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Across the Mid-Ohio Valley, organizations geared up earlier this week to serve their communities through annual Christmas meals that did more than just feed. They helped us celebrate the spirit of Christmas together.
This year was the 11th Christmas Day Feast, hosted at the Knight of Columbus Hall in Marietta. Organizer Bruce Haas said the group was ready to serve a record-breaking 900 meals. (There were dine-in, take-out and delivery options.) With that kind of turnout expected, volunteers also had to do some heavy lifting. After all, so many meals didn't prepare, put together and serve or deliver themselves.
How wonderful to know so many hundreds shared in the same Christmas Feast as we celebrated the holiday.
Marietta was not alone, of course, there were meals planned in Parkersburg, too -- at both the First Presbyterian Church and the Gospel Mission Church.
"We want to treat the community and serve people," said Gospel Mission Church Pastor Tim Burch.
Part of that service was a reminder of the reason it is so important for many of us to gather and celebrate on Christmas Day. Burch said in addition to the meal served, there would be a brief talk about the Christmas story and a word of prayer before dinner was served.
These dinners -- these reminders of how important it is to take care of one another and focus on the spirit of love and service -- are truly a gift.
Those who organize such events are emblematic of so much that is good in our communities. We are fortunate, indeed, to have them in our midst.