Below is a Christmas message shared with Oxford Mail readers from Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds:

I know that this year, Christmas will be challenging for many people - with the cost of living crisis at home, and awful conflict in the Middle East and in Ukraine.

Whether you are celebrating Christmas as a Christian, have a different faith or none - I do hope you have a peaceful time with your family this festive season.

Christmas is a time for us all to come together.

READ MORE: Covered Market in Oxford among best popular market in UK

We have seen many uplifting community events in Oxford this festive season, from the Christmas Light festival in November to Headington Action’s Christmas light switch-on, to the mayor’s Christmas Carol concert at the town hall.

Oxford Mail: At the Christmas Carol concert, attendees participate in a sing-along version of the “12 days of Christmas”.

So in that vein, here are 12 reasons why I believe we should be proud of our city and its people, this Christmas.

12 members of the University of Oxford elected Fellows of the British Academy for their impressive research this year - nearly one in four of all of those named.

11 players on the pitch for United and City – going from strength to strength with Oxford City in the National League for the first time ever.

10: Oxford in the top 10 cities in the UK for allotments per head - and ours are bigger than in other cities, too.

9 dedicated bodies supporting Oxford’s homeless this winter - Crisis, Edge, Emmaus, Floyds Row, Homeless Oxfordshire, the Porch, St Mungo’s, the Winter Night Shelter, Matilda House – as well as our local councils and many local volunteers.

8 million visitors to Oxford – back to pre-pandemic numbers thanks to local businesses’ hard work.

Oxford Mail: The number of people visiting Oxford is returning to pre-pandemic levels The number of people visiting Oxford is returning to pre-pandemic levels (Image: Ed Nix)7 twin cities with whom we share great links and genuine friendship.

6 for the Morris Oxford Six from our rich automobile heritage - reminding us of the bright future for the electric mini, given this year’s positive news for the Cowley plant.

5 dedicated welfare and debt advice centres, serving local people - Agnes Smith, Rose Hill and Donnington, Citizens’ Advice, Barton and the Chinese Advice Centre

4 months to go until May Morning- and just three months till the clocks go forward…

3 hospitals - John Radcliffe, Churchill and the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre – providing excellent care despite enormous pressures. Thank you to all NHS, social care and other emergency staff for all they do, this Christmas and all year round.

2 Anglican convents, five mosques, one synagogue, a Quaker meeting house, a Sikh Gurdwara, a Hindu temple (in construction), a Catholic priory, an Anglican cathedral and more – all living peacefully together with people of all faiths, and none.

1 Oxford - wishing for peace and goodwill this Christmas, to you and your loved ones.