[ad_1]
NORRISTOWN — With song, hot chocolate, cookies, festive lights and cheer, Montgomery County officials ushered in the holiday season at the county courthouse.
“The celebrations of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other observances around this time, remind us to live with humility, kindness and compassion and with empathy and understanding, to care for all those who are in need and marginalized communities, our military veterans and those who have fallen upon hard times,” county Commissioners’ Chairman Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. said on Thursday afternoon during his opening remarks at the annual ceremony held outside the courthouse.
“The holidays are a time to reflect on our good fortune and time-honored traditions that bring loved ones and communities together,” Lawrence added. “So even if you don’t celebrate any of these holidays, we hope that you will share with us the feelings of warmth from the light that not only shines on the trees and the candles, but within each and every one of us.”
With a 10-second countdown and a press of a button, Lawrence illuminated a Christmas tree, a menorah and a kinara placed on the lawn of the courthouse at the corner of Swede and Airy streets.
A small crowd of county employees and local residents greeted the illumination of the magical symbol of lights with applause.
The Montgomery County Choir performed several holiday selections, including two written by Plymouth Township musician and composer John Krumm. One of those songs entitled “Lights in the Darkness,” recognized Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in one tune.
Krumm accompanied the choir on guitar.
Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed cookies from Weinrich’s Bakery in Willow Grove and hot chocolate and tea from Panera.
Lawrence, who was joined at the event by fellow commissioners Jamila H. Winder and Joseph C. Gale and several elected row officers, also thanked members of the county’s public property department for decorating the Christmas tree and making the courthouse festive each year.
[ad_2]
Source_link
