It’s 11 pm Christmas Eve. My daughters just left to go back to each of their homes. My husband is in bed. Two kitties are on my lap, and two are by the fireplace.
We had a nice evening: fire pit; apple cider; cheese, meat, and more tray; pizza; Anomia (a fun, but fast!) card game; snacks; and topped the evening with a short watch of Elf. We all got sleepy after the snowball fight scene!
Earlier this evening, we assembled the luminaria kits and set them out, all lit up, to line our part of the street. Other neighbors set them out, too. Even though there were breaks in the lit rows, the results were still beautiful. Although, my iPhone couldn’t quite capture the real beauty of the lit streets.
I recently wrote an article on the historical uses of luminaria and also how Cary NC, my hometown, came to have them as an annual Christmas Eve tradition. If you would like to read that article, here’s a link: http://www.caryliving.com/a-tradition-burns-bright/
“Even though luminarias are traditionally lit on Christmas Eve, the spirit of the tradition encompasses more than a single day. It is a beautiful way for neighborhoods to celebrate community during the holiday season. Residents can set out candles—whatever that light might represent for their families—knowing that when all of the lights are shining together it’s a tangible representation of what connects each of us.” excerpt from my article
Photo by Cary Living Magazine on Instagram
Now, I’m off to bed so that Santa doesn’t arrive and find me awake!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Home Sweet Home
Giving Voice to My Astonishment 
Looks absolutely lovely! Since living in a more rural area, I haven’t seen these luminaries in years. What a beautiful site! Glad you are keeping up the tradition.
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Thank you! It was fun. I enjoyed learning the history of the tradition, too.
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What a lovely tradition Cheryl, I enjoyed reading about this. A very Happy New Year to you and yours. Robin x
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Thanks, Robin! Happy New Year to you, too! xx
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Your site is the only one I have a problem with, but I don’t really follow a huge amount of blogs, so I may not be the best barometer of where else that may happen.
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Ok, thanks. I’ve contacted WordPress. Do you get an error message or does it just not work when you try to Like?
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Thanks, Cheryl. BTW, something isn’t quite right with your site – I have a terrible time Liking a comment, if it allows me to at all. I believe you’re aware, but if not, figure I’d bring it to your attention.
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Yes, that problem seems to be going around. I had trouble with several sites doing the same when I try to Like or comment. But when I changed my safari privacy settings, cross tracking, it immediately fixed it for me. Is my site the only site you’re having this problem with?
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And a much belated Merry Christmas to you, and now, a wonderful New Year. I’ve seen a neighborhood here and there that have set up the luminaria … it is always so heartwarming to see. Thanks for sharing these images … they’re lovely.
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Thanks so much! Happy New Year!
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I have enjoyed this post very much, it has made me interested in Christmas traditions again, and I find it very interesting how you always seem to write about what’s meaningful to you, what you’re passionate about.
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Thank you! I love learning about and participating in holiday traditions from all faiths and countries. Writing about what really interests me makes the writing so much easier. I take other assignments, and enjoy them, but really get into the ones I pitch.
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A lovely piece on a beautiful tradition. A Blessed New Year to you! xxxx
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Thanks so much, Jean! A blessed new year to you, too! xx
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Merry Christmas!
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Happy New Year, Lex!
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What a nice idea!
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Thanks, Cathy. We enjoy it.
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That sounds like a really beautiful Christmas Eve. Thanks for the gift of your blog. I really enjoy your posts.
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Thanks so much, Laura! The feeling is mutual. Happy New Year!
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Merry Christmas, Cheryl! Just a quick check on my emails and saw this……Lovely! I have had major troubles with my phone, internet and my emails. I have no idea if I have received other notifications from you. I am in town briefly, so will not have time for a visit. Perhaps the next time I am here we can meet for coffee. I would love to see you again. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season. Warm regards, Maureen
Sent from my iPhone
>
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I hope you and your family had a merry Christmas, Maureen! Yes, please let me know when you come for another visit. I would love to meet for coffee. Happy New Year! 🎉
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Lovely tradition. We have lit luminaries on winter solstice before with friends.
I like the idea of a whole neighborhood doing it.
Read your article. Nice to know the history too.
Merry Christmas!
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Thanks so much for reading my article, Shobhna. I love the idea of Solstice Luminarias.
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This is a beautiful tradition Cheryl. It never ceases to amaze me how a random conversation with a complete stranger can light the way ahead – literally in this case. My life is littered with random conversations that have pointed me in new directions, offered new thoughts and sometimes changed my life radically – often with people I have never seen again. I tend to look for it now 🙂 I love the glowing lights and the the way the children are involved too – the cost seems extremely reasonable to me – mostly like the woman you quoted, I feel that the act of laying out the lights and then viewing them leads to thoughts of unity and peace.
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Yes, random conversations and “nudges” are everywhere. We just have to show up and listen. Thanks for reading, Pauline. Hope you have a light-filled day:)
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