NATCHEZ – To the Rev. Mike O’Brien, people from all walks of life coming together for the fifth annual Caroling in the Park event symbolized what Christmas is all about.

He pointed out that at the first Christmas, angels represented heaven, the shepherds represented Earth and the wise men represented all the world’s nations.

&uot;The Christmas story is about rich and poor, educated and uneducated, heaven and Earth coming together to worship the Lord,&uot; said O’Brien, pastor of Assumption Catholic Church. &uot;This is what Christmas is all about.&uot;

In all, more than 120 people joined in the Christmas caroling event held Sunday evening in Memorial Park.

&uot;This brings together all facets of our community,&uot; said event founder Kathy Sizemore.

She sponsored this year’s event with members of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce’s Unification Committee, a group that includes O’Brien.

First-time caroling participants included Bob and Michelle Haimson, who moved to Natchez this year from California. They also said that sharing the holiday spirit was a major reason they came to the event.

&uot;And also, it’s a good thing to do with the family,&uot; Bob Haimson said. Accompanying them to Sunday night’s event were their children — Dylan, 9; Ashley, 2; and Christopher, 1.

Laura Godfrey, president and chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce, said bringing the community together is especially important given the events of Sept. 11.

&uot;We’ve had such tragic events in 2001 that we need to put a good spirit on our community and be hopeful so we can make 2002 the best year it can be,&uot; Godfrey said.