Filmmaker Tyler Perry has gushed about about his newborn son ahead of their first Christmas together, insisting the baby has brought joy back to the holiday for him.

The Alex Cross star became a first-time father last month (Nov14) and he is looking forward to Christmas Day for the first time since his mother's death five years ago.

In a message on Facebook.com, the proud new papa writes, "This is the first Christmas in the past five years that I've been able to find joy. You see, my mother died December the 8th five years ago, and no amount of Christmas lights could replace the light that she was to me.

"But this year, in spite of myself, God gave me another light to shine in my heart right beside hers. God, thank you!"