When we think about what is good, we train our minds to notice more of what is good and lovely in life.  - Ashley Moore

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/

When we think about what is good, we train our minds to notice more of what is good and lovely in life.  - Ashley Moore
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

Interrupting the Cycle of Negative Thinking

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 a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” From this passage, we are told that a Savior has been born and He is the Messiah. As we share this passage with others, it can help us reflect on the true meaning of Christmas ourselves. 

During the timespan from the fall of mankind until the coming of the Lord, everyone was awaiting the Messiah. Endless Old Testament prophecies pointed to the coming Messiah, who would bring lasting peace to His people. When Gabriel shares the message detailed in Luke 2:11, the people would have been overjoyed at this wonderful news. The Savior, who would save them from their sins, had finally come. 

When we reflect on this truth, it helps us understand the significance of the Lord coming down to earth. He is our Savior, who left Heaven in order to save us from our sins. He was humbly born in a stable without any special treatment. Jesus deserved every wonderful thing, yet He entered the world on a silent night. Because of the Lord’s birth into the world, He was able to grow up, live a sinless life, and die for our sins. 

This is what Christmas is all about, and Jesus is the One we should be celebrating. We can do this by sharing our knowledge of Christ with others. Christmas only comes once a year, yet the Lord sacrificed His life in order for us to have peace every day of the year. 

Who can you share the true meaning of Christmas with this week? Whenever you are distracted from the true meaning of Christmas, how can you bring your heart back to the Lord?

Pray with me: Dear Lord, thank You for showing me the true meaning of Christmas—You. Help me to always stay focused on You and Your birth into the world. Please also help me to lead others to know You this Christmas season. I praise You, Lord. Amen.

Further Reading:

Luke 2:1-21

Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah 9:6

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
<ul data-start="384" data-end="943">
<li data-start="384" data-end="478">
Childhood Christmas traditions can unintentionally center more on materialism than meaning
</li>
<li data-start="479" data-end="571">
Familiar cultural moments, like classic Christmas specials, can point back to the Gospel
</li>
<li data-start="572" data-end="663">
Christmas offers a unique opportunity to share faith with those who may not know Christ
</li>
<li data-start="664" data-end="725">
The birth of Jesus fulfills long-awaited hope and promise
</li>
<li data-start="726" data-end="799">
Christ entered the world humbly, not with extravagance or recognition
</li>
<li data-start="800" data-end="880">
Christmas is an invitation to refocus our hearts on salvation, not spectacle
</li>
<li data-start="881" data-end="943">
Sharing the meaning of Christmas helps renew our own faith
</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:
Reflecting on the True Meaning of Christmas
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
&ldquo;Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord&rdquo; (Luke 2:11).&nbsp;
A Christmas tradition in my family was watching &ldquo;A Charlie Brown Christmas&rdquo; 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&rsquo;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.&nbsp;
When I rewatched &ldquo;A Charlie Brown Christmas&rdquo; as an adult, I quickly saw all of the connections it had with the Gospel. Linus shares the true meaning of Christmas&mdash;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&rsquo;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 &amp; Life:
A classic Christmas passage you can share with others is Luke 2:11: &ldquo;Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.&rdquo; From this passage, we are told that a Savior has been born and He is the Messiah. As we share this passage with others, it can help us reflect on the true meaning of Christmas ourselves.&nbsp;
During the timespan from the fall of mankind until the coming of the Lord, everyone was awaiting the Messiah. Endless Old Testament prophecies pointed to the coming Messiah, who would bring lasting peace to His people. When Gabriel shares the message detailed in Luke 2:11, the people would have been overjoyed at this wonderful news. The Savior, who would save them from their sins, had finally come.&nbsp;
When we reflect on this truth, it helps us understand the significance of the Lord coming down to earth. He is our Savior, who left Heaven in order to save us from our sins. He was humbly born in a stable without any special treatment. Jesus deserved every wonderful thing, yet He entered the world on a silent night. Because of the Lord&rsquo;s birth into the world, He was able to grow up, live a sinless life, and die for our sins.&nbsp;
This is what Christmas is all about, and Jesus is the One we should be celebrating. We can do this by sharing our knowledge of Christ with others. Christmas only comes once a year, yet the Lord sacrificed His life in order for us to have peace every day of the year.&nbsp;
Who can you share the true meaning of Christmas with this week? Whenever you are distracted from the true meaning of Christmas, how can you bring your heart back to the Lord?
Pray with me: Dear Lord, thank You for showing me the true meaning of Christmas&mdash;You. Help me to always stay focused on You and Your birth into the world. Please also help me to lead others to know You this Christmas season. I praise You, Lord. Amen.
Further Reading:
Luke 2:1-21
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6

Reflecting On The True Meaning of Christmas

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/b012b9bf-6d47-430d-8f88-b3b7011ea83b/transcript

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 the full implications of what she was saying yes to. Surely, the possibility of public shame and stoning crossed her mind. But whether she understood the full danger or not, Mary surrendered her future as Joseph’s wife, her reputation, and even her life to the Lord.

Despite the danger, she chose to sing the praises of the Lord, saying “my soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (v. 47). The Magnificat, as it’s often called, is the cry of Mary’s heart as she soaked in the goodness of God and shared how “he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name” (v. 49).

Now, none of us has been asked to carry the Son of God inside of us the same way Mary did, but we have been asked to carry Him in our hearts.

And following God does come at a cost.





Are we willing to risk everything? To praise God no matter what? To surrender our future, whatever that looks like? To surrender our reputation and even our very life itself?

Mary was willing.

Did she know exactly why the Son of God came into the world? Perhaps, like the rest of the Israelites, she anticipated a Messiah who would rescue God’s people from their physical enemies. In this case, the Roman Empire.

She didn’t need to fully understand why. Instead, she chose to embrace God’s plan, surrendering and yielding to His sovereignty even if it cost her.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

What may God be calling you to today? How might He want you to share the love of Jesus Christ with others?

Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone even when it’s uncomfortable, to surrender and submit to His plan, and trust His promises?

To long for the Giver more than the gift, the Promise-Keeper more than the promise itself?

If we read the other Gospel accounts of Jesus’s birth, we know Joseph contemplated divorcing Mary (Matthew 1:19). Being a just man, he didn’t want to put her to shame. But before he could, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife and that the child was from the Holy Spirit (v. 20).

God will always take care of each of us. When we walk in obedience, even when it looks impossible, or we may lose something we hold dear, we choose to walk in that obedience anyway.

It doesn’t mean things will always turn out the way we want. Pain is a funny thing: it can either push us further from God or pull us closer to Him, depending on how we choose to respond.

Mary could’ve never foreseen the plans God had for her or the role she would’ve ultimately played in bringing God’s Son into the world. Had she resisted, God’s plans still would’ve prevailed. Perhaps he would’ve chosen someone else for the task. But then Mary would’ve missed out on an amazing opportunity to be part of what God was doing.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV) says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

When we face the unknown, we must remember we are not trusting what we can see, but in the One Who sees all things, Whose wisdom transcends our limited view and Whose thoughts are not our thoughts, and whose ways are higher than our ways.

Do you think anyone ever imagined He would send the Messiah born miraculously through a virgin? Do you think anyone ever imagined that Jesus Christ would come to save us, not as a war hero but as a humble carpenter who would grow up and take the punishment we deserved by dying on the cross in our place?

Pray with me: Dear Father God, sometimes I struggle to trust You. Please help me to learn from Mary’s surrender, to trust You, and to walk in obedience even if it looks like I may lose something else I hold dear. I know Your plans are higher than my own (Isaiah 55). Thank You for Your great, indescribable love for me! In Jesus’s Name, Amen

Trusting God rarely comes with all the details upfront, and Mary&rsquo;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&rsquo;t mean understanding everything&mdash;it means believing He is good even when the path forward feels risky and unclear.
Highlights
<ul data-start="436" data-end="915">
<li data-start="436" data-end="498">
Mary&rsquo;s calling disrupted her plans, reputation, and future
</li>
<li data-start="499" data-end="560">
Obedience often requires surrender before clarity arrives
</li>
<li data-start="561" data-end="618">
Trust means saying yes even when the cost feels heavy
</li>
<li data-start="619" data-end="689">
Mary praised God in the middle of uncertainty, not after it passed
</li>
<li data-start="690" data-end="773">
God&rsquo;s plans may not align with our expectations, but they are always purposeful
</li>
<li data-start="774" data-end="857">
Surrender positions us to participate in what God is doing, not just observe it
</li>
<li data-start="858" data-end="915">
Faith grows when we value God&rsquo;s will over our comfort
</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:
How Mary&rsquo;s Surrender Teaches Us to Trust
By Hannah Benson
&nbsp;
Bible Reading: &ldquo;And Mary said, &ldquo;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.&rdquo; - Luke 1:46-49 ESV
Have we ever stopped to consider how Mary may&rsquo;ve felt when the angel Gabriel visited her? She was just a young girl, newly betrothed to Joseph. While the Bible doesn&rsquo;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&rsquo;t, surely he&rsquo;d feel betrayed.
Instead of arguing or begging the Lord to choose someone else, Mary simply asked, &ldquo;How will this be, since I am a virgin?&rdquo; (v. 34).
Though the plan didn&rsquo;t make sense to her, she chose to swallow her fears. Hard.
As Luke writes in verse 38, Mary humbly responds: &ldquo;Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word&rdquo;. And the angel departed from her.&rdquo;
Sometimes, I wonder if Mary knew the full implications of what she was saying yes to. Surely, the possibility of public shame and stoning crossed her mind. But whether she understood the full danger or not, Mary surrendered her future as Joseph&rsquo;s wife, her reputation, and even her life to the Lord.
Despite the danger, she chose to sing the praises of the Lord, saying &ldquo;my soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior&rdquo; (v. 47). The Magnificat, as it&rsquo;s often called, is the cry of Mary&rsquo;s heart as she soaked in the goodness of God and shared how &ldquo;he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name&rdquo; (v. 49).
Now, none of us has been asked to carry the Son of God inside of us the same way Mary did, but we have been asked to carry Him in our hearts.
And following God does come at a cost.
 
Are we willing to risk everything? To praise God no matter what? To surrender our future, whatever that looks like? To surrender our reputation and even our very life itself?
Mary was willing.
Did she know exactly why the Son of God came into the world? Perhaps, like the rest of the Israelites, she anticipated a Messiah who would rescue God&rsquo;s people from their physical enemies. In this case, the Roman Empire.
She didn&rsquo;t need to fully understand why. Instead, she chose to embrace God&rsquo;s plan, surrendering and yielding to His sovereignty even if it cost her.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
What may God be calling you to today? How might He want you to share the love of Jesus Christ with others?
Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone even when it&rsquo;s uncomfortable, to surrender and submit to His plan, and trust His promises?
To long for the Giver more than the gift, the Promise-Keeper more than the promise itself?
If we read the other Gospel accounts of Jesus&rsquo;s birth, we know Joseph contemplated divorcing Mary (Matthew 1:19). Being a just man, he didn&rsquo;t want to put her to shame. But before he could, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife and that the child was from the Holy Spirit (v. 20).
God will always take care of each of us. When we walk in obedience, even when it looks impossible, or we may lose something we hold dear, we choose to walk in that obedience anyway.
It doesn&rsquo;t mean things will always turn out the way we want. Pain is a funny thing: it can either push us further from God or pull us closer to Him, depending on how we choose to respond.
Mary could&rsquo;ve never foreseen the plans God had for her or the role she would&rsquo;ve ultimately played in bringing God&rsquo;s Son into the world. Had she resisted, God&rsquo;s plans still would&rsquo;ve prevailed. Perhaps he would&rsquo;ve chosen someone else for the task. But then Mary would&rsquo;ve missed out on an amazing opportunity to be part of what God was doing.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV) says, &ldquo;For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.&rdquo;
When we face the unknown, we must remember we are not trusting what we can see, but in the One Who sees all things, Whose wisdom transcends our limited view and Whose thoughts are not our thoughts, and whose ways are higher than our ways.
Do you think anyone ever imagined He would send the Messiah born miraculously through a virgin? Do you think anyone ever imagined that Jesus Christ would come to save us, not as a war hero but as a humble carpenter who would grow up and take the punishment we deserved by dying on the cross in our place?
Pray with me: Dear Father God, sometimes I struggle to trust You. Please help me to learn from Mary&rsquo;s surrender, to trust You, and to walk in obedience even if it looks like I may lose something else I hold dear. I know Your plans are higher than my own (Isaiah 55). Thank You for Your great, indescribable love for me! In Jesus&rsquo;s Name, Amen

How Mary’s Surrender Teaches Us to Trust

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/552c630e-d157-4b06-8826-b3b701168ed6/transcript

The nativity is more than a quiet scene on a mantel—it’s the moment Hope took on flesh. Drawing from Luke 2:7, this devotional reflects on the tender, intimate way God chose to enter the world: humble, small, and wrapped in cloth. Like Mary, the shepherds, and the wise men who followed a star into the unknown, we’re invited to pursue Hope with trust, curiosity, and courage. Hope doesn’t shout; it waits to be sought. And when we find it—when we find Him—fear loses its grip and light floods the dark corners of our lives.

Highlights


A personal window into the author’s first night of motherhood and the nearness of God


Parallels between Mary’s quiet moment with Jesus and our own encounters with divine presence


The power of hope to silence fear—echoed in Scripture and even unexpected cultural references


Why hope often appears humble and easy to overlook


The shepherds’ and wise men’s radical pursuit of a Savior they barely understood


A reminder that true hope isn’t about earthly rewards but eternal transformation


The invitation to seek, embrace, and live out the hope found in Christ

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:

Hope Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes

By Peyton Garland

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 2:27 (NIV)

Outside experiencing Christ’s salvation, I haven’t felt God’s presence so loudly, so beautifully, as the night after I had my first son. My little guy didn’t have to stay in the hospital nursery, so he spent his first night with me. Exhausted from the previous night’s midnight contractions coupled with a five-in-the-morning birth, I welcomed the quiet, dark hush that finally fell over the hospital floors. 

I recall the sole soft yellow light the nurses left on in my room through that night, and it shone directly over my baby. Despite the new mysteries and fears naturally coupled with motherhood, like Hagar, I felt seen, known, and embraced (Genesis 16). The presence of the Almighty was undeniable. 

I imagine that Mary felt much the same as the Star of Bethlehem pierced through a world filled with darkness and cast its beautiful warmth over her, and Hope wrapped in swaddling clothes. She had little choice but to accept the kindness and favor God had placed on her through such a tiny, splendid creature. Hope for Mary’s people was now tangible. 

If you have ever read the best-selling sci-fi series, The Hunger Games, or watched its film adaptations, you recall one of the trilogy’s most famous quotes: “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.” Though quoted by the villainous President Snow, I agree with his assessment. Hope has this unearthly ability to squelch our greatest fears, yet hope rarely screams to be seen. Hope is often humble, just like Katniss Everdeen, a poor young girl from an outcast district, who was willing to sacrifice her life to become hope for a nation of oppressed people. 

Hope wants you to seek it out to affirm the worth you’ve placed upon it. It’s not that hope is dictatorial. Rather, hope recognizes that without your willingness to seek it and embrace it, it will never truly live inside you. You won’t experience its fullness without placing personal faith in its power. 

Is that not what the nativity scene reminds us? Humble beginnings? Faith that seems scientifically impossible and socially fatal? The shepherds were greeted by a host of angels and told to meet a newborn baby who would save their souls. The wise men (likely sorcerers) felt the holy calling of a God they weren’t intimate with, yet they spent months, likely years, pursuing a star (most scholars believe the wise men didn’t reach Christ until he was two years old). 

This great pursuit didn’t lead the shepherds or wise men to a king in royal garb. They didn’t discover troves of treasure. There wasn’t any earthly reward they gained from this blind trust. Instead, they met a young boy born to lowly Jews, but they were radically bettered forever. In fact, Scripture confirms that the wise men pledged their souls to Christ, worshipping him, and protecting Him from King Herod: 

“[Herod] sent [the wise men] to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.’ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”

We are granted the same opportunity to pursue Hope, even if we aren’t promised worldly possessions or fame. Hope doesn’t need a bonus package or special add-ons to fill our hearts with love and light that brings us joy, no matter our lot in life. Hope only needs a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, a baby committed to experiencing sacrificial death, then shedding grave clothes for mankind to know eternal peace. 

What a beautiful reason to celebrate the true meaning and hope of this Christmas season! 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As Christmas approaches, take a few moments as a family to discuss the importance of the nativity scene and consider age-appropriate crafts and devotionals centered on its significance. 

Further Reading:
Matthew 2
Who Is Really Coming to Town

The nativity is more than a quiet scene on a mantel&mdash;it&rsquo;s the moment Hope took on flesh. Drawing from Luke 2:7, this devotional reflects on the tender, intimate way God chose to enter the world: humble, small, and wrapped in cloth. Like Mary, the shepherds, and the wise men who followed a star into the unknown, we&rsquo;re invited to pursue Hope with trust, curiosity, and courage. Hope doesn&rsquo;t shout; it waits to be sought. And when we find it&mdash;when we find Him&mdash;fear loses its grip and light floods the dark corners of our lives.
Highlights
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<li data-start="570" data-end="659">
A personal window into the author&rsquo;s first night of motherhood and the nearness of God
</li>
<li data-start="660" data-end="756">
Parallels between Mary&rsquo;s quiet moment with Jesus and our own encounters with divine presence
</li>
<li data-start="757" data-end="854">
The power of hope to silence fear&mdash;echoed in Scripture and even unexpected cultural references
</li>
<li data-start="855" data-end="909">
Why hope often appears humble and easy to overlook
</li>
<li data-start="910" data-end="994">
The shepherds&rsquo; and wise men&rsquo;s radical pursuit of a Savior they barely understood
</li>
<li data-start="995" data-end="1079">
A reminder that true hope isn&rsquo;t about earthly rewards but eternal transformation
</li>
<li data-start="1080" data-end="1154">
The invitation to seek, embrace, and live out the hope found in Christ
</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:
Hope Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes
By Peyton Garland
Bible Reading:
&ldquo;...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 2:27 (NIV)
Outside experiencing Christ&rsquo;s salvation, I haven&rsquo;t felt God&rsquo;s presence so loudly, so beautifully, as the night after I had my first son. My little guy didn&rsquo;t have to stay in the hospital nursery, so he spent his first night with me. Exhausted from the previous night&rsquo;s midnight contractions coupled with a five-in-the-morning birth, I welcomed the quiet, dark hush that finally fell over the hospital floors.&nbsp;
I recall the sole soft yellow light the nurses left on in my room through that night, and it shone directly over my baby. Despite the new mysteries and fears naturally coupled with motherhood, like Hagar, I felt seen, known, and embraced (Genesis 16). The presence of the Almighty was undeniable.&nbsp;
I imagine that Mary felt much the same as the Star of Bethlehem pierced through a world filled with darkness and cast its beautiful warmth over her, and Hope wrapped in swaddling clothes. She had little choice but to accept the kindness and favor God had placed on her through such a tiny, splendid creature. Hope for Mary&rsquo;s people was now tangible.&nbsp;
If you have ever read the best-selling sci-fi series, The Hunger Games, or watched its film adaptations, you recall one of the trilogy&rsquo;s most famous quotes: &ldquo;Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.&rdquo; Though quoted by the villainous President Snow, I agree with his assessment. Hope has this unearthly ability to squelch our greatest fears, yet hope rarely screams to be seen. Hope is often humble, just like Katniss Everdeen, a poor young girl from an outcast district, who was willing to sacrifice her life to become hope for a nation of oppressed people.&nbsp;
Hope wants you to seek it out to affirm the worth you&rsquo;ve placed upon it. It&rsquo;s not that hope is dictatorial. Rather, hope recognizes that without your willingness to seek it and embrace it, it will never truly live inside you. You won&rsquo;t experience its fullness without placing personal faith in its power.&nbsp;
Is that not what the nativity scene reminds us? Humble beginnings? Faith that seems scientifically impossible and socially fatal? The shepherds were greeted by a host of angels and told to meet a newborn baby who would save their souls. The wise men (likely sorcerers) felt the holy calling of a God they weren&rsquo;t intimate with, yet they spent months, likely years, pursuing a star (most scholars believe the wise men didn&rsquo;t reach Christ until he was two years old).&nbsp;
This great pursuit didn&rsquo;t lead the shepherds or wise men to a king in royal garb. They didn&rsquo;t discover troves of treasure. There wasn&rsquo;t any earthly reward they gained from this blind trust. Instead, they met a young boy born to lowly Jews, but they were radically bettered forever. In fact, Scripture confirms that the wise men pledged their souls to Christ, worshipping him, and protecting Him from King Herod:&nbsp;
&ldquo;[Herod] sent [the wise men] to Bethlehem and said, &lsquo;Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.&rsquo; After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.&rdquo;
We are granted the same opportunity to pursue Hope, even if we aren&rsquo;t promised worldly possessions or fame. Hope doesn&rsquo;t need a bonus package or special add-ons to fill our hearts with love and light that brings us joy, no matter our lot in life. Hope only needs a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, a baby committed to experiencing sacrificial death, then shedding grave clothes for mankind to know eternal peace.&nbsp;
What a beautiful reason to celebrate the true meaning and hope of this Christmas season!&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As Christmas approaches, take a few moments as a family to discuss the importance of the nativity scene and consider age-appropriate crafts and devotionals centered on its significance.&nbsp;
Further Reading: Matthew 2 <a href="https://www.ibelieve.com/holidays/who-is-really-coming-to-town.html">Who Is Really Coming to Town</a>

Hope Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/16b7b217-a174-4693-b7e8-b3b1014d79ed/transcript

Interrupting the Cycle of Negative Thinking

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