We hope people can appreciate that they are blessed to live in our region.

That is, if anything, even more true in December. From Candy Cane Lane to Santa’s Landing, Christmas parades in Hughesville and Loyalsock Township and elsewhere, the tree-lightings in Williamsport’s Brandon Park and in neighborhoods and borough across Lycoming and surrounding counties, the Polar Express and Will Huffman Toy Train Expo, Victorian Christmas and the German Christmas Market at Lycoming College, St. John’s School of the Arts’ Nutcracker and the Repasz Band’s holiday concert, our communities offer families so many different ways of celebrating the holidays.

None of this would be possible with volunteers’ time and efforts. All of this makes Christmas and the holidays truly special for the region.

We hope families take advantage of some — or all — of these wonderful opportunities. We hope the joy and celebration can teach our children — and remind older folks — of the love and selflessness of family and community. Of what we all cherish when we gather to mark Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and every special moment and occasion between.

We hope more so that the joyfulness and celebration can be cause to reflect on how we can better practice the virtues and values that have always given Christmas in Pennsylvania that special meaning. We hope the lessons Christmas and the holidays teach can inspire us for all 12 months of 2026, and for our children’s and grandchildren’s future to come.