luminarias

Christmas is a feast of light and the New Mexican luminarias dispel the darkness with a special soft, radiant quality. This simple outdoor lighting is easily fashioned by putting sand in a paper sack, and a lighted candle within. This custom also expresses hospitality since the luminaries usually light the way of those who follow mary and joseph on the way to Bethlehem. The custom has spread to other states and has been modified as people use other containers and even small electrical color lights.