Ever since I can remember, holiday lights have been a part of my Christmas tradition. My parents tell stories of me being old enough to sit in a child safety seat - you know, the old rickety metal ones (what were we thinking in the 70s??) - and getting so excited to view the "Mis-mis dites" (Christmas lights) on the boats moored at Dana Point in Orange County, California. We made it a point to head into Newport Beach every year to watch the boat parade. We drove mile after mile to find the best neighborhoods for light displays. Hot chocolate in hand, Christmas tunes blasting on the radio, we piled into the minivan to search out the best of what Orange County - and later, the Inland Empire - had to offer. And every year since I can remember, my parents would lovingly reflect on the time that, as a toddler, I pulled myself out of that rickety metal car seat, climbed over the seat of my dad's old Ford Grenada, and into his lap, exclaiming, "Mis-mis dites, Daddy!! Mis-mis dites!!"
My parents looked at my young face and saw such joy at the twinkling lights and animated displays. And how my eyes sparkled at the sight of a real, live Santa in someone's yard! Even into my teenage years, this tradition continued. It was such a huge part of what I grew to love so much about Christmas - my family, united, and enjoying the season.
I still go to look at Christmas lights every year. I always say that I'm "taking the kids to look at lights" but I think everyone knows who it's really for. Even my husband, God bless him, humors me every year when he rounds the kids up and grabs the hot chocolate and cranks up the XM Christmas channel. Long after the kids have begun to complain about being tired or bored, he drives me on to the next neighborhood. And he, much like my father, must get such joy watching my face light up at the beautiful, twinkling lights.
Holiday survival tip #9 - Light it up!
You never know how a simple thing like a string of lights wrapped around a tree in the yard can create a lasting memory. You don't have to get crazy (a la Griswold), but a little light can create a lot of joy. I often think of Jesus when I look at Christmas lights. He was one person - one soul in a sea of people. But his light was bright, and shone long. He made a difference, and brought such joy to people who so desperately needed light. Christmas lights might be small, but they are bright - and mighty - in numbers. That's what Christ wants for us - join together and light up the holiday with joy and love that will last for years and years to come.
My parents looked at my young face and saw such joy at the twinkling lights and animated displays. And how my eyes sparkled at the sight of a real, live Santa in someone's yard! Even into my teenage years, this tradition continued. It was such a huge part of what I grew to love so much about Christmas - my family, united, and enjoying the season.
I still go to look at Christmas lights every year. I always say that I'm "taking the kids to look at lights" but I think everyone knows who it's really for. Even my husband, God bless him, humors me every year when he rounds the kids up and grabs the hot chocolate and cranks up the XM Christmas channel. Long after the kids have begun to complain about being tired or bored, he drives me on to the next neighborhood. And he, much like my father, must get such joy watching my face light up at the beautiful, twinkling lights.
Holiday survival tip #9 - Light it up!
You never know how a simple thing like a string of lights wrapped around a tree in the yard can create a lasting memory. You don't have to get crazy (a la Griswold), but a little light can create a lot of joy. I often think of Jesus when I look at Christmas lights. He was one person - one soul in a sea of people. But his light was bright, and shone long. He made a difference, and brought such joy to people who so desperately needed light. Christmas lights might be small, but they are bright - and mighty - in numbers. That's what Christ wants for us - join together and light up the holiday with joy and love that will last for years and years to come.
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