Ep 1235 | The Robertson Wives Spill All the Secret Family Christmas Traditions

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Unashamed with the Robertson Family
Episode: 1235 – "The Robertson Wives Spill All the Secret Family Christmas Traditions"
Date: December 23, 2025
Host(s): Jay, Al, Zach, with guests Lisa, Missy, and Jill

In this festive episode, the Robertson family—joined by their wives—share the inside scoop on all their quirky, heartfelt, and faith-centered Christmas rituals. The conversation weaves humor, nostalgia, and spiritual encouragement as they reminisce, joke, and discuss how family traditions have evolved across generations. Listeners are invited into the heart of West Monroe for candid stories, touching memories, and the honest, laughter-filled chaos that is a Robertson holiday.

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Main Discussion Themes

The Beauty and Chaos of Robertson Family Christmases

Key Points:

• The Robertson wives (Lisa, Missy, Jill) join for a special Christmas episode.
• Early banter pokes fun at Zach's recent illness and the comedic dynamic between spouses.
• The group highlights the unpredictability and joy of Robertson family gatherings.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Did you say the women's presence? Presence or presents?" — Zach (01:21)
• "I didn't see the Christmas episode starting at this particular place. But that's the beauty of it." — Jay (05:01)

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Unconventional Christmas Gag Gifts

Key Points:

• Presentation and laughter over an oversized "Forever Roll" toilet paper gag gift, sparking humorous commentary about branding and culture.
• Robertson matriarch Kay is famous for creative gag gifts—sometimes so good they become new traditions.
• Gifts turn into illustrations about faith, eternity, and even product marketing!

Segment Timestamps:

• [07:33–12:30] Gag gift reveal and discussion

Notable Quotes:

• "This is called the Forever Roll." — Jill (09:04)
• "If you experience what Zach experienced, this might come in handy. Literally." — Jill (11:28)

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Establishing and Evolving Christmas Traditions

Key Points:

• The family explores how their own traditions have changed—from childhood through parenthood to grandparenthood.
• Traditions like Christmas morning routines, homemade meals, roundtable family storytelling, and spiritual reflection anchor their holidays.
• Encouragement to listeners: Traditions don't have to be perfect or long-held—they can start or change any time, suited to each family's stage of life.

Segment Timestamps:

• [12:08–15:49], [40:09–54:32]

Notable Quotes:

• “You can start a tradition anytime. It doesn’t have to be something you’ve done forever. You can start it today.” — Al (50:46)
• “There’s something special about celebrating with just your core family.” — Missy (41:37)
• "Every family has to figure out what works for them." — Missy (41:00)

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Experiencing and Passing Down Spiritual Moments

Key Topics:

• Jay recounts orchestrating a surprise worship experience for Missy: a Charity Gayle concert, turning a present into a shared spiritual encounter.
• Backstage with Charity’s band, Missy is moved to tears, leading an impromptu encouragement and prayer session.
• Emphasis on authentic worship and the way faith, music, and family collide for unforgettable memories.

Segment Timestamps:

• [15:49–33:53]

Memorable Moments & Quotes:

• "I don't know why I'm crying." — Missy (25:17)
• "You can tell when someone is real. And they’re being led by the Lord to do this.” — Missy (24:27)
• "When worship is done well...the person who's participating gets to just bask in it and enjoy it and not have to think about it." — Missy (31:33)

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New Generations, New Traditions

Key Points:

• Discussion of Max’s (Jay and Jill’s son) engagement and how new couples are shaping their own holiday routines.
• The importance of letting married children (and grandchildren) start traditions in their own homes, even if it shifts the “main event” to another day.
• Warm affirmation of flexibility and intentional time together, rather than rigid expectations.

Segment Timestamps:

• [33:53–40:09]

Quotes:

• “I’ve prayed for who he would marry...and to know he’s chosen a woman that loves the Lord with all her heart really is just the greatest blessing.” — Jill (38:20)

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The Legendary Robertson Family Sabbatical

Key Points:

• Zach and Jill's new post-Christmas "Sabbath trip" tradition: immediate family only, putting away phones for rest, prayer, and conversation.
• Designed to bring renewal and keep the focus on God and each other after a busy December.

Segment Timestamp:

• [49:03–53:02]

Quotes:

• “You can start a tradition anytime...It doesn’t have to be forever.” — Al (50:46)
• “We put up our phones, and we just rest with one another, and have deep conversations.” — Al (51:27)

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Honoring Family—And Small Acts That Matter Most

Key Points:

• The roundtable “favorite memory of the year” started by daughter Mia—now a cherished ritual.
• Family is sometimes about compromise, changes, and respecting each stage of life.
• Lisa’s “gentle but insistent” reminders: if you live close, you show up. Period.

Segment Timestamps:

• [54:32–57:52]

Quotes:

• “If you live in this town with us, then I expect your little behinds to be at our gathering.” — Lisa (57:40)
• “For us to just go, “Ah, you know, it’s just family.” No excuse for that.” — Lisa (54:54)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I hate Tom Hanks. Christmas—anything associated with—I hate Tom Hanks. I hate it all.” — Zach (04:52) (on catching a stomach bug during a Polar Express-themed trip)
• "Our culture tends to persecute people who put their faith, and yet they use the principles that are only found in the Bible, like 'forever.'" — Jill (09:09)
• “She actually answered a question I had, because I was gonna text her and say, did you happen to video that? Blackmail.” — Jill (06:53)
• “Raise up the intensity about three lines.” — Jill (31:29) (joking about Missy's passion for worship)

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Family Traditions: Timeline & Evolution

Growing Up:

• All-day Christmases split between both sets of grandparents
• Waffles, pancakes, and sacred “kids in pajamas” routines

Young Marrieds:

• Negotiating time with in-laws vs. nuclear family
• New home traditions: special meals, music, gift exchanges

Current Season (Grandkids, Married Children):

• Accepting not being together on the “main day”—celebrating when possible
• Grandkids start their own traditions; intentional time matters most
• “Sabbath” trip after Christmas (phones away, just family, reflection time)
• Roundtable storytelling of most memorable moments each year

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Reflections on Faith and Family

• Family worship and spiritual conversations are core to who the Robertsons are—public and private.
• Humor and authenticity drive their interactions, but everything circles back to gratitude for Christ and the bond of family.
• Listeners are encouraged to appreciate their own families, start new traditions, and prioritize togetherness and faith over perfection.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:15-05:01: Opening banter, introduction of wives, “sick day” stories
• 07:33-12:30: Gag gift revelation, laughter about branding and faith
• 15:49-33:53: Jay’s surprise concert for Missy, spiritual moments backstage, passing down musical faith
• 40:09-54:32: How traditions evolve—stories from child-raising, adapting with adult children
• 49:03-53:02: Robertson “Sabbath trip” tradition
• 54:32-57:52: Lisa preaches the importance of showing up for family; final reflections

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Final Thoughts

This episode embodies the “unashamed” approach of the Robertsons: raw honesty, abundant laughter, and a deep commitment to faith and family. Through changing traditions, growing families, and the unpredictable chaos of real life, the Robertsons find meaning—and joy—in every seasonal celebration.

"We love you. We hope you not only have a Merry Christmas, but a great New Year as well." — Jay (58:03)

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For listeners, this episode is an authentic invitation to cherish what matters most this season: family, faith, and a hearty sense of humor.

Transcript

[Al]

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[Jay]

Some people think nature is like this, but actually it's like this. Mother Nature's not all sunshine and rainbows. Nature can be hotter than a sauna and colder than an arctic skinny dip. That's why Colombia engineers everything we make for anything nature can throw at you. Columbia engineered for whatever.

[Jill]

I am unashamed. What about you?

[Jay]

Welcome back to Unashamed. The J's. The. The buzz and electricity in the Unashamed podcast studio is crackling this morning.

[Jill]

I think it's the women's presence.

[Lisa]

It's not crackling, it's cackling.

[Jay]

Did you say the women's.

[Zach]

Did you say the women's presence? Presence or presence? Because I see a present.

[Jay]

Yes, we'll get to that in a minute. I think it's both Zach. And Zach is back as well. So we welcome, first of all, Jill to the podcast. Looking very Christmassy, if you're watching. We got Lisa and we got Missy. This is the official Christmas episode of Unashamed. We're super excited because this is. This will be airing a couple of days before Christmas. So we're super excited to have the ladies with us and. And Zach, right off the bat, we were having a conversation before we came home because the last two podcasts we did, you, for the first time ever, I think, called in sick the day of the podcast and Missy stepped in.

[Missy]

I thought it was because I was on again.

[Jay]

Yeah, Missy said it was because she was on. She says there's a history of you not coming on when she's on.

[Zach]

Were y' all skept? So you were skeptical that I wasn't actually sick?

[Jay]

I was just skeptical that it might have been questioned. I don't know.

[Jill]

I would say I'm guilty of that. That did cross my mind.

[Jay]

It may have been questioned. Yeah.

[Al]

Well, listen, I can tell you this man was sick. So sick. I hate to. I mean, I just have to say this, but Say it.

[Jill]

Say it.

[Jay]

Say it.

[Zach]

I don't think you should say it. I don't know what you're going to say. But don't.

[Al]

The sound that was coming from him was something I have never heard in my entire life. I will just tell you. The stomach virus hit our family pretty hard. And.

[Lisa]

But.

[Al]

But I've never in my life. And I've. You know, I have five kids. So I'm always about this.

[Jill]

Can you give us. Yeah. Give us some sound effects.

[Lisa]

Okay.

[Al]

If I.

[Jay]

If I was.

[Zach]

I thought this was a Christmas episode.

[Missy]

It was something like this.

[Lisa]

For.

[Al]

For like 10 minutes. I mean I'm not. I'm not exaggerating from what body part?

[Zach]

My mouth?

[Lisa]

We're not sure.

[Jill]

Ye.

[Zach]

It's just vomiting. It's just vomiting.

[Jay]

It sounds like a truck. Jake breaking on the highway.

[Al]

From the sound and the smells. I don't know. There could have been all kinds of stuff going on.

[Zach]

There's too much information.

[Al]

I'm just saying.

[Zach]

I had 103 fever. I mean it was just. I mean it was bad. We gone on this.

[Jay]

Did you ever figure out what it was? Did you have the flu? Did you have a bad burrito?

[Zach]

It came. I know The.

[Al]

The Polar Express got him. We'll just say this.

[Zach]

I don't want to say how much money she spent on. But we had this trip.

[Jay]

That's always where Zach goes first. If you notice that she's got a.

[Zach]

Family thing about an hour away from here in Bryson City. Tennessee. No, North Carolina.

[Al]

Family thing. What's the quote?

[Zach]

A family thing. So she got tickets on the Polar Express and so we did that. And so it was hot chocolate. And I mean the whole. I mean we've done that before.

[Missy]

Yes.

[Lisa]

Yeah.

[Jill]

Yeah.

[Zach]

That's a whole nother thing. But anyway, so I. Ruth was sick apparently while we were on there. And then. That was patient zero.

[Jill]

And then.

[Zach]

And then I. And we slept in the same bed that night because she slept with us. And then just. She's breathing all that just virus all over me and I'm just like soaking it in.

[Jay]

So you're telling me that the Polar Express turned into the Molar Express?

[Jill]

It all came right out.

[Zach]

It came out. I'm telling you. And now I'll never watch that movie again.

[Jay]

I'll never.

[Zach]

I hate hot chocolate.

[Jill]

I hate Tom Hanks.

[Zach]

Christmas. Anything associated with I hate Tom Hanks. I hate it all.

[Jill]

You've been transformed into the Scrooge he has. Wow.

[Jay]

I didn't. I didn't. I didn't see the Christmas episode starting at this particular place. But that's the beauty of it.

[Missy]

The only thing I can compare that to Jill when you said you've heard things you've never heard come out of your husband before is when I went on a mission trip with Zach, with your dad, Gordon, to Mexico, and it was a bad burrito.

[Al]

There you go.

[Missy]

And our hotel room wal. Didn't go all the way to the top. They were concrete, and it was all open in the top. And I could hear your dad all night long. And it was.

[Al]

That was it. That was the sound and a lot of moaning.

[Jay]

Like father, like son.

[Missy]

Your mom had to take care of him.

[Lisa]

The worst, because they eat stuff off the street, but we were. Yeah, they just eat stuff off the street.

[Zach]

You know, I didn't eat. I'm not that kind of guy. This was.

[Jay]

No.

[Zach]

When I went to Haiti, I mean, I brought my own, like, munchie bars, you know, I didn't touch any of that. Any of the food there because I didn't want to get Montezuma's revenge. But. But the worst part is I'm laid up after this, after that whole episode, and I still got the fever. I mean, my body's hurting every joint. I mean, down to my bones. I'm just in extreme. I mean, excruciating pain. And I hear Jill telling my sister about the episode, and she's like, I just couldn't help. It was just funny. I'm just back there laughing. So she's telling my sister that she's laughing at me in my pain, and that was probably the thing that hurt the most.

[Missy]

Wow. Marriage counsel.

[Al]

You should just be thankful. I didn't video.

[Lisa]

I did not.

[Zach]

I should be thankful for that. What kind of sick person would video their husband in such a vulnerable position?

[Missy]

That's right.

[Al]

I didn't. I didn't.

[Zach]

But I should be thankful for.

[Al]

Had I caught the audio of that. Just the audio.

[Missy]

Oh, no.

[Jill]

She actually answered a question I had, because I was gonna text her and say, did you happen to video that Blackmail.

[Jay]

I would love to see that tagline on this episode. If she did.

[Jill]

We need to add that to our sound button. The sound of make me want to puke.

[Zach]

Well, you know, I almost threw up on this podcast one time, and you were talking about a certain story, and y' all got a kick out of that. Yeah, I got a week.

[Jay]

We did make him. We did make him gag that time.

[Jill]

Yeah, he had a natural gag reflex.

[Jay]

Which was very funny.

[Jill]

That was when we stalked what we.

[Jay]

Thought was a cotton.

[Jill]

Oh, that's right.

[Jay]

That was that episode.

[Jill]

It turned into.

[Zach]

That's not. Let's not bring it Back up.

[Jay]

Well, so that's a perfect segue, Jason. Excellent segue. That particular story into. I brought a gift because felt like since we're doing a Christmas episode, that we should have a gift on set. So something nice and big and colorful. If you're watching with pink flamingos. And so this is for you because you can go ahead and open it.

[Lisa]

Because it came from my house, so why would you not have pink flamingos?

[Jay]

Of course. And BK wrapped it for me last night.

[Jill]

You actually gave us a gift that was in your house? No paper was in my house.

[Jay]

Well, Kay did that for years.

[Zach]

It's not a re gift, is it? Is this a re gift?

[Lisa]

No, not a re gift.

[Jay]

Yeah, one year, mom wrapped up her cat. Gave it.

[Jill]

Well, wrapped up. Anything around.

[Missy]

All right, babe, do you want me to do it?

[Jay]

Yeah, you do it. I just.

[Jill]

I just acquired a knife.

[Zach]

I got it.

[Missy]

Oh, my goodness gracious. I think from what Jill said, Zach needs this.

[Jay]

And what it could be. That's why I'm saying this was actually the perfect segue into this gift.

[Missy]

Oversized toilet paper.

[Al]

Oh, my word.

[Jay]

Oh, that's one roll of toilet paper.

[Missy]

Wagon Wheel. It is a wagon wheel.

[Jay]

And Jay's telling what the name of it is.

[Missy]

Wagon Wheels of toilet Paper.

[Jay]

Let Jase look at the name.

[Jill]

Here's the problem in our culture, in our society, for people that are listening this well, I gotta be able to read it. It says, this is the ultra soft. I won't name the brand. Cause I'm fixed to throw them under the bus. This is called the Forever Roll.

[Jay]

Forever toilet paper roll.

[Missy]

Which is not true because there's an end.

[Jill]

Hang on, babe. Look under in the little writing. You may have to put your glasses on. Big letters that says Forever Roll right under it. It says, go up to one month.

[Lisa]

Before changing your rolls.

[Jill]

This is my problem.

[Jay]

If you're using it, you got some serious dietary problems.

[Jill]

I appreciate this gift, Al. And I'm gonna leave the. Do not take the packaging off of this. Cause I'm gonna use this as an illustrator.

[Missy]

I don't have anywhere to put that.

[Jay]

Have you got a roll that'll fit one of these?

[Jill]

I have a place for this, Al. I have a place where people give gifts when I do things. Little badges and coins and buttons.

[Missy]

I'm not putting it there.

[Jill]

Oh, yeah, this is.

[Missy]

No, I'm not putting this there.

[Jill]

I'm putting this on my poker table that you want to get rid of.

[Missy]

In the middle of the room on top.

[Zach]

And then when.

[Jill]

Cause it's a conversation Starter Al. This is a gift that keeps on giving.

[Jay]

I knew it. Jace. That's why I told you.

[Missy]

But only for a certain time until it runs out.

[Jill]

Our culture tends to persecute people who put their faith and yet they use the principles that are only found in the Bible, like forever. We were talking about the resurrection.

[Jay]

I know how you loved eternal.

[Jill]

They're trying to make your money. They're trying to take your money that you make. Because look, you know why they did this? You know why this particular brand did this? Because their competitor has a roll of toilet paper called Angel Soft. They have discovered the softness of paper in the celestial world, despite the fact that no one has any evidence. Well, this is their. They said, oh, y' all have angel Saul. We have the forever role because they know the inner person has this longing to worship God, the eternal God. And this is. This is what we've done.

[Jay]

See, I knew James could turn into a rabbit, though.

[Al]

Is angels in the Bible? Anytime I read about angels, people are scared of that.

[Missy]

Scary.

[Lisa]

Scary.

[Al]

I don't think a softness.

[Jay]

In fact, Jill, to your point, after you saw an angel in the Bible, you might need this role. You know, based on what I read.

[Jill]

Well, and I will admit this is a great conversation starter. But if you experience what Zach experienced, this might come in handy. Literally.

[Jay]

This might have been a weekend for old Zachy boy.

[Jill]

And I hate to tell you, Jill, as he as Z ages, the sounds that are going to come forth, they're going to keep coming in interesting ways.

[Al]

You know, we should get one of.

[Lisa]

These for Kay because you know how she's always so afraid of running out of toilet paper.

[Zach]

Yeah.

[Lisa]

I mean, it's like a fear. So like in the bathroom, she has 12 rolls of toilet paper on the back of the toilet because it's a fear of her running out. We need to get her one of these.

[Jay]

We'll get her one because I don't.

[Lisa]

Know where it would fit.

[Jay]

We'll get her one for her birthday because that was another reason I brought this out, to kind of help us talk about family traditions, which is somewhat. I want to talk about today because mom introduced gag gifts to the Christmas what, maybe 15 years ago, maybe further back.

[Jill]

This is not a gag gift. This is so far. This is the best gift I've received in this Christmas season.

[Jay]

Which is the beauty of gag is my favorite gag is are the ones that people love. Like, ooh, I love this. Like the first time Lisa gave sigh. Some body spray as a gag gift and we all laughed about it. Because it was one of the brands of body spray and size. Like the next year, he's like, where's my body spray? He was in expecting to get it because he loved it so much. So then it became a ongoing gag. Remember that, babe?

[Lisa]

Yeah.

[Jay]

So that's one of our.

[Jill]

So that's the theme of this discussion is our traditions.

[Jay]

Tradition. So obviously today we're talking about family and Christmas and all the things that brings in. And so it reminds me of our good friends at Family Research Council because they share the same values that we do. They love the Lord. Tony Perkins is a good friend. He's from Louisiana. This group is on Capitol Hill. They defend faith. They protect families. They remind leaders that biblical truth matters. Their statement is pray, vote and stand, which we love. So we want you to help out FRC during this Christmas season to keep defending what matters most. Visit FRC.org Unashamed to learn more.

[Jill]

While Zach was making these sounds, I'll tell you a story. Can I tell a story?

[Missy]

I don't know. What is it?

[Jill]

I have a story.

[Jay]

Tell it, Jay.

[Jill]

So I meet a guy at an airport. We're in like California, for crying out loud. And I always leave early and I guess today, as evidence, show up late. Which I had a good excuse for being late today. But just imagine a huge terminal with all the seats and I'm the only one there.

[Zach]

So, guys, there is a battle out there that too many good people are fighting alone. I'm talking about the struggle with pornography. You know, guys, we did a whole episode on it. I think it was episode 1197. You guys definitely want to check that out.

[Jay]

As you guys know, job 311 is one of my favorite texts. I've made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully. And so that's idea that we try to show is that biblically, this will destroy relationships.

[Zach]

Yeah, it's a real problem. And I'll tell you guys right now, porn is a trap. It will steal your joy, it'll destroy your relationships, and it will hold you back on your walk with the Lord. But I want to let you know there is hope. And I mean that. I truly mean that. There's freedom in Christ and there's help available right now. We've partnered with our good friends at Covenant Eyes because we truly believe in tools that bring accountability and victory into the light. So victory by Covenant Eyes, it's a game changer. It's the relationship first solution for overcoming porn and reclaiming your life. And it's designed to help you or one of your loved ones quit for good. And over 1.8 million people have found freedom through Covenant Eyes. And you can too. So for our listeners, we have a free 30 day trial for you if you visit Covenant eyes.comunashamed and then use the promo code unashamed to get that free 30 day trial again. That's code unashamed for a special free trial on your first month. Let's walk in the light together, guys. That's CovenantEyes.com Unashamed and use promo code unashamed.

[Jill]

I got there that early because I'm ready to come home and see my baby. And baby, it's cold, here comes.

[Jay]

I know.

[Al]

I was like, are we gonna sing?

[Missy]

Yeah.

[Jill]

Here comes a fella who's carrying what I believe to be a case for a musical instrument. And he kind of had a little hat on. He just had the look out of all the seats he could have chosen. He sits right in front of me.

[Jay]

And you got the whole thing open.

[Jill]

It's 4:45 in the morning. And I say, I have to admit you look like a person who's in a band, which was obvious. And he just kind of looked up at me and I thought, well, I guess he's a quiet guy.

[Missy]

You know, it is 4:45 in the morning and those people are.

[Jill]

I did the follow up question. I said, what kind of music do you play? And he said, I actually play contemporary Christian music and I am in a band. So you're right. He's like, what gave it away? I was like, well, I saw the case and figured, you know, it was a musical instrument. So I said, well, who do you play for? Because now that's my music. I said. And I pulled up my phone and I said all my songs, but about three old rock and roll songs. They're all contemporary Christian music. Because I was. Which I realized I set up a stressful situation here because I thought, what if he says, somebody I've never heard of, which could have been a possibility. But he said, no, I play for a woman called Charity Gail. And I said, well, wait a minute. That I have one of her songs as my walk up songs. I speak Jesus now this is.

[Jay]

Is she related to Crystal Gail?

[Jill]

No, I actually asked that. I was maybe no relation. And so I said, well, this is a couple months ago. And I was like, well, do y' all ever come to Louisiana? And he's like, actually, you know, we do. And he said, we have. There's a. In Alexandria. How far is that from you? I'M like, not very far. He's like, we'll be there December 14th. And I thought, let me check the duck season real quick. I looked at the duck season and it was during the split and I thought, I have my Christmas gift for my wife. It's not going to be a present. It's going to be an experience.

[Jay]

So I said, well, if you've never experienced Alexandria.

[Missy]

Yeah, exactly.

[Jay]

You don't know what you've been missing.

[Al]

One for a treat.

[Jill]

So for all of you who are just now tuning in, my wife is real musical. I knew she liked Charity Gail songs because we've sang together in the car and we passed these on to our kids.

[Missy]

Reed and Brighton have her playing all the time, so even our grandkids know her songs.

[Jill]

So I thought this, and I was going to keep it a secret. Well, as time. But I told him, I was like, well, I'm going to give you my number and. Because I may forget. And I was actually doing it because I thought if he just doesn't want me around because he didn't say a whole lot. He was kind of a quiet guy.

[Jay]

Do you think he knew who you.

[Jill]

Were at this point? I wasn't sure because I was looking at.

[Jay]

You might think him, this guy.

[Lisa]

Well, I mean, you were talking about what he looked like he was tapping.

[Jay]

Into his inner path.

[Lisa]

Somebody else.

[Jay]

Yeah, that old boy had a look about it.

[Jill]

Now I realize that me saying, let me give you my number because he didn't acknowledge he knew who I was up until that point. And it is weird for somebody to say, let me give you my number. Right. Because if I'd have been him, I'd have said.

[Jay]

Let me give you the email of my assistant, Bonnie.

[Jill]

I will confess my sins. I have given the old timey weather and time number as my number. I have done that. I'm repented of that.

[Jay]

Do you still remember the number?

[Jill]

No, but we shut that down.

[Jay]

We shut it down.

[Missy]

What is that?

[Jill]

Well, it's no longer in service, but.

[Missy]

Oh.

[Lisa]

Because we call it forever.

[Jay]

We knew it.

[Missy]

Yeah.

[Jay]

But now we forgot it.

[Jill]

So anyway, long story short, then I found. So he texted me about a couple weeks ago and said, hey, are we on? And I was like, he's serious. Yeah, this. I'm fixing to do this. So then it spoiled the surprise because when I said, missy, what's our plans? And she's like, well, Reed and Brighton are coming in a couple weeks before Christmas and we're going to have Christmas with them. Well, then I said, what's the dates on that. Well, they were in that time period. So then I called Reed and I was like, look, I had a surprise. Merry Christmas for your mom. But now y' all are coming. So y' all have spoiled my surprise. Unless y' all want to go. And I told him, and he's like, oh, we're in. That sounds great. Because I said it was not going to hurt my feelings if you don't want to do it. And so we all loaded up, which I had to break the surprise because I was like, babe, I want to do this for a surprise. But now it's still a surprise. But we're just doing it as a family. And so that's what we did.

[Missy]

It was fantastic. It was so, so good. It was. I mean, I love her. Her voice is amazing. Their worship songs are the gospel and they're inspirational, and they're just. They're so encouraging. And I mean, I Speak Jesus is what I think made her famous. But then. Thank you, Jesus, for the blood. Thank you for the blood. That song is just amazing.

[Al]

Just the gospel through and through and.

[Missy]

How we should feel grateful to the Lord for what he did for us.

[Jill]

Yeah.

[Missy]

And so I was. I just got really excited about it.

[Jill]

So I wanted. The whole reason I want to tell this story is because of what? No. Missy doesn't want me to tell this, but something happened. The opposite of what happened to Zach. This was a beautiful, spirit filled moment. Missy's not gonna tell it. Cause it's about her. And so I try. As we get closer.

[Zach]

Yeah, my mind went somewhere else, but go ahead.

[Lisa]

We are available online if y' all need us.

[Jill]

As we got closer. Look, I actually shared this last night. We had our little round table that my daughter designed that we ate supper together and we had.

[Jay]

That's a new tradition.

[Jill]

Yeah, I know, but I want to.

[Missy]

Talk about that too.

[Jill]

I'm setting up the drama of what I'm fixing to. It was like, best memorable moments of the year. And I actually shared last night with my family at the direction of my daughter. This was a memorable moment that happened here of the year. And it was actually top five. I'm so proud of Missy. She's embarrassed. She doesn't want me to tell this story. So I'm texting back and forth through this process with my new guitar buddy, and I'm like, what time should we be there? Is there a chance we could meet Charity? I was just going for it.

[Jay]

You're just playing fanboy.

[Jill]

But it was all gray. He was like, you know, look, I play guitar. That's basically what happened. So I thought, well, let's just show up Jay now.

[Jay]

You know the conversations that happened with Bonnie.

[Jill]

Oh, exactly.

[Jay]

Before you missed.

[Missy]

Bonnie's the assistant. That's the one. You should be having the conversation.

[Zach]

Exactly.

[Jill]

I had gone off on an island, and I shouldn't have done that to this poor fella who's awesome. He's a great guy. But so we just. I just said, well, let's show up to the concert. So we get there and look, the people there that ran the church there, it was a Pentecostal church.

[Missy]

Pentecostals of Alexandria. And they were amazing, awesome.

[Jill]

Now, they knew who we were, and they treated us so, so well. And so we get there. Well, the security guy about, really, what was it, 10, 15 minutes before the concert, because they put us in the green room. We came through the side door, which.

[Missy]

Was also three toddlers in tow.

[Jill]

Three toddlers in tow. Because I said, look, we have three kids. During the text exchange, I said, we have three small kids, but they're well behaved. And he said, that's fine. Bring them. And I think they were the only kids there. But Anyway, so about 10 minutes before this all starts, the security guy says, would y' all like to meet Charity Gail? And I was like, sure. I mean, I wanted that the whole time. Well, we go up to where they were getting prepared, and it was a pretty large. Because you had the band. You had all the backup singers, which was a big crowd. They were all standing in a circle. When we walked into this little room, we went around and met everybody. Charity Gail wasn't there yet, but her husband was, because he sings with her. And so we met everybody. Then Charity comes in, and then we.

[Missy]

Were just the so personable. I mean, looked everyone in the eye and just. You can tell when someone is real. And they're being led by the Lord to do this. And they had. This was their 10th concert in 14 days. So they're tired. They're tired. They're fixing up for their last concert.

[Jay]

We've been there.

[Jill]

But Missy's right. I've been around a lot of celebrities, a lot of people fixing, doing an event with me. The vibe in that five minutes was these people love the Lord. They're serious about what's fixing to happen for the Lord. That was obvious, which is what led to what happened. For some reason, Missy just started talking, and I. Now I know her so well. When she started talking about a minute in, I thought, she's fixed to start crying. And a Minute later, she starts crying in her speech, and she's like, I don't know why I'm crying. And Charity's like, oh, it's fine with us. We cry all the time.

[Zach]

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[Jill]

There's a large group of people. The speech was awesome, babe. And it was about music and doing it for the Lord. And this is hard work. And you've done this 10 times in 14 days. She was kind of motivated. Yeah.

[Jay]

Giving them a little plow.

[Jill]

So after the cry, then the minute I thought, she's fixed to start preaching, then the sermon came, which was also.

[Jay]

This is a segment of Missy. We got the cry. We got the sermon.

[Jill]

I knew it. I was just thinking, yep, here we go. Because she had that look, and it was so.

[Jay]

She's saying it anymore.

[Jill]

It was so inspiring. Oh, yeah, we're getting there.

[Missy]

Not in the room.

[Jill]

Not in the room. But she did in the audience. And so then the sermon came, and then I looked at Charity, and then I thought, she's fixed to preach a sermon, which she did and was wonderful. Just it kind of encouraged us as a family, and she had become familiar with us. And then she said, you know, after everything that's happened, she said, we do this before we go out. We all pray together. And we do. Everybody puts their hand in a circle and they did a little chant. They taught it to us. And so we had the prayer. We all went all in. It was kind of a 1, 2, 3, Emmanuel. I forgot the exact quote, but it was all about God with us. I'm telling you. When that was over, I was ready to run through a wall. It became like a corridor, a portal of heaven and earth in that moment. And so it just made the whole. I almost called it a concert, but that was the first thing she said when she came out. She's like, if you came expecting a Christian concert, I have bad news for you. This will be a worship experience to the Lord God all night.

[Jay]

What a great worship.

[Missy]

I was like, yeah, it was amaz.

[Jill]

And so it was a wonderful memory. It will go down as one of the greatest Christmas successes.

[Missy]

And to do it with Reed and Brighton and the kids, you know, and Brighton's pregnant. You know, like big pregnant. And she's due in April. And of course, that was one of the questions or, you know, talking about this fourth child. And Charity said as we walked out the door, she hugged Brighton, said, I'll be praying for you in April. Brighton said, I really believe she will. I believe she's going to pray for me in April, you know, to have this child. But can I say something, too, that's a little off subject? But just having the grandkids, who. Maris just turned 4, David will be 3 in about a month, but they're watching all of this. And, you know, you kind of take that for granted sometimes because we do this so much. We're backstage a lot, which is such a privilege to be able to meet some of these people face to face and really see their hearts, but they're seeing all of this. And even before that, we stopped at Raising Cane's to get some chicken because we thought we got to feed these babies before they can sit through a couple hour of worship session. And people in Raising Canes recognized us and asked us for pictures. And as we were getting to the car and so. And then even in the worship center where we were, people saw us come in. I look up one time and there's just cameras out. You know, it's like, okay, I gotta have my good resting face on. Because all the candid pictures are Being taken of all of us as our family walks in and sits in the pew. And then people are asking, Jace, oh, let me get a selfie. They're coming up to us before it starts. We're causing a little bit of a ruckus, which is not what we want to do in a place like that. But I'm looking at. Maris and David are watching this. They're thinking, I know they're thinking, why are all of these strange people wanting to take a picture with J Rock and Lulu? I don't understand it. You know, and at one point, Maris, even, she got in the picture and she said, I smiled. It's like, oh, great, somebody's around.

[Jay]

Oh, somebody's lacking that limelight.

[Missy]

Yeah. But I think that it's important they're just now going to start under. They haven't yet. But understand kind of that we're in a limelight situation and there is some. Some pressure to, you know, do the right thing, say the right thing. Not that I felt that in that room. I just felt the spirit lead me to encourage them because I love. That's my world. You know, singing, music, songwriting, arranging, performing. That is my world and I love it. So when someone does it really well, I'm like, bring it on.

[Jay]

Let us start crying.

[Missy]

No, no, no. Let us just like, bow. Is this the sermon or the worship of enjoyment?

[Jill]

This is an overview of it. Raise up the intensity about three lines.

[Missy]

When worship is done well, you don't have to think about it. And that's what they do. They're one of the ones who do it well. When it's done well, then the person who's participating in the worship on the other side of the stage gets to just bask in it and enjoy it and not have to think about it. And that's what that night was. It was wonderful.

[Jill]

Oh, she's right. There was one moment where Charity and three other women just stood forward.

[Missy]

They said, oh, holy night. It was amazing.

[Jill]

I don't even think they had any kind of music behind when they started and they started singing. And I thought, okay, if anybody ever doubted that heaven and earth is connecting through spirit filled people, which is the theme of the Bible, it was beyond just anything I can describe. I thought, okay, this is amazing.

[Jay]

Well, I like this idea too, of transition, which I want to hear about the other thing you guys did. But, Joe, I want to ask you, because you're on the podcast the least amount and we love it when you're on because this year you have. Max is getting married Max and Annabelle, which we've talked about a little bit with Zach, but we haven't heard your perspective on that. And I thought it was interesting because it's another idea emerging. And what made me think about them was yesterday. So I get, for some reason, for the last 20 years, I bought an LSU ornament yearly that I get. Every year has a year on it, and it's a different thing every year that they send me. So I've been getting them for years, but for some reason, they double it up, and they've been doubling up for years. And I figured that's just because they wanted me to give one away, which I have every year. So I decided this year I would send it to Max and Annabelle with them getting married, because Max is an LSU fan, the smart one in your family. And so I did that, and I was writing them a note about it. But I thought about this being their first Christmas as an engaged couple. And then, of course, next year will be their first Christmas as a couple. And Missy was just talking, speaking eloquently about worship. And they got married in a setting of singing, and. Because obviously that's the one thing Matt does. So what Max does. What was that like when that happened? Because we heard it from Zach's perspective, but I wanted to hear from yours in terms of him proposing and them being together.

[Zach]

I thought you said the marriage. I was like, wait, what? Did they get married?

[Al]

Oh, man. But, man, she is ready. I love it so much. It is a sweet season for our family. Talking about crying. Now I'm going to cry. But the engagement was so precious because, you know, music is Max's love. I mean, I would say it's his first love. And now, of course, Annabelle and obviously the Lord. But I've never seen him really be nervous with music. That's just kind of a natural. I know he gets nervous, but he doesn't. You just don't see that a lot from him. And so it was actually Laila's idea. She said, mom, we should plan an outdoor concert, like, with family and friends in Black Mountain, with all the people that we love and are close to us here. And Max should do it in the middle of the concert. And we were like, oh, that will be amazing. Because, you know, people are different. Some people would never want to be proposed to in a public setting like that. But Annabel is one of these. She is just. She is just a ball of joy. And she loves people, and she loves big groups and settings, which is good, because she's coming into a crazy family. And so we thought, oh, that'll be perfect. And so we planned it all out. Our dear friends have a big yard, and they basically opened it up for a pretty large. It was meant to be a little intimate gathering, but it was probably, what, 200 people?

[Zach]

Ish.

[Al]

Ish.

[Missy]

There was there. She thought it was amazing.

[Al]

Yes. It was so sweet. And we pulled a trailer up, and we decorated the trailer and hung lights from it and, you know, made it look so sweet. And she just thought this was an outdoor concert for friends. It was a friendsgiving because it was right around Thanksgiving time, and it was a friendsgiving concert, and that's what she thought it was.

[Zach]

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[Jay]

When Lisa got cancer, health cost sharing really helped us make the difference because there were so many things that were outside of the insurance scope that it tremendously helped us by helping other people be involved in our process and helping us pay bill, but also just praying for us, you know, and knowing that we have that spiritual community out there with us as well.

[Zach]

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[Al]

And so the morning of, Max was so nervous. I mean, he just was going. He was. He was like, y', all, I really think I need to practice. Can I just practice? And so we're sitting in the living room, me and Zach and Bear and Fred, our whole family, and Max is going over how he's gonna propose to her. And it's so sweet, because Zach stops Him. And he's like, okay, I think. I think you should say it like, this producer.

[Zach]

Producer came in.

[Al]

Producer Zach. He was like, I think. And he just added this little nugget. And Zach was like. I mean, Max was like, oh. Oh, that's good. That's good, that's good.

[Lisa]

So he.

[Al]

He ran it back and he practiced it again. And he's tearing up as he's practicing it for us. And so, of course, I'm just a mess. But it was just this moment of our whole life. Since I was pregnant with him, I've prayed for who he would marry and who he would spend his life with.

[Missy]

Yes.

[Al]

And to know that he has chosen a woman that loves the Lord with all of her heart really is just the greatest blessing. And so knowing that and going into that night, it was such a sweet moment. All of our dear friends showed up. Mia came in town. A lot of Annabelle and Max's friends from out of town came in town. And we had planned out so that anybody who she would know, like, it would kind of tip her off. We didn't bring them in until he had started the concert, and she was sitting right up front. And of course, he starts into this song. What was the song?

[Zach]

I'd never heard it.

[Al]

It wasn't a song he had written. It was a song that Annabelle loved. Oh, my word. I have to. I can't even remember the song. That's terrible. But the song is basically talking about this guy who is holding something in his pocket, like, special. I mean, this moment. And then he goes into the bridge, and Laila just starts taking over playing, and he calls her on stage, and it is just. It's just the sweetest moment, you know, and we did capture it on video, so it was special. But, yeah, it was just one of those moments for, as a parent, watching this and being able to say, man, I'm so excited about. This was such an answered prayer from the Lord. And to know they're not perfect. They're not. You know, they're going to have struggles. I mean, I know they're going to have struggles, but I know they both love the Lord and that that gives me the greatest peace. And I'm just. I'm so excited. She is so excited. I mean, I think she would get married tonight if we pull it off.

[Missy]

I want to be married right now.

[Jay]

So in our last. Last segment here of the podcast, I wanted to talk about the idea of kind of Christmas tradition in the sense of all of us, obviously, were children who had Christmas tradition. That then we became young married like our kids are now. You know, you guys had the first married couple this Christmas, and you start new things and then it evolves, and then we become the patriarchs and the matriarchs, and we see something totally different. Different or maybe just added to through the year. So I want to talk a little bit about that, and I guess we'll start with you guys, because you mentioned something about something Mia did, but sort of just, you know, in a few minutes, describe sort of the evolution of Christmas from when you were kids to early married and kind of merging of your family and then now what that looks like with kids and grandkids. So y' all go first.

[Missy]

Well, what we did early on, I think every family has to go through this is because we live in the same town as both of our parents. There was a time when, when the boys were little, before Mia came along, that we decided we weren't going to pack up on Christmas morning, take everything over to the parents house that they were going to need to come to our house, because we want to see our little kids run down the hall and their PJs, you know, all that, which is. This is kind of crazy, but Reed and Cole were such hard sleepers, we had to wake them up every Christmas morning. They did not wake us up by like 8, 8:30. I'm like, okay, let's get this party started here, you know. Now when Mia came along, much different. She hardly slept all night long. And she would sneak downstairs and look in her stocking and see what Santa brought. And so when the boys found out that she did that, they got mad. And so they slept in her room for probably 10 years before Reed left home to make sure that she didn't leave. They're such hard sleepers. She was able to sneak out of her room and go do it anyway. So anyway, that was just some of the stuff that we learned about that later. But what I was saying about every family needs to figure out what works for them. And which I've encouraged now Reed and Brighton to do, is have that. We decided to have that special core family unit with just us and our kids, and then have my parents come over a little bit later for waffles and pancakes and bacon and all of that, and do a gift exchange with them, because there's something special about celebrating with just your core family. And Reed and Brighton a couple of years ago were going through the same kind of pressure because they're in Nashville and they're like, we just really don't want to be at someone else's house on Christmas morning with our little kids. We want to be home. So that's why. And I encouraged that because it's very. As hard as it is, because I want to be there and watch those little grandkids run down the hall, too. But those are not my children, and those are very special moments, I feel like. So I encouraged her. That's why they come two weeks early and spend time with us on where we're at now. They're like, time with their. With Brighton's family this next week, and then they go home and we'll have their Christmas. But I think that's important because then you have multiple Christmases, and it's okay. It's okay. We may not all be together on the one special day, but we're together a lot during the year, and I think that's what makes our families special. What I love about our family is that we are very intentional throughout the year of being together.

[Jill]

Well, as evidence of what you just said, our daughter Mia, of course, she's a global traveler, but she tries to roll in and make an appearance when the rest of the family's there in some capacity. So she rolled in last night from. I don't know where she came from.

[Missy]

Dallas.

[Jill]

She come in. I mean, dad, my friends, they don't like their family. It is ridiculous. And I was like, back up, back up, Mia. Let me hear the context.

[Jay]

She's up, Aunt Jan.

[Jill]

I was telling. Yeah, she said. I told them I'm going to see my family because my brother's there. And they're like, what? I mean, you're driving all the way. It's my family. I love them and I like them. Which y' all should do. She was then getting into the sermon.

[Jay]

She got Jan Dash, preach.

[Al]

I love Mia. Mia is one of my favorite humans. She will tell you like it is, and you will love her for it. No matter if it's good news or bad news. You're just like, I love you.

[Jill]

And then she ended that whole speech by saying, I'm going on record. Not only do I love my family, I like y'.

[Lisa]

All.

[Missy]

Well, thank you.

[Jill]

And I said, welcome home, Mia. She's like, yeah, I don't want to play the piano.

[Jay]

Giant candy from plain strands of it. I like me. My wife likes me.

[Missy]

And she proves it because she helped me so much last night. And she's always the cleaner. She cleans up every night after we do dinner. She said, this is my deal. This is my. I do the dishes. But she. Her deal is wanting to cook some of these recipes as well. So she did the crawfish au gratin last night.

[Jill]

So good. Last night.

[Missy]

It was really good. Yeah. But she's the one who last year introduced because we have a round table, which I love, a big round dining room table so everybody can see each other equally and participate. She's like, we're going to go around and we're going to say our favorite memory. And last year was of 2024. It was like, oh, I'm kind of taken off guard here, you know, and so I was trying to think of it. And last year it came around to coal. And Emilyn wasn't there. You know, they're not engaged. They're not, you know, they're separate. She's with her family. He's. He's at our house. And he said, well, my favorite memory. Cole's very laid back, you know, doesn't say a whole lot. When he speaks, though. You should listen. And he said, my favorite memory of 2024 is what I'm about to tell you right now.

[Jill]

So we're like, very dramatic.

[Missy]

And he said, we've been ring shopping. So that was last year. So then I was like, whoa, this year is going to be kind of hard to top. You know.

[Zach]

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[Jill]

And that means full transparency. I own shares of Shopify and have for years.

[Jay]

Yeah, Zach Duck Commander has used Shopify for years to power their store, and it wouldn't be the same without them.

[Zach]

We used Shopify when we set up the blind and unashamed merch, and it even made customer service extremely easy as well. Did you guys know that Shopify platform powers literally 10% of all E commerce in the US and millions of businesses around the world? I'm talking about household names, you know, our family business and a ton of brands that are just getting started as well. And they make it easy to have an online store that actually looks good. You get your own design studio and hundreds of templates to match your brand style. Shopify has a ton of helpful AI tools as well. It's really cool. AI can help write your product descriptions, your page headlines, and even make your product picks look better. Back in the day, we needed a whole marketing team, but Now Shopify makes it look like you already have one. And the best part is that these guys are the pros at everything from managing inventory to international shipping to processing returns. If you're ready to sell, you're ready for Shopify. Turn your big business idea into with Shopify on your side, sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com unashamed go to shopify.com unashamed shopify.com unashamed.

[Missy]

And he, he's not here yet. But Mia said we're doing this anyway. So he went around and she just hearing everyone's favorite memory of 2025, which now mine. One of my favorite is their wedding. Cole and Emilyn's wedding. It was just beautiful and godly and blessed and just dream a dream. And so that was one of mine. You know, we got to all share. Even my parents shared. Reed and Brighton shared. And there's words really awesome. It really was, you know, like I'm tearing up at the table. So being intentional about listening to what everyone else's experiences were as adults has now become one of my favorite memories for sure.

[Jill]

Oh, it was fantastic.

[Missy]

It's a tradition now and it's your.

[Jay]

Youngest child that did it. Zach and Jill. What's something some evolution you guys have seen from childhood to early marriage to what you guys do today. Give us one.

[Zach]

I mean we implemented a new tradition about what six years ago that we did after Christmas.

[Al]

Yes. So I think one of the Sabbath trip. One of the things you said, Missy, I think rings true is the actual date and time is really not the most important. It's just getting, making a point to get together with your family. And of course when our kids were younger, it was we lived 13 hours from my parents. We lived in the same town with Zach's parents for most of our marriage of when our kids were young. So we would travel 13 hours for many years with four young kids.

[Zach]

We drive from Louisiana all the way up to North Carolina.

[Al]

Yes. And we would spend a week and it was some of our kids favorite memories were those times. But then in the recent years it shifted because we live close now we're able to actually have Christmas in our home. And it is, it's become such a special tradition. But the tradition that we started, and I say this because I think sometimes when you this time of year especially you get on Instagram or you tend to think that, oh man, everybody in the world has these amazing traditions. They've kept them up forever. We don't like, we're terrible, or we don't have it all together, or my decorations don't look like that, or whatever. The thing is. I mean, you know how it is. We're comparative. You can start a tradition anytime. It doesn't have to be something you've done forever. You can start it today. And it doesn't have to be something that lasts forever either. I think sometimes we hold onto traditions too long, and our kids have outgrown them, and we need to move on. But one of the things we started about. Well, in 2019, we started doing a family sabbatical trip every year right after Christmas. Like, we leave the day after Christmas.

[Missy]

You mean during duck season? That must be so nice for you.

[Al]

Yes, Missy, during duck season.

[Jay]

Did anybody else sense the bitter tone of that statement?

[Missy]

Sorry, go ahead.

[Al]

It's okay.

[Missy]

It's okay.

[Al]

And we go somewhere. I mean, usually we go to the beach, but it could be anywhere. It doesn't even matter the place, and it doesn't even. The goal is to get somewhere that's not. That's kind of isolated. And we put up our phones. Me and Zach put up our phones. All of our kids put up their phones.

[Jay]

I would have to see that to believe it, but continue.

[Al]

I will preface. Zach is the only one. He does get to have a checkpoint once a day to, like, make sure that there's nothing major or whatever. But by and large, we. We put up our phones, and we just rest with one another, and we have deep conversations. We don't watch. We will watch, like, a family movie, but we really don't have the tv like, we check out. And it has become. I remember the first year, our kids were like, what? What? But by the end of that five or six days, just. The whole atmosphere in our family was different. And now it's so funny. Annabelle came on our Sabbath for the first time last year. We don't let any extras come until our kids are at least 18. And that's kind of how we've done it. And so she got to come on the Sabbath trip last year for the first time, and now our kids, all of them, cannot wait. That's like, the. How they're like, we can't wait to put up our phones. We can't wait to just. And we use it as a time to talk about the new year and what, you know, our goals are gonna be. So it's kind of been.

[Zach]

And then we also listen to Duck the Halls every single Christmas season.

[Jay]

So, Missy, thank you for the support.

[Zach]

I always said that Is like the best Christmas.

[Al]

It is the best Christmas.

[Zach]

That and Alabama Christmas. Alabama Christmas album. Those are the two. The two albums that we have on repeat.

[Jay]

We walked into mom's house just day before yesterday, I think, and she was listening to it, so we were talking about it as well. Babe, we just got a couple of minutes left. Give a. Give one from us, from, from our family.

[Lisa]

So being married to a preacher, it's a little bit different at Christmas time. So our families both lived in West Monroe too. So typically on New Year's Eve, we went to my mom's. On Christmas Day we went to Kay's. But then once our kids got older, then, you know, we were like, mom, we're going to have to do this on a different day. We can't do it, you know, on Christmas Eve just so we could have ours. Well, then we started having Christmas Eve.

[Jay]

Service, which I was against, you know, because I'd have to do it.

[Lisa]

Yeah. So the problem with that is you have to get ready, go to church. So there's no time to cook your dinner. So you've got to eat out, you know, or, you know, buy something on the way home. And then you got to eat. Well, then the kids are just like, yeah, yeah, yeah. They're wanting to open the presents. And so. So this year I was like, let's don't, let's don't do that again this year, you know, because it's too chaotic.

[Al]

Yeah.

[Lisa]

And I want to enjoy the time or the day or, you know, that, that we're together. So this year we're doing it on the 23rd, new tradition. Because on the 24th, we have to go to the church for the Christmas Eve service. Now I'm saying that we don't have to go.

[Jay]

Did anybody else sense the bitterness in that time?

[Jill]

Some preachers, kids turn out to be.

[Jay]

The one in the fishbowl.

[Jill]

You took Christmas away from them.

[Lisa]

That's right.

[Jay]

And I was against it. But now I hold the tradition because after 20 years, I can't imagine not speaking on Christmas.

[Lisa]

Christmas Eve, it's really not. I mean, it's really not bitterness because I'm grateful that we get together.

[Zach]

I'm not mad at all, guys.

[Jill]

I'm not mad at all.

[Jay]

I'm kidding.

[Lisa]

But I did want to change it this year because I understand the kids frustration of not being able to, you know, to come home and immediately open presents. So this year we also have. Our oldest granddaughter is married. And so today they signed papers on their house. So they're officially Moving out this week and becoming real adults where they take care of all of their household needs.

[Jay]

They've been living with us for the.

[Lisa]

Last year in the big house, saving their money. But I told them, I said, now, look, here's the deal. I realize that you're in your house. You're going to be in your house. You want to do things, you want to. To, but you still have to come to family gatherings. So we're having a Christmas birthday party for Mama K. You have to come. We're having our Christmas on the 23rd. You have to come. You know, we're having Christmas Eve. I mean, and then Christmas Day, you know, you got to be with us on. So they're adults, Lisa.

[Jay]

They are adults.

[Jill]

I give you the backstory, Lisa.

[Jay]

I give you the backstory.

[Jill]

Look, I read that when we were coming back from the concert, and I said, boy, Lisa just gave a withering barrage to a family group chat. So I said, I'll soften it.

[Jay]

Now, you know where that came from.

[Jill]

I said, I'll soften it with a joke, because it's at our house. So I said, I was the first one to respond. I put, I'll be there.

[Lisa]

You know, that's what, you know. Lisa said, he'll.

[Jay]

I mean, you know what Lisa said? She looks at me and she said, did you see what Jay said? And I said, what? She said? She said, I'll be there. I said, he's trying to be funny.

[Jill]

I was trying to be funny. Lisa. I know.

[Jay]

Jason right over the head.

[Al]

Lisa brings people together. That's why we say, all right, babe, wrap it up.

[Lisa]

We're out of time. I'm wrapping it up. So here's my thing. There are lots of people across this country, and I've gotten a couple of texts already, who do not have family, who do not have those close relationships, who may live like you did, 13 hours away, whatever, who may not have a relationship with their family at all. We have that. That's a special part of our life. And to me, for us to just go, ah, you know, it's just family. No, there's no excuse for that. You have it. You need to be grateful for it, and you need to do everything you can possibly do to be a part of it. Now, understand, like Reed and Brighton, we're here at this time, and they're, you know, they won't be able to.

[Jay]

Flexibility.

[Lisa]

Right? They won't be able to be here to come back again. I get that. But I'm just saying, if you live in this town with us, then I expect your little behinds to be at our gathering.

[Jay]

So funny here.

[Zach]

Who's preaching now?

[Jill]

You saw it coming.

[Jay]

She doesn't cry, she just preaches.

[Lisa]

No, I will cry too, because I just love being together with everybody.

[Jay]

Well, let me wrap this up. We want to say the reason we had this the special edition is we want to say Merry Christmas to all the listeners out there. You guys are awesome. You're part of our family. We love you. We hope you not only have a Merry Christmas, but a great New Year as well. So thank you all for being with us. Thanks for listening to the Unashamed Podcast. Help us out by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcast. And don't miss an episode by subscribing on YouTube. And be sure to click the little bell and choose all notifications to watch every episode.