Of a certain age...

I love the Christmas season in our small town of tiny lights and big hearts. It starts with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, when the city park is packed with happy faces, regardless of the weather.

That is followed the next day by the quintessential small-town parade, complete with dogs of every size decked out in Christmas greens and jingle bells, most notably the expected pack of corgis pulling their wagon. Santa closes out the procession and then greets the young and young-at-heart at the chamber office for hot chocolate, photos, and whispered longings of hoped-for gifts.

Thus begins a month-long celebration with lamp-posts, businesses and homes wrapped in twinkling lights, made all the more festive when reflecting off glistening snow. From sleigh rides at Black Butte Ranch to breakfast with Santa at FivePine Conference Center, from concerts of seasonal music to church services and Christmas pageants, there is something for everyone to celebrate the season.

Many acknowledge Christmas from the Christian perspective as the time to celebrate the birth of Christ over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem.

Others mark the coming of the light as we reach the shortest day of the year on December 21, and begin the move toward longer periods of daylight.

Some see the season simply as a time to gather with friends and family to share in the warmth of love with music, good cheer, and seasonal treats like sprinkled cookies and eggnog.

Whatever your reason for the season, please remember that for some of our neighbors this can be an especially difficult time. While we celebrate and indulge, there are those who are struggling - physically, materially, emotionally or spiritually.

It's not the presents or parties or shopping that make Christmas for me. The spirit of Christmas resides in my heart - not in harried acquisition of material goods for friends and family who already have everything they need, or in one more party with too much food and drink.

My joy comes from providing a little Christmas for a child in our community who otherwise might not experience the joy of opening a few presents on Christmas morning.

Each year I choose one of the tags from the Spirit of Christmas tree at Ray's Food Place that contains the age and gender of a child in Sisters who has been identified as being in need. There are a few items listed that he/she would enjoy receiving, along with sizes. The requests are often simple - socks, a small toy, mittens, a gift card.

The gifts are collected at the Sisters fire station, to be distributed to families in the community.

I always choose a teenage boy, perhaps because I have two sons of my own, but those are also often the last tags left on the tree. It gives me great pleasure to find just the right gifts to fulfill his wishes. I include one of the gift buckets from Sisters Movie House so he can take someone to the movies, an ordinary diversion for most of us, but a luxury for those with limited resources, and a way for a teenager to feel like one of the guys.

There are many other ways available right here in Sisters to reach out to others this holiday season and beyond.

For $20 you can purchase a bag of groceries at Ray's to help feed a family, or make donations directly to the Kiwanis Food Bank. Furry Friends Foundation has 2015 calendars for sale and accepts donations to provide food, services and supplies for local pets. Attend the Swap 'Til You Drop fundraiser sale December 4-7 at the Sisters fire hall, with proceeds going to the Spirit of Christmas toy and food drive. Shop at our local businesses owned by our neighbors.

Some of the most meaningful gestures cost nothing at all. Invite that friend or neighbor who is alone to join you for dinner. Visit your elderly neighbor and take her some home-baked goodies. Thank our public servants for all they do for us every day. Consider what you can do now and in the coming year to contribute to the quality of life here in Sisters Country.

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Feliz Navidad! Blessings!