Luminaries

Europeans traditionally use luminaries to ‘highlight’ religious or other feasts in the Catholic tradition. Riffling through a book about the history of Christmas luminaries, one is likely to discover that the Spanish missionaries are said to have introduced luminaries to the Mexican Indians.

Not many people know, however, that the Maltese have a feast, the name of which “Mnarja” is obviously a contraction of the word ‘luminaries’ – and indeed, several hundred lights dot the bastions and roofs of private residences residence in this Mediterranean Island Republic on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).

Christmas luminaries are no different from those prepared during the rest of the year; they are very cheap to make – and the traditional type of Christmas Eve luminary can be very dangerous if the task is undertaken carelessly. Electric Christmas luminaries are definitely safer, but purists shun them.

You can also purchase Christmas luminary bags, made from a translucent, fireproofed paper or fabric through which the candlelight will shine without any possibility of accident or injury. Such bags are best weighted down by stones or sand around the candle base, for peace of mind.

Luminaries range from candles-in-bags, tiny lanterns, or even food cans recycled and pressed into service as containers for the ‘flames’ that are lit from December 16 until Christmas Day. These nine days are representational of how long it took the Holy Family to find the stable-cave in Bethlehem where the Christchild would be born.

Traditionally, luminaries are laid in a long path – along lanes or kerfs, the edges of flat roofs, or garden walls. This is because they “light the path” to holiness.

People have been known to use all types of containers – even fishbowls and champagne flutes – to make luminaries; but for places where the climates are not exactly temperate, you need something tougher.

The tin can luminaries are made by removing the lid of the tin in toto, filling it with water and freezing it. This renders it easier to drill without denting. Holes can be haphazard, or punched into patterns of Christmas-related stars or snow crystals.; all holes must be in the top of the can, since the downdraught entering through holes piercing the bottom part, would put out the candle, which must always be placed on a bed of sand before being lit.

A more dangerous type of luminaries is made by filling a can with paraffin and cloth, and lighting it until the cloth soaks up all the fuel and dies down of its own accord. These luminaries, which reach extremely high temperatures, are best suited to rooftops, when there is not danger of them setting anything alight should they fall, and must never be used when there are winds.