LAST CHANCE FOR LIGHT

Bundled up in winter coats with the heater blasting, my family would drive around to view our hometown's holiday lights displays.  My sister and I would ooh and aah over each house covered in lights or at the nativity scenes spread across the lawns. One house had a whole chorus of wooden carolers singing at the top of their voices. (We wondered what their neighbors thought about the continuous entertainment.) That evening out became a high point of our Christmas festivities. We returned home tired and ready for a cup of hot chocolate.

Winters Holiday Parade from Kristine Mietzner

A friend recently sent me a link to the holiday parade in Winters, California, with every vehicle festooned with lighting. Our neighborhood seems to be especially bright this season as well. We took a trip to Filoli in Woodside for their annual holiday celebration, where both the large house was decorated and the gardens were strewn with lights.

Filoli Gardens at twilight by Bill Slavin

The Cambridge dictionary defines light as coming from the sun, a fire, or an electrical device that allows us to see clearly. We have spent so much time "in the dark" since early 2020 that just like we cheered essential workers at the start of the pandemic, putting up lights has been a way for us to show our resilience, gratitude, or thankfulness. 

The Garden House at Filoli with Bill peeking in the window

People from different cultures center this time of year around bringing light into their lives. Diwali in India, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and the festival of lights found in China, Thailand, Berlin, and France all celebrate with light. By turning on the lights, we join this universal search for warmth, community, and renewal. 

I hope this season of light will give you time to relax, reflect and recharge for the coming year. If you don't have time to take in holiday light displays, step out of your front door and look up at the stars, the original light display.

For a list of holiday displays in different areas of the country, check sites such as these for each state:

http://californiachristmaslights.com 

https://thriftyminnesota.com/holiday-lights-in-minnesota/

https://www.virginia.org/events/national-holiday-and-observances/christmas-and-holiday-season/light-shows/

or add your own to this list