On Dec. 25, Christians all over the world will celebrate the miracle of Christmas, the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. There will be candles lit, carols sung, traditional decoration hung, food eaten and presents exchanged. Many Christians will attend church services, and many will celebrate quietly and reverently in their own way.

The celebration of the spirit of Christmas takes many forms. Perhaps it is best represented by the words of Dickins’ character Tiny Tim who, at the end of “The Christmas carol,” says, “God bless us everyone.”

Dec. 25 also marks the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, that begins this year at sunset Dec. 24. For eight days, candles are lit on the menorah to commemorate the miracle of the sacred temple oil that lasted for eight days when there was only enough for one day.

There will be songs, prayers, traditional decorations, food, games and presents. Jews will greet each other with “Peace unto you,” and reply “Unto you, peace.”

This year, Dec. 26 marks the first day of the African American celebration of Kwanzaa. While Kwanzaa is not intended to be religious, it is a holiday for the African American community that recognizes the importance of family, community and culture. Kwanzaa will be celebrated through Jan. 1.

There will be candles lit for the seven Principles of Kwanzaa, music, traditional decorations, food and presents. Celebrants greet each other with, “What’s the news?” The answers are in the seven principles, one for each day of celebration.

The board of trustees and the library staff wish everyone the merriest holiday season and the happiest New Year.

At some time during this holiday season, please stop in to see us and our beautiful Christmas tree with its lovely handmade ornaments, the handiwork of the Catasauqua Garden Club, and the festive paper chain made by our storytime children.

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And, speaking of the new year, in January, the library will launch a new website where you will find a comprehensive list of all library news, programs, policies and events as well as online links to many sources of useful information.

Be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming events and programs.

• Hartzell’s Pharmacy will present “Health Talk: Diabetes” and offer a free blood pressure screening at the library 6 p.m. Jan. 19.

• “Keep Me in Stitches” meets 6 p.m. every Monday.

• Library staff is available 6 p.m. Wednesdays to offer individual help with reference or research-based questions.

• We welcome our youngest patrons for storytime 10:30 a.m. Saturdays.

New books

Fiction: “No Man’s Land,” by David Baldacci; “All Dressed in White,” by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke; “The Cinderella Murder,” by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke; “The Sleeping Beauty Killer,” by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke; “Chaos,” by Patricia Cornwell; “Turbo Twenty-Three,” by Janet Evanovich; “Tom Clancy True Faith and Allegiance,” by Mark Greaney; “The Mistress,” by Danielle Steel; “Below the Belt,” by Stuart Woods.

Nonfiction: “Our Revolution: A Future To Believe In,” by Bernie Sanders.

Young Adult: “Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World,” by Rachel Ignotofsky; “Hammer of Thor,” by Rick Riordan.

Children: “Give Please a Chance,” by Bill O’Reilly and James Patterson.