CHICOPEE, Mass (WWLP) - Many residents across Western Massachusetts begin their holiday celebrations with a moment of worship December 25, Christmas Day. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ and is a joyful time. Christmas means, "peace, peace on earth, peace with the family, peace in your inner self," said Robert Kardisco. For Annastazja Jeudy, who is in town from Boston, Christmas means, "giving and spending time with family." While giving and receiving gifts is nice, for 92-year-old Alfred Pinciak, family together is the best gift he could get. "Christmas means family get together. Have a good time. I'm not big on gifts I know most people are but I just had it. You know Christmas Eve our family got together yesterday and the family will all be together today for Christmas dinner," said Pinciak. St. Stanislaus Basilica in Chicopee hosted three worship services, the first for those getting an early start, beginning at 7 a.m. Jeudy said to her church that Christmas is important, "so you can thank God for all the presents." While Kardisco said church on Christmas is "not only traditional, but it's the basis of life." St. Stanislaus also hosted a traditional, polish-language service Monday morning at 9 a.m., and a third service at 11 a.m. for the late risers. Thursday, they will hold a Feast of St. Stephen Mass at 9 a.m. Local News Headlines Students and Staff at Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy host community Hanukkah fest Open Pantry Community Services offers hundreds of free meals on Christmas Toy safety warnings highlight holiday gift hazards Mega Millions jackpot tops $1 billion for Friday draw WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.