35:38,762 --> 00:35:40,639 simply because they could. 481 00:36:05,246 --> 00:36:07,082 The smaller, more remote communities 482 00:36:07,165 --> 00:36:10,251 were especially vulnerable to random acts of violence. 483 00:36:21,596 --> 00:36:25,517 One false accusation by a rogue unit of Roman soldiers 484 00:36:25,600 --> 00:36:27,018 could be catastrophic. 485 00:36:42,951 --> 00:36:45,120 Roman soldiers accused this village 486 00:36:45,203 --> 00:36:46,287 of harboring rebels. 487 00:36:47,497 --> 00:36:49,374 The Romans killed everyone but her. 488 00:36:50,041 --> 00:36:52,877 We must leave now. Go. Let's go. 489 00:37:04,723 --> 00:37:06,349 Living in modern society, 490 00:37:06,433 --> 00:37:08,476 it is really nearly impossible 491 00:37:08,560 --> 00:37:10,979 to imagine how barbaric they were. 492 00:37:11,563 --> 00:37:14,858 Often just leaving one witness to keep the threat alive. 493 00:37:16,943 --> 00:37:20,321 But things that were maybe considered normal for that time, 494 00:37:21,114 --> 00:37:22,741 if you saw them today, 495 00:37:23,575 --> 00:37:25,410 it's unlikely you would get over it. 496 00:37:26,786 --> 00:37:29,414 Life was not kind or easy. 497 00:37:38,339 --> 00:37:39,382 How are we doing? 498 00:37:40,091 --> 00:37:41,426 We are good. 499 00:37:41,509 --> 00:37:42,761 All right. 500 00:37:42,844 --> 00:37:44,053 He moved again! 501 00:37:47,682 --> 00:37:49,392 See, can you feel him move? 502 00:37:49,476 --> 00:37:50,518 I can. 503 00:37:53,938 --> 00:37:56,941 They knew that if people didn't believe them 504 00:37:57,025 --> 00:38:00,403 about this truth that God had done in their lives, 505 00:38:00,487 --> 00:38:03,156 that they would then be ridiculed or worse. 506 00:38:03,239 --> 00:38:05,366 And so, in recognizing all of that, 507 00:38:05,450 --> 00:38:08,578 I think we can maybe better appreciate 508 00:38:08,661 --> 00:38:11,706 both Mary and Joseph's commitment 509 00:38:12,207 --> 00:38:13,833 to raising Jesus, 510 00:38:13,917 --> 00:38:17,587 even though they didn't know what all this would entail. 511 00:38:18,129 --> 00:38:20,715 Joseph is the model for every man. 512 00:38:20,799 --> 00:38:24,552 To be a good protector, to love the Blessed Mother 513 00:38:24,636 --> 00:38:27,764 with the highest form of love, which is "agape." 514 00:39:02,549 --> 00:39:05,009 I should probably warn you about my cousins in Bethlehem. 515 00:39:05,802 --> 00:39:07,470 Okay, please do. 516 00:39:08,096 --> 00:39:12,392 Well, this cousin, Asher, he's a talker. 517 00:39:12,475 --> 00:39:13,768 Yap, yap, yap. 518 00:39:13,852 --> 00:39:16,062 His words as welcoming as an annoying old maid 519 00:39:16,145 --> 00:39:18,481 yapping about food during the Yom Kippur fast. 520 00:39:19,065 --> 00:39:20,900 Joseph, be kind. 521 00:39:20,984 --> 00:39:22,402 I am being kind. 522 00:39:23,069 --> 00:39:25,864 To you. I'm warning you, don't get cornered by him. 523 00:39:49,721 --> 00:39:52,640 At a certain point, Mary and Joseph did separate 524 00:39:52,724 --> 00:39:55,977 from their group, heading out on their own, 525 00:39:56,060 --> 00:39:57,353 towards his family's home, 526 00:39:58,187 --> 00:39:59,647 the village of Bethlehem, 527 00:40:00,648 --> 00:40:03,401 the ancestral home of King David. 528 00:40:09,157 --> 00:40:11,409 Did he move again? 529 00:40:12,118 --> 00:40:14,329 No. This is something else. 530 00:40:15,538 --> 00:40:18,041 We're nearly there. A few more steps. 531 00:40:21,085 --> 00:40:23,880 Joseph. What is that? 532 00:40:45,026 --> 00:40:47,236 The Romans reserved crucifixion 533 00:40:47,320 --> 00:40:51,574 {\an8}as a method of execution for serious charges, 534 00:40:51,658 --> 00:40:53,576 {\an8}like sedition slash treason. 535 00:40:56,663 --> 00:41:00,667 And the reason why crucifixion was chosen 536 00:41:00,750 --> 00:41:03,503 is because it was a method of execution 537 00:41:03,586 --> 00:41:07,966 that was long and painful before death occurred. 538 00:41:09,342 --> 00:41:12,053 There were many who claimed to be the Messiah, 539 00:41:12,178 --> 00:41:14,347 who were going to overthrow the Romans 540 00:41:14,430 --> 00:41:16,891 and free the Jewish people once and for all. 541 00:41:17,517 --> 00:41:20,728 They were all hunted down and made examples of. 542 00:41:21,396 --> 00:41:23,856 There will be no mercy shown to anyone 543 00:41:23,940 --> 00:41:26,567 who dare challenge the mighty Roman Empire. 544 00:41:30,989 --> 00:41:33,491 Joseph! 545 00:41:33,574 --> 00:41:35,368 It's okay, Mary. 546 00:41:38,496 --> 00:41:42,959 It's okay, we're nearly there. 547 00:41:59,600 --> 00:42:01,602 Just breathe. Deep breaths. 548 00:42:10,445 --> 00:42:11,654 When my kids were small, 549 00:42:11,738 --> 00:42:13,823 we used to put out our Nativity set 550 00:42:13,906 --> 00:42:16,534 above the fireplace, on the mantel. 551 00:42:17,410 --> 00:42:19,537 And sometimes below the tree in a bed of cotton. 552 00:42:20,705 --> 00:42:22,957 And together, we'd look at the carved figures 553 00:42:23,041 --> 00:42:26,878 of the Baby Jesus wrapped in a blanket, 554 00:42:28,254 --> 00:42:31,883 the shepherds and three Wise Men kneeling, 555 00:42:32,592 --> 00:42:34,802 while the cute angels and animals looked on. 556 00:42:35,928 --> 00:42:37,472 It's a great way to tell our kids 557 00:42:37,555 --> 00:42:39,057 about this amazing story. 558 00:42:39,766 --> 00:42:41,642 And a great reminder for all of us. 559 00:42:42,643 --> 00:42:44,771 But if any story is worth going deeper, 560 00:42:46,355 --> 00:42:47,440 it's this one. 561 00:42:49,358 --> 00:42:52,570 You know, I've learned... I've learned to appreciate 562 00:42:52,653 --> 00:42:54,155 in a new way what it must have taken 563 00:42:54,238 --> 00:42:57,533 for this teenage couple from nowhere 564 00:42:57,617 --> 00:42:59,535 to be the parents of the Son of God, 565 00:43:01,037 --> 00:43:02,872 what it must have taken for Mary and Joseph 566 00:43:02,955 --> 00:43:06,209 just to keep him alive. 567 00:43:15,968 --> 00:43:17,887 {\an8}Life back then was brutal, 568 00:43:17,970 --> 00:43:19,263 {\an8}right from the very beginning. 569 00:43:21,224 --> 00:43:24,102 Childbirth was extremely dangerous at the time. 570 00:43:24,185 --> 00:43:26,896 Please! Open! Please! 571 00:43:29,899 --> 00:43:31,150 - Cousin Joseph! - Cousin Asher! 572 00:43:31,234 --> 00:43:32,610 - My wife! She's in labor! - Whoa, my-- 573 00:43:32,693 --> 00:43:34,153 Get in here. Get out of the rain. 574 00:43:34,695 --> 00:43:39,242 Raya! Raya! Raya! Raya, come quick! 575 00:43:39,325 --> 00:43:41,119 The mortality rate of infants 576 00:43:41,202 --> 00:43:44,038 was about 20 times greater than today. 577 00:43:44,122 --> 00:43:45,790 Boys, enough of that now. 578 00:43:46,374 --> 00:43:47,625 Behave yourselves. 579 00:43:47,708 --> 00:43:49,669 Not to mention the extremely high rate 580 00:43:49,752 --> 00:43:51,671 of mothers dying in childbirth. 581 00:43:52,839 --> 00:43:54,924 Her water's already broken. Where can we bring her? 582 00:43:55,007 --> 00:43:56,008 Follow me. 583 00:43:56,676 --> 00:43:59,011 And if the baby did survive birth... 584 00:43:59,095 --> 00:44:00,179 More water. 585 00:44:00,972 --> 00:44:03,474 Rachel, get linens, blankets. 586 00:44:03,558 --> 00:44:06,477 ...about one half would die within their first year. 587 00:44:10,148 --> 00:44:13,401 The small town of Bethlehem was isolated and poor. 588 00:44:14,402 --> 00:44:18,030 Unlike the Christmas carol about there being no room in the inn, 589 00:44:18,698 --> 00:44:21,325 it's questionable whether Bethlehem even had one. 590 00:44:22,493 --> 00:44:24,829 It's more likely that Joseph was planning 591 00:44:24,912 --> 00:44:26,706 on staying at a relative's home. 592 00:44:27,957 --> 00:44:32,211 {\an8}Hospitality in the ancient world among Jews, and also the Romans, 593 00:44:32,295 --> 00:44:35,047 {\an8}everyone really valued hospitality. 594 00:44:35,673 --> 00:44:39,510 If there was a visitor coming into your town, 595 00:44:39,594 --> 00:44:42,513 it was really important that you gave them a meal, 596 00:44:42,597 --> 00:44:44,765 that you gave them a place to stay. 597 00:44:45,266 --> 00:44:47,101 So when Mary and Joseph arrived, 598 00:44:47,185 --> 00:44:49,770 what they find is that there are a lot of other people 599 00:44:49,854 --> 00:44:53,149 who have had to go back to Bethlehem to register. 600 00:44:53,232 --> 00:44:56,527 So all these extra rooms are taken. 601 00:44:56,611 --> 00:44:57,904 Okay. Careful. 602 00:44:57,987 --> 00:45:00,531 Just follow me. Down here. 603 00:45:00,615 --> 00:45:03,534 Bethlehem is known for its limestone caves. 604 00:45:04,535 --> 00:45:06,037 These caves under the houses 605 00:45:06,120 --> 00:45:07,997 acted as a basement of sorts. 606 00:45:09,207 --> 00:45:10,833 They also were a kind of barn 607 00:45:10,917 --> 00:45:13,127 to keep the animals safe at night... 608 00:45:13,211 --> 00:45:15,213 ...and, in a pinch, for guests. 609 00:45:16,255 --> 00:45:18,883 Mary couldn't just give birth in a crowded room. 610 00:45:19,550 --> 00:45:21,928 She needed to be set apart from the others, 611 00:45:22,511 --> 00:45:26,390 not only for religious reasons, but also for practical ones. 612 00:45:27,600 --> 00:45:29,435 Back then, you made do. 613 00:45:29,936 --> 00:45:32,230 Shelter of any kind was valuable. 614 00:45:33,856 --> 00:45:35,942 Unlike some modern accounts suggest, 615 00:45:36,567 --> 00:45:38,194 this young couple in crisis 616 00:45:38,277 --> 00:45:40,571 was not just being pushed into the night 617 00:45:40,655 --> 00:45:41,989 by uncaring people. 618 00:45:42,073 --> 00:45:43,199 Joseph! 619 00:45:43,699 --> 00:45:45,785 Come on, watch your steps, all of you. 620 00:45:46,285 --> 00:45:48,871 We're almost there. 621 00:45:48,955 --> 00:45:51,123 We're almost there, just a few more steps. 622 00:45:51,624 --> 00:45:53,125 Keep breathing through it. 623 00:45:53,209 --> 00:45:55,503 Deep breaths. 624 00:45:59,715 --> 00:46:02,176 There are different theological 625 00:46:02,260 --> 00:46:05,554 {\an8}speculations made about the birth of Jesus 626 00:46:05,638 --> 00:46:07,848 {\an8}and how the Blessed Mother was affected. 627 00:46:09,141 --> 00:46:11,018 There is one point of view 628 00:46:11,102 --> 00:46:12,937 in Christianity that posits the idea 629 00:46:13,020 --> 00:46:14,897 that she would have been in pain, 630 00:46:14,981 --> 00:46:16,315 had gone through labor 631 00:46:16,399 --> 00:46:18,818 as any other mother goes through labor. 632 00:46:19,485 --> 00:46:22,280 However, there's another idea 633 00:46:22,363 --> 00:46:26,867 that because the Blessed Mother was not affected by original sin 634 00:46:26,951 --> 00:46:29,495 and did not suffer the effects, 635 00:46:30,288 --> 00:46:33,249 perhaps she didn't go through the pain of childbirth. 636 00:46:35,293 --> 00:46:36,711 We can get mired in the details, 637 00:46:36,794 --> 00:46:39,463 or we can speculate about this or that. 638 00:46:39,547 --> 00:46:41,590 What matters most is Jesus Christ was born 639 00:46:41,674 --> 00:46:42,925 of the Blessed Mother. 640 00:46:44,427 --> 00:46:46,137 Here, here. Bring her back here. 641 00:46:46,220 --> 00:46:48,556 There, near the top. 642 00:46:48,639 --> 00:46:51,767 For a long, long time, and I'm talking centuries, 643 00:46:51,851 --> 00:46:54,645 the women having their babies, and afterwards, 644 00:46:54,729 --> 00:46:57,148 was really the responsibility of other women. 645 00:46:59,650 --> 00:47:01,193 So presumably, there would have been 646 00:47:01,277 --> 00:47:04,947 {\an8}at least one midwife involved in the process 647 00:47:05,031 --> 00:47:09,201 {\an8}of childbirth, maybe with a couple of other women present. 648 00:47:11,996 --> 00:47:13,831 Here. Gently now. 649 00:47:13,914 --> 00:47:16,917 It is believed that it wasn't until the 17th century 650 00:47:17,001 --> 00:47:18,961 that women gave birth on their backs. 651 00:47:20,921 --> 00:47:23,924 Before then, according to reliefs and paintings, 652 00:47:24,008 --> 00:47:27,345 it was in a standing, sitting, or kneeling position. 653 00:47:27,887 --> 00:47:29,055 Okay, just... 654 00:47:30,348 --> 00:47:32,600 In the Jewish tradition, men could not touch 655 00:47:32,683 --> 00:47:34,727 or be near the mother during labor. 656 00:47:35,311 --> 00:47:37,229 Every new father knows the feeling 657 00:47:37,313 --> 00:47:39,148 of being helpless during labor. 658 00:47:40,024 --> 00:47:42,234 Joseph must have been no different. 659 00:47:42,318 --> 00:47:44,362 - You're okay. - My name is Mary. 660 00:47:46,572 --> 00:47:47,656 I am Raya. 661 00:47:48,199 --> 00:47:51,410 You're most welcome, Mary. This is Cousin Rachel. 662 00:47:52,244 --> 00:47:55,706 Mary, you and your baby are in good hands with Raya. 663 00:47:55,790 --> 00:47:57,124 She delivered both of my sons 664 00:47:57,208 --> 00:47:58,793 and most of the kids in the village. 665 00:48:00,503 --> 00:48:02,922 And you have already met my husband, Asher. 666 00:48:03,589 --> 00:48:05,257 Yes, yes, you are most welcome. 667 00:48:06,384 --> 00:48:07,635 Thank you, Cousin Asher. 668 00:48:08,886 --> 00:48:10,805 I've heard all about you from Joseph. 669 00:48:11,806 --> 00:48:13,099 Good things, I suppose. 670 00:48:15,184 --> 00:48:18,020 I can't believe Joseph is going to be a father. 671 00:48:18,104 --> 00:48:20,564 It seems like yesterday when he was born. 672 00:48:20,648 --> 00:48:21,982 Celebrated for days. 673 00:48:22,066 --> 00:48:25,945 Husband, enough chatter. Start a fire. 674 00:48:26,904 --> 00:48:29,865 We need this place nice and warm for when the baby arrives. 675 00:48:29,949 --> 00:48:31,283 Yes. Yes, of course. 676 00:48:33,369 --> 00:48:35,454 Rachel, check on the boiling water. 677 00:48:35,955 --> 00:48:37,123 We will need it soon. 678 00:48:42,711 --> 00:48:46,173 Mary, it is time. I will count with you. 679 00:48:46,257 --> 00:48:47,925 Ready? 680 00:48:50,469 --> 00:48:52,304 Yes, I'm ready. 681 00:48:56,725 --> 00:48:59,145 The ancient text says that the birth of Christ 682 00:48:59,228 --> 00:49:01,272 coincided with the birth of a new star 683 00:49:01,355 --> 00:49:02,606 that very same night. 684 00:49:03,315 --> 00:49:06,026 So you don't have to be a genius now to speculate 685 00:49:06,110 --> 00:49:08,737 why we put stars on top of Christmas trees. 686 00:49:09,530 --> 00:49:10,906 The Scriptures go on to say 687 00:49:10,990 --> 00:49:13,742 that yet another spectacle was sent to the heavens 688 00:49:13,826 --> 00:49:16,745 {\an8}to celebrate the birth of God's Son on Earth. 689 00:49:16,829 --> 00:49:18,706 {\an8}In the nearby hills of Bethlehem, 690 00:49:19,206 --> 00:49:21,417 {\an8}a Christmas miracle rained down 691 00:49:21,500 --> 00:49:22,877 on a group of shepherds. 692 00:49:24,211 --> 00:49:27,965 Shepherds were the lower class, 693 00:49:28,048 --> 00:49:29,758 ordinary people. 694 00:49:29,842 --> 00:49:33,679 {\an8}But God's saying, "But I use the lowly." 695 00:49:33,762 --> 00:49:37,933 And so it shouldn't surprise us that God would say, 696 00:49:38,017 --> 00:49:41,312 "You know, I'm going to reveal myself to these shepherds." 697 00:49:41,395 --> 00:49:44,356 Son, be careful. 698 00:49:44,440 --> 00:49:45,774 These are dangerous skies. 699 00:50:17,431 --> 00:50:18,599 Do not be afraid. 700 00:50:19,725 --> 00:50:22,186 I bring you good news that will bring great joy 701 00:50:22,269 --> 00:50:23,354 to all people. 702 00:50:26,899 --> 00:50:29,735 Three, two, one. 703 00:50:29,818 --> 00:50:33,614 Push! 704 00:50:45,459 --> 00:50:49,004 Imagine a chorus of angels. 705 00:50:49,088 --> 00:50:52,132 Like, I don't think it was just, like, this sweet, little song. 706 00:50:52,216 --> 00:50:55,052 We're talking about these heavenly beings 707 00:50:55,135 --> 00:50:58,931 in unison, worshiping, singing, 708 00:50:59,014 --> 00:51:02,059 celebrating Jesus. 709 00:51:16,282 --> 00:51:19,618 The Savior! Yes, the Lord, the Messiah, 710 00:51:20,035 --> 00:51:23,414 has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David. 711 00:51:24,832 --> 00:51:27,501 You will recognize him by this sign. 712 00:51:27,585 --> 00:51:28,669 You will see a baby 713 00:51:28,752 --> 00:51:30,838 tightly wrapped in strips of cloth, 714 00:51:30,921 --> 00:51:32,423 lying in a manger. 715 00:51:33,882 --> 00:51:35,926 Glory to God, in the highest. 716 00:51:36,635 --> 00:51:40,514 And on Earth peace, and goodwill toward men. 717 00:51:44,727 --> 00:51:47,104 He's beautiful. 718 00:51:48,772 --> 00:51:52,401 You're beautiful. 719 00:51:59,241 --> 00:52:02,286 Right now it just feels like he's up there, 720 00:52:02,369 --> 00:52:04,496 they're up there, we're down here. 721 00:52:04,747 --> 00:52:09,001 But it's like that layer was, like, removed, 722 00:52:09,084 --> 00:52:13,213 and now, suddenly, Heaven and Earth are together. 723 00:52:13,297 --> 00:52:18,093 And I think that's a picture of the incarnation of Christ. 724 00:52:19,470 --> 00:52:21,722 Heaven and Earth are together now. 725 00:52:31,273 --> 00:52:32,358 We need to go. 726 00:52:33,442 --> 00:52:35,903 Yes, we need to go to Bethlehem. 727 00:52:35,986 --> 00:52:38,405 Let's see this thing that the Lord has told us. 728 00:53:04,348 --> 00:53:06,100 Joseph. 729 00:53:10,229 --> 00:53:11,230 Shalom. 730 00:53:13,148 --> 00:53:14,441 How can we help you, son? 731 00:53:18,529 --> 00:53:19,530 Shalom. 732 00:53:20,572 --> 00:53:22,282 He told us he would be here. 733 00:53:25,119 --> 00:53:26,704 Just like that. 734 00:53:31,417 --> 00:53:32,876 Who told you he would be here? 735 00:53:34,503 --> 00:53:36,130 The angel of the Lord. 736 00:53:37,005 --> 00:53:38,340 There were a lot of them. 737 00:53:40,259 --> 00:53:41,593 You should have seen it. 738 00:53:47,224 --> 00:53:49,393 Please, come closer if you wish. 739 00:54:11,665 --> 00:54:14,251 Is there a midnight gold auction happening? 740 00:54:14,918 --> 00:54:16,044 It's okay, Raya. 741 00:54:16,545 --> 00:54:17,671 They're most welcome. 742 00:54:18,380 --> 00:54:20,340 Well, if mother says so. 743 00:54:21,008 --> 00:54:23,719 Now, keep your dirty hands to yourselves. 744 00:54:25,012 --> 00:54:26,638 And keep your voices down. 745 00:55:02,674 --> 00:55:05,511 According to scripture, after seeing the Baby Jesus, 746 00:55:05,594 --> 00:55:07,888 just as the angels told them they would, 747 00:55:07,971 --> 00:55:10,474 the shepherds would go on to tell anyone who would listen 748 00:55:10,557 --> 00:55:13,101 to their story about the night's events. 749 00:55:13,852 --> 00:55:15,229 And that fact alone, 750 00:55:15,312 --> 00:55:17,564 that a host of angels, not just one, 751 00:55:18,148 --> 00:55:19,191 but a host, 752 00:55:19,274 --> 00:55:22,277 would appear to common shepherds and not emperors or royals, 753 00:55:22,778 --> 00:55:24,530 must have said a lot about the kingdom 754 00:55:24,613 --> 00:55:26,740 that God was intending to build. 755 00:55:26,823 --> 00:55:30,327 The kind of kingdom where faith and humility were honored 756 00:55:30,410 --> 00:55:33,956 over might and wealth, an upside-down kingdom. 757 00:55:37,626 --> 00:55:41,380 {\an8}Hundreds of miles east, a group of men called the Magi 758 00:55:41,463 --> 00:55:44,007 noticed a new star in the heavens as well. 759 00:55:45,592 --> 00:55:48,595 They were likely a religious sect of astrologers. 760 00:55:49,930 --> 00:55:51,181 They were stunned 761 00:55:51,265 --> 00:55:53,392 with what they were seeing in the heavens. 762 00:55:54,768 --> 00:55:57,938 When the Gospel account is referring to Magi, 763 00:55:58,021 --> 00:56:00,899 they're talking about Zoroastrian priests. 764 00:56:00,983 --> 00:56:03,777 That is, priests who were from the area of ancient Persia, 765 00:56:03,860 --> 00:56:07,489 {\an8}who specialized in the interpretation of dreams, 766 00:56:07,573 --> 00:56:11,118 the interpretation of the night sky, celestial bodies. 767 00:56:11,201 --> 00:56:13,203 And who could, you know, based on these things, 768 00:56:13,287 --> 00:56:15,956 predict or interpret events. 769 00:56:17,874 --> 00:56:20,043 The Magi must have seen the new star 770 00:56:20,127 --> 00:56:21,378 as a sign from above, 771 00:56:22,921 --> 00:56:25,966 perhaps confirmed by their ancient prophecies, 772 00:56:27,217 --> 00:56:29,845 a sign that the Messiah had finally come, 773 00:56:31,305 --> 00:56:35,642 not just for the Jews, but for all people. 774 00:57:02,377 --> 00:57:03,420 A world away, 775 00:57:03,503 --> 00:57:05,088 they were compelled to follow the star 776 00:57:05,172 --> 00:57:06,757 to wherever it was leading them. 777 00:57:12,804 --> 00:57:15,265 They were willing to travel treacherous terrain 778 00:57:15,349 --> 00:57:18,268 for months to find the new king of the Jews, 779 00:57:19,645 --> 00:57:20,896 the Son of God. 780 00:57:22,981 --> 00:57:26,068 The Star of Bethlehem, as it would later be known, 781 00:57:26,151 --> 00:57:27,569 was their guiding light. 782 00:57:37,329 --> 00:57:40,457 The Magi kings that came from the east, 783 00:57:40,957 --> 00:57:42,668 {\an8}they have no Jewish roots. 784 00:57:42,751 --> 00:57:45,128 These are seekers, they are mystics, 785 00:57:45,212 --> 00:57:48,548 and they're coming from afar to worship the king. 786 00:57:57,808 --> 00:58:00,519 In stark contrast to the Heavenly Kingdom, 787 00:58:00,602 --> 00:58:02,688 Herod's kingdom was just the opposite. 788 00:58:02,771 --> 00:58:04,606 It was a mess. 789 00:58:04,690 --> 00:58:07,401 A dysfunctional reign, led by fear and distrust, 790 00:58:08,151 --> 00:58:09,820 an evil mortal king 791 00:58:09,903 --> 00:58:12,989 willing to do whatever it took to retain power 792 00:58:13,073 --> 00:58:15,158 as long as his ailing body would allow. 793 00:58:16,118 --> 00:58:17,994 But time was running out for Herod, 794 00:58:18,662 --> 00:58:20,497 and the writing was on the wall. 795 00:58:22,624 --> 00:58:23,750 Herod's inner court 796 00:58:23,834 --> 00:58:26,461 was a complicated mess of a situation. 797 00:58:28,088 --> 00:58:30,090 His jealous sister, Salome, 798 00:58:31,091 --> 00:58:34,845 had convinced the king that Herod's favorite wife, Mariamne, 799 00:58:35,971 --> 00:58:38,682 was having an affair with Herod's young uncle. 800 00:58:40,892 --> 00:58:44,062 At the same time, Salome convinced her brother 801 00:58:44,146 --> 00:58:46,064 that there was a plot for the supposed lovers 802 00:58:46,148 --> 00:58:49,443 to murder him and take control of the throne. 803 00:58:52,487 --> 00:58:54,990 Driven by fear and paranoia, 804 00:58:55,073 --> 00:58:57,159 King Herod ordered his favorite wife 805 00:58:57,242 --> 00:58:58,368 to be put to death. 806 00:58:58,869 --> 00:59:01,121 My love! 807 00:59:13,842 --> 00:59:16,052 One account says that Mariamne decided 808 00:59:16,136 --> 00:59:17,846 to go out on her own terms, 809 00:59:20,098 --> 00:59:22,976 sending Herod into a new level of madness. 810 00:59:28,940 --> 00:59:30,484 King Herod built a monument 811 00:59:30,567 --> 00:59:32,819 in memory of his queen. 812 00:59:32,903 --> 00:59:35,864 Mariamne Tower was yet another of Herod's monuments 813 00:59:35,947 --> 00:59:38,992 built on the backs of Jewish people. 814 00:59:56,384 --> 00:59:57,719 According to the Talmudic passage... 815 00:59:59,054 --> 01:00:01,765 ...Herod preserved his favorite wife's body 816 01:00:01,848 --> 01:00:03,225 in a vat of honey. 817 01:00:06,394 --> 01:00:10,232 It seems that Jesus was born into a dark and lost kingdom. 818 01:00:12,025 --> 01:00:14,194 Maybe the very reason for his existence 819 01:00:14,277 --> 01:00:16,363 was to bring light into the shadows. 820 01:00:19,866 --> 01:00:21,952 To uplift a fallen world. 821 01:00:53,483 --> 01:00:55,485 Mary and Joseph had to bring their son 822 01:00:55,569 --> 01:00:57,571 to the capital city of Jerusalem, 823 01:00:58,071 --> 01:01:00,949 which was only about five miles from Bethlehem, 824 01:01:01,533 --> 01:01:04,369 to dedicate him before the Lord at the Holy Temple, 825 01:01:04,953 --> 01:01:07,080 as required by the Law of Moses. 826 01:01:09,958 --> 01:01:11,459 So many people. 827 01:01:13,336 --> 01:01:15,714 The Temple of Jerusalem is legendary. 828 01:01:17,048 --> 01:01:20,468 A massive structure refurbished for the Jews, 829 01:01:20,552 --> 01:01:23,763 but not out of some religious dedication to the Lord. 830 01:01:24,556 --> 01:01:27,726 King Herod, one of the most hated men in the kingdom, 831 01:01:27,809 --> 01:01:30,979 had greatly expanded the spectacular temple 832 01:01:31,062 --> 01:01:32,564 for his own glory. 833 01:01:35,317 --> 01:01:36,985 The Temple of Jerusalem 834 01:01:37,068 --> 01:01:41,239 {\an8}was acres and acres of courtyards. 835 01:01:42,324 --> 01:01:45,660 Herod the Great was a builder king, 836 01:01:45,911 --> 01:01:47,913 kind of following in the tradition 837 01:01:48,121 --> 01:01:49,831 to display how great you are, 838 01:01:49,915 --> 01:01:51,583 you do a lot of building projects. 839 01:01:52,709 --> 01:01:53,710 Make way! 840 01:01:55,754 --> 01:01:58,924 I said make way! 841 01:02:00,508 --> 01:02:03,345 If the ancient streets of Jerusalem could talk... 842 01:02:03,428 --> 01:02:04,846 Make way for the king! 843 01:02:05,555 --> 01:02:07,390 ...imagine what they would say. 844 01:02:09,100 --> 01:02:11,269 Herod the Great did not know that day 845 01:02:11,353 --> 01:02:12,729 who was in his kingdom. 846 01:02:14,689 --> 01:02:18,360 Soon to be his biggest threat, the true Messiah. 847 01:02:23,531 --> 01:02:25,492 There was a Jewish custom for a mother 848 01:02:25,575 --> 01:02:29,120 to be baptized 40 days after giving birth to a son 849 01:02:29,454 --> 01:02:33,124 and before going into the temple to give sacrificial offerings. 850 01:02:39,422 --> 01:02:40,882 What a beautiful tradition. 851 01:02:46,638 --> 01:02:48,181 But just outside the temple, 852 01:02:48,264 --> 01:02:49,683 it's anything but sacred. 853 01:02:51,101 --> 01:02:52,185 It's a business. 854 01:02:57,524 --> 01:02:58,650 Sorry. No, no, no. 855 01:03:04,447 --> 01:03:05,615 Hey. Hello. 856 01:03:07,200 --> 01:03:10,578 - Hey. Can I... Can I get two of those? - Yes. 857 01:03:12,455 --> 01:03:13,873 For millennia, the Jewish people 858 01:03:13,957 --> 01:03:17,043 would bring their sacrifices to the altar of God, 859 01:03:17,127 --> 01:03:19,004 out of a spirit of thankfulness 860 01:03:19,546 --> 01:03:21,548 or for atonement for their sins. 861 01:03:24,509 --> 01:03:26,553 Mary and Joseph were no different. 862 01:03:27,679 --> 01:03:30,056 Little did they know that someday their son 863 01:03:30,140 --> 01:03:31,725 would be a living sacrifice 864 01:03:34,060 --> 01:03:36,438 and that thousands of years of tradition 865 01:03:36,521 --> 01:03:37,981 would be forever changed. 866 01:03:43,862 --> 01:03:46,114 Make way for the king! 867 01:03:46,197 --> 01:03:47,949 The Scriptures say that Simeon 868 01:03:48,033 --> 01:03:50,076 was a righteous and devout man. 869 01:03:50,160 --> 01:03:51,786 Make way! 870 01:03:52,537 --> 01:03:54,998 He was eagerly awaiting the Messiah to come 871 01:03:55,081 --> 01:03:57,834 and rescue Israel from the oppressive Herod 872 01:03:57,917 --> 01:03:59,210 and the Roman Empire. 873 01:03:59,294 --> 01:04:02,505 I said make way for the king. 874 01:04:04,507 --> 01:04:05,967 The Lord had told the old man 875 01:04:06,051 --> 01:04:07,177 that he would not die 876 01:04:07,260 --> 01:04:09,971 before seeing the Messiah with his own eyes. 877 01:04:10,722 --> 01:04:14,267 So he went daily to the temple to wait for that promise. 878 01:04:17,062 --> 01:04:20,607 {\an8}When you think of Simeon, he was waiting, 879 01:04:20,690 --> 01:04:23,151 {\an8}he was anticipating, he was hoping. 880 01:04:24,277 --> 01:04:26,613 He didn't waver in his belief. 881 01:04:33,578 --> 01:04:36,581 When that time came, he rejoices. 882 01:04:36,664 --> 01:04:38,041 He knew what to do. 883 01:04:38,792 --> 01:04:41,086 This is what he had been waiting for. 884 01:04:44,798 --> 01:04:46,132 Shalom. 885 01:04:49,177 --> 01:04:54,390 Shalom. Sha-- Oh! 886 01:04:54,474 --> 01:04:56,392 The child. 887 01:04:56,476 --> 01:04:58,353 The child. 888 01:04:58,436 --> 01:05:03,066 Oh! My soul leaps for joy. 889 01:05:04,984 --> 01:05:07,821 Surely he is the Messiah. 890 01:05:09,030 --> 01:05:10,073 Shalom. 891 01:05:10,949 --> 01:05:16,037 Yes, he is the one you seek. 892 01:05:17,038 --> 01:05:20,792 May... May I offer a blessing over the child? 893 01:05:26,506 --> 01:05:29,801 It would be our privilege. 894 01:05:36,432 --> 01:05:39,727 Oh. 895 01:05:40,353 --> 01:05:41,479 Oh. 896 01:05:43,940 --> 01:05:45,024 Sovereign Lord, 897 01:05:46,693 --> 01:05:50,113 now please let your servant die in peace, 898 01:05:50,196 --> 01:05:52,740 as you have promised. 899 01:05:53,867 --> 01:05:56,870 I have seen your salvation, 900 01:05:57,704 --> 01:05:59,831 which you have prepared for all nations. 901 01:06:01,666 --> 01:06:07,881 And he is a light to reveal God to the nations. 902 01:06:10,133 --> 01:06:14,846 And he is the glory of your people, Israel. 903 01:06:32,822 --> 01:06:38,036 This child will cause many in Israel to fall 904 01:06:39,537 --> 01:06:40,997 and many others to rise. 905 01:06:43,041 --> 01:06:45,877 He is a sign sent from God... 906 01:06:48,546 --> 01:06:49,881 but many will oppose him. 907 01:06:51,674 --> 01:06:52,842 As a result... 908 01:06:54,719 --> 01:06:58,806 the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. 909 01:07:04,604 --> 01:07:08,107 And a sword will pierce your very soul. 910 01:07:26,668 --> 01:07:29,170 Simeon's prophecy acknowledges that Mary 911 01:07:29,254 --> 01:07:32,966 will experience intense pain as the mother of Jesus. 912 01:07:34,634 --> 01:07:37,637 For the assignment of the Son of God was heartbreaking, 913 01:07:38,304 --> 01:07:40,890 to sacrifice his perfect life for us. 914 01:07:42,809 --> 01:07:45,937 But the Lord will be with her and her son through it all. 915 01:07:56,447 --> 01:07:58,366 Unlike the customary image 916 01:07:58,449 --> 01:08:01,160 of the Wise Men showing up at the birth of Christ, 917 01:08:01,244 --> 01:08:02,954 along with the shepherds, 918 01:08:03,037 --> 01:08:06,207 it was actually more like two years after his birth. 919 01:08:08,626 --> 01:08:11,879 Although we only know generally where they came from, 920 01:08:11,963 --> 01:08:14,590 or really how long their journey was, 921 01:08:14,674 --> 01:08:18,177 we do know that the Magi eventually arrived in Jerusalem. 922 01:08:19,387 --> 01:08:21,681 They believed that the future king of the Jews 923 01:08:21,764 --> 01:08:23,891 had been born somewhere in the city, 924 01:08:23,975 --> 01:08:26,019 most likely into royalty. 925 01:08:26,519 --> 01:08:31,733 {\an8}The Magi, they are seen as wise, seen as important. 926 01:08:32,317 --> 01:08:35,528 {\an8}It's not unreasonable then for King Herod 927 01:08:35,611 --> 01:08:38,072 to want to receive them. 928 01:08:38,156 --> 01:08:41,284 Now, to what do I owe the privilege 929 01:08:41,367 --> 01:08:45,788 of your esteemed presence to our humble kingdom? 930 01:08:51,210 --> 01:08:53,421 We are here for one purpose only. 931 01:08:56,299 --> 01:08:57,425 Where is the newborn... 932 01:08:57,508 --> 01:09:00,928 ...king of the Jews? 933 01:09:06,934 --> 01:09:08,895 We saw his star as it rose... 934 01:09:11,522 --> 01:09:13,232 ...and we have come to worship him. 935 01:09:19,572 --> 01:09:22,867 We thought that he is here in your palace. 936 01:09:27,789 --> 01:09:30,458 With you, the provisional king of the Jews. 937 01:09:41,844 --> 01:09:44,055 "Provisional king"? 938 01:09:52,105 --> 01:09:53,106 Priests? 939 01:09:54,148 --> 01:09:55,441 Where does it say 940 01:09:56,442 --> 01:10:00,279 that this Messiah is supposed to be born? 941 01:10:00,947 --> 01:10:02,740 In Bethlehem, in Judea. 942 01:10:05,243 --> 01:10:06,285 You may go. 943 01:10:09,956 --> 01:10:12,417 The Magi come in thinking, 944 01:10:12,500 --> 01:10:14,335 "Oh, everybody's going to be celebrating this." 945 01:10:14,419 --> 01:10:15,920 "Something momentous has happened." 946 01:10:16,003 --> 01:10:18,256 "There's been a birth of a king." 947 01:10:18,798 --> 01:10:21,300 Well... ...Herod's the king, 948 01:10:21,384 --> 01:10:25,805 and he's pretty sure there's no baby that's been born 949 01:10:25,888 --> 01:10:27,473 that's going to be following him. 950 01:10:27,557 --> 01:10:30,226 He's worried there's a baby born that's going to replace him. 951 01:10:45,783 --> 01:10:47,160 Go to Bethlehem 952 01:10:48,661 --> 01:10:53,166 and search carefully for the child. 953 01:10:54,167 --> 01:10:56,335 It's not far from here, 954 01:10:57,628 --> 01:11:01,883 and when you find him, you come straight back, 955 01:11:01,966 --> 01:11:03,801 and you tell me 956 01:11:05,928 --> 01:11:09,599 so that I, too, may worship him. 957 01:11:16,314 --> 01:11:19,609 {\an8}Herod was madly, jealously desirous 958 01:11:19,692 --> 01:11:22,278 {\an8}of holding on to his power. 959 01:11:23,279 --> 01:11:26,616 And he used deception with the Wise Men 960 01:11:26,699 --> 01:11:29,452 to ascertain where the child, 961 01:11:29,535 --> 01:11:32,371 the new king of Israel, would be. 962 01:11:33,956 --> 01:11:38,669 He wanted to find out so he could kill Christ Jesus. 963 01:11:40,671 --> 01:11:41,881 The mad king plots 964 01:11:41,964 --> 01:11:44,425 to use the Magi to find the baby. 965 01:11:45,468 --> 01:11:46,552 A blessed child 966 01:11:46,636 --> 01:11:49,055 that the stars have declared to be the Messiah. 967 01:11:51,933 --> 01:11:55,144 If it is true, Herod the Great is now officially 968 01:11:55,228 --> 01:11:57,897 what he's probably always known himself to be, 969 01:11:58,898 --> 01:12:01,192 an imposter. 970 01:12:07,156 --> 01:12:10,076 It must have been strange for Mary and Joseph, 971 01:12:10,159 --> 01:12:12,245 embracing that their playful toddler 972 01:12:12,328 --> 01:12:14,163 was in fact the Son of God. 973 01:12:15,289 --> 01:12:19,085 And that those who believed had traveled vast distances 974 01:12:19,168 --> 01:12:20,837 to kneel at his tiny feet. 975 01:12:29,679 --> 01:12:32,014 Joseph, Mary, you have guests. 976 01:13:09,510 --> 01:13:10,970 The idea that Jesus 977 01:13:11,053 --> 01:13:13,014 is welcoming the seekers, 978 01:13:13,556 --> 01:13:16,183 regardless if they would consider themselves Christians 979 01:13:16,267 --> 01:13:19,854 or Jewish, and it's as if the Magi, 980 01:13:19,937 --> 01:13:24,442 {\an8}they would be attracted to the light, to the truth. 981 01:13:25,401 --> 01:13:27,778 That attraction, like a magnet, 982 01:13:27,862 --> 01:13:30,448 would bring them from so far away, 983 01:13:30,531 --> 01:13:32,241 all the way until they come 984 01:13:32,325 --> 01:13:35,620 to pay their homage and to worship the King. 985 01:13:45,379 --> 01:13:47,214 As a kid, I sang Christmas songs 986 01:13:47,298 --> 01:13:49,467 about these gifts from the Magi, 987 01:13:49,967 --> 01:13:52,345 or as we call them, the Wise Men. 988 01:13:53,721 --> 01:13:56,349 Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 989 01:13:56,933 --> 01:13:58,309 I knew what gold was. 990 01:13:59,060 --> 01:14:00,227 That's about it. 991 01:14:00,978 --> 01:14:02,855 Frankincense and myrrh 992 01:14:02,939 --> 01:14:05,691 were highly valued incense and perfumes. 993 01:14:27,964 --> 01:14:30,174 These gifts were seen as fit for a king 994 01:14:30,883 --> 01:14:32,426 and were rare in Judea. 995 01:14:33,219 --> 01:14:36,180 Imagine what it was like for these two teens 996 01:14:36,263 --> 01:14:39,558 from the village of Nazareth to receive such gifts. 997 01:14:45,314 --> 01:14:48,317 Herod had ordered the Magi to return to Jerusalem 998 01:14:48,401 --> 01:14:50,736 to report the location of the new king. 999 01:14:53,155 --> 01:14:55,491 But an angelic dream came to the Magi... 1000 01:14:57,451 --> 01:14:59,954 ...warning them to return to their own country 1001 01:15:00,037 --> 01:15:01,330 by another route, 1002 01:15:02,415 --> 01:15:05,042 avoiding the mad king at any cost. 1003 01:15:12,925 --> 01:15:14,969 Herod was furious when he realized 1004 01:15:15,052 --> 01:15:17,013 that the Wise Men had outwitted him. 1005 01:15:19,849 --> 01:15:21,642 But he wasn't going to let the threat 1006 01:15:21,726 --> 01:15:23,477 to his throne go unchecked. 1007 01:15:25,229 --> 01:15:27,398 Fitting with the type of leader he was, 1008 01:15:27,940 --> 01:15:30,693 he ordered soldiers to kill every young boy 1009 01:15:30,776 --> 01:15:32,403 in and around Bethlehem. 1010 01:15:40,494 --> 01:15:42,913 Joseph had another encounter with an angel 1011 01:15:42,997 --> 01:15:44,081 in his dreams. 1012 01:15:45,499 --> 01:15:48,878 The angel of the Lord said, "Joseph, get up." 1013 01:15:49,712 --> 01:15:52,256 "Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother." 1014 01:15:53,466 --> 01:15:55,718 "Stay there until I tell you to return 1015 01:15:55,801 --> 01:15:57,720 because Herod is going to search 1016 01:15:57,803 --> 01:15:59,263 for the child to kill him." 1017 01:16:23,162 --> 01:16:24,455 It's said in the Scriptures 1018 01:16:24,538 --> 01:16:28,209 that the real battle is not against flesh and blood, 1019 01:16:28,292 --> 01:16:30,544 but against the spiritual force of evil. 1020 01:16:31,295 --> 01:16:33,714 By ordering such a heinous act... 1021 01:16:33,798 --> 01:16:36,717 ...it's fair to wonder if Herod was being used 1022 01:16:36,801 --> 01:16:38,928 by an even greater force of evil. 1023 01:16:40,679 --> 01:16:44,683 {\an8}The evil that Herod would commit towards defenseless, 1024 01:16:44,767 --> 01:16:46,352 {\an8}innocent human beings 1025 01:16:46,435 --> 01:16:48,687 shows the lengths that the human will go to 1026 01:16:48,771 --> 01:16:53,025 if they succumb to that desire for earthly power. 1027 01:16:55,986 --> 01:16:58,948 And it shows that God doesn't will evil. 1028 01:16:59,740 --> 01:17:00,950 He allows evil, 1029 01:17:01,033 --> 01:17:03,494 only that some greater good can happen. 1030 01:17:07,331 --> 01:17:09,542 The killing of these baby boys 1031 01:17:09,625 --> 01:17:12,628 {\an8}by order of Herod is such a tragedy. 1032 01:17:13,129 --> 01:17:16,924 {\an8}Many people, though, think of them as martyrs. 1033 01:17:18,134 --> 01:17:20,427 They're part of the story... 1034 01:17:20,511 --> 01:17:23,430 ...of God's ultimate redemption, 1035 01:17:23,514 --> 01:17:25,057 and thus their lives were not in vain. 1036 01:17:26,142 --> 01:17:27,768 Herod's death squad arrives 1037 01:17:27,852 --> 01:17:29,562 and shows no sign of mercy. 1038 01:17:31,730 --> 01:17:33,482 No sign of humanity, 1039 01:17:34,733 --> 01:17:39,029 no shred of anything besides pure, unfiltered evil. 1040 01:17:40,781 --> 01:17:43,534 And they take evidence as proof for Herod. 1041 01:17:49,081 --> 01:17:54,503 Stay back! 1042 01:18:04,013 --> 01:18:05,306 No! 1043 01:18:10,394 --> 01:18:12,479 It's a terrible chapter in this story. 1044 01:18:13,522 --> 01:18:15,816 A reminder really of how cruel we can be 1045 01:18:15,900 --> 01:18:17,318 when we put our own interests, 1046 01:18:18,527 --> 01:18:20,738 our own survival above God's will. 1047 01:18:25,117 --> 01:18:28,037 The ancient text reads that a cry was heard, 1048 01:18:28,120 --> 01:18:29,872 and there was great weeping. 1049 01:18:30,831 --> 01:18:32,791 Rachel weeps for her children, 1050 01:18:33,918 --> 01:18:36,337 refusing to be comforted because they're dead. 1051 01:18:38,380 --> 01:18:40,841 I don't think there's anything more painful in this world 1052 01:18:40,925 --> 01:18:43,552 than a parent losing a child. 1053 01:18:46,138 --> 01:18:51,518 And thankfully, that's not where the story ends. 1054 01:18:53,938 --> 01:18:57,066 The angel's warning had saved the life of the young Jesus. 1055 01:19:00,402 --> 01:19:03,530 But many others were lost at the command of Herod. 1056 01:19:22,174 --> 01:19:23,300 It is done. 1057 01:19:26,345 --> 01:19:27,346 Sire. 1058 01:19:34,395 --> 01:19:35,646 Shoo! 1059 01:19:44,113 --> 01:19:46,615 Eventually evil turned on its host, 1060 01:19:47,366 --> 01:19:50,411 further cannibalizing Herod's mind and body. 1061 01:19:51,453 --> 01:19:54,456 Herod reportedly was in a great deal of distress. 1062 01:19:54,540 --> 01:19:56,333 Why didn't you tell me? 1063 01:19:57,668 --> 01:20:00,838 {\an8}He reportedly was wandering around, seeing ghosts. 1064 01:20:07,344 --> 01:20:10,097 Everybody could see that he wasn't in his right mind, 1065 01:20:11,598 --> 01:20:14,810 to the point where he actually tried to kill himself. 1066 01:20:17,896 --> 01:20:19,898 Herod committed these profound acts 1067 01:20:19,982 --> 01:20:21,275 of moral evil. 1068 01:20:21,358 --> 01:20:25,446 All of this was about one thing, power. 1069 01:20:26,739 --> 01:20:29,575 He's a repulsive historical figure. 1070 01:20:31,785 --> 01:20:34,246 The sorrow that happens 1071 01:20:34,330 --> 01:20:38,000 in the story of the first Christmas can feel, 1072 01:20:38,083 --> 01:20:41,378 I think, at times, like there's no justice. 1073 01:20:41,462 --> 01:20:44,381 It's all just about power and the assertion of power. 1074 01:20:44,590 --> 01:20:50,346 But the Christmas story starts a bigger story 1075 01:20:50,929 --> 01:20:55,225 that includes healing, and miracles, and great joy. 1076 01:21:02,149 --> 01:21:04,485 Mary, Joseph, and young Jesus escaped 1077 01:21:04,568 --> 01:21:07,696 to the land of Egypt, where they lived peacefully 1078 01:21:07,780 --> 01:21:09,073 for quite some time. 1079 01:21:12,368 --> 01:21:13,494 After Herod's death, 1080 01:21:13,577 --> 01:21:16,080 an angel appeared to Joseph once more, 1081 01:21:16,955 --> 01:21:18,957 telling him that it was safe to go home. 1082 01:21:20,000 --> 01:21:21,710 Eventually, the family did, 1083 01:21:21,835 --> 01:21:25,130 returning to the very place our story started, Nazareth. 1084 01:21:26,173 --> 01:21:30,094 There, Jesus grew the same way we all do, little by little. 1085 01:21:30,928 --> 01:21:33,889 His father taught him carpentry, but beyond that, 1086 01:21:34,431 --> 01:21:36,350 the Scriptures offer very few glimpses 1087 01:21:36,433 --> 01:21:38,143 into the lives of the family. 1088 01:21:39,144 --> 01:21:41,980 But like all good parents, I'm sure Mary and Joseph 1089 01:21:42,064 --> 01:21:44,400 made all the sacrifices parents do 1090 01:21:44,483 --> 01:21:46,360 to provide and protect their children. 1091 01:21:47,528 --> 01:21:51,031 So while we may not know a lot about Jesus's formative years, 1092 01:21:51,824 --> 01:21:54,118 his ministry years as an adult, 1093 01:21:54,785 --> 01:21:56,370 well, you'd need a few lifetimes 1094 01:21:56,453 --> 01:21:58,372 to count the words written about that. 1095 01:22:02,209 --> 01:22:03,919 Just as Simeon had prophesied, 1096 01:22:04,628 --> 01:22:06,004 Mary's soul was pierced 1097 01:22:06,088 --> 01:22:07,631 as she watched her son, Jesus, 1098 01:22:08,132 --> 01:22:10,092 be executed on a Roman cross, 1099 01:22:10,968 --> 01:22:12,803 killed for crimes he did not commit. 1100 01:22:13,762 --> 01:22:15,848 He was placed inside a cave, 1101 01:22:15,931 --> 01:22:18,767 perhaps very similar to the one he was born in. 1102 01:22:19,685 --> 01:22:21,228 But many, including myself, 1103 01:22:21,311 --> 01:22:23,814 believe he didn't stay in that cave for very long, 1104 01:22:24,356 --> 01:22:26,150 and that he rose from the dead, 1105 01:22:26,233 --> 01:22:28,277 saving those who would believe in him. 1106 01:22:29,278 --> 01:22:31,280 Jesus's teachings changed the world. 1107 01:22:32,072 --> 01:22:33,866 And those that followed him became known 1108 01:22:33,949 --> 01:22:36,577 as Christ's followers or Christians. 1109 01:22:36,660 --> 01:22:38,579 And while there was plenty of hardship 1110 01:22:38,662 --> 01:22:41,123 and persecution for the early Christians, 1111 01:22:41,206 --> 01:22:43,834 in time, even Rome would declare itself 1112 01:22:43,917 --> 01:22:45,085 a Christian empire. 1113 01:22:45,919 --> 01:22:48,338 And the followers of Jesus somehow would find a way 1114 01:22:48,422 --> 01:22:50,716 to spread his word across the globe 1115 01:22:50,799 --> 01:22:52,342 to over 200 countries. 1116 01:22:53,218 --> 01:22:56,805 One of Jesus's teaching was that we should love one another, 1117 01:22:56,889 --> 01:23:00,100 forgive our enemies, take care of the poor, 1118 01:23:00,642 --> 01:23:02,978 champion the disenfranchised, 1119 01:23:03,061 --> 01:23:05,397 and live with humility and kindness. 1120 01:23:06,523 --> 01:23:09,193 And underneath all the songs and the wrapping paper 1121 01:23:09,735 --> 01:23:11,612 and the stars on top of the tree, 1122 01:23:12,362 --> 01:23:14,740 I think that's really what Christmas is about. 1123 01:23:25,626 --> 01:23:27,002 Merry Christmas, everybody.