From the hills down to the waters of the Fraser River, the Royal City is adorned with decorations. The streets are busy today with last-minute shoppers, and come dusk, New Westminster will glow with twinkling lights as parents calm excited children and prepare for the morning to come.
It's a pretty scene, a beloved tradition in our traditional city - but it isn't really what the season is about.
This past year has come with many challenges, both communal and personal, as each year always does. And each of us has been defined by how we've dealt with them, from private tragedies and joys to those we've shared.
The story that really defined our city this year was the terrible downtown fire on Columbia Street, and the community's response.
The loss of that half-block of city heritage was heartrending, particularly in a city where the past is so entwined with our present. But then New Westminster stepped up. In the face of devastation, residents and businesses rallied to help those affected.
It is always phenomenal when people care enough to do something in these situations - and not just one or two people, but a whole community.
Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising in a city that has dealt with major devastation from a fire before - it may well be hardwired in Royal City residents to rise to this particular challenge. But the banding together of those determined to make a terrible situation better is always an inspiring sight.
So today, as you rush around preparing for Christmas, keep in mind what is really important about this season - the ways we battle through the darkest moments of the year or the darkest moments of our, or our neighbours', lives. What truly matters is each act of kindness, thoughtfulness and hopefulness, each attempt we make to keep the darkness at bay for our community, as we wait for the warmth and light of spring.
From our newsroom to you: all the best this Christmas and in the coming year.
.jpg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
