Episode Summary. Mary, one of the godliest women who ever lived, agreed to bear God’s child and what does she receive? A sword to her soul. Few song writers I know have put Simeon’s promise that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul to music. It isn’t sung about by children’s choirs in Christmas pageants. But Luke's account of the true Christmas story ends on the ominous note of suffering caused by the opposition of the kingdom of darkness to Jesus’ kingship claim, just as Matthew’s Christmas story ends with the weeping of Bethlehem for the children slain by Herod’s fear of Jesus’ rule—reflecting this same opposition of the kingdom of darkness to Jesus’ kingship. This episode reminds us of the kingdom of darkness’s fierce opposition to the rule of the Prince of Peace and what to do about it.

For Further Prayerful Thought

1. What are the implications of these two facts: men love darkness because their deeds are evil, and we are called to be light to the world?
2. Which two cultural lies do you hear most often? How best could you raise a question about whether that assumption is really true?
3. How can you do a better job of defeating sin in your own life by using the spiritual armor and weapons Jesus has given us? 

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