The Christmas Lesson: Unwrapping Love and Family follows a young boy searching for his holiday gifts who is discovered by his grandmother and learns the true meaning of the holiday from her. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

My grandmother, Granny held a special place in my heart. She wasn’t just a grandmother; she was my best friend. Our shared love for Christmas created some of my most cherished memories. The essence of Christmas, to me, was always about spending quality time with her, whether it was decorating the house or simply having conversations about life in general.

I felt a deep desire to honor our bond, but finding the right way proved challenging over the years. It wasn’t until I noticed the increased commercialization of Christmas, with stores jumping into the festive spirit as early as October, that inspiration struck. Witnessing this trend, which seemed to overshadow Thanksgiving and dilute the true spirit of Christmas, motivated me to do my part in taking action. That’s when I decided to channel my feelings into writing a book, The Christmas Lesson: Unwrapping Love and Family. Through it, I aim to pay tribute to Granny and, more importantly, remind readers of the meaning of Christmas.

When you think about the holidays, what is your favorite childhood memory that always brings a smile to your face?

The Tanglewood Festival of Lights holds a reputation as one of the premier holiday light shows in North Carolina. Granny and I had always planned to attend, but her fear of riding on the highway, given its 45-minute distance from our home, kept us from making the trip. Instead, we created our own tradition, exploring various parts of the city and delighting in the local Christmas light displays. Those moments, filled with oohs and ahhs, forged a deep connection between us.

Despite numerous invitations from friends to visit Tanglewood over the years, I consistently declined or came up with an excuse, holding out for the day I could share it with Granny. Sadly, that day never came as she passed away on November 4, 2010. It wasn’t until December 2016, when my daughter Haelee was nine, that I finally experienced Tanglewood for the first time. The beauty of the lights left both of us utterly amazed. Keyshia Cole’s song “Sent From Heaven” began to play on the radio just as we pulled up. Tears welled up in my eyes as I felt Granny’s presence with us as Haelee stared out the window in amazement. It became clear to me that my first visit to Tanglewood wasn’t meant to be with Granny and I, it was meant to be a shared experience with Granny, Haelee, and myself.

What message do you hope children and families take away from your story?

The underlying message is that the true gift of the season lies in moments shared with family while honoring Gods sacrifices in Christian households like mine. A similar sentiment holds true for non-Christian households, in that The Christmas Lesson emphasizes that the most valuable gifts life offers are the love that exudes from family and friends.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

The title is still in the works but Lamar will return in an upcoming book that focuses on mental health in children. The release date and title are uncertain because my current focus is on supporting Haelee. We’re collaborating on her debut poetry book. My goal in that sense is to ensure that her poetry book takes center stage as we enter 2024, particularly since it marks our first attempt at such a project.

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