You Don’t Have to Chase Christmas Magic - The Crosswalk Devotional - December 13

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You Don’t Have to Chase Christmas Magic
By Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

Editor's Note: There is no audio recording for today's devotional (12/13). Regular audio recordings will return tomorrow (12/14).

In Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi, Mickey wants to buy Minnie a gold chain for her watch as a Christmas gift, but he doesn’t have enough funds to buy it. At the same time, Minnie wants to buy Mickey a harmonica box for his prized harmonica, but she also lacks the money needed to do this.

After many issues arise for both of them in their attempts to gather the necessary funds, each one finds a challenging solution. As Mickey walks around town, he comes upon a toy drive, where he learns that he can trade his harmonica for a gold chain. Mickey is overjoyed and eagerly runs to meet Minnie with her gift. He hands Minnie’s gift to her, and her eyes immediately fill with tears. He had gifted her with the gold chain she needed to go with her watch, but she didn’t have her watch anymore.

She had sold her watch in order to have enough money to buy the harmonica case for Mickey. Their hearts are both filled with love when they realize the sacrifice they made for one another. This is true love, not a fabricated, self-focused love, but rather, a love that is sacrificial, genuine, and pure.

So, what biblical lessons can we take from these fictional, animated characters?

Intersecting Faith & Life

This story connects us to the very reason Jesus came down to earth as a baby. Out of God’s great love for us, He sent His Son to die for our sins (John 3:16-17). The Apostle John tells us, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). 

John walked with Jesus throughout His ministry, which helped him to develop a vast understanding of Jesus’ great love for humanity. He was part of the inner three and was known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23, 19:26, 21:7, 21:20). John was also present at the crucifixion and death of the Lord, which further added to his understanding of the Lord’s love (John 19:26-27). 

Throughout John’s writings, we see that sacrifice is a part of genuine love. There is no greater love than sacrificing your own needs, wants, desires, or even your very life for someone else. Jesus Himself extends this type of love to us throughout our entire lives. 

Christmas magic is often tied together with elaborate gifts, but Christmas magic naturally comes to us when we focus on Jesus. Out of the Lord’s great love for us, He sacrificed His life for our own (Romans 5:8). 

Follow Jesus this Christmas season rather than trying to chase after what the world advertises as “Christmas magic.” Everything we could ever need or want is found in Christ. He is our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord. The magical feeling of Christmas will fade away, but the sacrificial love of Jesus stays with us forever. 

Have you tried to chase Christmas magic before? What did this look like? How can you chase after Jesus this Christmas season instead? 

Further Reading: 
Matthew 6:25-33
John 15:13
1 John 3:16

How did today’s devotional speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Crosswalk Devotional discussion.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/eggeeggjiew 


Vivian Bricker author bio photoVivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

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Salem Radio Network Speakers

Larry Elder is an American lawyer, writer, and radio and television personality who calls himself the "Sage of South Central" a district of Los Angeles, Larry says his philosophy is to entertain, inform, provoke and to hopefully uplift. His calling card is "we have a country to save" and to him this means returning to the bedrock Constitutional principles of limited government and maximum personal responsibility. Elder's iconoclastic wit and intellectual agility makes him a particularly attractive voice in a nation that seems weary of traditional racial dialogue.” – Los Angeles Times.

Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher began his broadcasting career in 1978 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, he is one of the most listened-to talk radio show hosts in America, recently having been ranked in the Talkers Magazine “Heavy Hundred” list – the 100 most important talk radio hosts in America. Prior to being launched into national syndication in 1998, Mike hosted the morning show on WABC-AM in New York City. Today, Talkers Magazine reports that his show is heard by over 3.75 million weekly listeners. Besides his radio work, Mike is seen on Fox News Channel as an on-air contributor, frequently appearing on the cable news giant.

Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media revolutionary. He brings that expertise, his wit and what The New Yorker magazine calls his “amiable but relentless manner” to his nationally syndicated show each day.

When Dr. Sebastian Gorka was growing up, he listened to talk radio under his pillow with a transistor radio, dreaming that one day he would be behind the microphone. Beginning New Year’s Day 2019, he got his wish. Gorka now hosts America First every weekday afternoon 3 to 6pm ET. Gorka’s unique story works well on the radio. He is national security analyst for the Fox News Channel and author of two books: "Why We Fight" and "Defeating Jihad." His latest book releasing this fall is “War For America’s Soul.” He is uniquely qualified to fight the culture war and stand up for what is great about America, his adopted home country.

Broadcasting from his home station of KRLA in Los Angeles, the Dennis Prager Show is heard across the country. Everything in life – from politics to religion to relationships – is grist for Dennis’ mill. If it’s interesting, if it affects your life, then Dennis will be talking about it – with passion, humor, insight and wisdom.

Sean Hannity is a conservative radio and television host, and one of the original primetime hosts on the Fox News Channel, where he has appeared since 1996. Sean Hannity began his radio career at a college station in California, before moving on to markets in the Southeast and New York. Today, he’s one of the most listened to on-air voices. Hannity’s radio program went into national syndication on September 10, 2001, and airs on more than 500 stations. Talkers Magazine estimates Hannity’s weekly radio audience at 13.5 million. In 1996 he was hired as one of the original hosts on Fox News Channel. As host of several popular Fox programs, Hannity has become the highest-paid news anchor on television.

Michelle Malkin is a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, longtime cable TV news commentator, and best-selling author of six books. She started her newspaper journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News in 1992, moved to the Seattle Times in 1995, and has been penning nationally syndicated newspaper columns for Creators Syndicate since 1999. She is founder of conservative Internet start-ups Hot Air and Twitchy.com. Malkin has received numerous awards for her investigative journalism, including the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) national award for outstanding service for the cause of governmental ethics and leadership (1998), the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for Investigative Journalism (2006), the Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity's Breitbart Award for Excellence in Journalism (2013), the Center for Immigration Studies' Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration Award (2016), and the Manhattan Film Festival's Film Heals Award (2018). Married for 26 years and the mother of two teenage children, she lives with her family in Colorado. Follow her at michellemalkin.com. (Photo reprinted with kind permission from Peter Duke Photography.)

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You Don’t Have to Chase Christmas Magic - The Crosswalk Devotional - December 13

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

The Crosswalk Devotional updated banner logo

You Don’t Have to Chase Christmas Magic
By Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

Editor's Note: There is no audio recording for today's devotional (12/13). Regular audio recordings will return tomorrow (12/14).

In Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi, Mickey wants to buy Minnie a gold chain for her watch as a Christmas gift, but he doesn’t have enough funds to buy it. At the same time, Minnie wants to buy Mickey a harmonica box for his prized harmonica, but she also lacks the money needed to do this.

After many issues arise for both of them in their attempts to gather the necessary funds, each one finds a challenging solution. As Mickey walks around town, he comes upon a toy drive, where he learns that he can trade his harmonica for a gold chain. Mickey is overjoyed and eagerly runs to meet Minnie with her gift. He hands Minnie’s gift to her, and her eyes immediately fill with tears. He had gifted her with the gold chain she needed to go with her watch, but she didn’t have her watch anymore.

She had sold her watch in order to have enough money to buy the harmonica case for Mickey. Their hearts are both filled with love when they realize the sacrifice they made for one another. This is true love, not a fabricated, self-focused love, but rather, a love that is sacrificial, genuine, and pure.

So, what biblical lessons can we take from these fictional, animated characters?

Intersecting Faith & Life

This story connects us to the very reason Jesus came down to earth as a baby. Out of God’s great love for us, He sent His Son to die for our sins (John 3:16-17). The Apostle John tells us, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). 

John walked with Jesus throughout His ministry, which helped him to develop a vast understanding of Jesus’ great love for humanity. He was part of the inner three and was known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23, 19:26, 21:7, 21:20). John was also present at the crucifixion and death of the Lord, which further added to his understanding of the Lord’s love (John 19:26-27). 

Throughout John’s writings, we see that sacrifice is a part of genuine love. There is no greater love than sacrificing your own needs, wants, desires, or even your very life for someone else. Jesus Himself extends this type of love to us throughout our entire lives. 

Christmas magic is often tied together with elaborate gifts, but Christmas magic naturally comes to us when we focus on Jesus. Out of the Lord’s great love for us, He sacrificed His life for our own (Romans 5:8). 

Follow Jesus this Christmas season rather than trying to chase after what the world advertises as “Christmas magic.” Everything we could ever need or want is found in Christ. He is our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord. The magical feeling of Christmas will fade away, but the sacrificial love of Jesus stays with us forever. 

Have you tried to chase Christmas magic before? What did this look like? How can you chase after Jesus this Christmas season instead? 

Further Reading: 
Matthew 6:25-33
John 15:13
1 John 3:16

How did today’s devotional speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Crosswalk Devotional discussion.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/eggeeggjiew 


Vivian Bricker author bio photoVivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

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