What was it like to be a shepherd over 2000 years ago? Tending flocks, with agriculture, formed the basis of the Holy Land’s economy, and sheep raised on the hillsides around Bethlehem may well have been destined for temple sacrifices in Jerusalem, only six miles to the north. Let’s continue describing a shepherd's life. Ee48. 

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Audio Credit: Shepherds in Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-20) by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson (JesusWalk Bible Study Series; Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.

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Some of Israel's great heroes were shepherds: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. Both Psalm 23 and Jesus compare God's care to that of a Good Shepherd. But in the first century, it seems, shepherds, specifically, hireling shepherds, had a rather unsavory reputation. But what about the New Testament shepherds of Luke’s Christmas infancy narrative? Ee47.

• Books by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson available at https://amzn.to/46ORT00   
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Sources: Shepherds in Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-20) by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson (JesusWalk Bible Study Series; Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.

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December 25th is the day Jesus was born, or is it? Let’s find out! Ee46.

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Sources: The Catholic Talk Show podcast featuring Ryan DellaCrosse, Ryan Scheel, and Fr. Rich Pagano — Episodes: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Christmas & The Birth of Christ (23dec2019) & The Catholic Origins of Christmas Traditions (18dec2018). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.

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According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea sometime towards the end of King Herod the Great’s reign. Let’s learn more about what happened. Ee44. 

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Sources: The Catholic Talk Show podcast featuring Ryan DellaCrosse, Ryan Scheel, and Fr. Rich Pagano — Episode 23dec2019: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Christmas & The Birth of Christ. Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.

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Christians believe Jesus has an historical context; he was born in history; he is neither a myth nor a legend. Jesus is both historical and verifiable according to Christians and most historians. They point out that he is mentioned not only in the New Testament, but by contemporaries and early documents. Christian scripture persistently places him within history as a man who walked the earth in real time, a man who permanently altered the history into which he was born. Ee43. 

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Audio credits: Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7) by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson (JesusWalk Bible Study Series; Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.

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The story of Jesus cannot be adequately understood apart from the World in which he lived. It was a world ruled by Rome. How Rome came to be so central to this story is one of the intriguing aspects of both Roman and Biblical history. Ee42.

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 Sources: From Jesus to Christianity by L. Michael White.

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Jesus lived in an area occupied by the mighty Roman Empire ruled by an autocratic Emperor during a time of relative peace known as Pax Romana. How did this state of affairs come about, and how did it flourished and operate at the time of Jesus’ birth, during his adult life, and the subsequent early Christian movement? Ee41.

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Sources: From Jesus to Christianity by L. Michael White; World Religions: The Great Faiths explored & explained by J. Bowker.

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Ruled by an autocratic Emperor, Jesus lived in an area occupied by the mighty Roman Empire. How was this system of one-man rule established, and how did it flourished and operate at the time of Jesus’ birth, during his adult life, and the subsequent early Christian movement? Ee40. 

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Audio credits: Dan Snow's History Hit podcast (Episode 1290 - Roman Emperors with Mary Beard). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.

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We begin the Testament of Luke which starts us off with the story of Jesus coming for humankind. TESTAMENT 18. Gospel of Luke (Chapter 1.2) 

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Audio Credit: Breathe Bible podcast (LifeAudio Podcast Network, Salem Web Network). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.

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I recently heard a provocative defender of Christianity say, “put aside your Marvel characters and dedicate yourself to honoring the Blessed Saint JOSEPH, the earthly father of Jesus. He is the perfect example of what a REAL man and courageous HERO should be.” Ee96.

• Bishop Robert Barron books available at https://amzn.to/44W7nwN
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Audio credit: Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons-Go to Joseph, Episode #360, 27dec2023 (Word on Fire Catholic Ministries). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. 

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