'Twas The Night Before Christmas...

and all down the street,
not a creature was stirring,
there was no one to meet.

I went out about 11 pm for a walk around the neighborhood to take pictures of the holiday lights. Most folks just take out strings of lights and wrap them around their bushes and cactus.

Bill, my next door neighbor, takes on the daunting task of wrapping his giant saguaro with lights. I've never caught him in the act so I really don't know how he gets so high. Must be at least thirty feet.

It adds character to our street. I believe we're the only one in the entire Home Owner's Association with a lit up giant saguaro. Christmas has become so commercialized, most Americans decorate simply because they think it's fun and and embodies a joyful spirit.

The genesis of the American Christmas light tradition arose from the medieval pagean tradition of Yule. Yule is a tradition believed to have been started in Germany wherein people will celebrate by burning the "Yule Log."

The burning of the Yule Log offered welcome light during the dark winter days and was also believed to summons the return of the sun and ward of evil spirits. This medieval tradition was adopted by churches who incorporated it into their annual celebrations. As adopted by the Christian churches, the light from the Yule Log burning came to represent Jesus as the light of the world.

I guess if the majority of them knew, it would put a whole new spin on the ones who put out blown-up snowmen and Santas. Then again, maybe not.