Christmas Eve

Word of the day:  luminaria  \\loo-muh-NAIR-ee-uh\ noun: a traditional Mexican Christmas lantern originally consisting of a candle set in sand inside a paper bag .

 

"Silent Night" Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth "

 

NEW:  Star Gazing  Moon & Spica:    'Twas the night before Christmas, and in the southwest, the planet Venus blazed, brighter than all the rest.  It huddled low in the twilight, then slipped out of sight, long ere the children bedded down for the night.

Mars climbed high 'cross the sky, its countenance quite red, like the nose of the reindeer who led Santa's sled. And Saturn, quite golden, later hove into view, with bright stars around it -- much more than a few.

But the highlight, no doubt, of this Christmas Eve night, was the pairing of the Moon and a bright stellar light. They rose into view several hours before dawn, huddling as close together as a doe and her fawn.

While tucked in their beds, the children did dream of iPods, pantoozlers, and cellphones that gleam,  I peeked out the window, it was glorious -- Oh! the bright waning Moon with the star Spica below.  They were not far apart -- the width of a finger, I'd say --
and moved even closer as the clock ticked away.   And then what, to my wondering eyes should appear? The bright little star did completely disappear!

Not all shared in this remarkable sight, though many in the country saw it all right.   But quick as a flash it ended, this occasion,   when Spica emerged from its lunar occultation.
And as dawn's first light began to color the sky, all in my household -- my whole family and I -- took one last peek into the south-southeast, for the Moon and Spica, an astronomical feast.  I hope you behold it, this skywatching treat, and to make your holiday morning complete, your friends at Star Date hope you possibly could have a wonderful Christmas!
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