another bit of CHRISTmas

Target has them on sale in August. HOA's regulate them. We love them. We hate them. We think we have a strategy for keeping them untangled until we unpack them the following year. Yep, I'm talking about Christmas lights.

The people in our neighborhood tend to put up Christmas lights- some a lot, others just a few. Taking a drive through the neighborhood to see the lights is a favorite Christmastime tradition.

The reflection of the lights in the lake doubles the impact.

Another kind of Christmas lights are luminarias or candles placed in sand-filled paper bags. A great place to see a lot of luminarias (over 8000!) is at the Desert Botanical Gardens during Las Noches De Las Luminarias. 

Luminarias line rooftops, walkways and walls.

The tradition began in the 16th century in Mexico (including what is now the US Southwest) when people would light bonfires along the roads to guide villagers to Midnight Mass on the final night of Las Posadas, a festive celebration with a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. 

As we check out the beauty of the lights during the Christmas season, we can remember the true light- Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) ... yet another way to keep CHRIST in CHRISTMAS!