christmas Archives - Message Magazine

2025 November/December, Articles, HealthDecember 20, 2025<December 20, 2025

Clear Conscience, Quiet Christmas

by Delbert W. Baker, PH.D.,

It was a few days before Christmas. An elderly man named Robert sat quietly in his modest apartment, staring at a half-decorated tree. He…

A Holiday Gift That Makes A Difference - Ruthven R Phillip, Esq We have entered what some would call the most wonderful time of the year with holiday shopping, food, football, friends and family. It’s a time when we make list and decide on who will get what gift and how much they will cost. But this holiday season, i am suggesting you do something different and give a gift that can change a young person’s life or have lifelong impact. What I am referring to you may ask? I am referring to instead of making that traditional gift of clothes and toys, how about making a gift to that young person’s 529 plan for educational purposes. Sure!It is not sexy at the moment, but it can provide an education which will have lasting impact. What are 529 Plans: A 529 plan is also known as a Qualified Tuition Program which came into existence in 1996. Each program is administered by a state or state agency and allows contributions from parents, friends or family members on behalf of a beneficiary, usually a child or children into this fund. 529 plans are widely known as accounts in which funds are deposited, saved and used to pay for future educational expenses. While that is true, these plans can also be used tp prepay college tuition at a qualified higher education institution. How Does It Work : As mentioned there are two ways to engage in a 529 plan. The first is through prepayment of a child’s educational expenses at an educational institution. Contributing through this option allows for the prepayment of all or a portion of the child’s future college tuition at today’s rates which can protect against future increases. The idea is to lock in your 529 contributions and thereby your investing to an account which will mirror increases in tuition rates should they escalate. When you think about it, this 529 option seems likely to make the most sense, but there are some significant restrictions associated. Using the prepaid 529 plans means that they can only be applied to in state colleges. With a traditional or non prepayment 529 plan you are allowed to choose the investment portfolio. However, with a prepayment plan you are not allowed to choose your investments, since the plan manager is focused on ensuring that your investment keeps pace with raising tuition cost. Another drawback of the prepaid 529 option is that if your child does not attend college or chooses to attend an out of state college, you may face restrictions or penalties in withdrawing the funds. The second and more popular option is where you can choose your 529 contribution fund as an investment account in accordance with the managing agency options. Plan Flexibility : In the past these plans were more rigid, but with the passage of rule changes, you now have more options to explore. If you child who is a beneficiary has graduated and there is still money in your plan, that money can be used for another child even if they are not your own. The unexpended 529 money can be used to assist a cousin, nephew or other family members without tax consequences so long as it is used for qualified education expenses or for qualifying educational institution tuition. Let’s not also forget the money can be used by the parent if he or she decides to pursue further education. Another flexible 529 option is for you to convert the unexpended funds into a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Yes, under the SECURE Act 2.0 you are now allowed to convert that money into an IRA for your kids and thereby providing them with a jump start on their retirement saving plan. Further, you can leave the excess or unused 529 contributions in the account and allow it to grow tax free. There is no statute of limitation as to how long you can leave your contribution in your state sponsored plan which also allows you to use the plan for your grandchildren. Not only that, if you wanted to assist your child with their student loan payments; the 529 funds could be used up to $10,000.00 to do so. The Takeaway: According to the Education Data Initiative, only 30% of families use a college saving plan such as 529 to help prepare them to face the rising cost of education. This show that not enough people are taking advantage of this tax benefit from a state perspective, since in some states those contributions are deductible. This data also underscores the need for us to embrace an opportunity to give a gift during this holiday season, which can contribute to changing a child’s life. You might want to reconsider those gifts on your christmas list, and evaluate where you can have greater impact both now and in the future. WHAT’S UP! Today’s What’s Up is about getting money out of your retirement without incurring a 10% penalty. If you have received terminal medical news, you can withdraw from your retirement without incurring a 10% tax penalty. Before you draw down any money though, you will have to obtain a doctor’s certification. Also, if you live or have experienced a federally declared disaster, you can drawdown on your retirement without incurring ant tax penalty. And that’s what’s up! Ruthven R. Phillip, Esq., is a tax attorney, Stewardship and Philanthropy Ministry Assistant, and CEO of Give2Getrich, LLC. Give2Get Rich, LLC 2024. All Rights Reserved. Any distribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited.

FinanceDecember 2, 2024<December 3, 2024

Money Monday: The Kids Will Hate You for This Gift

by Ruthven Phillip

We have entered what some would call the most wonderful time of the year with holiday shopping, food, football, friends and family. It’s a…

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Articles, Grow your faithNovember 14, 2024<November 14, 2024

ABCs and 123s of Sharing and Shining

by Omar Miranda

“I don’t have anything to be thankful about at all!” Julie, a high school Junior, through tears, was almost desperate as she almost shouted…

Grow your faith, RelationshipDecember 22, 2023<December 22, 2023

He Didn’t Outsource His Gift

by Omar Miranda

Preparing for Christmas has been easier since my kids have gotten older. Now, instead of a hand-written gift list, they have a “wish list”…

Articles, Grow your faith, Message FeatureDecember 12, 2023<December 15, 2023

Got a Case of Christmas-Season Loneliness?

by Omar Miranda

“I’m really worried about my daughter!” The mother’s voice on the line was worried, but I could also hear some fear—maybe even panic. Before…

manger houses cityscape buildings landscape vector illustration design

Grow your faithDecember 25, 2021<December 25, 2021

Urban Revelation

by Carmela Monk Crawford

From the Editor: Ivan Leigh Warden, DMin, served as the associate director of the Ellen G. White Estate at the General Conference of Seventh-day…

Articles, Message FeatureDecember 23, 2020<December 23, 2020

Your Not to Do Christmas List

by Ruthven Phillip

This article is for you Christmas procrastinators. If there’s anything that will throw your spending out of control it is waiting until last minute…

Articles, Grow your faith, Message Feature, RelationshipDecember 17, 2020<December 17, 2020

Christmas Grief in Quarantine

by Pamela Pinder

This time of year brings back several good memories, and some sad. My most painful recollection is the death of my mother. Dec 20,…

Articles, Message FeatureDecember 11, 2020<December 11, 2020

Jingle Jangle and the Power of Representation

by Princess Knight

With Christmas Day fast approaching, families near and far are pulling out their favorite movies. Whether it be the very first Christmas film you…

Articles, Message FeatureDecember 25, 2019<December 25, 2019

The Other Side of Christmas

by Ronnie Vanderhorst

The clandestine escape from Nazareth to Egypt covered 487 miles, one way. He was a child on the lam, fleeing to Africa where He…

christmas

Clear Conscience, Quiet Christmas

Money Monday: The Kids Will Hate You for This Gift

ABCs and 123s of Sharing and Shining

He Didn’t Outsource His Gift

Got a Case of Christmas-Season Loneliness?

Urban Revelation

Your Not to Do Christmas List

Christmas Grief in Quarantine

Jingle Jangle and the Power of Representation

Let’s Just Be Friends

My Challenge with “Omnipresence”

Tuesday Truth for Youth: Tick Tock

Tuesday Truth for Youth: Vaya Con Dios!

“Were You There?” Overlaying the Trauma Feedback Loop

Not Every Attack Is Punishment: The Grounding of Trusting God

Let’s Just Be Friends

My Challenge with “Omnipresence”

Tuesday Truth for Youth: Tick Tock

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!