Traveling to many offices and stores in the downtown area on Monday, Alabama State Trooper John Reese, public information and education officer, spread the Christmas spirit through songs.

“It’s that time of the year again,” Reese said. “On behalf of myself and the Alabama Department of Safety, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.”

Reese then proceeded, in every office, to sing a Christmas carol. Singing requests or his choice of holiday songs, Reese brought smiles to the faces of many on a Monday afternoon.

“I’m basically going around bringing some Christmas cheer,” Reese said. “My favorite part of this is seeing the smiles on people’s faces. It gives me great joy.”

The idea to carol around town came to him in a dream, one in which he stood in front of an audience singing. “It just grew from there,” Reese said. Caroling each year since 2003, Reese looks forward to this event, and believes that other people look forward to his visiting.

And they do.

“We really do look forward to this every year,” said Bernice Acron, city clerk. “Every year he comes around. He brightens our day. He’s a very warm person.”

Another city clerk, Annie Neely, also enjoys Reese’s singing.

“That was wonderful,” Neely said. “That’s one of my favorite songs.”

Reese sang “Silent Night” for the city clerks on the first floor.

Reese started singing when he was younger and currently sings at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.