The presents are piling up under the tree—or, you’re frantically tracking shipping progress on Amazon. But what about the birthday boy? Do you have anything to bring to Jesus this holiday season? Better than a drum solo for a newborn baby, scripture unpacks four things Jesus would love this Christmas. The good news? They’re all within arms reach. Your praise, tears, prayers, and action are gifts that He treasures. 

Read the full length article [here](https://www.crossroads.net/media/articles/4-gifts-jesus-actually-wants-this-christmas). 
Find more articles by Caleb Mathis [here](https://www.crossroads.net/media/authors/caleb-mathis).

For many kids and teens, having a personal cell phone has become a right of passage—but that little device isn’t all fun and games. From Internet privacy to pornography, bullying to online gambling, cell phones can open our kids to a world of potential problems. How can a family navigate these issues, while maintaining the convenience of being able to text your kid about the updated start time for soccer practice? Author and pastor, Alli Patterson, stumbled upon the answer: the family phone. In this article, she unpacks how having a shared phone has allowed her kids to experience freedom while learning appropriate boundaries, all under the watchful care of their parents. If you're feeling pressured to get your kid a phone, try this first. 

Read the full length article [here](https://www.crossroads.net/media/articles/feeling-pressure-to-get-your-kid-a-phone-try-this). 
Find more articles by Alli Patterson [here](https://www.crossroads.net/media/authors/alli-patterson). 
Find the latest Crossroads articles [here](https://www.crossroads.net/media/articles/). 

Audio Articles Updated

“Feeling Pressure To Get Your Kid A Phone? Try This.” by Alli Patterson

Decades into following Jesus, author Caleb Mathis struggled with prayer. It often felt forced, unnatural, even boring. It was a muscle that needed training, so he borrowed the perspective of some of the greatest athletes, artists, and influencers in history—copy, until you can do it on your own. In this helpful article, Caleb shares five prayers from other people—some from scripture, some from later heroes of the faith—that he routinely uses to work (and strengthen) his prayer muscles. If your prayer time could use a boost, this article is waiting for you. 

Read the full length article [here](https://www.crossroads.net/media/articles/prayer-is-hard-copying-makes-it-easier). 
Find more articles by Caleb Mathis [here](https://www.crossroads.net/media/authors/caleb-mathis). 
Find the latest Crossroads articles [here](https://www.crossroads.net/media/articles/). 

“Prayer is Hard—Copying Makes It Easier” by Caleb Mathis

Early in her marriage, Alli Patterson had an affair. Looking back at that challenging time, she now recognizes seven red flags that she and her husband avoided, ignored, or swept under the rug. After the hard work of reconciliation, and with now 20+ years of marriage together, Alli shares those red flags, and what you can do to avoid those landmines and affair-proof your closest relationship. 

Read the full length article [here](https://www.crossroads.net/media/articles/warning-signs-of-an-affair-written-by-someone-who-had-one). 
Find more articles by Alli Patterson [here](https://www.crossroads.net/media/authors/alli-patterson). 
Find the latest Crossroads articles [here](https://www.crossroads.net/media/articles/).


“4 Gifts Jesus Actually Wants This Christmas” by Caleb Mathis

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