The Christmas season is officially under way for Jacksonville.

The festivities kicked off at Jacksonville State with JSU in Lights. The annual event was held at President William Meehan's home and was hosted by the Student Government Association. University students and Jacksonville residents were invited to tour the Meehan's home, enjoy music by the JSU Saxophone Quartet and enjoy Christmas refreshments.

This year, the SGA asked visitors to bring in a children's gift and place it under the tree. All the toys were then sent to the Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center to be handed out to local families during its annual "Toyland" event. According to SGA President Bryant Whaley, the event collected one and a half truckloads of toys.

At the end of JSU in Lights, President Meehan and Jacksonville Mayor Johnny Smith addressed the crowd.

"We have a lot to be thankful for at Jacksonville State University: A very wonderful facility, great students, faculty and staff," said Meehan. "Thank all of you for making this institution so successful."

"On behalf of Jacksonville City Council," said Smith, "I would like to wish all of you a happy and safe Christmas season."

Meehan and Smith then officially turned on the lights around campus and the star at the top of Houston Cole Library.

The city held its lighting ceremony as well. City Council members and the Christmas Lighting Committee held the annual "Christmas Lights on the Square" last week. Music was provided by Sarah Poland, Lacey Williams and the Kitty Stone Singers headed by Lisa Gillespie. Rev. Martha Ewing from St. Paul CME Church provided the invocation.

This year's lighting was made special by Jacksonville's Street Department. Workers put up all the usual decorations and made the poles on the newly renovated square "light trees."

Council member and Christmas Lighting Committee chairperson Sandra Sudduth addressed attendees.

"We really appreciated you, the city of Jacksonville," said Sudduth. "And we hope that we remember what Christmas is all about, that we keep Jesus in it, because he is the reason for the season.

Then she added, "And also remember to buy in Jacksonville!"

The Jacksonville Christmas Parade was also held last week. The theme for this year's parade was "The Night Before Christmas" and had around 120 entrees.