Caught up with Ted Winn about his favorite part of the holiday season and what he plans to do this year…

“My favorite part of the Christmas Holiday is spending time with my family
and celebrating my mom’s bday, which is ON xmas day.

My holiday plans are to go home to Memphis to spend time with my family, and to take some down-time to reflect on the year and plan for 2010.”

Popular worship vocalist Vicki Yohe hit me up to quickly let you guys knows what she loves most about Christmas and how she plans to spend her holiday season.  She says:

“Christmas is one of my favorite holidays.  I love the hustle and bustle of
the giving season.  I am a last minute shopper and I love to give!!!!

My holiday plans include spending time with my family.”

Keyondra Lockett (top right in picture) of gospel group Z’iel weighs-in on what Christmas means to them and what they have planned for this year.

“Our favorite part of the Christmas Holiday would be driving around the neighborhoods and looking at the Christmas lights. LOL.  For some reason looking at other peoples nicely decorated homes is comforting and relaxing… Silly huh? lol

Christmas for Aphten and Christina will be crazy ’cause they now have children, so THEY HAVE Toys R’ US shopping to do… lol

We will be at home this year, so we’ll be celebrating each other, our families, and passing out gifts (I need the three of you to save for my Prada bag) *hint hint*.

AS WELL AS… *Horn plays* Finally Working On the NEXT ALBUM! YAY…  Keep praying folks… ”

Melinda Watts checked in with GospelPundit.com to let you guys know what her favorite part of the holiday season is, and what she’s planning to do this year!

“My favorite part of the Christmas season is going to my parents’ house on Christmas Eve and having a very big dinner!  Every year we have shrimp scampi (a tradition) and all of my family brings different dishes over… We talk about our year and what we mean to each other.  I love it!

This year, my plans are different because I have a daughter now and my holidays will include a lot of Santa and wrapping paper!  I will be doing some concerts at houses in Sacramento during the week of Christmas.  I’m excited because they will be very intimate settings.”

The incomparable Karen Clark Sheard took a quick minute from her schedule to catch up with me about what she loves most about Christmas.  She also weighed in about her Christmas plans and… I kinda wanna hang out with the Sheards during the holiday season! LOL

Here’s what she had to say…

“My favorite part of the Christmas holiday (and this is a tough one, because there are so many parts of this holiday season I love and enjoy so much…), but to try and narrow it down, I’d say it’s the how the “atmosphere”, collectively, and nationwide, seems to change to that of kindness, peace, and love… and the desire to give, in all facets, at this time, seems so much stronger.

As Christians, of course we know, believe, share, and primarily celebrate God’s greatest gift to us: His son, Jesus.  Although there are those who don’t agree, believe, or even know this, for the most part, the Christmas holiday is the only holiday, I know, where people still (no matter their background or personal beliefs) seem to come together and really make a valid effort to at least “practice” some of what our Savior came to earth for.

Also at this time, it appears most people will at least acknowledge the awesome truth which I and my family consistently rejoice over:  He (Jesus) came to earth, born in a manger… just for “lil ole us.”  And so during this short time/season, the world, for the most part is just a little ‘different’, in a “positive way…”

Some of my plans for the Christmas holiday include: spending time with my wonderful family, who I love and adore, at home… enjoying each other and just having good ole’ fashion fun!

We love to laugh and we also play games.  And we’ll go to various events together over the holiday season (such as going for family drives looking at various lights and holiday decorations in the city, holiday shopping, holiday shows/musicals, etc.), where a lot of times, because of all of our hectic schedules, we don’t get a lot of time to do, as frequently as we’d all like, during the year.

My daughter, Kierra, and I also cook together, and have extra “girl” time! As 1st Lady of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, where my husband, J. Drew Sheard, is pastor, I also look forward to attending and supporting, with my family, the special holiday events we have at our ministry, such as:  our music dept’s annual Christmas concert, our Christmas productions/plays, our many auxiliaries’ community outreach programs, and other various celebrations for our youth and young adults.

This is also a time where I honestly do try and relax a little and get some much needed rest!  I’ll also be “gearing up” to promote my new, upcoming project, All In One, which I am so excited about, and I also hope you all enjoy!

I’m always ready for another new year of ministry and I am truly so grateful to God for each new year.

Happy holidays to everyone and God Bless you! Remember Jesus, celebrate Him this season, and all year long.”

I’ve got a NEW SERIES just in time for the holidays!  I’ve asked some of your favorite gospel artists what they love most about the holiday season and what they have planned this year.  Over the next week, I’ll share with you what they’ve said.  Deal?

First up, the GRAMMY-nominated vocalist extraordinaire, Sheri Jones-Moffett…

“My favorite part of the holiday is going to my parents’ for breakfast to watch my kids, nieces and nephews open gifts!  That’s my joy.

I also LOVE the fact that this is the ONE time of year when Christians and non-Christians alike share the same thought… GIVING.

I plan to do the aforementioned and have dinner at my Uncle’s house.”

In a few hours, I’m posting the first entry of a new series called ‘Tis The Season, in which several of your favorite gospel artists will share their favorite part of the Christmas holiday, as well as tell us what they’re doing this year for Christmas.  Check the site daily to see who’s sharing and what they have to say!

To kick things off, I’ll tell you MY favorite part of Christmas and what I plan to do…  My favorite part of the Christmas season is spending time with family.  My wife and I plan to visit our family this year and have a great time filled with laughter and love.

Now, here’s your chance to SHARE… and WIN some stuff!

Tell me:  (1) your favorite part of the Christmas holiday and (2) what you’re planning to do this year.

As a gift, I’m giving away FREE iTunes Gift Cards to 10 people who leave a comment.  Make sure you enter a valid email address when you comment.  I’ll select 10 comments at random, and I’ll email those folks with iTunes download codes for 10 free Christmas tunes courtesy of Integrity Music!

I’m selecting the names at MIDNIGHT, so make sure you leave your comment by 11:59pm Central Standard Time, tonight, December 17th.  You can always comment after that, too… you just won’t win anything from me but a smile.

GO!