Luminaria Night is a beautiful and enchanted evening when neighborhoods line their streets with luminaria – white bags illuminated by votive candles. … Luminaria Night started in 1998 in a small neighborhood in Bethlehem to benefit one family in need.

What do luminarias represent?

History of Luminarias, a Christmas Holiday Tradition Luminarias first appeared in history around the 16th century. They were used to guide people to midnight mass on the last night of Las Posadas (Spanish word meaning lodging or inn).

What does luminara mean?

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day for December 24, 2019 is: luminaria \loo-muh-NAIR-ee-uh\ noun. : a traditional Mexican Christmas lantern originally consisting of a candle set in sand inside a paper bag.