Glitter, sparkle, lights and smiles mark the weeks leading up to Christmas, and now the day is finally here. Around the county, businesses have worked tirelessly to provide product and services to meet the needs of customers in one of the busiest times of the year, and there have been generous sales galore.
Generously, there have been fundraisers to help our neighbors in need and an effort to make Christmas special for those who are currently having hard times. Shopping events have combined sweet deals and community, schools and members of the community have sung, danced, played music, and braved the weather to bring a smile with Christmas carols. The line at the post office has been continuous, keeping postal workers busy weighing and measuring packages of goodies sent around the country and the world from our little town.
No doubt there are parents who have maybe been a bit exasperated with their young ones who keep trying to convince them to let them open wrapped packages a bit early. Fortunately, the time has come at last to let them, and surely there will be some happy campers and hopefully some laughs.

In all the business this holiday season has brought to your lives, I encourage you to stop a moment to peel away the trappings of tradition and realize the true meaning of Christmas: that we as sinners have no way of saving ourselves through wishing or by good works. But God in heaven chose to have mercy on us and provided a savior in Jesus Christ our Lord, to take our place of punishment if we confess our sins and believe on Him, then seek to do what He says to do: to love and forgive one another as He has loved and forgiven us.
It is the time of Christmas when the historic record is acknowledged that “today, in the city of Bethlehem, a savior is born, and He shall be called Emanuel (God with us).” That night long ago, shepherds witnessed a host of heavenly angels shining with light and singing praise to the new-born king, shouting Glory in the Highest – peace on earth, good will toward men…
For me, that is the true reason to celebrate this day of Christmas, and that celebration is year-long in my book.
Please enjoy the feasting and presents, the joy of knowing someone you know cares for you even if you didn’t quite like the gift they gave you. When the day is done, take the time to look around you at your neighbors and find something you can appreciate about them. In the next year, find a way to show them you care. When the opportunity arises, give them a helping hand, a heart-felt smile, or a kind word. Bring a little sparkle to more than just one day or season of the year, then maybe when you need it, you will find someone you never expected reaching out to you to help when you really need it.
In short, why not bring a little Christmas – and a little shine to share – to every day throughout the year?