As I mentioned last year, December 7th is the Day of the little Candles in Colombia and marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Colombian culture isn't on Narcos. They celebrate Christmas on Christmas eve and then on Christmas day in Cali they dance salsa for three days in the Feria de Cali.
Today they line the streets with candles lighting the way for Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. The official version is that is has something to do with the Immaculate conception which doesn't make a whole lot of sense. If Mary gave birth on Christmas Day she didn't conceive on December 7th.
Another explanation is that the tradition dates back to December 8th 1844 when people lined the streets in anticipation of the Pope's decision to officially adopt the doctrine of the immaculate conception. Which doesn't make a whole lot of sense either.
I like the lighting the way for the journey to Bethlehem twist because it fits in with that Spanish children's song about the donkey going to Bethlehem to see Jesus.
Whatever your persuasion, candles and lanterns are a big part of many different cultures. The Chinese Lantern Festival marks the end of Lunar New Year celebrations with beautiful glowing lanterns. In Diwali, lanterns symbolize the triumph of light over darkness. In Sweden, Saint Lucia’s Day features candles and lanterns as symbols of hope and warmth during the winter.
I really like the Chinese lanterns that fly but you have to be very careful not to start a fire. Lanterns on the ground are a bit safer.








