Well Saint Augustinians, it's that time of year again. Time for downtown to sparkle like the stars themselves at night. Goodbye dark nights and hello Jolly Trolleys. A time where Christmas carols fill the air and the sound of kids yelling Merry Christmas, even if it is only December 2, can be heard around the downtown area. This is the time of year that I look forward to as a Flagler student. It just brings my day, or should I say night, so much happiness. The sleepy city really comes alive these couple months. Even though, ironically, some of my favorite moments are when I can walk around and just enjoy the sights and feel without being surrounded by people. It is so serene and calming. Especially down by the Matanzas Bay.

This event is more than just an excuse to decorate a city for Christmas lights, although in my book you don't need an excuse for that. There is this great history behind it all. For more than half of the city's history it was under Spanish rule (250 out of its 450 years). During that time there was a tradition of putting a single white candle in the window to mark that the holiday season has begun. There was also a religious component for the Spanish. The candle was to symbolize that Mary and Joseph could not find any room in the inn, and that by lighting the candle that person was making room in their hearts for Jesus. This tradition kinda faded away for a long time. Then 23 years ago the city decided to make that tradition have a comeback, in a much grander style. Instead of having everyone put a single candle in their window, the downtown historic area is covered with white Christmas lights. There are over 3 million individual lights! Now that's modernizing an age old tradition.

It is so great getting to go to the lighting ceremony and yelling the countdown along with the speaker. I almost enjoy the waiting for the lighting more than the ceremony though. With this being my last year, there is was no way that I am not going to be at the start of Nights of Lights. My friends and I went the first year we met, and on our last year here, we are going together again. It is just so great being a part of this city's community. Events such as these remind me why I love this place so much.