Christmas Lighting in Abundance

gral writes "My boss really gets into setting up Christmas lights. He has been interviewed by a couple TV stations, because of his displays. He usually has them setup at his house. This year he has moved to a Church Yard for more space. For 2003, his display sports over 200,000 lights, each string is controlled by computer to light to the tune of a Radio Station playing christmas music. Check out his website at Planet Christmas. Some pictures of this year's display can be seen as well. Have fun and Happy Holidays."

Comments

Re:Do we really want to engourage this?

[Sgt York]

That is a custom, maybe even a tradition, not a right.

He probably meant "rite", but was confused as to the spelling.

What does the religious meanign of christmas have to do with this at all?

As for the religious reference, IIRC it's an old Scot tradition. It was a custom that if a boarding house, hotel, or private home had room for visitors to stay, they would place a candle in the window so travellers would know that they could come in and stay the night.

When Mary & Joseph went to Bethlehem, there was no place for them to stay because of the census. Everything was full. As a result, Jesus was born in a stable.

The Scot tradition was that you placed a light in your window, left your doors unlocked, prepared an extra bed and set an extra plate at dinner on Christmas eve. This was to indicate that you welcomed Mary, Joseph, and Jesus into your home (or life). This is an allusion to "letting Christ into your heart", or becoming a Christian.M

And before yo flame me for all the religious stuff, the author of the parent post DID ask that specifically. Whether you belive the religion or not, that is the significance of it in the Christian faith. Although I doubt most Christians are aware of it.