Merry Christmas, From my Team to You! 

This week I’ve invited my staff to share a favorite tradition or memory, and you will not be disappointed! From a simple nativity set that meant something big to a little girl, to a Stretch Armstrong action figure that actually stretched so far it broke, enjoy the humor and heartwarming memories from my team, with a special note from me at the end. – Shaunti

Nicole Owens, Speaking Agent

I bet you didn’t know there was a ladybug in the nativity. There’s one in mine anyway. A small glass manger scene that I kept on my window sill in my childhood—ladybug included—would look very much at home in a flea market or secondhand store today.

This simple nativity takes me back to when I was a girl with so many questions. What happens when we die? Is there a God? I got confusing answers ranging from the biological (“We decompose,”) to theories (“Man invented God to make us feel better about things we’re afraid of,”) to comparisons that likened God to mythological Greek gods. I knew there had to be more than decomposition, fiction, and Zeus riding across the sky in a chariot.

These little figurines were beautiful to my little eyes. I think they also spoke a truth to my young, seeking heart. When I actually realized the real meaning of both Easter and Christmas as a freshman in college, it was such a holy moment.

I might just keep them out this year. I’ll tell the story to my kids. I’ll answer all their questions with truth and life. And I’ll tell them how God does ride across the heavens—but, like Deuteronomy 33:26 says, He does it looking to help us.

Eileen Kirkland, Staff and Operations Director

As far as Christmas traditions go, ours is pretty simple. After a season of get-togethers, volunteering, and church activities, we spend Christmas together, just the four of us. We don’t need fancy clothing (we stay in our pajamas all day, even for a nice dinner in the dining room using our Christmas China) and we don’t place expectations on each other. We can play with our gifts, watch silly movies, or nap. The only non-negotiables are sleeping in (yes, my kids did this even when they were young), and then eating homemade chocolate waffles while we open presents.

To me, our simple family tradition points to Jesus as the Prince of Peace. If you’re like me, it can be tempting to hurry through the season and miss this—ultimately “celebrating” His birth by being anything but peaceful. So on this day, we have what Jesus promises us: Peace, in the middle of whatever else is going on.

Amy Masaschi, Executive Assistant

My parents grew up in West Texas. Lubbock to be exact. If you’ve ever traveled west of the Caprock on 1-20 then you know how brown, flat and utterly desolate the plains are. But what the area lacks in topography, it more than makes up for in memories.

Despite weeping and gnashing of teeth from us kids, every other December we flew out to where the prairie dogs roam and the tumbleweeds blow. From Christmas Eve services at my grandmother’s church (an unusual European-style gothic cathedral) and dinners at Furr’s Cafeteria to browsing the aisles at Hasting’s music store, we city slickers made the most of a sleepy town. My brother and I dreaded it every time.

Yet, I look back fondly now on the unique experiences with my extended family. Today, my family all reside in Atlanta, and although it’s an equally special time of making new Yuletide memories, I wish my kids could experience the blessings of a slow(er) West Texas Christmas.

Especially the tumbleweed.

Samantha Griggs, Digital Content Manager

Each Sunday evening in December, a tight-knit group of our family friends used to gather in what can only be described as “organized chaos.” Over the years, Christmas lights fell due to our spirited, multi-family football matches. Children’s antics formed the backdrop to adults sharing spiritual truths. We didn’t know it, but our Advent tradition with family friends was forming unbreakable bonds.

Cancer showed us just how unbreakable they were.

One of the beloved dads from our circle fought cancer bravely before finding peace in the arms of Jesus five years ago. In one of our last conversations, Kirk imparted a wish that would forever change the way I viewed Advent. He asked for us to be a consistent presence in his family’s life. Our gatherings never were about maintaining perfect traditions but fostering a presence—being there for each other, in joy and sorrow. As I honor my friend Kirk’s memory, I am reminded of the consistent presence he asked us to have.

Really what he asked for is the essence of what Jesus holds out to us every day. Presence. He came as a baby more than 2,000 years ago. And He is with us always.

Kristy Floyd, Blog Coordinator

Every year, we continue a tradition my mother started for me: We buy ornaments that represent each of us for the year. In recent years I have found that this simple practice isn’t so much about each new ornament on the tree. Rather, the many ornaments collected over time reflect the growth, battles, promises kept, and the true goodness of God.

In our home we call the ornaments our Ebenezer stones, which refers to 1 Samuel 7:12 in the Old Testament:

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’ “

Thus far the Lord has helped us. We see it in our tree. We see it in our family. And my hope is that you, our readers, will see how God has helped you, too.

Laurie Davies, Lead Editor

Why I wanted a Stretch Armstrong action figure, I’ll never know. Most girls my age wanted Barbies. But TV commercials had their way with me and I wanted him. I coveted him. And one Christmas, I got him. The minute I read the packaging, I became a girl with a goal. Stretch Armstrong was billed as unbreakable, so naturally, I stretched, twisted, and contorted him into all manner of unhuman positions.

Then one day Stretch broke! And you know what? He was just full of gooey stuff.

Looking back, I wish I would have let Stretch just live in peace on my bookshelf. He would remind me that we have an enemy who tries to stretch us to the brink, too. Satan may stretch, twist, and try to contort us in this life, but unlike that gooey, gel-filled dude doll of my youth, we will always default to our position as a protected, treasured child of God.

If you feel stretched this holiday season, remember that the God is always—always—forming us into who He wants us to be. Unlike a certain 8-year-old girl, God never stretches us, or allows us to be stretched, in order to break us. He always, only wants us to grow.

Shaunti Feldhahn

Christmases in my parents’ cabin in the remote mountains of Virginia made for the stuff of postcard memories in my kids’ growing-up years. Nestled right up to Shenandoah National Park, the cabin was blissfully secluded from cell service. Our whole family, often including my brother and his family from Singapore, would gather in front of roaring fires in the fireplace while snow fell outside. It was simply idyllic.

Until one Christmas Eve when it wasn’t.

As we stood to sing the final carol at my parents’ little country church for Christmas Eve services, I looked over to see my almost 11-year-old son Luke was having a massive grand mal seizure. We had no idea that Luke had epilepsy.

His seizure subsided, but I can still remember the agonizing ride in my minivan, trying to keep up with an ambulance that raced through winding mountain roads to get Luke 45 miles to the nearest town with a hospital. Even though there was a long journey ahead, that Christmas there was a lot of gratitude that Luke was okay.

Times have changed for our family, just like they may have for yours. My parents sold that cabin in 2018, following my dad’s stroke, and he is now in heaven. Every Christmas since that one has been filled with gratitude for what God has done to bring all of us through. And at the end of the day (and the season) I remain convinced that gratitude is a game-changer for all of life.

Merry Christmas, friends. I am grateful for you. I never take you for granted, and it really is my heart to bring this blog—and all the communications from our ministry, whether it’s Instagram posts, Facebook posts, or new, exciting developments (stay tuned on that in 2025!) to provide doable, practical help for your lives and relationships.

May you find gratitude even in unexpected places this season.

If you are interested in having Shaunti bring research-based strategies, practical wisdom and biblical principles to your next event, please contact Nicole Owens at [email protected].

Transform Your Relationships with Kindness! Join the 30-Day Kindness Challenge and Embrace the Power of Positivity. Watch as Kindness Strengthens Your Connections and Creates Lasting Bonds.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn a small amount from qualifying purchases through these affiliate links. This doesn’t cost you anything, and helps us continue bringing you great content!