I struggle with guilt over my past adultery and divorce. When you warn people about not receiving God's grace, who are you talking to? Aren't believers forgiven and living under grace already? Help me understand, and I need encouragement. My son got taken in by a movement I'm worried about. I feel responsible and guilty! What can I do? What do you think of women participating in church? As deacons? As exhorters? What does the Bible say? And what about the two passages on women remaining silent? I'm so grateful for The Grace Message. Thank you!

The true meaning of Christmas can easily get buried under gifts, traditions, and cultural noise, but it has always centered on one life-changing reality: the birth of Jesus Christ. Reflecting on Christmas through the lens of faith helps shift our focus from material celebration to the eternal hope and salvation Christ brings into the world.

Highlights

• Childhood Christmas traditions can unintentionally center more on materialism than meaning

• Familiar cultural moments, like classic Christmas specials, can point back to the Gospel

• Christmas offers a unique opportunity to share faith with those who may not know Christ

• The birth of Jesus fulfills long-awaited hope and promise

• Christ entered the world humbly, not with extravagance or recognition

• Christmas is an invitation to refocus our hearts on salvation, not spectacle

• Sharing the meaning of Christmas helps renew our own faith

Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!

Full Transcript Below:

Reflecting on the True Meaning of Christmas

By Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11). 

A Christmas tradition in my family was watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” each year. Countless times, I saw this television special, but its meaning would elude me. While I could blame childish ways of thinking, the real reason I wasn’t paying attention to the more profound meaning was that I was rather fascinated by the materialism of Christmas. I loved the gifts, fancy dinners, and elaborate decorations. 

When I rewatched “A Charlie Brown Christmas” as an adult, I quickly saw all of the connections it had with the Gospel. Linus shares the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. As an adult, I was shocked that this Christmas special continued to air in such an anti-Christian world. Nonetheless, I am thankful this special continues to be shared, and hopefully it has led many people to the true meaning of Christmas.

Sadly, so many people still do not know that Christmas is about the coming of Christ. They are blinded to the truth. The devil will continue to blind people; however, Christmas is the perfect way to share the Gospel and combat the devil’s schemes. By sharing the true meaning of Christmas with others, it can help them come to know the Lord as their personal Savior.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

A classic Christmas passage you can share with others is Luke 2:11: “Today in the town of David

Angels told the shepherds about the birth of the Messiah.

Trusting God rarely comes with all the details upfront, and Mary’s story reminds us just how costly obedience can be. Faced with fear, uncertainty, and the very real possibility of public shame, Mary chose surrender over self-protection. Her response shows that trusting God doesn’t mean understanding everything—it means believing He is good even when the path forward feels risky and unclear.

Highlights

• Mary’s calling disrupted her plans, reputation, and future

• Obedience often requires surrender before clarity arrives

• Trust means saying yes even when the cost feels heavy

• Mary praised God in the middle of uncertainty, not after it passed

• God’s plans may not align with our expectations, but they are always purposeful

• Surrender positions us to participate in what God is doing, not just observe it

• Faith grows when we value God’s will over our comfort

Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!

Full Transcript Below:

How Mary’s Surrender Teaches Us to Trust

By Hannah Benson

Bible Reading:
“And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” - Luke 1:46-49 ESV

Have we ever stopped to consider how Mary may’ve felt when the angel Gabriel visited her? She was just a young girl, newly betrothed to Joseph. While the Bible doesn’t share with us her exact age, scholars speculate she may have been as young as 14.

Now consider the fear that likely coursed through her veins when Gabriel delivered the news that she, an unmarried virgin, would bear a son.

How scandalous!

Perhaps questions ravaged through her mind: What would people think? No one would believe her if she told them the truth. With a pregnancy outside of marriage, the townspeople would stone her.

And Joseph?

Would he believe her? If he didn’t, surely he’d feel betrayed.

Instead of arguing or begging the Lord to choose someone else, Mary simply asked, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (v. 34).

Though the plan didn’t make sense to her, she chose to swallow her fears. Hard.

As Luke writes in verse 38, Mary humbly responds: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word”. And the angel departed from her.”

Sometimes, I wonder if Mary knew

Enjoy the deeper quality of life that Jesus came to provide for all who follow Him.

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