Every December, I find myself circling back to the simple wonder of that first Christmas—when the Savior entered our broken world, not with spectacle, but with presence. No headlines. No wrapping. Just hope, wrapped in humility. A gift from the heart of God to a world desperate for peace.

That’s the kind of giving we celebrate in this issue of Boom! Not the frantic shopping cart kind, but the kind that brings people closer—whether across generations, across dinner tables, or across seasons of life.

At the center of this month’s issue is a couple whose story embodies that kind of love: Jay and Cheri Love. After 31 years of marriage, four grown children, and now four grandkids calling them “JJ” and “Lovey,” the Loves are still choosing one another—and choosing joy. Their story started with a Subway sandwich and a spark, and it’s grown into a life filled with family, faith, and fearless reinvention. From Jay’s time in public service to Cheri’s late-in-life leap into acting, their story reminds us that aging well means continuing to grow, serve, and dream—together.

And just like their Christmas traditions—sweet treats, scripture, photo-covered trees, and grandkids running wild—this whole issue is a celebration of what really matters.

  • In Give Your Grandchild a Memorable Holiday Gift, you’ll find thoughtful, creative ways to build connection across generations, whether through interactive play, service projects, or shared adventures.
  • Feeling a little overwhelmed by the season? This month’s Grumpy But Grateful brings the laughs with “Reindeer Wrapping Paper and Receipts from Hell”—a reminder that behind the chaos, there’s still magic in the mess.
  • Looking for that Griswold-style nostalgia? Our Mayor of Boomtown, Greg Budell, salutes Chevy Chase and the enduring legacy of Christmas Vacation. It’s a tribute to dads who try too hard, lights that don’t work, and the kind of holiday chaos that somehow holds a family together.
  • And if you’re hosting the whole crew this year, Deck the Halls with Laughter and Play offers fresh, inclusive game ideas for every age, from Exploding Kittens to multigenerational scavenger hunts. Because the best memories aren’t made staring at screens—they’re made laughing around the table.

But more than anything, this issue reminds us that Jesus is the center. He’s the reason we give. The reason we gather. The reason we still dare to hope. His birth wasn’t the end of the story—it was the beginning of ours. And the invitation still stands: to bring light into dark places, to serve others with joy, and to love deeply—whether that’s in a manger, a messy kitchen, or a crowded living room full of grandkids and glitter.

So this Christmas, let’s give in the ways that matter most: A phone call instead of a text, a memory instead of a receipt, a prayer instead of a panic, a heart open to the One who came to save us all. From our BOOM! family to yours, Merry Christmas—and may you rediscover the wonder of it all.