Mary was a teenage girl from a small town, given the huge task of being mother to the Messiah.

What challenges did she face as she awaited his arrival? How would she handle such an incredible responsibility?

That’s what we’ll explore today on Given Voice. This is season 1, episode 4, Advent Love: Mary.

Mary’s story can be found throughout Luke chapters 1 and 2. Please read it for yourself! You can also find a listening guide with personal reflection and group discussion questions at givenvoice.com.

Credits:

• Written and produced by Amy Walters

• Theme music by Clara Degenhart

• Logo photo by Lionello DelPiccolo on Unsplash

• Sheep Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

• Cow Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

• Crickets Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

On Christmas night, an angel appeared to some on-the-job shepherds, announcing the incredible news of Jesus’ birth. The shepherds drop everything to go welcome the newborn king.

What might be on their minds as they anticipate meeting the Savior of the World? What makes this announcement “good news of great joy”?

That’s what we’ll explore today on Given Voice. This is season 1, episode 3, Advent Joy: Shepherdess.

The shepherd’s story can be found in Luke 2:8-20. Please read it for yourself! You can also find a listening guide with personal reflection and group discussion questions at givenvoice.com.

Credits:

• Written and produced by Amy Walters

• Theme music by Clara Degenhart

• Logo photo by Lionello DelPiccolo on Unsplash

• Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Elizabeth was the wife of a priest named Zechariah. She was upright and godly but lacked the one thing she wanted–a child. Then, when she was too old to get pregnant, an angel appeared, promising a miracle baby who would prepare the way for the Messiah.

How would it feel to finally be pregnant when you thought it was too late? How do you fight the fear that it’s just too good to be true?

That’s what we’ll explore today on Given Voice. This is season 1, episode 2, Advent Peace: Elizabeth.

Elizabeth’s story can be found throughout Luke 1. Please read it for yourself! You can also find a listening guide with personal reflection and group discussion questions at givenvoice.com.

Credits:

• Written and produced by Amy Walters

• Theme music by Clara Degenhart

• Logo photo by Lionello DelPiccolo on Unsplash

• Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Anna was a young widow. Her husband died after just seven years of marriage. And then for the next 60+ years she never left the temple, but worshiped and prayed and waited for the Messiah.

What would it feel like to wait that long for something? What might keep her from losing hope?

That’s what we’ll explore in this episode of Given Voice. This is season 1, episode 1, Advent Hope: Anna.

Anna’s story can be found in Luke 2:36-38. Please read it for yourself! You can also find a listening guide with personal reflection and group discussion questions at givenvoice.com.

Credits:

• Written and produced by Amy Walters

• Theme music by Clara Degenhart

• Logo photo by Lionello DelPiccolo on Unsplash

• Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

• • Sound Effect by Maria Malm from Pixabay
  • Sound Effect by Mikhail from Pixabay

Introducing Give Voice, a new podcast that retells Bible stories from the perspectives of the people who actually lived them. Each imaginative, first-person narrative is based on Bible facts and meant to help you read the Bible with fresh eyes.

In the first season of Given Voice, we’ll explore Advent through the stories of four women who were at the first Christmas: Anna, Elizabeth, a Shepherdess, and Mary. New episodes release on Sundays in December.