christmas lights

[kandrathe]

Lights are the modern electric extension of candles used in many ceremonial displays. One of the oldest types of these displays is the nine-branched menorah used on Chanukah commemorating the miracle that a day's worth of oil for this menorah lasted eight days.

Midwinter festivals (darkest day of the year) used torches and bonfires to rekindle the light, or celebrate the return of the light.

It just started small, and since bigger is better...

The phenomenon of mega-light displays is no more Christian thing, than the mega-Halloween displays a Demonic/Pagan thing. Some people invest themselves into their hobbies more than others for many different reasons I would guess. There is a place near me where the yard display has grown to include actors playing the Nativity, and live reindeer with a realistic sleigh and Santa. What started as large yard display has grown into a midwinter "circus", with it's sole purpose now to entertain and raise ALOT of money for charity.

But, for me, I'd rather visit the circus than be the circus.