I hope everyone enjoyed a warm and relaxing Thanksgiving. Now it’s time to get ready for the next round of seasonal observances. Hanukkah begins Dec. 22 so that celebration overlaps with Christmas this year.

And of course everyone will welcome in the new year Dec. 31, whether with partying, making New Year’s resolutions or just taking time to reflect on the year past and look forward to 2020.

It’s a busy season for everyone, but we hope you’ll find time to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas at your church’s Christmas worship service. Like most other local churches, St. Peter’s Union Church will hold a Christmas Eve service 7 p.m. at the church. For those who can’t make it out in the evening, Pastor Jerel Gade will take part in an afternoon service 4 p.m. at Huffs Church.

Upper Milford Mennonite Church will hold a Christmas brunch 9 a.m. Dec. 22, followed by a Christmas worship service 10:30 a.m. and a Christmas Candlelight service that evening.

Check your church bulletin or the church listings in this paper for information about other Christmas Eve services locally.

Holiday shoppers will have a variety of Christmas handmade items to choose from, including ornaments, jewelry, paintings, floral items (including fresh greens), soaps and lotions and quilted items at the holiday craft fair Dec. 7 at Faith Presbyterian Church, 3002 N. Second St., Emmaus. There will also be a bake sale, a food booth, a raffle auction and much more, as well as an all-day visit from Santa. All proceeds are donated to local mission.

Take a break from holiday preparations and enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet 7 to 11 a.m. Dec. 21 at Old Zionsville United Church of Christ, 5981 Fountain Road, Old Zionsville. There is a cost. For more information, contact the church office at 610-966-3011.

The Ladies Auxiliary of Citizens Fire Company of Vera Cruz usually meets 7:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month at the Vera Cruz Fire Department Social Hall, but since the last Tuesday of December is Christmas Eve, they will not meet then. For more information on fundraisers or how to join the auxiliary, email ladiesaux@vcfd28.com.

The Western District Fire Company on Route 100 will serve breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 5, 2020. For information on the breakfasts, call the fire company at 610-966-3541 or Carol Shade at 610-966-3902.

The Upper Milford Fire Company’s ladies auxiliary meets 7 p.m. Jan. 6, 2020. New members are always welcome.

Vera Cruz senior citizens meet 1 p.m. the first and third Thursday of the month at the Vera Cruz Fire Company. All are welcome.

The holiday season often means changes to the regular meeting schedule in our communities.

I’ll list the most current meeting times I have below, but check with your township office for changes, especially as it gets closer to Christmas.

Lower Milford Township supervisors usually meet the first and third Thursday of the month, beginning 6:30 p.m. This month, the only meeting scheduled is 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5.

Other Lower Milford meetings are as follows; historical commission, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12; recreation and open space committee, 7 p.m. Dec. 11; planning commission workshop 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16.

Upper Milford supervisors will meet Dec. 5 and 19. There is a workshop meeting 7 p.m. followed by the regular meeting 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19.

The recreation commission is not scheduled to meet in December, nor are the Joint Environmental Advisory Council or the emergency services committee.

If you have news or information for this column, which runs the first Wednesday of every month, please call me at 610-838-8923 or email me at bruce.swan@rcn.com. My deadline is the Wednesday prior to the first Wednesday of the month.