In the weeks leading up to Dec. 25, anticipation builds as moments grand and simple fill the calendar. Parades, pageants, cantatas, twinkling lights and sightings of Old St. Nick stir the young and young-at-heart. For most, it’s a time of joy. It can also be a time of reflection, healing and renewal. In advance of the “big day,” events both sacred and secular add to the significance and remind us to relish things large and small that help make this “the most wonderful time of the year.”
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Related Photos
Miz Claus looks on as Santa points toward a child waiting to take a picture with them at tree lighting festivities Dec. 5 at the Columbus Riverwalk. Photo by: Jennifer Mosbrucker/Dispatch Staff
Ashlynne Hollis, 15, daughter of Wendy Hollis and Roy Hollis, sits on the Zion Church float while waiting at the Columbus Soccer Complex for the Columbus Christmas Parade to start Dec. 2. Hollis' aunt did her hair like Cindy Lou Who from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" to fit with the church's Dr. Seuss-themed float. Photo by: Jennifer Mosbrucker/Dispatch Staff
Kalani Jernigan, left, and Haley Edwards, both 5 years old, sing along to "Christmas on Candy Cane Lane" at Franklin Academy in Columbus Thursday. Kalani is the daughter of Keyatti Wells. Haley's parents are Bernard Edwards and Cherell Latham. Photo by: Courtesy photo
Seated in the balcony of First United Methodist Church in Columbus, Anne Russell Bradley, left, and Aislinn Kopp begin to narrate the White Christmas Pageant unfolding below Dec. 15. Photo by: Jennifer Mosbrucker/Dispatch Staff
The entire cast of the White Christmas Pageant sits alongside the nativity as the choir sings before members of the audience were invited to place gifts wrapped in white at the altar Dec. 15 at First United Methodist Church in Columbus. Photo by: Jennifer Mosbrucker/Dispatch Staff
Aaron Cornelius, a student worker at Mitchell Memorial Library at Mississippi State, adjusts an ornament on the Christmas tree at the library Thursday. Cornelius’ hometown is Natchez. Photo by: Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch
From left, Zamora Coleman, Kayleigh Handley and Kaaliyah Brewer, all 10, show off their costumes at Franklin Academy's "Christmas on Candy Cane Lane" presentation in Columbus Thursday. Zamora is the daughter of Tyesha Wells. Kayleigh's grandparents are Shane and Stacy Brown. Kaaliyah is the daughter of Qua'shonda Gore. Photo by: Courtesy photo
Emma Reece Massey, 6, visits with Odell, a 7-year-old dog at the Oktibbeha County Humane Society. The agency held an adoption event the weekend of Dec. 14 and found 52 animals new homes. Emma is the daughter of Randy and Tasha Massey. Photo by: Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch
Jen McCullough, left, and her daughter Anna Grace McCullough, 7, decorate a gingerbread house at Hollyhocks Gift Shop in Columbus during Wassail Fest Dec. 6. Anna Grace said she wanted to make it look like a "Christmas house." Photo by: Jennifer Mosbrucker/Dispatch Staff
The Christmas tree in Old Main Academic Center at Mississippi State makes Jonathan Black of Starkville smile as he passes. Black is an academic advisor and graduate student at MSU. Photo by: Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch
Doug Browning conducts a regional choir and orchestra as they perform Christmas portions of G. Frideric Handel's "Messiah" at Annunciation Catholic Church in Columbus Dec. 10. Photo by: Jennifer Mosbrucker/Dispatch Staff
Blair Edwards, left, and Mark Coblentz stroll past the Starkville city Christmas tree downtown Thursday. Photo by: Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch
John Rigsby of Starkville rings the Salvation Army bell for the kettle outside Walmart in Starkville Dec. 18. Photo by: Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch
