Views of the Neighborhood – Christmas Day Luminaria

December 25, 2016 · by John W. Howell · in Views of the Neighborhood · 42 Comments

We have a neighborhood in Part Aransas which is known as Channel Vista. This subdivision decided to get together and put out luminaria for the Christmas season A luminaria is a small paper lantern (commonly a candle set in some sand inside a paper bag) which is of significance in New Mexico and the Southwest at Christmas time. The hope among the faithful is that the lights will guide the spirit of the Christ child to one’s home.

I was on hand for the event and took some photos.

The first photo is a boat that the owner decorated for the on water boat luminaria which unfortunately was canceled due to the weather. The boat owner towed his boat around town and parked it so it would be the first set of lights in Channel Vista. You can also see Santa taking it easy.

Luninaria

The next photo is pretty typical for the home decorations. Most put the luminaria on the street and also lit their homes.

fullsizeoutput_377

The next photo shows some beautiful tall palms that have are decorated from top to bottom.

fullsizeoutput_378

Here is a close up of the palms.

Luminaria

Another home with multicolored lights casting a warm purple glow.

fullsizeoutput_37c

This house placed lights on their fence as well as under the eaves.

fullsizeoutput_379

An elaborate display

fullsizeoutput_37a

I thought this tree is well decorated. The lights reached the very end of the branches.

You can tell we live in a fishing area. Here is a display featuring a sailfish.

Luminaria

The last photo is cute in that there is a family of penguins playing with a fish. (let’s just call it playing)

Luminaria

There were much more, but we will stop here. I wish you and your family a very Happy Holiday season.

Tags: author, books, Christmas Luminaria, fiction favorites, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, My GRL, Our Justice, thriller fiction, Views of the Neighborhood

42 comments

anisioluiz2008 · December 25, 2016 - 4:04 am ·

Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 9:05 am ·
  
  Thanks for the reblog.
  
  LikeLike
Phil Taylor · December 25, 2016 - 4:15 am ·

Some beautiful decorations. Do any of the luminaria paper bags ever cath fire themselves?

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 9:05 am ·
  
  I haven’t seen any but I’ll bet they do in a stiff wind. 😀
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Charles Yallowitz · December 25, 2016 - 5:29 am ·

Impressive. How do you get the lights on the tall palms? It’s like a sheet of them.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 9:04 am ·
  
  The guy hired a guy with a lift to put them up there. You couldn’t see it in the photo but the lights at the top were like shooting stars. Was worth seeing.
  
  LikeLike
  1. Charles Yallowitz · December 25, 2016 - 9:34 am ·
    
    Very cool. Are there special lights for palms?
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 1:08 pm ·
      
      Nope. Normal low heat lights.
      
      LikeLike
patriciaruthsusan · December 25, 2016 - 5:30 am ·

A lovely variety of light displays, John. Thanks for sharing. Happy Holiday Season to you and yours also.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 9:03 am ·
  
  Thanks, Suzanne. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
Dan Antion · December 25, 2016 - 7:04 am ·

I remember this tradition from my childhood. We had luminaria in our area of Pittsburgh for many years. I don’t know if they still do it. Thanks for the tour, John. I do like the lighted palm trees. I guess if you have it, flaunt it.

Merry Christmas.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 9:03 am ·
  
  I like the flaunt it idea. Those folks went out of their way. Thanks, Dan
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan Hawke · December 25, 2016 - 7:22 am ·

Reblogged this on Jan Hawke INKorporated and commented:
Stunning luminaria light up Christmas Eve on Mustang Island in the Gulf of Mexico. Taken by my fave thriller guy John Howell

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 9:02 am ·
  
  Thanks, Jan. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
S.K. Nicholls · December 25, 2016 - 7:44 am ·

I love the luminaries. Our neighborhood does those also. WE get them from the Boy Scouts. My favorite house is the one with the blue marlin…of course.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 9:01 am ·
  
  Of course. Thanks, Susan.
  
  LikeLike
coldhandboyack · December 25, 2016 - 8:07 am ·

Great photos, John. Merry Christmas.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 9:00 am ·
  
  Thanks, Craig. Merry Christmas.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Almost Iowa · December 25, 2016 - 8:08 am ·

Thank you for the photos, John. I wish I were there.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 9:00 am ·
  
  You were in spirit. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
Teagan Geneviene · December 25, 2016 - 8:36 am ·

Now I’m imagining Santa in a sleigh pulled by a team of sailfish! 😀 Merry Christmas to you and yours, John. Happy holiday hugs!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 8:59 am ·
  
  Ha ha ha. Would be fun. Thanks Teagan. Happy Holidays to you. Hugs
  
  LikeLike
Pit · December 25, 2016 - 8:59 am ·

A great tradition and wonderful pictures, John. Tnanks for sharing.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you,
Pit

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 1:09 pm ·
  
  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours, Pit. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
John Fioravanti · December 25, 2016 - 11:01 am ·

Thanks, John, I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. I’ve never seen the luminaria used up here – not too sure how well those bags would do in the snow! Loved the lighted palm trees – very well done!
Have a wonderful Christmas, good sir!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 1:07 pm ·
  
  Thank you, John. All the best to you as well.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Bette A. Stevens · December 25, 2016 - 4:24 pm ·

Lovely lights! Happy Christmas and New Year Blessings to you and yours, John. 🙂

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 7:33 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Bette.The same to you.
  
  LikeLike
The Hook · December 25, 2016 - 6:35 pm ·

Way to brighten the holidays, John.
Literally.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 7:32 pm ·
  
  Thanks, Hook
  
  LikeLike
Jill Weatherholt · December 25, 2016 - 7:57 pm ·

Well, it took me all day, but I finally got to your neighborhood. Beautiful lights! I’ve always loved the luminaries. Merry Christmas, John!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 25, 2016 - 8:01 pm ·
  
  Merry Christmas, Jill . 🙂
  
  LikeLike
circadianreflections · December 26, 2016 - 9:50 am ·

What a neat Christmas presentation. Could be the start of a new neighborhood tradition. Thanks for sharing and I wish you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season as well!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 26, 2016 - 2:19 pm ·
  
  The neighborhood plans to do it on an annual basis. Thank you, Deborah.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
rijanjks · December 26, 2016 - 10:59 am ·

Beautiful!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 26, 2016 - 2:08 pm ·
  
  Thanks, Jan.
  
  LikeLike
restlessjo · December 26, 2016 - 1:47 pm ·

I love it when people go to so much trouble to make their homes attractive. Nicely captured John. 🙂

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 26, 2016 - 2:06 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Jo. 🙂
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
tracikenworth · December 26, 2016 - 4:55 pm ·

These are cool!!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · December 27, 2016 - 8:04 am ·
  
  Thanks, Traci. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
tpolen · December 28, 2016 - 7:52 am ·

Beautiful! Can’t imagine how long it takes to put lights on the palm trees.

LikeLike
1. John W. Howell · December 28, 2016 - 7:59 am ·
  
  I know right? I was blown away. 🙂
  
  LikeLike