Rekindling Hope with the Nativity Story: A Night of Prayer

As Reverend Charles Irvin, your guide through the spiritual journey of Christmas, I invite you to join me on a sacred Christmas Eve podcast. On a night that glimmers with divine joy, we immerse ourselves in the story of Joseph and Mary, reliving their awe-filled moments from the comfort of your own home. Let your heart be lifted by the timeless tale from Luke Chapter 2, and feel the profound impact of the events that forever changed the world.

In this episode, we're not just recounting a story; we're connecting with the essence of hope and salvation through prayers and cherished hymns. My personal reflections on this holy night intertwine with a heartfelt call for peace, and a wish for rejuvenated faith within our congregations. Together, let's celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and let the message of peace and love resonate deeply as we close another podcast season and open our hearts to the coming year.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:05

We're going to listen into a radio station where the mighty host of heaven sing. Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on If you want to hear the songs of Zion coming from the land of endless spring. Get in touch with God. Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on.

Speaker 3: 2:24

Turn your radio on. Turn your radio on See your church's podcast. I'm your host, charles Irvin. Reverend Charles Irvin, and welcome to the Christmas Eve pod. Dear Lord, may my words reflect you, to open some of your hearts to you who are listening to this pod, to open their hearts to you. Dear Lord, amen, and for the Lord's prayer I find you out there in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy skin of calm, thy world be done on earth that is in heaven. Give us this day, our day, bread, and we give those who trespass against us and temptations, but the last thing of thy skin and the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen. Peace be with you, my brotherings. Peace be with you. Now for the scriptures of the day, the Christmas story God's throne, luke, chapter two.

Speaker 4: 4:34

In those days, caesar Augustus issued a decree that a censor should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria and everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them and there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby keeping watch over their flocks. At night, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared, with the angel praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth, peace to those on whom his favour rests. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherd said to one another let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherd said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Speaker 4: 7:05

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. When the time came for the purification rites required by the law of Moses, joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the law of the Lord, every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the law of the Lord a pair of doves or two young pigeons. Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the law required, simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people, israel. The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother this child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed and a sword will pierce your own soul too".

Speaker 4: 9:06

There was also a prophet, anna, the daughter of Penuel of the tribe of Asher. She was very old. She had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage and then was a widow until she was 84. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying, coming up to them. At that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth, and the child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was on him.

Speaker 4: 9:57

Every year, jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. When he was 12 years old, they went up to the festival according to the custom After the festival was over. While his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.

Speaker 4: 10:31

After three days they found him in the temple courts sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you. Why are you searching for me? He asked. Didn't you know? I had to be in my father's house, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart and Jesus grew in wisdom and statuette and in favour, with God and man.

Speaker 3: 11:24

Amen amen, amen. As today is Christmas Eve, I am glad I am a Christmas Eve baby. I am glad I am still my birthday with the Lord. He is the first boy, the first kid, is the only kid in this world. He will give you peace in your heart and he will give me peace of mind. I know that this is what I am meant to do to start this podcast so that Almighty can find the Lord. I know what he was born for, what his life was to tell his story, to keep telling his story to Almighty for now and future. I hope that this podcast will help you listen to the Lord. Today can be fulfilled with his love. I was, he was born. I was so touched by that passion in my heart's lap. I am fulfilled with his Holy Spirit to do what I was meant to do, to follow his word a life in peace, to give you peace. I hope, on Christmas Eve, that the two of you will receive for tonight, that they can celebrate Christmas with our Lord, to celebrate Jesus Christ's 2023 years old today. I hope in Israel there will be a ceasefire tonight that we can celebrate his love. It's a celebration's birthday. I hope in Ukraine there will be peace tonight that we can celebrate as the Lord, as the Lord, as the Lord as the Lord is dead, and one, one, one and two. On Christmas Eve they lay their guns down to celebrate Christmas with one another. I hope that that that will be achieved this year Right now. Peace will come to Ukraine and Israel and the Palestine. I hope I will put their guns down in the name of the Lord and the Holy Spirit will come to give us peace tonight.

Speaker 3: 17:05

If you have to be, if you live in Fort Wayne there, we're like to invite you to our Christmas Eve service tonight. It will be at Crescent Avenue, united Methodist Church, 1232 Crescent Avenue. It cannot miss it. It's right on the corner of Crescent and Tennessee Avenue. It will be held at 5 pm tonight. You can find me there. You can find me there every Sunday morning at 10.30, also 10.30 in the morning. Every Sunday we also have children's worship till the same time. If you cannot make it in the morning, we also have services at 5 pm on Sundays with our sister church, crescent visions with minister Matthew, with Pastor Matthew, and Sunday morning with Pastor Mark. I won't be with you next Sunday.

Speaker 3: 19:11

This is the last podcast of the season. I will begin new season and the new year. I was born in the age of. You have the new king of Israel, the new king of Jews. He is born in the major in Bethlehem. Amen. I was born this night. My grandfather went to church and he has a grandson. I was born between the two services. Now we got down to one service, because we don't have that many memories anymore as my Christmas and my birthday wish for this year that our chosen would be filled again, that the prunes will be filled, that the Holy Spirit will wake up this world and to have our might to go back to church to fill the prunes once again, to keep our chosen alive, because God is not dead, the Holy Spirit is not dead. The Holy Spirit lives every day, he lives in everybody. Then, this God to find that measure key to open their hearts to the Lord. Amen. Now for our closing hands, thank you you.

Speaker 2: 42:19

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright Round young virgin mother and child, Holy infant, so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night. Shepherds quake at the sight, glory stream from heaven apart, Heavenly forcing hallelujah. Christ the Savior is born. Christ the Savior is born, holy, holy, holy. The danger fills when falling Bow down head to west. Come rest your eyes on the peak Jesus, our heavenly.

Speaker 5: 44:56

The world waits for a miracle. The heart longs for a little bit of football. God prays for peace on earth and she's calling out from the sea of herd. Can you hear the angel singing? Glory to the light of the world. Glory to the light of the world. In the sea, the drop rains with the tears of a mother. A baby's cry. Is the sound of love? Come down, come down, emmanuel.

Speaker 2: 46:21

Hear the song for the suffering. Hear the Messiah. The Prince of Peace has come. He has come, emmanuel. Glory to the light of the world. Glory to the light of the world. Glory to the light of the world. Glory to the light of the world. Glory to the light of the world. Emmanuel. Glory to the light of the world. Glory to the light of the world. Glory to the light of the world.

Speaker 5: 48:31

Emmanuel, the world waits for a miracle. The heart longs for a little bit of football. Come, oh, come, emmanuel.

Speaker 2: 49:13

Come, oh, come Emmanuel.

Speaker 5: 49:51

Come, oh, come, emmanuel. Come, oh, come Emmanuel. Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? Did you know?

Speaker 2: 50:29

That your baby boy has come to make you new.

Speaker 5: 50:38

This child that you deliver.

Speaker 4: 50:44

Will soon deliver you.

Speaker 5: 50:50

Mary, did you know? That your baby boy will give signs to a blind man.

Speaker 2: 51:02

Mary, did you know that your baby boy?

Speaker 5: 51:08

will calm a storm with his hand.

Speaker 2: 51:14

Did you know that your baby boy has walked a courageous trod when? You, kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God. The blind will sing, the deaf will hear, the deaf will live again, the lame will leave, the dark will speak the praises of the Lord Mary. Did you know?

Speaker 5: 52:34

That your baby boy is Lord of all creation. Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Speaker 2: 52:56

Did you know that your baby boy Is man with perfect man, this sleeping child you're holding.

Speaker 2: 53:14

Is the great, the great of the great, of the great of the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and of His Christ, and His shall reign forever and ever and His shall reign forever and ever. And His shall reign forever and ever, king of kings, forever and ever. Hallelujah, hallelujah, and Lord of kings, forever and ever. Hallelujah, hallelujah. King of kings, and His shall reign forever and ever. And Lord of kings, king of kings, forever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah, and Lord of all, king of kings and Lord of lords, and he shall reign, he shall reign, he shall reign and he shall reign forever and ever. And he shall reign Forever and ever. And Lord of Mars, hallelujah, hallelujah. And he shall reign forever and ever and ever. King of kings and Lord of Mars, king of kings and Lord of Mars, and he shall reign forever and ever. King of kings and Lord of Mars, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Speaker 3: 57:42

Amen, amen, amen. Now go in the peace, now go in the name of the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Now go in peace and make this peace honor of happen, amen.