Keeping Christ in Christmas - Crosswalk the Devotional - Dec. 21

Truths observed at the intersection of faith and life by Crosswalk.com editors [Crosswalk.com Logo]( Crosswalk: The Devotional [Devotionals]( [Newsletters]( [e-Cards]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [Crosswalk the Devotional]( Keeping Christ in Christmas by Sarah Phillips "'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight...' " [Mark 1:3]( in America, Christmas is almost over. We only have a few more days before the radio stations switch to their normal mix and abrubtly stop playing the same five Christmas carols over and over again. How do you feel about this year's preparations? Do you feel ready? Do you feel stressed? Do you wish it was easier to focus on the reason for the season? For me, this year held a lot of firsts - firsts that forced me to reflect on how I celebrate Christmas and why. I got married this November, so melding family holiday traditions was the first project we tackled as a married couple. It's been a pretty fun process, but also a learning experience. Here's lesson #1: You can be the same religion and still experience that religion very differently! Although we haven't decided exactly how we'll celebrate Christmas every year from here on out, a friend shared an article with us that outlined the traditional German Christmas centered on Christkind ("Christ child"). We are definitely considering implementing some of these ideas in the future because it seems to combine the joyful festivities with the sacredness of the season so well. Here are the basics: In this tradition, it is not Santa Claus who brings gifts but the Christkind himself. Now, many families who celebrate Christkind still have a version of jolly, ol' St. Nick, but he arrives on his official feast day, December 6th, bearing gifts more modest than our American Santa Claus. The miraculous Christmas day arrival of Christkind requires a slow build-up throughout the month of December. [Advent]( is observed carefully; Christmas decorations can wait. Family members take turns lighting the Advent candles as the entire family sings O Come, O Come Emmanuel every evening before dinner. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( You May Also Like: [10 Ways to Say "I Love You, Jesus" in 2019]( Cindi McMenamin Jesus implied there would be those who claim to love Him and follow Him, and those who actually do when He said: “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). Whether you call them spiritual resolutions, goals or new habits, here are 10 ways to say “I love You, Jesus” over the course of this new year. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [10 Things Satan Can't Do]( Jennifer Heeren If Satan can steal, kill, and destroy, how can I overcome him? He can steal the word and God’s promises right out of my head, leaving me with no way to fight. He can cause tragic situations to happen and even kill me. He can destroy relationships and things that I cherish. What can I do? [CONTINUE READING →]( [Crosswalk.com Logo]( [Read about Salem Web Network]( | [Unsubscribe From This Email]( [Email Preference Center]( | [View in Browser]( © 2018 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk.com - The Devotional. [Link](