We’re in the Christmas season, a favorite time of year that holds many memories of family and friends. It is a season when we come together to celebrate not only with gifts but also with our time and our community.

Last week I took a little time from campaigning to attend an old-fashioned neighborhood holiday party here in Zionsville. Everyone who lives in the village was invited to the Sullivan Munce Center. We each brought a plate of snacks, some favorite recipe dishes, or a dessert. There were lots of desserts! In the midst of busy schedules, we took time out to meet together and to talk about the things we care about: our families, our jobs, our community, the lessons we’ve learned in the past year, and our hopes for the year to come. In a world that changes rapidly it is important to remember the common struggles we all face, and to celebrate our common joys, accomplishments and victories.

I’ve enjoyed the charm of Zionsville from the time my parents brought me here as a boy, from our family farm a few miles away. Now I enjoy living here in the old village. While casual visitors may see only the picturesque shops and charming restaurants in the cozy downtown village, or perhaps the fine homes and estates nearby, I am reminded daily and was again reminded at last week’s event that there is much more.

Like so many other communities when you get to know them, ours is a vibrant community of people with a wide range of age, faith, politics, jobs and backgrounds, persons of modest means and humble lifestyles, struggling young singles and couples, hardworking families, and others well established, newcomers and lifelong residents. We are all members of a common neighborhood, enjoying our differences as well as shared ties, getting to know each other, and working to make our community better.

There was a sense of genuine caring as we celebrated this evening together. It was vision of strength, hope, and trust in each other as we celebrate a very special holiday season, prepare to say farewell to the old year and together begin planning for the year ahead. Christmas is a time for optimism. Despite bad news that dominates much of the airwaves and newspapers across the nation and around the world, there is still an underlying spirit of determination and hope in communities like ours. In a cold season, it’s a warm feeling that inspires.

May this Season be a source of inspiration and hope to you in the coming New Year.