Christmas spirit seemed to seep from every part of the Miss-Lou last week, making one of our favorite times of year even better.

Santa has come and gone, spreading good cheer to all those who behaved. But Christmas blessings that started last week will carry us all into the New Year and beyond.

Let’s review a few great things from last week.

– Students in the Jobs for Mississippi’s Graduates program at Natchez High School packed food boxes for needy families. It’s great to see our younger citizens learning to give back.

– Members of the Natchez Bike Club provided an interesting Christmas display Tuesday night as they rode through town on bicycles decorated with Christmas lights. The riders were viewing lights themselves, but for many who saw them they were part of the scene.

– Betty Jeane and Pete Smith share their large collection of Hallmark ornaments with friends and family each year, and this year they invited the newspaper in so the entire community could enjoy dozens upon dozens of ornaments.

– Jessie Winston celebrated his 100th birthday on Christmas Day, but reminded us all that his birthday was nothing special. He has had 100 of them, after all. Happy birthday, Mr. Winston, we are glad to have your knowledge of our great community around.

– The Santa Claus Committee’s Parade and the annual Natchez Children’s Christmas Tree Fund toy giveaway delighted children across the community Friday. These great non-profits have made the holiday season special for decades.

Now, as we look to the New Year, we know the final week of 2010 will be a great one.