How notables will celebrate Christmas

Christmas is a great equalizer. For at least 24 hours and for many if not all of the days between Christmas Eve and the ending of Kwanzaa, most men, women and children, no matter what their station in life, are united by a benediction that transcends barriers and barricades. And when we asked some of the nation's notables how they intend to celebrate this magic time, we discovered a common thread in their different yet complementary aspirations. For whether they plan to ski at Big Bear, break bread with servicemen and women in Europe or celebrate Junkanoo in the Bahamas, they indicated that they intend to celebrate the ancient and ever-new message of peace, love, family, and hope.

THE REV. DR. GARDNER C. TAYLOR, who is widely regarded as one of America's greatest preachers

"I will be in Los Angeles with my daughter for Christmas. I believe that Christmas is primarily a family day, and if you're not going to be with your family on that day, you're perhaps not going to be with them ever. I will watch my grandson open his things, and that will be my joy and the memory of when I opened my gifts. I have enormous compassion for the people who have nobody at Christmas. That must be a terrible experience. I think Christmas should be celebrated with family because Christmas really marks the Divine Family coming among us in Jesus Christ."

Singer/Actress Whitney Houston and entertainer/husband Bobby Brown

"This Christmas season, as with all others, Bobby and I will celebrate the birth of our savior. That's what Christmas is really all about. For children, Christmas is a wonderful day full of surprises. Each year the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children hosts a party to reach those children who may be less fortunate. So that they, too, will have a smile on Christmas Day. See, it's all about giving."

Actress Halle Berry

"I'll be spending Christmas with our troops overseas. Last year, when I decided to spend the holidays with U.S. troops in Bosnia, Italy and France, I had no idea what a special experience that trip would become for me. Everywhere I went, our men and women in uniform welcomed me with open arms and told me how much it meant to them that I would want to spend the holidays with them. But you know what? They showed me so much love that I felt like the lucky one. It's true what the elders say: `The more you give, the more you get.' I know that sounds cliche-ish, but it feels so good to say you did at least one good thing during the holidays, one thing that honors what this season is really supposed to be about."

Congresswoman Maxine Waters chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas Sidney Williams

"We're going to have a Bahamian Christmas. All members of the family are-going to come down to the Bahamas where my husband is the Ambassador and we are going to celebrate what is known as `Junkanoo.' All year long, Bahamians prepare for this traditional holiday celebration, the cornerstone of which are two huge, joyful parades that recognize and celebrate the heritage of the Bahamian people. The first parade is held the day after Christmas and is known as `Boxing Day.' The second parade is New Year's Eve and begins at 3 in the morning. Afterward, there is lots of good eating. Most people serve the traditional meal of johnny cakes, stewed fish and grits. My husband will also be hosting a black-tie party at the Ambassador's official residence, where we will celebrate the joys of the season with about 200 guests."

Singer Brandy

"This Christmas I plan to go to Big Bear with my family to stay in cabins and try skiing. Then we'll go to Florida and spend time at Disney World."

Gospel Singer BeBe Winans

"Christmas is the time of year in which I celebrate the gift of life given to me by Jesus Christ. It will be even more special this year celebrating with my family, good food, and especially with my brother, Ronald Winans. Every time I lay eyes on him, I'm reminded of how precious life is and truly how good God is. So I'm spending this Christmas [being] a little more grateful."

THE REV. Willie Taplin Barrow, co-chair of Board of Trustees, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition "Family. That's my holiday plan each year. We have a family reunion on the holiday. We have a very, very close family, and I am from Texas. Most of our family is from Texas, and I'm on a family kick now. With all the things going on in the world right now, with the long-term illnesses and the whole health-care situation, we are encouraging each other to get closer and closer. We will all gather in Houston. They'll be coming from California, San Antonio, Austin, from all over. There are about 40 of us. We're a very close family, including my nieces and nephews, and I have one sister. My sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law are I also like our sisters and brothers. I think that the Christmas season ought to be about joy and love. Because when Jesus was born, the essence of his birth was salvation. I think that the essence of what we do must be the salvation of our communities, the salvation of our families, and the salvation of our cities. But it must begin with family first, knowing that God is the ultimate source."