Patti Bergman, facilities and events manager and Simply Christmas Celebration coordinator at Lititz United Methodist Church (LUMC), 201 Market St., Lititz, owns a pair of shoes with candy canes on them, and she wears them each year to the celebration.

Last year, LUMC responded to COVID-19 restrictions by holding Simply Christmas as an outdoor drive-through event. This year, because of timing and concerns for the most vulnerable in the community, another drive-through event will be held on Sunday, Dec. 12, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Simply Christmas is an old-fashioned celebration of the birth of Christ, and because this is the 10th annual celebration, Bergman promised a few surprises for attendees. She noted that the concept began with an epiphany she had more than a decade ago about inviting the church's neighbors to celebrate and being creative to make the event fun. "There are no charges or fees because there shouldn't be any to celebrate Christmas," she said.

When the event became a drive-through last year, Bergman stated that the intent was still to give attendees an experience that centered on the wonders of Christmas as they were guided through each station while remaining in the comfort of their own vehicle. "We are going to make the outside beautiful like it was last year," she said, noting that the seasonal decor will include luminarias and subtle decorations. "We do nothing fancy or glitzy because it is simply Christmas," she said.

The Gift of the Magi station will be the last stop. Bergman reported that there will be a chance for children to choose gifts and that they will receive stickers. "The kids loved that aspect last year," she said, adding that gifts are divided and marked by age group and range from those designed for toddlers to adults.

Bergman said that about 100 neighbors visited the event its first year. "Every year, I hold my breath, and when people start to arrive, I let it out and get excited," said Bergman, who was concerned last year that the drive-through would not garner a good response. "We were so surprised," she said, noting that vehicles began trickling in and then arriving in a steady flow. By the end of Simply Christmas 2020, 154 cars and more than 550 people had visited. "So many people were blessed, and we expect more this year," said Bergman.

Simply Christmas will be held rain or shine or snow. "COVID can't stop the Christmas message of hope ... the celebration of Jesus ... and the gift of life He offers," said Bergman.

Attendees are asked to enter at the Market Street entrance closest to the Dean Saylor Linear Park. Readers who would like more information may call the church office at 717-626-2710. More information about the church may be found at http://www.lititzumc.org.