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But this is not the way Christians ought celebrate Christmas. In fact, our greatest focus should be on
God.
When I was growing up our family was very poor. And since we didn’t have a lot, our focus was not
on what we would get for Christmas. Each of my siblings would concentrate on ways to make others
happy by making gifts from materials around the house, writing a lovely song or poem, or just
enjoying the presence of the company of family and friends.
Love has a way of warming up a house the way toys, presents, and money in abundance cannot.
Now that I am older and in a much better financial position than my parents were, I have the ability
to place a bit more focus on material things. But still, I have felt God’s calling to keep it simple and
teach my children—so they can teach future generations—that Jesus truly is the reason for the
season. If they learn that it is more blessed to give than to receive, even around the holidays, they
will be more likely to teach this biblical principle to their children.
I believe God will be pleased with that.
Recently, I was reading an article in the holiday issue of eMotions online magazine, where a few well-
known gospel singers, preachers, and Christian celebrities shared their Christmas traditions.
Among my favorites were the family traditions of Kirk and Tammy Franklin, and James Fortune and
his wife, Cheryl.
The Fortunes have a holiday tradition of having their kids go to the store and shop for the less
fortunate. “We look most like God not when we’re receiving, but when we’re giving and sharing with
others,” James Fortune tells eMotions.
Kirk and Tammy Franklin limit their gift exchange to 3 gifts. “In all, we want to remember that this is
Christ’s birthday, the greatest gift we can give is our life to him,” say the Franklins.
What about you and your family? What traditions do you have that honor God and reinforce the real
meaning of Christmas for your children?
Tell EEW Magazine's news & entertainment editors at feedback@eewmagazine.com.
God.
When I was growing up our family was very poor. And since we didn’t have a lot, our focus was not
on what we would get for Christmas. Each of my siblings would concentrate on ways to make others
happy by making gifts from materials around the house, writing a lovely song or poem, or just
enjoying the presence of the company of family and friends.
Love has a way of warming up a house the way toys, presents, and money in abundance cannot.
Now that I am older and in a much better financial position than my parents were, I have the ability
to place a bit more focus on material things. But still, I have felt God’s calling to keep it simple and
teach my children—so they can teach future generations—that Jesus truly is the reason for the
season. If they learn that it is more blessed to give than to receive, even around the holidays, they
will be more likely to teach this biblical principle to their children.
I believe God will be pleased with that.
Recently, I was reading an article in the holiday issue of eMotions online magazine, where a few well-
known gospel singers, preachers, and Christian celebrities shared their Christmas traditions.
Among my favorites were the family traditions of Kirk and Tammy Franklin, and James Fortune and
his wife, Cheryl.
The Fortunes have a holiday tradition of having their kids go to the store and shop for the less
fortunate. “We look most like God not when we’re receiving, but when we’re giving and sharing with
others,” James Fortune tells eMotions.
Kirk and Tammy Franklin limit their gift exchange to 3 gifts. “In all, we want to remember that this is
Christ’s birthday, the greatest gift we can give is our life to him,” say the Franklins.
What about you and your family? What traditions do you have that honor God and reinforce the real
meaning of Christmas for your children?
Tell EEW Magazine's news & entertainment editors at feedback@eewmagazine.com.
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coverage of black news and black entertainment from a Christian perspective. For daily news visit our companion blog at buzz.eewmagazine.com.
coverage of black news and black entertainment from a Christian perspective. For daily news visit our companion blog at buzz.eewmagazine.com.
December 19, 2011
| EEWMAGAZINE.COM |
It’s easy to get caught up shopping for everyone
and stretching your budget to the max when the
Christmas holiday rolls around. These days,
trying to fulfill the requests from long, often
expensive lists, leaves families in debt around
the holidays.
and stretching your budget to the max when the
Christmas holiday rolls around. These days,
trying to fulfill the requests from long, often
expensive lists, leaves families in debt around
the holidays.
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Best Holiday Traditions to Remember Jesus' Birthday
Gospel Stars Kirk Franklin & James Fortune Share their Christ-Centered
Holiday Traditions
Gospel Stars Kirk Franklin & James Fortune Share their Christ-Centered
Holiday Traditions
By Trinity Jackson, EEW Editor
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