Rockhills Christmas Collective // Jan Hassler

I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico close to the Rio Grande Valley and the Rio Grande River.

I have fond memories of the city being lit up by luminarios during the Christmas season. You can find “fake” ones these days, but the traditional style are brown paper bags with about 2 inches of sand in them, and a candle in them.

The luminaria tradition of the Rio Grande Valley may have originated in 1590 when small bonfires were lit by Gaspar Castano de Sosa's men to guide a scout back to their camp. Pueblos picked up luminaria traditions during Spanish colonization. Some of those traditions are still practiced today.

I have fond memories of driving around town. When we “looked at the lights” it was always luminarios as opposed to the electric Christmas lights.

As I have grown in my faith, I love lights of any kind at Christmas (and other times as well!). I think of Psalm 18:28: “For it is you who lights my lamp; The Lord my God lightens my darkness.”

May you and yours know HIS light during this Advent.

(If you would like to share some Christmas cheer, memories, encouragement, devotion, recipes, etc... with the Rockhills community, please email your entry to advent@rockhills.com)