Traditional luminarias

Among the most beautiful sights of the Christmas season are streets and pathways lined with glowing luminarias.

This tradition dates back to 17th-century Spain, when townspeople lit bonfires along the town paths, symbolically lighting the way to Bethlehem for Mary and Joseph. The tradition spread to Mexico and later to the American Southwest, where parades of worshipers walked firelit pathways to church on Christmas Eve. Eventually candles in weighted paper bags took the place of open fires, an idea that may have been inspired by traditional paper Chinese lanterns. In northern climates, luminarias are often fashioned by placing candles in blocks of ice or hollowed-out snowbanks, heightening the candles' glow. Many centuries after that first journey to Bethlehem, rows of flickering lights guide visitors all over the world and welcome them to holiday celebrations and worship services.

Try these Luminaria crafts:
Ice Luminarias
Paper Bag Luminarias