Christmas Lights Around The World

I would like to share some of the Christmas Experiences I’ve had in my travels around the world. I've enjoyed Christmas many places - in the USA in Wyoming, Utah, California, Indiana, and New Mexico; also around the world in London, Tokyo, Beijing, and Changwon & Pusan. Here is a small sample of many delightful places.

Tokyo, Japan – Christmas is a big holiday in Japan, even though very few people are Christians. Japanese people have a playful and joyful character. They are always happy for a reason to celebrate. Tokyo lights up the City center area with the spectacular Millenario Lights http://www.nifty.com/millenario/flash/2005/index.htm . I have been fortunate to enjoy this light show in Tokyo 2 or 3 times. You can find it easily by taking the train or subway to Tokyo station and walk out the Maronouchi exits. You can’t miss it. The lights are brilliant and the streets are full of happy, friendly Japanese people - with a few foreigners like me sprinkled in.

And, of course, what is Christmas without Disneyland?

New Mexico State, USA - Naturally America celebrates Christmas all throughout the country. New Mexico state offers a delightful mingling of Mexican and USA cultures. Light arrangements called “Luminaria” are used to provide brilliant Christmas displays. To make Luminaria, candles are lit inside brown paper bags.

The Luminaria lights are placed on the roads, on churches, and on other buildings. Mom lives in New Mexico to celebrate these great displays – unique to the Southwest part of the USA and to Mexico.


Beijing, China - Beijing people are very friendly and generous, especially when celebrating a holiday like Christmas. Beijing is lit up with Christmas lights and decorations. People dress in their best clothes and go to fancy office parties for Christmas and New Years. My favorite memory is watching young Chinese children sing concerts of Christmas songs. The children are SO CUTE in their costumes. Christmas and New Years is a good party time for Beijing people to get together. Beijing people love Christmas decorations so much that even in July or August you can see Christmas trees and Christmas lights still up in many offices and stores. Christmas in Beijing has a special significance for me. 5 years ago I met a special young lady named Rumba ZhaoYi and her family. The Zhao family adopted me into their lives and changed my life forever. Now I am part of an extended family with the Father, Mother, Grandmother and Grandfather, Rumba and her husband Sun Genyun, brother, sister, and me. Naturally, they also adopted my wife Wonderful Jane as "honored elder sister." Shaun and Rumba - we call it the Shumba Family. Good friends - the best Christmas gift ever. Beijing - the place with friendly people who invite you into their family. Beijing will always be one of my favorite places.

Orange County, California - My home now. Christmas is celebrated in many ways in Orange County, California, close to Los Angeles. A unique feature here is the Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade. People decorate their boats for Christmas with millions of brilliant lights. Each night, more than 250 boats cruise the harbor, all of them lit up brilliantly. Other people sit on shore or in restaurants and cheer for all the different holiday boats. It’s a GREAT party. Hey everyone, come visit Wonderful Jane and me for Christmas. We’ll be happy to take you to the Christmas Boat Parade!