The City of Somerville is certainly one classic example of strong, good-hearted people having the capacity to set aside fundamental ideological differences for the sake of securing the community and celebrating all that it has to offer in style.

With the holiday season soon upon us, events such as the city’s Holiday lighting and Menorah Lighting in celebration of Hanukkah – on December 7 and 10 respectively on the City Hall Concourse – symbolically serve as a reminder that we are indeed a cohesive community, with our common hopes, fears, ambitions and objectives.

Looking into the joyful face of a child filled with wonder as the lights are brightened fills us with a sense of resolve that we will persevere and protect our own. That the most important thing we can do as responsible citizens is to make certain that our future is safe and secure as we launch into the future.

Later in the month, we can look forward to similar seasonal traditions such as the Somerville Arts Council’s Illuminations Tours beginning on December 9, when some of the city’s most spectacular displays of holiday lights are admired by appreciative crowds

We certainly love our holiday season anyway, but in times that are sometimes challenging in many respects, we tend to become a little more appreciative of our traditions and the stabilizing force they provide us.

In many ways, this year’s observances are no different than others before it. We come together to share a common spirit of kindness and generosity. As it should be.