A sure sign that the Holiday Season is upon us is the display of colorful lights. The folks at Giannini Lighting were busy wiring up Drifters in Middle Island last week.
The tradition of putting up holiday lights traces back to several historical and cultural influences. Before the advent of Christmas, ancient pagan festivals such as Yule celebrated the winter solstice with fire and light. Fires and candles were used to symbolize the sun’s return and to ward off darkness during the year's longest nights.
As Christianity spread, these practices were incorporated into Christmas traditions. Light became a symbol of Jesus as the “light of the world,” and candles were used to celebrate his birth.
The tradition of decorating Christmas trees with candles is believed to have started in 16th-century Germany. Martin Luther is often credited with being one of the first to place lit candles on a tree, inspired by the stars twinkling through evergreen branches.
The invention of electric light took holiday illumination to new heights. Thomas Edison created the first strand of electric lights, which he displayed outside his laboratory during the holiday season. His business associate, Edward H. Johnson, put together the first electrically illuminated Christmas tree in his New York home. His tree had 80 red, white, and blue bulbs and became a sensation.
General Electric began selling pre-assembled Christmas light kits, making them accessible to the public at the turn of the century. In the 1920s and 1930s, municipalities and individuals started decorating public spaces and homes with electric lights. This trend grew significantly after World War II as suburban living boomed and outdoor holiday displays became symbols of festivity and community pride.
Today, holiday light displays range from simple strands on trees to elaborate synchronized light shows on homes and city streets. The tradition has become a way to celebrate community, creativity, and the season's festive spirit.