CEYLON — City of Ceylon will have a Christmas lighting contest and judging will be done on Dec. 18, so make sure your lights are turned on that day. Prizes will be $75 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place, and will be paid out as credit to the utility bills of the winners. Thanks to the City for encouraging residents to share their lights for the holidays. Drive around and see the nice displays.

Circle of Faith members interested in times for Christmas Eve services and what protocols to follow, are asked to call the church office at (507) 728-8259. St. Peter and other parishes will not have Christmas Day services. St. Paul’s Lutheran in Wilbert will not have a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service. Our Savior’s Lutheran in Ceylon will have Christmas Eve services at 5:30 p.m.

On Dec. 21, and a few days before that, there will be a special event with planets Saturn and Jupiter getting closer and being very close and bright on the 21st. It has been 800 years since this happened. To see the bright light those planets make, look to the west-southwest about 30 minutes after sunset, just above the horizon. Make sure you get a clear view by avoiding buildings and trees. Some are calling this the Bethlehem Star and say it may be like what the three wise men saw. In this crazy year of 2020, perhaps this is a beautiful reminder that God is still with us and guiding us on our path.