Episode 187

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:14, John 1:12-13)

Our deepest desire here at the Removing Barriers Podcast is to remove those barriers that keep us from having a clear view of the cross. The enemy is hard at work with diversions, distractions, lies, and traps to keep us from the truth. So today, let us go back to the beginning, back to the the first Christmas in Bethlehem, where the God of the universe abased Himself to become a baby in a manger. We have two special little guests in this episode to help us read the historical account of Jesus’ birth, so join us as we worship the King and give thanks for His salvation. Merry Christmas to you, and may God grant you a blessed 2025.

And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus.

[Jay]

Thank you for tuning into the Removing Barriers podcast. I’m Jay and I’m MCG. And we’re attempting to remove barriers so we can all have a clear view of the cross.

[MCG]

This is episode 187 of the Removing Barriers podcast and in this episode, we will be looking at our Saviors birth and we have two young guests with us. Welcome to the Removing Barriers podcast.

[Young Guests]

Thank you.

[Jay]

Hi, this is Jay. MCG and I would like for you to help us remove barriers by going to removingbarriers.net and subscribing to receive all things, removing barriers. If you’d like to take your efforts a bit further and help us keep the mics on, consider donating at removingbarriers.net/donate. Removing Barriers, a clear view of the cross.

[MCG]

Matthew chapter one, verse 18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. When his mother Mary was exposed to Joseph before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost, then Joseph, her husband, being a just man and not willing to made her a public example, was mindful to put away. But while he taught in these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying Joseph, thou son of David, Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceiving her. Is of the. Ghost and she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from this end. Now all this was. That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted. Is God with us, then? Joseph being raised from sleep? Did as the Angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife, and knew her not till she had brought forth her first born son, and he called his name Jesus.

[Young Guests]

Now, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea, in the days of Herod the King. Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Sing. Where is he that is born king of the Jews, who? We have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him. When Herod the king hath heard these things, he was troubled at all Jerusalem with. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of we were together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. At least I learned to him. It bothered him of Judea, for thus it is written by the Prophet and Thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah are not the least among the Princess of Judah, for all thee shall come a governor. That shall rule my people, Israel, then Herod, when he had preferred the wise men inquired. Awesome. What time the store appeared and he sent them to Buffalo and said go and search diligently for the young child, and when he hath found him, bring me a word again that I may come and worship him also when they had heard the king. They departed, and lo, the star, which he saw in the east. Before them till they came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great. Joy. And when they were coming to the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother and fell down and worship him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts. Full. Gold and fragrances and myrrh, and being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod. They departed into their own country and. Other way and when they were departed, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word, for Herod will seek the young child to. Him. But he. He took his young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt. I was there until the death of Herod. Which was spoken of the Lord by the prophecy out of Egypt. I have, I called my son.

[Jay]

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wrath and sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof, from 2 years old and under. According to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the Prophet saying in Rama, there was a voice heard, lamentation and weeping. And great morning, Rachel. Weeping for her children and would not be comforted because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold an Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying. Arise and take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel, for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither notwithstanding being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee, and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that. Might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets. He shall be called. Serene.

[Young Guests]

There was the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest. Named Zacchaeus of the course of Abaya, and his wife was the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Alyss. And they were both righteous before God walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child because that Elizabeth was barren and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priests. Office. His law was to burn incense ’cause when he went into the temple of the Lord and the whole multitude of the people were praying with praying with. At the time of instant. And they appeared unto him, an Angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

[MCG]

And when Zach arrived, saw him, he was troubled and fearful upon him. But the Angel said unto him, fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name. John and thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth, for he shall be great in the sight. And shall drink neither wine nor strong drink and shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel, shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Zachariah said unto the Angel, whereby shall I know this? For I am a old man and my wife, well stricken in years years. And the Angel answered and said unto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God. And I am sent to speak unto thee unto shude these great tidings, and behold, thou shalt be dumb and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believe that’s not my words. Which shall be fulfilled in this season.

[Young Guests]

Are the people waited for Zacharias and Marvel that he tarried so long in the temple, and when he came out he could not speak? To them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. For he beckoned unto them. And remained speechless. And it came to pass that as soon as the days of administration was accomplished, he departed to his old house. And after those days, his wife Elizabeth conceived and hid herself five months, saying thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he lived on me? Take away my report.

[Young Guests]

And in the six months the Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto the City of Galilee, named Nazareth. The Virgin expanded to a man whose name was Joseph. Of the House of David and the Virgin’s name was Mary. And the Angel came in unto her and said. Hail thou art highly favoured. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at the sing. Ular. What manner of salutation this should be? And the Angel said unto her. Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God, and behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth. A son and shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the son of the highest and Lord God shall give unto him. The throne of his father, the. David and he shall reign over the House of Jacob Forever. And of his Kingdom there shall be no end. Then, said Maria to the Angel. I’ll show this fee seeing I know not a man, and the Angel answered and said unto her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall over shadow thee. Therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called. And behold, so I, cousin Elizabeth, she has also conceived a son in her old age. And this is the 6th month with her who was called Baron, for which God nothing shall be impossible.

[Jay]

And Mary said, behold the handmaiden of the Lord, be it unto me, according to thy word, and the Angel departed from her. And Mary arose in those days and went into the Hill Country with haste into a city of Judah, and entered into the House of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the Babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. And she spake out with a loud voice and said, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For low, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said my soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my saviour, for he hath regarded the lowest state of his handmaiden. For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed, for he that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is his name, and his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with his arm. He hath scattered the. And the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich he hath sent empty away. He has hope and his servant Israel and remembrance of his mercy, as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed. And Mary abode with her about 3 months and returned to her own house.

[Young Guests]

And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. An old one to be taxed everyone into his own city, and Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth. To Judea, unto the City of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lit. The age of David. To be taxed was very his espoused life. Be great with child. And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished. That she should be delivered as she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a Manger. There was no room for them in the. But they were in the same country Pursu abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord showed round about them, and they were sore afraid.

[MCG]

And the Angel said unto them, fear not. For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be assigned unto you. He shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a man. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace, goodwill towards men. And it came to pass, as the Angels were gone away from them into heaven, the Shepherd said one to another. Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord had made known unto us, and they came with haste, and found Mary. Joseph and the babe lying in a Manger. And one day has seen it. They made known abroad the saying, which was told them concerning this trial and all that heard. It wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But may we kept all these things and pondered them in our heart. And the shepherd’s return glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told unto them.

[Young Guests]

I wasn’t 8 days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child. Name was called Jesus. Which was so named of the Angel before he was conceived in the womb and with the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses, were accomplished. He brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, and it is written in the law of the Lord. Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. Than to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the laws of the Lord, a pair of turtle gloves or two young pigeons. And behold, there is a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and the same man was. Just as devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Ghost upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord Christ. And he came by the spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus. For him, after that custom of the law then took him up in his arms and blessed God and said Lord, now let us dwell thy servant depart. In peace. According to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people, Israel and Joseph and his mother marvelled at those sayings which were spoken of him.

[Jay]

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary, his mother. Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel. For a sign which shall be spoken again. A sword shall Pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed, and there was 1 Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Fanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age and had lived with a husband seven years from her virgin. And she was a widow of about four score and four years, which departed not from the temple but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

[Young Guests]

And she coming in that? Instant gave thanks. Likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him, to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth, and the child grew. And waxed strong and spirit filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon. On him.

[Jay]

Hey, thanks so much for listening to the Removing Barriers podcast. Did you know that you could find us on? Gab, Parler, Facebook and Reddit go to: removingbarriers.net/contact and like and follow us on social media. Removing Barriers, a clear view of the cross.

[MCG]

Thank you for listening. To get a hold of us to support this podcast or to learn more about removing barriers, go to removingbarriers.net. This has been the removing Barriers podcast we attempted to remove barriers so that we all can have a clearview of the cross.