As we live in the great information age, we are bombarded with opportunities to fill our time and our minds with many things that can so easily replace our time of fellowship with the Lord. - Emily Rose Massey

SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:

Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/

As we live in the great information age, we are bombarded with opportunities to fill our time and our minds with many things that can so easily replace our time of fellowship with the Lord. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts: Your Daily Prayer: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/</a> Your Daily Bible Verse: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/</a>

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

Finding the Disconnect in Our Connection with the Lord

In a culture that prizes gifts, decorations, and “holiday magic,” it’s easy to let Christmas focus more on stuff than on Christ. Romans 1:25 warns against exchanging the truth of God for a lie—worshiping created things instead of the Creator. True celebration of the Savior comes not from what we buy or wrap, but from hearts aligned with God. This season invites us to pause, examine our motives, and ensure that every tradition, gift, and gathering points back to Jesus.

Highlights


The culture of consumerism can distract us from celebrating Christ.


Romans 1:25 reminds us that worship belongs to God alone, not created things.


Idolatry isn’t always obvious; anything that fills a void meant for God can become an idol.


Practical approaches, like Scripture-focused family time, help center Christmas on Jesus.


Gifts and celebrations are not inherently wrong but should reflect stewardship of God’s blessings.


Examining the “why” behind our holiday choices ensures our hearts remain aligned with God.


Thoughtful reflection and prayer can guide families in meaningful, Christ-centered celebrations.

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:

Celebrating the Savior in a Culture That Celebrates Stuff

By: Laura Bailey

Bible Reading:

“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” Romans 1:25 NIV

How to celebrate holidays is always a difficult decision in our household. My husband and I both grew up in a home where Christ was at the center, with loving parents and a godly extended family. In general, our families, at their core, shared the same values, but their approach to life, and specifically holidays, was quite different. 

One of the most significant discrepancies is that I didn’t grow up believing in Santa Claus. In an attempt to keep the holiday focused on the birth of Jesus, my parents made it clear there was no big jolly man in a red suit bringing gifts. God gave us centuries ago the only gift we need,  in the form of a baby in a manger. And, any other material presents we received are as a result of God’s providence ( as stewarded by parents). Conversely, my husband’s family celebrated Santa Claus, the “magic of Christmas,” and played St. Nick on Christmas morning. Neither way to celebrate Christmas is wrong; both can promote the message of the gospel and provide a fun seasonal experience. However, it created a bit of a dilemma when we had our own children and were deciding how to approach the holiday.

Through much deliberation, we reached a compromise that worked well for our family, allowing our children to believe in Santa while also engaging in Scripture daily that focused on the birth of Christ. And, just when we thought we had it down, God blessed us with our third child on Christmas Day! I share this detail because, while we tried to mitigate the focus of Christmas being on presents, it became increasingly complex when we had a child who shared a birthday (which naturally receives gifts) with a culturally commercial holiday. 

And so, if your family, like mine, is trying to keep the Christ in Christmas, as well as engage in celebrations with family members that involve gifts, let me offer the “solution” that the Lord laid on my heart a few years ago.

Romans is a book filled with profound theology and an abundance of practical wisdom for living a godly life. Paul begins his letter to the Christians in the Roman church by calling out the ways that they have allowed the culture to distract them from worshiping God. Specifically, they were worshiping the created over the Creator.  God hates idolatry to the extent that the first and second commandments focus on the concept that God is the only one deserving of our worship. He tells us that we should have no other God before Him, and we shouldn’t make idols. What’s an idol? Tim Keller explains it well in his book Counterfeit Gods, “An idol is anything more important to you than God. Anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God. Anything you seek to give you what only God can give. Anything so central and essential to your life that you should lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living.”

Paul tells us that the early church “exchanged the truth of God for a lie.”  We do the same thing today; the culture tells us that the answer to our problems is one click away. Yet, once we get the shiny new toy, it’s not long before that emptiness is felt again. The creation can’t give us what only the Creator can. 

This holiday season, think less about how you celebrate and more about the why. What is your heart’s posture? Are you using stuff to fill a void, to mask your emptiness? Or, are you stewarding God’s blessings over your life well? As we approach this season, may we be mindful that, no matter how we choose to celebrate, we always place God first.

Intersecting Faith & Life:
Take a moment today to ask the Lord to search your heart and give you clarity and guidance on how your family should celebrate the holidays, so that you may avoid worshiping the creation over the Creator.

Further Reading:
Exodus 20
3 Ways to Keep Christ at the Center of Christmas

In a culture that prizes gifts, decorations, and &ldquo;holiday magic,&rdquo; it&rsquo;s easy to let Christmas focus more on stuff than on Christ. Romans 1:25 warns against exchanging the truth of God for a lie&mdash;worshiping created things instead of the Creator. True celebration of the Savior comes not from what we buy or wrap, but from hearts aligned with God. This season invites us to pause, examine our motives, and ensure that every tradition, gift, and gathering points back to Jesus.
Highlights
<ul data-start="508" data-end="1150">
<li data-start="508" data-end="579">
The culture of consumerism can distract us from celebrating Christ.
</li>
<li data-start="580" data-end="661">
Romans 1:25 reminds us that worship belongs to God alone, not created things.
</li>
<li data-start="662" data-end="757">
Idolatry isn&rsquo;t always obvious; anything that fills a void meant for God can become an idol.
</li>
<li data-start="758" data-end="851">
Practical approaches, like Scripture-focused family time, help center Christmas on Jesus.
</li>
<li data-start="852" data-end="954">
Gifts and celebrations are not inherently wrong but should reflect stewardship of God&rsquo;s blessings.
</li>
<li data-start="955" data-end="1049">
Examining the &ldquo;why&rdquo; behind our holiday choices ensures our hearts remain aligned with God.
</li>
<li data-start="1050" data-end="1150">
Thoughtful reflection and prayer can guide families in meaningful, Christ-centered celebrations.
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/holiday-gift-guide-2025/">Holiday Gift Guide</a>
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide&mdash;from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there&rsquo;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!
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Celebrating the Savior in a Culture That Celebrates Stuff
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
&ldquo;They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator&mdash;who is forever praised. Amen.&rdquo; Romans 1:25 NIV
How to celebrate holidays is always a difficult decision in our household. My husband and I both grew up in a home where Christ was at the center, with loving parents and a godly extended family. In general, our families, at their core, shared the same values, but their approach to life, and specifically holidays, was quite different. One of the most significant discrepancies is that I didn&rsquo;t grow up believing in Santa Claus. In an attempt to keep the holiday focused on the birth of Jesus, my parents made it clear there was no big jolly man in a red suit bringing gifts. God gave us centuries ago the only gift we need,&nbsp; in the form of a baby in a manger. And, any other material presents we received are as a result of God&rsquo;s providence ( as stewarded by parents). Conversely, my husband&rsquo;s family celebrated Santa Claus, the &ldquo;magic of Christmas,&rdquo; and played St. Nick on Christmas morning. Neither way to celebrate Christmas is wrong; both can promote the message of the gospel and provide a fun seasonal experience. However, it created a bit of a dilemma when we had our own children and were deciding how to approach the holiday. Through much deliberation, we reached a compromise that worked well for our family, allowing our children to believe in Santa while also engaging in Scripture daily that focused on the birth of Christ. And, just when we thought we had it down, God blessed us with our third child on Christmas Day! I share this detail because, while we tried to mitigate the focus of Christmas being on presents, it became increasingly complex when we had a child who shared a birthday (which naturally receives gifts) with a culturally commercial holiday. And so, if your family, like mine, is trying to keep the Christ in Christmas, as well as engage in celebrations with family members that involve gifts, let me offer the &ldquo;solution&rdquo; that the Lord laid on my heart a few years ago. Romans is a book filled with profound theology and an abundance of practical wisdom for living a godly life. Paul begins his letter to the Christians in the Roman church by calling out the ways that they have allowed the culture to distract them from worshiping God. Specifically, they were worshiping the created over the Creator.&nbsp; God hates idolatry to the extent that the first and second commandments focus on the concept that God is the only one deserving of our worship. He tells us that we should have no other God before Him, and we shouldn&rsquo;t make idols. What&rsquo;s an idol? Tim Keller explains it well in his book <a href="https://a.co/d/8fEDrdM">Counterfeit Gods</a>, &ldquo;An idol is anything more important to you than God. Anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God. Anything you seek to give you what only God can give. Anything so central and essential to your life that you should lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living.&rdquo; Paul tells us that the early church &ldquo;exchanged the truth of God for a lie.&rdquo;&nbsp; We do the same thing today; the culture tells us that the answer to our problems is one click away. Yet, once we get the shiny new toy, it&rsquo;s not long before that emptiness is felt again. The creation can&rsquo;t give us what only the Creator can.&nbsp;
This holiday season, think less about how you celebrate and more about the why. What is your heart&rsquo;s posture? Are you using stuff to fill a void, to mask your emptiness? Or, are you stewarding God&rsquo;s blessings over your life well? As we approach this season, may we be mindful that, no matter how we choose to celebrate, we always place God first. Intersecting Faith &amp; Life: Take a moment today to ask the Lord to search your heart and give you clarity and guidance on how your family should celebrate the holidays, so that you may avoid worshiping the creation over the Creator.
Further Reading: Exodus 20 <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/3-ways-to-keep-christ-at-the-center-of-christmas.html">3 Ways to Keep Christ at the Center of Christmas</a>

Celebrating the Savior in a Culture That Celebrates Stuff

The holidays can feel overwhelming—shopping, decorating, cooking, and trying to create picture-perfect moments. Yet Scripture reminds us that amid the chaos, the true gift of Christmas is Christ Himself. Just as Mary gave birth in a humble stable without the comforts she expected, we too are called to make room for Jesus in the midst of our busy, stressful seasons (Luke 2:7). By simplifying, prioritizing, and focusing on His presence, we discover that the peace and joy of Christmas don’t come from perfection—they come from Him.

Highlights


Holiday stress often overshadows the true purpose of Christmas: celebrating Jesus’ birth.


Mary’s humble circumstances remind us that God’s plans don’t rely on comfort or convenience.


Simplifying holiday tasks—limiting gifts, delegating meals, reducing activities—can create space for Christ.


Focusing on Jesus transforms ordinary moments into meaningful celebrations.


Gratitude for God’s provision, even amid financial or personal challenges, brings peace.


Small adjustments in expectations allow families to experience joy without unnecessary stress.


Making intentional space for Christ is the ultimate gift we can give ourselves and others.

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:

Preparing Him Room: Making Space for Christ This Christmas
By: Michelle Lazurek

Bible Reading:
“…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” - Luke 2:7

It was all too much to bear. When my kids were little, they talked about what they wanted for Christmas for months. They made their list for Santa, wrote him letters, and even dropped it in the mailbox. As a mother, I would do anything to give them the perfect Christmas. I made sure they got everything they asked for, even if it meant starting early and taking money out of our paycheck each week to save for Christmas presents.

But one year, my husband was planting a church, and finances were just too tight. I did my best to get the kids the presents that they wanted. But with all the wrapping, shopping, and a full-time job, while my husband was church planting, it added more stress to my life than I cared to admit. Although it was a magical moment to watch my kids open gifts on Christmas morning, the stress and irritation of all the preparation beforehand made it feel as if it simply wasn't worth it. 

I was putting all this stress on myself to write Christmas cards, decorate the house, and care for my children, in addition to working at a daycare where I cared for two- and three-year-olds all day long, only to come home to my own set of two- and three-year-olds. This would be enough to make anyone feel the extra weight of stress. Compelled by the idea of giving my kids the perfect Christmas, I stressed myself out, worrying about finances and spending all my extra time wrapping presents and writing cards. 

When Christmas Day came, I had created a holiday that would have made even Norman Rockwell jealous. But it was missing one thing: Jesus. Although my family and I attended Christmas Eve services, my kids lit candles, sang songs, and watched Christmas specials, it felt as if Jesus was missing from the holiday. Because it was so focused on the moment of opening gifts and getting my family what they wanted for Christmas, it felt as if I had wasted all my time and energy creating a magical moment that would only last a moment.

Because of all the stress, I had laid aside my quiet time with the Lord, neglected to pray, and hadn't picked up my Bible in months. For a holiday that should be focused on the actual reason for this season, I had forgotten to make space for Christ.

Maybe you can relate to the story above. All the Christmas wrapping, giving, and writing Christmas cards may seem too much to bear during the holiday season for you as well. Maybe buying gifts, long lines at the store, mounting traffic, and increasingly mean people seem like too much stress for you to bear, too.

But it doesn't have to be this way. 

Mary experienced a similar situation. As she made the long travel, heavy in the throes of labor, I imagine she expected a comfortable room with which to give birth. But when she found out that there was no room at the inn, her expectations quickly shattered. But Mary didn't give in to the stress or leave God out of her situation. Instead, she made the best of what she had. She traveled to a nearby stable and, in less-than-ideal conditions, gave birth to our Savior, who, in turn, has given generations eternal life.

Although Mary's situation was less than ideal, she still completed her ultimate purpose. The Christmas story can give us hope that, despite what we might be going through —financial struggles, health crises, loss of loved ones, etc.—we can find hope. While our situation for the holidays seems less than spectacular, we can make do with what God has given us.

There's no better time than the Christmas season to give thanks for all that God has done. Minimize Christmas shopping this year. Opt to give gift cards rather than wrapping a bunch of presents. Limit the number of gifts you give to each person. Explain to them that finances are too tight this year, and the stress is just too much. 

Your stressful situation can quickly become less so with a bit of understanding and compassion from your family members. Ask family members to pitch in this year by giving food for the holiday meal, or skip hosting the traditional holiday meal and go out for dinner instead. Whatever you need to do to make the best of your holiday situation, take Mary's example and don't forget the ultimate purpose of why we celebrate Christmas.

Father, let us be people who make space for you during the holiday season. Let us not crowd you out with copious amounts of gifts, wrapping, and decorating. Instead, let us remember the ultimate gift you have given us and live our lives knowing that we have already received the best gift of all. Amen.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Is Christmas too stressful for you this year? What is one step you can take to reduce the stress and make your Christmas situation a little more bearable?

Further Reading:
Luke 1:41-44

The holidays can feel overwhelming&mdash;shopping, decorating, cooking, and trying to create picture-perfect moments. Yet Scripture reminds us that amid the chaos, the true gift of Christmas is Christ Himself. Just as Mary gave birth in a humble stable without the comforts she expected, we too are called to make room for Jesus in the midst of our busy, stressful seasons (Luke 2:7). By simplifying, prioritizing, and focusing on His presence, we discover that the peace and joy of Christmas don&rsquo;t come from perfection&mdash;they come from Him.
Highlights
<ul data-start="567" data-end="1235">
<li data-start="567" data-end="660">
Holiday stress often overshadows the true purpose of Christmas: celebrating Jesus&rsquo; birth.
</li>
<li data-start="661" data-end="757">
Mary&rsquo;s humble circumstances remind us that God&rsquo;s plans don&rsquo;t rely on comfort or convenience.
</li>
<li data-start="758" data-end="870">
Simplifying holiday tasks&mdash;limiting gifts, delegating meals, reducing activities&mdash;can create space for Christ.
</li>
<li data-start="871" data-end="950">
Focusing on Jesus transforms ordinary moments into meaningful celebrations.
</li>
<li data-start="951" data-end="1043">
Gratitude for God&rsquo;s provision, even amid financial or personal challenges, brings peace.
</li>
<li data-start="1044" data-end="1142">
Small adjustments in expectations allow families to experience joy without unnecessary stress.
</li>
<li data-start="1143" data-end="1235">
Making intentional space for Christ is the ultimate gift we can give ourselves and others.
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/holiday-gift-guide-2025/">Holiday Gift Guide</a>
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide&mdash;from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there&rsquo;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!
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Preparing Him Room: Making Space for Christ This Christmas By: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading: &ldquo;&hellip;and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.&rdquo; - Luke 2:7
It was all too much to bear. When my kids were little, they talked about what they wanted for Christmas for months. They made their list for Santa, wrote him letters, and even dropped it in the mailbox. As a mother, I would do anything to give them the perfect Christmas. I made sure they got everything they asked for, even if it meant starting early and taking money out of our paycheck each week to save for Christmas presents.
But one year, my husband was planting a church, and finances were just too tight. I did my best to get the kids the presents that they wanted. But with all the wrapping, shopping, and a full-time job, while my husband was church planting, it added more stress to my life than I cared to admit. Although it was a magical moment to watch my kids open gifts on Christmas morning, the stress and irritation of all the preparation beforehand made it feel as if it simply wasn't worth it.&nbsp;
I was putting all this stress on myself to write Christmas cards, decorate the house, and care for my children, in addition to working at a daycare where I cared for two- and three-year-olds all day long, only to come home to my own set of two- and three-year-olds. This would be enough to make anyone feel the extra weight of stress. Compelled by the idea of giving my kids the perfect Christmas, I stressed myself out, worrying about finances and spending all my extra time wrapping presents and writing cards.&nbsp;
When Christmas Day came, I had created a holiday that would have made even Norman Rockwell jealous. But it was missing one thing: Jesus. Although my family and I attended Christmas Eve services, my kids lit candles, sang songs, and watched Christmas specials, it felt as if Jesus was missing from the holiday. Because it was so focused on the moment of opening gifts and getting my family what they wanted for Christmas, it felt as if I had wasted all my time and energy creating a magical moment that would only last a moment.
Because of all the stress, I had laid aside my quiet time with the Lord, neglected to pray, and hadn't picked up my Bible in months. For a holiday that should be focused on the actual reason for this season, I had forgotten to make space for Christ.
Maybe you can relate to the story above. All the Christmas wrapping, giving, and writing Christmas cards may seem too much to bear during the holiday season for you as well. Maybe buying gifts, long lines at the store, mounting traffic, and increasingly mean people seem like too much stress for you to bear, too.
But it doesn't have to be this way.&nbsp;
Mary experienced a similar situation. As she made the long travel, heavy in the throes of labor, I imagine she expected a comfortable room with which to give birth. But when she found out that there was no room at the inn, her expectations quickly shattered. But Mary didn't give in to the stress or leave God out of her situation. Instead, she made the best of what she had. She traveled to a nearby stable and, in less-than-ideal conditions, gave birth to our Savior, who, in turn, has given generations eternal life.
Although Mary's situation was less than ideal, she still completed her ultimate purpose. The Christmas story can give us hope that, despite what we might be going through &mdash;financial struggles, health crises, loss of loved ones, etc.&mdash;we can find hope. While our situation for the holidays seems less than spectacular, we can make do with what God has given us.
There's no better time than the Christmas season to give thanks for all that God has done. Minimize Christmas shopping this year. Opt to give gift cards rather than wrapping a bunch of presents. Limit the number of gifts you give to each person. Explain to them that finances are too tight this year, and the stress is just too much.&nbsp;
Your stressful situation can quickly become less so with a bit of understanding and compassion from your family members. Ask family members to pitch in this year by giving food for the holiday meal, or skip hosting the traditional holiday meal and go out for dinner instead. Whatever you need to do to make the best of your holiday situation, take Mary's example and don't forget the ultimate purpose of why we celebrate Christmas.
Father, let us be people who make space for you during the holiday season. Let us not crowd you out with copious amounts of gifts, wrapping, and decorating. Instead, let us remember the ultimate gift you have given us and live our lives knowing that we have already received the best gift of all. Amen.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Is Christmas too stressful for you this year? What is one step you can take to reduce the stress and make your Christmas situation a little more bearable?
Further Reading: Luke 1:41-44

Preparing Him Room: Making Space for Christ This Christmas

In This Special Bonus Episode From Christian Parent, Crazy World: What if the greatest gift you give your kids this Christmas is a heart of generosity—and the chance to change someone else’s world?

Catherine Segars goes beyond stockings and wrapping paper to tackle one of the most pressing questions for believers during the holiday season: How do we practically teach our children the virtue of generosity, not just for the holidays, but for a lifetime—and in a way that makes a true, eternal difference?

Answer: Plant seeds of generosity in your family with Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Gift Catalog, a unique way for families to give gifts that can transform lives around the globe.

Browse the catalog and get involved at www.samaritanspurse.org/parent.

Catherine welcomes Kristy Graham, host of the On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse podcast and wife to Edward Graham, part of the legacy family behind this renowned global relief ministry. With firsthand experience raising four children and witnessing God’s faithfulness in some of the most challenging corners of the globe, Kristy brings unmatched insight and compassion to this timely discussion.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
Transformative Giving - The Samaritan's Purse Christmas Gift Catalog: Learn how families can open a new kind of catalog—one offering goats, honeybees, water filters, heart surgeries, and more—to provide desperately needed gifts to people across the globe.
Real Stories, Real Impact: Kristy recounts emotional, hope-filled stories: families in Iraq whose lives are remade by a simple beehive; a mother shattered by tragedy in need of purpose and dignity, restored by a brood of baby chicks; and the power of a $9 donation to feed a hungry infant and spark the hope of the Gospel for a mother who feels forgotten.
Generosity That Changes Hearts—Including Our Own: Discover practical ways to involve your kids in picking out gifts, writing cards for teachers in someone’s honor, or pairing a meaningful donation with something tangible.
Biblical Parallels: Kristy and Catherine share how the work of Samaritan’s purse brings to life the stories of Ruth, who gleaned what benevolent benefactors left for those less fortunate, and Hagar, who met the God who saw her need.
Seeds of the Gospel: Every gift given through Samaritan’s Purse meets physical needs—and intentionally opens doors for the life-changing message of Christ. Whether it’s a water well, a jar of honey, or a vital medical procedure, these gifts become vehicles for sharing hope and introducing recipients to the God who truly sees them.

Call to Action:

This Christmas, will your family give a gift that extends beyond your home?
Explore life-changing opportunities at samaritanspurse.org/parent as a family, and ask your kids: “How can we be part of God’s story of hope this Christmas?”
Let your generosity become a legacy of faith, planting seeds for eternity.

Episode Links:
Samaritan’s Purse Gift Catalog: www.samaritanspurse.org/parent
On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse Podcast
Catherine's Resources for Christian Parents

About the guest: Kristy Graham hosts On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse, a show she launched in 2019 to highlight God’s faithfulness through the ministry’s work. Each week, she brings listeners close to the stories of staff and the people they serve—always pointing hearts to Christ. From missionary doctors in Kenya to military couples in Alaska to families receiving new homes after disasters, Kristy loves witnessing Samaritan’s Purse in action. At home, she and her husband, Edward, are raising their four children in the mountains of North Carolina.

 

Parents, what new tradition will you start this year to show your children the joy—and eternal impact—of generosity?

In This Special Bonus Episode From Christian Parent, Crazy World: What if the greatest gift you give your kids this Christmas is a heart of generosity&mdash;and the chance to change someone else&rsquo;s world?
Catherine Segars goes beyond stockings and wrapping paper to tackle one of the most pressing questions for believers during the holiday season: How do we practically teach our children the virtue of generosity, not just for the holidays, but for a lifetime&mdash;and in a way that makes a true, eternal difference?
Answer: Plant seeds of generosity in your family with Samaritan&rsquo;s Purse Christmas Gift Catalog, a unique way for families to give gifts that can transform lives around the globe.
Browse the catalog and get involved at <a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/parent">www.samaritanspurse.org/parent</a>.
Catherine welcomes Kristy Graham, host of the <a href="https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/home">On the Ground with Samaritan&rsquo;s Purse</a> podcast and wife to Edward Graham, part of the legacy family behind this renowned global relief ministry. With firsthand experience raising four children and witnessing God&rsquo;s faithfulness in some of the most challenging corners of the globe, Kristy brings unmatched insight and compassion to this timely discussion.
What You&rsquo;ll Discover in This Episode:
<ul>
<li>Transformative Giving - The Samaritan's Purse Christmas Gift Catalog: Learn how families can open a new kind of catalog&mdash;one offering goats, honeybees, water filters, heart surgeries, and more&mdash;to provide desperately needed gifts to people across the globe.</li>
<li>Real Stories, Real Impact: Kristy recounts emotional, hope-filled stories: families in Iraq whose lives are remade by a simple beehive; a mother shattered by tragedy in need of purpose and dignity, restored by a brood of baby chicks; and the power of a $9 donation to feed a hungry infant and spark the hope of the Gospel for a mother who feels forgotten.</li>
<li>Generosity That Changes Hearts&mdash;Including Our Own: Discover practical ways to involve your kids in picking out gifts, writing cards for teachers in someone&rsquo;s honor, or pairing a meaningful donation with something tangible.</li>
<li>Biblical Parallels: Kristy and Catherine share how the work of Samaritan&rsquo;s purse brings to life the stories of Ruth, who gleaned what benevolent benefactors left for those less fortunate, and Hagar, who met the God who saw her need.</li>
<li>Seeds of the Gospel: Every gift given through Samaritan&rsquo;s Purse meets physical needs&mdash;and intentionally opens doors for the life-changing message of Christ. Whether it&rsquo;s a water well, a jar of honey, or a vital medical procedure, these gifts become vehicles for sharing hope and introducing recipients to the God who truly sees them.</li>
</ul>
Call to Action:
This Christmas, will your family give a gift that extends beyond your home? Explore life-changing opportunities at samaritanspurse.org/parent as a family, and ask your kids: &ldquo;How can we be part of God&rsquo;s story of hope this Christmas?&rdquo; Let your generosity become a legacy of faith, planting seeds for eternity.
Episode Links:
<ul>
<li>Samaritan&rsquo;s Purse Gift Catalog: <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/parent">www.samaritanspurse.org/parent</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/home">On the Ground with Samaritan&rsquo;s Purse Podcast</a></li>
<li><a href="https://catherinesegars.com/resources">Catherine's Resources for Christian Parents</a></li>
</ul>
About the guest: Kristy Graham hosts On the Ground with Samaritan&rsquo;s Purse, a show she launched in 2019 to highlight God&rsquo;s faithfulness through the ministry&rsquo;s work. Each week, she brings listeners close to the stories of staff and the people they serve&mdash;always pointing hearts to Christ. From missionary doctors in Kenya to military couples in Alaska to families receiving new homes after disasters, Kristy loves witnessing Samaritan&rsquo;s Purse in action. At home, she and her husband, Edward, are raising their four children in the mountains of North Carolina.
&nbsp;
Parents, what new tradition will you start this year to show your children the joy&mdash;and eternal impact&mdash;of generosity?

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