Many have been rushing around buying Christmas gifts for family and friends, decorating their homes inside and some outside, and enjoying cookies, candies and all those special treats.

It’s the Christmas season and a time when family and friends get together.

But there are many who will not be going home for Christmas. They might have a job that requires them to continue working, can’t afford to make the trip or some other reason.

There’s others who have no place to go. They might not have any family or friends to visit at this time of year.

Everyone has a different situation.

Nearly 150 years ago when the Minot community was getting its start, there were no churches established yet but there were a number of saloons. An Irish man named Jack Doyle volunteered the use of his saloon for the community’s first community Christmas.

Everybody contributed gifts, not much, but whatever they could manage to find or make or even buy and hung them on the tree. As a result, everyone who attended the party got a gift, even if it was but a small bag of candy. They found a way to celebrate Christmas.

Why bring up what happened nearly 150 years ago? Because whether it’s many years ago or now, Christmas is a special time to observe our religious beliefs and get together with our family and friends, and celebrate the joys of life and all the things we have. Or we might celebrate it quietly.

Christmas is what you make of it.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas.