Luminarias?

So you are asking what a luminaria is - it is simply a paper bag with dirt and a candle in it. Sounds weird to those who have never heard of such a thing, but to us here in New Mexico it is a Christmas tradition. Sometimes now they are called farolitos. When I was growing up I never heard them called that, but both Spanish words mean the same thing - small fires. For hundreds of years the tiny bonfires were lit to guide people to church for a Christmas mass. In time some said it was meant to guide the Christ Child, or St. Nick, to the homes with children where St. Nick or the Christ Child, depending on who is telling the story, would leave a gift for good children. When paper bags were invented it became tradition to put a small amount of sand, or dirt in the bottom of the bag for weight to keep the bag from blowing away, and a votive candle in the center. The sand will hopefully help to put the candle out if it catches the bag on fire.
People all over New Mexico and the southwest put out thousands of these luminarias on Christmas eve to light the way for Santa Claus, as well as for the fact that they look really nice. They even seem to blend in well with all the electric light displays that we are so fond of putting out for the holidays. I remember doing this back in the late 60's when I was in highschool, and I have done it off and on over the different Christmas's since, especially when my son was of an age where it was fun for him to do.
We hadn't done it for a number of years and tonight, Christmas Eve, spur of the moment, we decided to see if we could put a few out. They look best if you can do at a minimum 25 or so, but a 100 or more always looks better. Old Town Albuquerque always does thousands of them as well as a few other places in Albuquerque and other New Mexico towns. There are even bus tours in the Old Town area for those that don't want to fight the crowds of cars that line the streets to see the luminarias. Lots of people park and go walking among the luminarias and shop at the little shops that stay open on Christmas Eve for the festivities.
As I started to say we decided to put some out this year. It was already dark when we decided this but we have plenty of sand everywhere so that wasn't a problem. We located 20 bags and 18 candles. Soon we had a little fires lining the driveway to the house. There are no children here for St. Nick to visit and we don't go to church but made it feel more like Christmas to set them out.