Merry Christmas and happy New Year to everyone in southwest Michigan. I hope you are all able to gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and look forward to reflecting on the past year and a new year full of possibilities.

Indeed, the holidays present us all with a moment to spend quality time with loved ones and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

I am truly blessed to be able to celebrate with my family, whose love and support give me strength. Being with them is the greatest gift I could ask for.

At this festive time of year, I recall the simple and poignant words of Tiny Tim from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”: “God bless us, every one.” May we all take to heart the story’s themes of family, love, kindness, compassion, and striving to embody the spirit of Christmas throughout our lives.

During the Christmas season, my thoughts are drawn to those who cannot be with their families.

The holidays are an especially hard time for those men and women who are serving overseas.

I encourage you to help make a soldier’s holiday a little brighter by sending them a letter or card, thanking them for their sacrifice and wishing them a safe return home. Letters or cards can be mailed to: Blue Star Mothers; P.O. Box 76; Stevensville, MI 49127.

We each have the ability to lift the spirits of those around us. Writing the troops is one way to do this; another way is by helping the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.

If you are able, please join my family and me in making the season brighter for a child with a donation of an unwrapped toy at one of several locations throughout southwest Michigan.

This Christmas is bittersweet for me, as it is my last as your state senator. It has been an honor to serve you, and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. God bless you, every one.

JOHN PROOS, R-St. Joseph, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties.