The Gifts That Keep on Giving

Unique Christmas holiday observances that reflect the true reason for the season

This is the first time I’ve ever turned the tables on loyal Gospelcity.com readers. I asked the people who have faithfully written me over the years to share special and/or unique Christmas memories and observances. A few have responded with stories that warm the heart, renew our spirits and remind us that remembering the reason for the season is more than cliché.

Cleveland, OH resident and Gospelcity.com visitor, Ilka Cummings-Hall purchases family gifts throughout the year to avoid the chaos of Christmas shopping. Moreover, this Panamanian-American single mom keeps it simple, keeps it real and keeps it all about the Lord by spending Christmas Eve with extended family and friends at a gigantic potluck dinner representing all of the cultures in her family: Latin, Jamaican, Filipino, Mexican and some standard American cuisine. However, on Christmas day, Cummings-Hall takes an extended Sabbath to rest and reflect on the true meaning of the season. “I let my kids eat whatever they want, we pray and praise God and later we sometimes go to a movie, but the greatest gift is rest,” she says.

Reader Tanya White of Louisville, KY, wrote: “I am an elementary educator and also co-coordinator of our school’s Student Council. This year we had a toy drive for our local homeless shelters.Throughout the entire six weeks of the toy drive, I've never experienced such an authentic and innocent spirit of giving. The students brought over 500 items and the council members were extremely excited.They were more concerned about other children who were less fortunate having gifts instead of making their list and checking it twice.These students ranging from 5-11 years old have reminded me that the reason for the season is to be excited about giving to others just as God was excited about giving the world His Son Jesus!”

This year, Los Angeles writer, Byrd Albury received an unexpected Christmas gift. She wrote, “I think for me this Christmas will prove to be quite meaningful as I am reconnecting with a child I planned to adopt 13 years ago (her mom changed her mind). She is now almost 16, the last time I saw her she was 3. We have been conversing mainly via MySpace but we have spoken on the phone also.”

“I hate to be a party spoiler,” shares radio personality and preacher’s kid, MalaniKai of Atlanta, GA. “But we didn’t celebrate lil’ baby Jesus’ birthday. I only have great memories of the day after when dad would leave out really early and come back with a bunch of toys. They were unwrapped, but we didn’t care. They were the same toys the other kids had, but we just got ours a day later and a whole lot cheaper.”

The co-CEO of The Good Life Media Group and Gospelcity.com contributor, Djuan Coleon said, “The BEST Christmas I had was the one I did not celebrate; last year I stopped celebrating Christmas because I realized it was really Xmas. Christ was not born on December 25; he is not the reason for the season.”

“We’re having lasagna,” singer Naima Johnston’s mother declared on Christmas Day. “For once we’re going to eat what I want to eat. I don’t feel like going through all of the trouble of cooking a ham or turkey for the holiday. That’s not what the holiday is all about.” With that said, Naima and her family enjoyed the lasagna, praise and worship of the Savior and one another.

And because I love to have the last word, I’d be honored to share one of my favorite Christmases with you too.

One of my fondest memories was the Christmas holiday I spent baking cakes and breads as gifts and making candies like homemade peppermint patties, chocolate dipped pretzels and peanut butter cups. If it weren’t for the fact that I’d allowed many of my friends to sample what I made, I could easily be called a liar because I don’t cook. But this particular holiday, I missed my grandmother and wanted to do something special and a friend who lived in the country taught me how to make the breads and cakes as well as the candy.

No matter how you spend the day, my only desire is that you spend it with Jesus. Enjoy the blessings of His love and grace. Merry CHRISTmas and thank you loyal readers.

By: Robin Caldwell