[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ next_background_color=”#605c82″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(0,0,0,0.2)” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(0,0,0,0.25)” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/sacredspaces.cor.org\/west\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/12\/LightUpTheNight_background.png” background_position=”bottom_center” custom_padding=”128px||128px||true|false” bottom_divider_style=”wave2″ bottom_divider_height=”40px”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sacredspaces.cor.org\/west\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/12\/LightUpTheNight_wordmark.png” alt=”Light Up the Night” title_text=”LightUpTheNight_wordmark” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” text_text_shadow_style=”preset3″]<\/p>\n
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Walk through the biblical story of Christmas in this\u00a0 interactive experience along our illuminated prayer trail. Play the audio below as you navigate each station of the walk.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#605c82″ custom_padding=”64px||64px||true|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”720px” module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_audio audio=”https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/media.cor.org\/campuses\/west\/1-Light-Up-The-Night-Mary.mp3″ title=”Station 1: Mary” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#3a345a” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px”][\/et_pb_audio][et_pb_toggle title=”Read the Transcript” closed_toggle_text_color=”#f2edde” closed_toggle_background_color=”#605c82″ icon_color=”#f2edde” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h6″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1.5em” background_color=”#f2edde” max_width=”640px” module_alignment=”center” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” border_width_all=”0px”]<\/p>\n
Our journey to Bethlehem begins with Mary.<\/p>\n
God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary, to a virgin engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. Gabriel greeted Mary :<\/p>\n
Good morning!
You\u2019re beautiful with God\u2019s beauty,
Beautiful inside and out!
God be with you.<\/p>\n
Mary was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, \u201cMary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.<\/p>\n
He will be great,
be called \u2018Son of the Highest.\u2019
The Lord God will give him
the throne of his father David;
He will rule Jacob\u2019s house forever\u2014
no end, ever, to his kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary said to the angel, \u201cBut how?\u201d<\/p>\n
The angel answered,<\/p>\n
The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
the power of the Highest hover over you;
Therefore, the child you bring to birth
will be called Holy, Son of God.<\/p>\n
The angel assured Mary, \u201cNothing, you see, is impossible with God.\u201d Then the angel left her.<\/p>\n
Mary didn\u2019t waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah\u2019s house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary\u2019s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly.<\/p>\n
Luke 1:26-55<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
You will see at this stop on our journey the song that Mary sang in response to the news that she would be giving birth to our Savior.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”720px” module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_audio audio=”https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/media.cor.org\/campuses\/west\/2-Light-Up-The-Night-Joseph.mp3″ title=”Station 2: Joseph” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#3a345a” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px”][\/et_pb_audio][et_pb_toggle title=”Read the Transcript” closed_toggle_text_color=”#f2edde” closed_toggle_background_color=”#605c82″ icon_color=”#f2edde” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h6″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1.5em” background_color=”#f2edde” max_width=”640px” module_alignment=”center” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” border_width_all=”0px”]Before they were married, Joseph discovered his fianc\u00e9 Mary was pregnant. Joseph, displeased but noble, determined to take care of things quietly and leave Mary so she would not be disgraced.<\/p>\n
While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God\u2019s angel spoke in the dream: \u201cJoseph, son of David, don\u2019t hesitate to get married. Mary\u2019s pregnancy is from the Spirit. God\u2019s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus meaning \u2018God saves\u2019\u2014because he will save his people from their sins.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God\u2019s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary.<\/p>\n
Matthew 1: 18-25<\/p>\n
God spoke to Joseph in a dream while he was \u201ctrying to figure a way out\u201d. Had Joseph not taken time to rest, he may have missed the message God had for him.<\/p>\n
Sometimes we get too busy or there\u2019s always noise around us trying to capture our attention. In this Advent season, let\u2019s not forget to find times of rest. Let\u2019s start tonight and take some time to sit by the fire and rest and just be with God. Then as we continue our journey to Bethlehem, we\u2019ll carry with us the expectation of the messages God has for us this season.[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”720px” module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_audio audio=”https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/media.cor.org\/campuses\/west\/3-Light-Up-The-Night-Journey-to-Bethlehem.mp3″ title=”Station 3: Journey to Bethlehem” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#3a345a” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px”][\/et_pb_audio][et_pb_toggle title=”Read the Transcript” closed_toggle_text_color=”#f2edde” closed_toggle_background_color=”#605c82″ icon_color=”#f2edde” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h6″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1.5em” background_color=”#f2edde” max_width=”640px” module_alignment=”center” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” border_width_all=”0px”]<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire.<\/p>\n
Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for.<\/p>\n
So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth where he and Mary lived, up to Bethlehem in Judah for the census. Together Joseph his fianc\u00e9 Mary who was pregnant, traveled very far to Bethlehem.<\/p>\n
Luke 2:1-5<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The journey Joseph and Mary walked to Bethlehem would have been about 90 miles long on a rocky, unpaved, hilly, path. Can you imagine walking that far? Can you imagine being that far away from home?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As we continue our journey to Bethlehem like Joseph and Mary, think about how you would feel walking that far and being that far away from home. Would you be excited for a new adventure, scared to be away from home, or maybe even upset that you had to make this long journey.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”720px” module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_audio audio=”https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/media.cor.org\/campuses\/west\/4-Light-Up-The-Night-Inn.mp3″ title=”Station 4: No Room in the Inn” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#3a345a” hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_audio][et_pb_toggle title=”Read the Transcript” closed_toggle_text_color=”#f2edde” closed_toggle_background_color=”#605c82″ icon_color=”#f2edde” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h6″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1.5em” background_color=”#f2edde” max_width=”640px” module_alignment=”center” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” border_width_all=”0px”]<\/p>\n
When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth. Because everyone was traveling for the census, there was no room in the inn or any guest rooms available. The innkeeper instead offered them an outdoor stable and it was there that Mary gave birth to a son. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger.<\/p>\n
Luke 2:6-7<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Like the inns in Bethlehem sometimes we close ourselves off to Jesus. As we continue our journey to the birth of Jesus, let\u2019s open our hearts to Jesus this Advent season and make room in our lives for Him.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”720px” module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_audio audio=”https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/media.cor.org\/campuses\/west\/5-Light-Up-The-Night-Shepherds.mp3″ title=”Station 5: Shepherds” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#3a345a” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px”][\/et_pb_audio][et_pb_toggle title=”Read the Transcript” closed_toggle_text_color=”#f2edde” closed_toggle_background_color=”#605c82″ icon_color=”#f2edde” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h6″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1.5em” background_color=”#f2edde” max_width=”640px” module_alignment=”center” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” border_width_all=”0px”]<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, there were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God\u2019s angel stood among them and God\u2019s glory blazed around them, they were filled with great fear. But the angel said to them, \u201cFear not. I\u2019m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David\u2019s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you\u2019re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.\u201d<\/p>\n
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God\u2019s praises:<\/p>\n
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.<\/p>\n
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. \u201cLet\u2019s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.\u201d They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.<\/p>\n
Luke 2: 8-17<\/p>\n
Just like the angels, we are filled with great fear. But with God we never have to be filled with fear but instead with peace knowing God is with us. When faced with challenges or new things in our lives we can choose whether to face them with fear, or with peace that comes from God.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”720px” module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_audio audio=”https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/media.cor.org\/campuses\/west\/6-Light-Up-The-Night-Wisemen.mp3″ title=”Station 6: Wise Men” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#3a345a” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px”][\/et_pb_audio][et_pb_toggle title=”Read the Transcript” closed_toggle_text_color=”#f2edde” closed_toggle_background_color=”#605c82″ icon_color=”#f2edde” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h6″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1.5em” background_color=”#f2edde” max_width=”640px” module_alignment=”center” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” border_width_all=”0px”]<\/p>\n
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, wisemen arrived in Jerusalem. They asked around, \u201cWhere can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We\u2019re on a journey to worship him.\u201d<\/p>\n
When word of their inquiry got to Herod the ruler, he was terrified that someone was going to take his throne. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, \u201cWhere is the Messiah supposed to be born?\u201d They all told him, in Bethlehem.<\/p>\n
Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the wisemen from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, \u201cGo find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I\u2019ll join you at once in your worship.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!<\/p>\n
They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.<\/p>\n
Matthew 2:1-11<\/p>\n
Just like the wisemen we have gifts to bring Jesus. Look in the mirror, we are the gifts! We offer ourselves to Jesus this Advent season and everyday. Now look closer at what\u2019s reflected in the mirror. See the light? We are a reflection of God\u2019s light to this world. We LIGHT THE NIGHT with God\u2019s love! Like the wisemen, may we be overcome and worship Jesus. Let\u2019s finish our journey and experience the light of Jesus, the baby born in Bethlehem.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”720px” module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_audio audio=”https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/media.cor.org\/campuses\/west\/7-Light-Up-The-Night-Jesus.mp3″ title=”Station 7: Jesus” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#3a345a” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px”][\/et_pb_audio][et_pb_toggle title=”Read the Transcript” closed_toggle_text_color=”#f2edde” closed_toggle_background_color=”#605c82″ icon_color=”#f2edde” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h6″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”16px” body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1.5em” background_color=”#f2edde” max_width=”640px” module_alignment=”center” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” border_width_all=”0px”]<\/p>\n
What came into existence was Life,
and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
the darkness couldn\u2019t put it out.<\/p>\n
The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.<\/p>\n
John 1: 4, 14<\/p>\n
Jesus came into the world to LIGHT UP THE NIGHT and we are called to be light in the world through our love.<\/p>\n
Jesus came to save the world, ultimately through Jesus death, so that we might live forever with God. This is the JOY we experience this Advent Season!<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
at Resurrection WestWalk through the biblical story of Christmas in this\u00a0 interactive experience along our illuminated prayer trail. Play the audio below as you navigate each station of the walk.Our journey to Bethlehem begins with Mary. God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary, to a virgin engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-template-blank.php","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-108","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n