The most meaningful gifts aren’t the ones wrapped in a box, Mayor Eddie Moran said Thursday night as Reading residents gathered to light the city’s Christmas tree.
“They’re the gift of kindness, the gift of time, the gift of listening, the gift of patience, the gift of encouragement, the gift of showing up for one another,” the mayor said. “And not just during the holiday season, folks, but all year long. These are the gifts that strengthen our community, and these are the gifts I see often in the city.”
Moran’s message of generosity, unity and everyday compassion set the tone for the annual holiday celebration on Penn Square, where about 200 people braved the cold to welcome the season.
Speaking from a stage overlooking the southeast corner of Fifth and Penn streets, the mayor urged residents to think beyond presents and traditions. He reminded the crowd that communities often unite most strongly during hardship, recalling moments when the nation came together after tragedy or disaster.
But Reading, he said, shouldn’t wait for crisis to care. Acts of kindness and forgiveness, even in the face of disagreements, strengthen the city’s fabric and help build better people, better community and stronger bonds every day, Moran said.
Moran’s sentiments followed the message and prayer delivered at the start of the event by the Rev. Dr. Bruce Alick, pastor of Zion Baptist Church.
“We as a community, are bound together,” the pastor said, encouraging residents to see the tree’s greenery as a symbol of life and its lights as a reminder of love.
The Reading Recreation Commission’s dance team performs during a tree-lighting ceremony on Penn Square Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The event got a burst of energy when the city’s recreation commission dance team performed an animated routine to “Golden” from the movie “K-Pop Demon Hunters.”
Audience members could not keep from head-bopping and toe-tapping in time to the uplifting and hopeful electropop track.
“Nothing really says the holidays like K-Pop,” City Managing Director Jack Gombach quipped, earning laughs from the crowd and cheers from a few little girls.
The Reading Chorale Society followed with a set of traditional holiday songs.
One of the nation’s oldest musical ensembles, the group founded in 1875 is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.
Many in the crowd sang along, including Moran and Alick, who were pulled into the group for renditions of “Deck the Halls,” “Jingle Bells” and “O Christmas Tree.”
Eileen Fisher of Exeter Township leads the Reading Choral Society in Christmas carols during a tree-lighting ceremony on Penn Square Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Councilman O. Christopher Miller also addressed the gathering, calling the turnout quite the sight to see.
Miller represents District 6, which includes the downtown core.
Echoing the mayor, he, too, spoke of the deeper meaning of the season, beyond the twinkling lights, wrapped gifts and holiday parties.
“We all think of the season as a season of joy,” Miller said, “but it’s also the season of remembering other people, taking care of those around us and remembering that the true meaning of the season is peace, love and hope.”
The crowd’s anticipation built as Santa Claus made his entrance, and the mayor called the children forward to help light the tree.
Dozens of small hands reached up toward the switch as everyone joined in the countdown.
“1-2-3!”
With that, the city’s Christmas tree burst into a blaze of shimmering red, yellow, green and blue lights.
A menorah on the southwest corner of the square will be lit next month, continuing Reading’s season of holiday traditions.