Features, articles, devotionals, and videos about the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas, advent, and the Christian celebration of Christmas Copyright https://www.crosswalk.com 2026, Crosswalk.com Thu, 08 Jan 2026 03:41:41 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/three-kings-day-traditions-history-and-meaning.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/three-kings-day-traditions-history-and-meaning.html Christianity.com Editorial Staff https://www.crosswalk.com/author/christianitycom-editorial-staff/ Discover the rich history, traditions, and significance of Three Kings Day. Explore the cultural celebrations and Bible meanings of this beloved holiday. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:10:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:41:41-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/dos-and-donts-to-comfort-the-grieving.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/dos-and-donts-to-comfort-the-grieving.html Sue Schlesman https://www.crosswalk.com/author/sue-schlesman/ Holiday times are especially difficult for anyone who is grieving the loss of a family member or friend. Whether someone you care about is mourning a death, divorce, job loss, disease, or estrangement, grief strikes hardest on the special days, like birthdays and holidays. Some of the people you will encounter this holiday season are bravely navigating a season they’re dreading. Traditions bring memories to the surface; celebration reminds many people about the love they’ve lost or never had. Non-grieving individuals need to approach their friends and family with care and compassion during the holiday season.Perhaps you feel nervous or anxious about comforting someone who is grieving. You might be worried about setting them off. Maybe if you ask how they’re doing, they’ll start crying or expressing their anger. Comfort is delicate and nuanced, so keep in mind a few observations about comfort…Photo Credit: © Getty Images/tommaso79  Wed, 24 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:41:41-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/why-biblically-accurate-angel-christmas-tree-toppers-will-surprise-you.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/why-biblically-accurate-angel-christmas-tree-toppers-will-surprise-you.html Whitney Hopler https://www.crosswalk.com/author/whitney-hopler/ The tradition of decorating Christmas trees has been an essential part of the holiday season for centuries. At the top of many Christmas trees sits an angel – a symbol of the heavenly hosts who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds on that first Christmas night. For many people, these angelic tree toppers are gentle, comforting figures with serene expressions, soft robes, and delicate wings. However, a surprising trend has emerged in recent years, driven by viral memes and internet culture: using biblically accurate angels as Christmas tree toppers.These biblically accurate angels are far from the cute and comforting cherubs people have grown accustomed to seeing on Christmas trees. Instead, they’re mysterious, awe-inspiring, and sometimes so frightening that they tell people who see them not to be afraid. These angels, as described in the Bible, can feature multiple wings, eyes covering their bodies, and wheels within wheels. The resurgence of interest in these otherworldly beings challenges the traditional view of angels.Here’s why biblically accurate angel Christmas tree toppers will surprise you, and why decorating your Christmas tree with biblically accurate angels has spiritual value. Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Phil Vargas Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:35:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:41:41-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/12-days-of-singleness.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/12-days-of-singleness.html Liz Lampkin https://www.crosswalk.com/author/liz-lampkin/ “On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…” Well, in the context of the song regarding romantic love, these lyrics may not apply to singles. However, for the solo single, they are their true loves and can send themselves gifts or create solo memories that can be cherished for years to come. So, if you’re celebrating this Christmas holiday without a romantic partner, take some time to curate a list of things to send yourself in a twelve days of singleness holiday made especially for you.Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Anna Efetova Mon, 22 Dec 2025 22:36:41 -0500 2026-01-08T03:41:41-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/ways-to-teach-your-children-the-true-meaning-of-christmas-without-spoiling-the-magic.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/ways-to-teach-your-children-the-true-meaning-of-christmas-without-spoiling-the-magic.html Jaime Jo Wright https://www.crosswalk.com/author/jaime-jo-wright/ It’s hard to compete this time of year with all the magic and splendor of Christmas, isn’t it? As parents, we want to instill the truth of Christ’s birth and the hope of His coming, but even though it is one of the most brilliant God-moments in the history of this world, somehow the commercialism of Christmas makes it...boring. At least, that’s what I’ve heard kids say. The nativity is boring. Santa Claus movies are fun!How do we overcome this as parents? Can we? Christmas has become a fast-moving, glittery display that would make anyone with a thirty-second attention span happy. Sitting down as a family and reading the Christmas story has about the same reaction with many kids as if we offered to read them the instruction manual for their new Nintendo Switch.So let’s be honest. While we don’t have a VR nativity retelling to play, and we can’t travel back in time, there are ways to teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas without spoiling the magic. In fact, often it’s the traditions we create that become the Christmas “magic”, and the best part about the true meaning of Christmas is that it is very, very real!Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Kseniya OvchinnikovaHere are some ways you can consider creatively engaging your children’s interest in the true meaning of Christmas: Mon, 22 Dec 2025 11:05:41 -0500 2026-01-08T03:41:41-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/ways-to-keep-christ-at-the-center-of-christmas-when-life-is-loud.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/ways-to-keep-christ-at-the-center-of-christmas-when-life-is-loud.html Jaime Jo Wright https://www.crosswalk.com/author/jaime-jo-wright/ If your December feels rushed and restless, you’re not alone. This article offers 4 quiet ways to invite Christ into your Christmas—right in the middle of real-life chaos. Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:49:14 -0500 2026-01-08T03:41:41-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/mental-health/ways-to-help-your-children-have-a-merry-christmas-when-you-are-going-through-grief.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/mental-health/ways-to-help-your-children-have-a-merry-christmas-when-you-are-going-through-grief.html Vivian Bricker https://www.crosswalk.com/author/vivian-bricker/ Check out these practical strategies to help your family find merriment and healing amidst sorrow this season. Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:14:06 -0500 2026-01-08T03:41:41-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/mental-health/coping-strategies-for-the-holiday-season.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/mental-health/coping-strategies-for-the-holiday-season.html Vivian Bricker https://www.crosswalk.com/author/vivian-bricker/ Discover practical ways to find peace and joy during this season, from seeking spiritual support to setting personal boundaries and prioritizing self-care. Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:13:04 -0500 2026-01-08T03:41:41-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/ways-to-find-hope-when-christmas-doesnt-feel-joyful.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/ways-to-find-hope-when-christmas-doesnt-feel-joyful.html Jaime Jo Wright https://www.crosswalk.com/author/jaime-jo-wright/ My daughter told me today, “I’m just not in the Christmas mood.” Another friend mentioned last week, “I can’t wait until Christmas is over.” And yet another acquaintance said, “All I want to do is sleep and forget about it.”Christmas isn’t always cheer-filled, twinkling lights, families gathering with joy, and the sounds of laughter and goodwill. More often, if you asked the person next to you, they’d reply with something similar. Whether it’s from the chaos of life, the stress of making ends meet, strained relationships, the passing of a loved one, or the break in routine with too many things yet to be done, Christmas doesn’t always feel joyful. Sometimes, it feels like an interruption. Maybe a pain in the side. Likely, overwhelming.So, what are ways to infuse our Christmas with hope when it doesn’t feel joyful? Are there things we can do to alter our perspective, or to at least find serenity when life makes Christmas seem a bit too dark?Photo credit: ©GettyImages/svetikd Sat, 20 Dec 2025 18:30:29 -0500 2026-01-08T03:41:41-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/popular-christianity-qa/what-is-the-origin-of-the-christmas-tree.html https://www.crosswalk.com/popular-christianity-qa/what-is-the-origin-of-the-christmas-tree.html Glory Dy https://www.crosswalk.com/author/glory-dy/ The Christmas tree is a wonderful and historic tradition that we don our homes with every Christmas to fill us with spirit and to lay our gifts underneath. However, it is the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on the very first Christmas that we celebrate. Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:53:35 -0500 2026-01-08T03:41:41-05:00