I decided 2 weeks ago roughly, I was going to release something for Christmas.

I’ve never had much Christmas Spirit myself. Everything commercial about it, I dislike with a passion. For a time, I used “the paganism behind the season” as a reason not to celebrate it.

The odd part is, the Lord showed me the heart of Christmas from a very young age.

My grandma had one of those figurine decorations where Santa visits baby Jesus in a manger. When I saw that at an early age, it made me believe that Santa was able to deliver toys all over the world in one night is because of the Power of Jesus. Yes, I believed that Jesus granted Santa power to get his sleigh and the reindeer to fly, to fill a single bag with millions of toys, to know which children were naughty and nice, and the ability to get into homes of all kinds without breaking the law or property.

I frustrated my family during Christmastime because I never wrote a list to Santa about what I wanted for Christmas. I wouldn’t talk to Santa in the mall. I wouldn’t even tell my family what I wanted for Christmas.

I think I only did it a few years, I can’t exactly recall, but I would wait until I got into bed Christmas Eve and I stayed up until midnight praying to the Lord. I asked Him to forgive me for all the naughty stuff I did all year and to help me do better next year. Then I told Jesus what I wanted for Christmas. I figured Jesus would tell His best friend Santa for me. I also thought whatever gift I got that I didn’t ask for, Jesus thought it would be best for me to have it. Talk about being confused the one year I got the first Harry Potter Book as a gift, but I didn’t question it. I just never read the book.

I could go into more detail about how that tradition died my fourth grade year, but I won’t. Let’s just say, I learned a certain individual wasn’t real and I’m not talking about Jesus. Needless to say, my Christmas Spirit was crushed for a couple decades.

As an adult, I realized I experienced something unique as a child many probably don’t. I learned early on that the Lord God provided and that all good things come from Him. That ultimately, Jesus is the best gift giver. I’m grateful to this day, I still believe in the Lord.

That’s the main reason why I wanted do something this Christmas. I want to retire from being a scrooge of sorts, so to speak. When Jesus Christ provides all the reason in the world to find joy! I’ve lived a blessed life.

And of course people create magical traditions with friends and family as they celebrate this season, but have we lost the heart and spirit behind the season?

TV Networks and streaming services make lighthearted, family-friendly romance movies. Hollywood learned Christmas horror movies fill up seats, but not as well as releasing Comic Book Super Hero movies on CHRISTMAS DAY! Kids get excited about what Santa will bring. And thankfully, there are tons of charities that make things better for the less fortunate.

How many families look at scripture every Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day, to sit and reflect on why the holiday even exists? How many people know that using Evergreen Trees, and putting lights on the Christmas Tree are tied to celebrating the eternal life Jesus brought to all mankind and to express His eternal light? How many people know the story of St. Nicholas, who most likely is part of the inspiration for Santa Claus?

This time of year, people should be more excited about giving than getting. And many are this time year. Who should be more generous than anyone else this time of year? Those who profess to follow Jesus Christ. If non-believers out-do believers in this area, this is NOT good!

Because without Jesus coming as a new born baby, in His first advent, then the crucifixion wouldn’t have happened, nor the resurrection, nor the ascension and then how could we be destined for our eternal home with God, once we believe in Jesus?

To help facilitate spreading this powerful message of Christmas Heart and Spirit, be on the look out for “To Be Westley: A Christmas Special”.

To Be Westley is a novella coming out in late 2026, but get a sneak peak at the characters and their world this Christmastime.

To Be Westley: A Christmas Special – Summary

Marissa Kota and her brother, Brighton, are newly orphaned a few days after Thanksgiving. Their mom was the only parent they ever knew and New York City was the only home they’d ever known. Marissa feared the system would separate her from her little brother, but to her surprise, their social worker found a home for both them, in the most unlikely place… Marissa’s estranged dad.

Travis took off when Marissa was just learning how to walk. She kept the only picture she had of him, holding her sitting next to her mom on a bench in Central Park. It was one of the few pictures from her childhood that her mother was featured in it and that was the only reason she didn’t burn it. Until she was 11, she dealt with her mom struggling with sobriety and going in and out of the foster care system because of her mother’s struggle. Travis allegedly left for not even wanting to try being sober.

If she had a choice, she’d refuse to go to Arizona and live on some Native American Reservation. But she knew how awful the system could be. Some people were good people. Most were just in it for the extra income and that automatically made them a bad fit. She wanted to spare Brighton from any of that torment. And Travis didn’t have to be good. He didn’t even have to be sober. He just needed to offer a place where Marissa and Brighton could stay together.

Travis Westley wasn’t textbook sober. He was a born-again believer who became a preacher and made a home amongst a community filled with generational addicts. Marissa could do chaos, but she’s never known peace. Maybe with Travis, she and Brighton will learn to be Westley enough to find the peace they’ve been looking for in a home their whole lives.

Why “To Be Westley” Now?

The family featured in “To Be Westley” has been an idea for a long time. Ideally, it would be an incredible TV Show. I’m talking Party of Five, meets Parenthood, meets Everwood. For now, this story will live on pages to be read, and no screens to be seen like TV. I never pictured using this family to tell a sort of Christmas story about finding the meaning of the season.

A lot of stories are about spending time with those you love. And that is good, but what about the people who don’t have family or are separated from them? I think the main story of Christmas is finding home. Jesus provides a forever home for all who believe in Him. And the Westleys are the family vehicle, in a way, that will show what Christmas Heart and Spirit is all about: Jesus Christ.

Shop Reverential

Please explore the shop. The Christmas Heart and Spirit collection is out now. To Be Westley: A Christmas Special will be free when released. Written form will be released here on the website and narrated form will be released on YouTube.

– Brianna Monique Williams, Founder and CEO of RMC

P.S. – if you’re wondering if I got what I actually prayed for Christmas Eve, yes, I did. I often got more than what I asked for. So God really does know what you’re going to ask for, you just need to ask. I also had an incredibly observant father and grandmother who were great gift givers! They are no longer with us on this side of eternity, but I’m so grateful for all the years I did have with them.

Support RMC

Nothing in the collection seems interesting? That’s fine. Or maybe you want to wait until the Christmas Special is out? In the meantime, consider watching and sharing the video below. Subscribe to RMC on YouTube (Facebook and Instagram too). And, can you guess how this video will be incorporated in the new story “To Be Westley: A Christmas Special”? First right answer may win FREE merch.