Welcome to the Further Gospel Podcast where we provide sound doctrine for everyday people.

I'm your host Kosti Hen and I want to welcome our listeners on Apple and Spotify and

those enjoying this on our YouTube video podcast format. This is episode two of our series five priorities

for a winning Christmas and last time we put Santa in his place we

emphasized Christ and this episode is all about family the priority of

family is the key to a winning Christmas now few things can be more challenging

than dealing with extended family during Christmas,

but this episode isn't about navigating the minefield of seasonal drama that comes with everyone getting together

under one roof or the gauntlet of doing four Christmases because mom and dad are divorced and remarried and the adult kids now have to run around everywhere to go to everyone's Christmas.

In fact, I would propose something you may find surprising

and even troubling if you have made your extended family an idol or your immediate family a passenger in your quest to make it the perfect Christmas

by going to do everything. Let me illustrate what I mean with a story. The names have

been changed to protect the identity of the innocent.

Troy and Carrie will call them are married.

They have two young kids ages 12 and 10 and it's Christmas time.

Troy's mother calls insisting that he make it a priority to

bring the family to her house this year after all she wants all the family photos

the white elephant tradition and the special baking session to all be maintained year over year.

It's kind of her world and we're all just living in it.

Meanwhile, Carrie's dad isn't doing the best health-wise.

It's difficult to see him as much these days because he's back east, they live in California,

and getting the family across the country during the holidays is tough and it's expensive. Now

...