Christian Artists Talk About Celebrating Christmas

"Our family shops early for Christmas so during the tour we would try to get some shopping time in on days off to take care of Christmas gifts to avoid commercialism. In our home we have a favorite tradition in our family where we draw names of an immediate family member and we have to make a handmade gift for that person that has a special meaning. We give that gift on Christmas Eve as well as reading the Christmas story from Luke. All of us love this the most and the handmade gifts are so special to us."

* Favorite Christmas smell?
BG - Mom's cinnamon rolls baking in the oven on Christmas morning!

* Favorite Christmas Carol?
BG - "Oh Holy Night"

"For the past few years we've purposefully kept the dates from Thanksgiving to Christmas open on our calendar. It's been so great getting to really focus this time of year on hanging with our families and celebrating what this season is really about.  My wife, Kandice, and I have two little boys both under the age of two… so this year we're looking forward to starting some new traditions around the house with them. It’s so cool to see Christmas for the first time again through their eyes! This year's most common Christmas smell will most likely signify a diaper change.... and with the lack of sleep around here lately I think our carol could be "God REST Ye Merry Gentlemen" (and women as the case may be.)"

"We'll be doing a Christmas tour this year so that means I won't be home for the first half of December. The plan at our house is to get the Christmas tree up by the end of November so we can have some good family time preparing for Christmas while I'm still home. Plus this will hopefully prepare me and get me in the mood for doing the Christmas tour."

"For the first time last year I hired someone to decorate the outside of my home with beautiful white lights. I have no plans to climb on the roof to hang lights, so I think I may call someone to do it for me. Especially since I've received a coupon in the mail today for a great discount! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Another thing that Heidi and I were planing to do is buy some gifts for a orphanage to pass out to their children. Our nanny was an orphan and her story of never having gifts or in most cases not even a visitor for Christmas drew tears to our eyes. We want to be a blessing to others this year and not so much buying things for our own children. They have a lot to be grateful for."

"I love the excitement and activity of Christmas. When we are on tour, I decorate my bunk on the bus and even bring a miniature tree to decorate the bus table. I watch Christmas movies and listen to Christmas carols. But I also try to honor the advent of Christmas by preparing my heart for the birth of Jesus. Each Christmas, our family participates in a mission project. Last year we all made gift boxes for the Shoebox ministry. Coming together as a family and giving to others helps remind us of the true meaning of Christmas."

"Every year, my family sets up our Christmas tree together and we usually set up everything else. But considering I have been traveling around Christmas time for the past few years, my mom has set aside a few things that we can do together since I am homeschooled so I still feel like I am part of the process."

"I shop for my family while we are on the road (all year long actually). My Mom and Dad take care of all the other Christmas preparations - that's the great part about being a kid!!

We don't really get crazy and do a lot of activities around Christmas. There is too much hustle and bustle, so we just try to get a lot of family time in."

"Shopping is a difficult task for me given our busy schedule, but I've made time each year, and in fact I've already started this year. Keeping the presents hidden from Malerie is the hardest for me! As far as decorating, this year we are starting a tradition in our home to dedicate one full day to get the house all prepared for the season. We get pretty excited. And while we share strong convictions to avoid certain American traditions that are on the commercial side of things (which would cause us to lie to our future children), we have a VERY Christmas oriented home. My wife LOVES snowmen! The fatter they are, the cuter they are in her mind."

"Being on the road and preparing for the holidays can either be a nightmare, or you can learn how to make the best of it. My wife sends out a list of things that our family put down for Christmas and sends it out. So, when I'm gone, I can always open up my email and see what our relatives have asked Santa for! Since, I'm always in a different city, I can look for things and shop.

I don't think we have a problem avoiding the commercialism of Christmas and the holiday season. We keep things really simple and fun and try not to forget the root of it all, JESUS!"

"In addition to a packed Christmas season of singing/songwriting/touring, I'm raising two kids with my husband, and I often find it is they who impart life’s most precious wisdom to us.

Years ago they were discussing upcoming Christmas festivities. I was in full-speed-ahead mode, hardly paying attention, but my interest was piqued as I heard my son trying to convince his sister that she didn't understand the true meaning of Christmas saying she was only in it for the toys. Four-year-old Abby turned to her seven-year-old brother indignantly and said, “Oh Zachary, toys are not my life, people are my life!”

 I was shocked at her understanding of this pretty HUGE concept! Now, each year at Christmas, we try to focus on that: people, not toys!"