Downtown Atmore looks fantastic for the Christmas holidays, doesn’t it?

While shopping at a local store the other night and as cars whizzed by, lights on light poles, the holly and ivy on the center pieces above Main Street and the little nip in the air set the tone for the upcoming holiday season for me.

This will be my third Christmas in Atmore, and I’m looking forward to all of the events I’ll be able to attend.

Starting off tomorrow, the Santa on Main event will be held downtown from 4-7 p.m. This event is an opportunity for visitors to check out what our merchants are offering, of course, downtown.

On Dec. 8, the Poarch Creek Indians will be holding their annual Christmas parade in Poarch at 5:30, and the Chamber’s Twilight Christmas Parade is going to take place this Sat., Dec. 9, at 5:30 p.m.

Before the parade, the 17th annual Toyz for Kidz Ride will be held. The ride leaves David’s Catfish at 10 a.m. rain or shine. Bikers deliver toys to needy families every year, and this is an event all should experience.

To cap off a season of events, the chamber is holding a Christmas After Hours at The Club on Dec. 15, from 5-7 p.m.

The holiday season is always a busy time of the year for everyone.

Last weekend, I went home to see a really good friend of mine who I hadn’t seen in a long while. It was fun to catch up with him and talk shop.

Then on Sunday, I went to my home church’s Hanging of the Greens Service. The service is dedicated to decorate the sanctuary with all sorts of symbols of the advent season, where Christians mark the coming of Jesus Christ in his birth and second coming.

As I sat there and let the music wash over me, I felt incredibly grateful to have grown up in a loving atmosphere. I thought back to many of my childhood Christmases filled with Christmas Eve services, Christmas Day services, family gatherings, meals, gifts and other great memories.

On Monday, as I was writing this column, I also thought about those who are needy and will not be able to have a Christmas. We all should be thinking and praying for those who are in need.

Before you know it, Christmas Day will be here, but let us use the time leading up to and the time afterward to count our blessings, and maybe be a blessing to others.