Now that families have gathered together to enjoy a warm meal and remember their blessings, it’s time to focus on Christmas.

Christmas — now just three Fridays away — plays an important role in our community. Many people, groups and organizations come together to make the holiday what it is in Oxford, and we’d like to thank a few of them for their efforts.

Anyone who has visited the Square recently has seen the beautiful greenery hung from balconies, lights strung across buildings, lit wreaths decorating light posts and the gorgeous tree glimmering from the courthouse. Thanks to the hard word and decorating skills of the Oxford Garden Club and the city of Oxford, everyone who visits the Square  area gets to experience our town’s spirit and holiday cheer. Those lucky enough to call Oxford home get to enjoy the beauty of our downtown throughout the Christmas season.

Merchants also have been preparing for the holidays — decorating their stores, helping customers find last-minute gifts and creating beautiful displays in their windows for all to see. We thank them for serving our community and helping our local economy stay strong. As you complete your Christmas shopping, think about what buying items from Oxford stores means to our town. Give back to the community by shopping local for presents, decorations and treats. Every time you buy something in town, you’re stimulating our economy and keeping tax money in Oxford that can be used to repair roads, maintain public parks, fund the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library and more.

Last, thank you to those in the religious community, who help us remember the meaning of Christmas and the importance of counting our blessings and giving to those in need.

We are blessed to live in Oxford and be part of a community that takes care of one another, whether it’s through a church, The Pantry, The United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County, Oxford-Lafayette Habitat for Humanity or Doors of Hope, there is always an organization willing and wanting to give back to the people of Lafayette County. As we switch gears from Thanksgiving to Christmas, we encourage you to remember the benefits you receive by being a part of the L-O-U community this holiday season, and thank those responsible for making our town the unique and charming place we enjoy each day.