The other morning I was driving through downtown just before the sun came up. It was still rather dark out when I passed by the town’s Christmas light display. I should take photos of all that, I thought. Instead of putting it off for another day, I pulled over and took a walk through the tiny winter wonderland.
View from a distance.
Lights up close.
Christmas lights on bushes and a rock. (This town obviously does not have much to decorate if they are lighting up rocks.)
Blue lights on fountain.
Happy Holidays from Santa Claus.
Lights on rock and cactus.
Oh no! It’s a Nativity scene on public property. Quick! Call the Freedom from Religion Foundation. (According to the group’s website, “The Foundation works as an umbrella for those who are free from religion and are committed to the cherished principle of separation of state and church.” I heard about this group recently because it wants the New Mexico town of Belen to remove a twenty-five-year-old year-round Nativity scene made of metal.
Seriously, although I am not religious and not super into Christmas as a holiday, I don’t feel hurt in any way when I see a Nativity scene on a patch of land owned by the city. In fact, I’d be happy if they brought on every symbol of winter religiosity available. Let’s get a giant menorah out there and maybe candles inside paper lampshades in celebration of Las Posadas and somethings to represent Diwali, the five-day Hindu festival. While we’re at it, let’s add a kinara for Kwanzaa and a sun to represent the winter solstice. (Information about different winter celebrations from http://www.unitedplanet.org/blog/2013/01/03/from-christmas-to-diwali-winter-holidays-around-the-world.)
I just like looking at the lights. 
Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas!
Feliz Navidad!
Happy Hanukkah!
Shubh Diwali!
Happy Solistice!
Habari Gani?
I took all the photos in this post.