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Lighting Up the Season
PHOTO BY ANDY SNOW
Make holiday memories with your family this year
BY NATASHA BAKER
A
s a kid, my brothers and I spent every Christmas Eve with my Dad’s very large, very Catholic family. There was food and presents and even a visit from Santa Claus. But the highlight for me was when we packed into cars and headed to the local cathedral for midnight mass. This wasn’t just any mass, though. When we got to the church, the lighting was very dim and the mood very solemn. As the mass started, assigned church members would head to the pulpit to read a section of verses telling the story of the birth of Jesus. As they read, a section of lights depicting those verses was lit all around the inside of the cathedral. There were lights representing the angels telling the shepherds in the field, lights that highlighted the wise men visiting the manger, even lights to show the stars in the sky. By the time the story was finished, the inside of the church was lit up as bright as day. The magic and beauty of those masses
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and all of the amazing lights stayed with me over the years. Taking that moment to enjoy not just the rush and bustle of the holiday season, but also the peace and joy of the celebration is something I seek to re-create with my family every year. I invite you to take a moment to celebrate peace and joy with your family this holiday season. There are several holiday light displays in the Dayton region that bring the magic to you.
WOODLAND LIGHTS Opening a week earlier this season, the Woodland Lights located at the Centerville Rec Center offers a fantasyland of holiday lights and displays along a half-mile wooded path. Bringing the whimsy for a 24th season, the displays include animals and characters, a visit with Santa, and new this year a laser light show, tunnel of lights and a trackless train ride. There are costumed characters, live
animals, carriage rides and so much more all for just a $8 admission fee. Organizers encourage you to plan your visit by following them at facebook.com/WoodlandLights to get daily updates and features for that night’s events. The event runs 6-9 p.m. from Nov. 25 to Dec. 23.
CLIFTON MILL Historic Clifton Mill, one of the largest waterpowered gristmills still in existence is the backdrop for this legendary light display. With more than 3.5 million lights illuminating the mill, gorge, riverbanks, trees and bridges, Clifton Mill has set the standard for holiday light displays for more than 20 years. In fact, the event was featured in both Midwest Living and Ohio Magazine as one of the country’s finest light displays. Featuring a 100-foot cascading “waterfall” of twinkling lights the event also offers a peek into Santa’s workshop to watch him work and load his sleigh. This year’s display is open