Last night we went to Golden for the ‘Olde Golden Candlelight Christmas.’ We actually did the candlelight walk part of it this year. Let me tell you, it was cold too. The kids were bundled in snowsuits and boots, hats and gloves to ward off the 10 degree temp.

We got the last 2 candles and started walking down the hill.

Sometimes groups of people would break out in a carol, we didn’t sound half bad! At one point I turned around and there were a thousand candles floating down the hill, it was an awesome sight. Click here to see a snap of it. Once we got to the bridge we waited for the people at the podium to start the countdown. 10-9-8 (yeah, everyone there could count backwards!) 7-6-5-4-3- (now Hannah joins in) 2-1 and …..click. The lights on the wreath and vistor center, bridge and trees all lit up at once.

We made our way through the crowd and went to see the mime puppet show, it’s so cute. A few years ago the guy who does it had the kids put their donations right next to the puppets and then the puppets would fight over the bills. This year he had a donation box on the cart. So, while the puppets danced and cha-cha-ed, money went in the box. Hannah was just cracking up at the antics of the dancing puppets and the swinging rabbit. She thought it was hilarious.

After getting some cider and cookies and some free toys, we headed down to the river. It was iced over in spots and had some snow pack on top all lending to the festive cheer.

We didn’t do the museum and chestnuts this year (we didn’t want this tradition to be too repetitive.) But the highlight of the evening was strolling down the street with hundreds of other people. Our candles glowing, illuminating the faces of people who were softly singing, “O, come let us adore, Him, Christ the King.” Since Advent starts this Sunday, the candles were even more significant for us. We start our countdown to the birth of the Christ child with the glow of the candle. Shining to light our path as He has, for He is the Light of the world.