Two lonely travelers make their way on a journey to Bethlehem. Not a young couple expecting their first child traveling south from Galilee, but a pair of destitute widows traveling from Moab in the east. No husbands, no children, no hope.

When Naomi arrives in Bethlehem she insists that she be called "Mara" which means "bitter". A thousand years later, "Mara" (pronounced "Mary") arrives in the same town. The days in which Jesus was born were dark days, just like the days when the judges ruled, just like our days today. But as the old song says, ""In the dark streets" of the little town of Bethlehem, "shineth the everlasting light"".

Here are a few helpful links for today's service:

• Connect - http://connect.hopemississauga.ca

• Giving - http://www.hopemississauga.ca/give

• Hope Kids Online - http://kidsonline.hopemississauga.ca

Sermon Podcasts:

• Spotify - http://spotify.hopemississauga.ca

• Apple Podcasts - http://podcast.hopemississauga.ca