Shedding light on two words

One event that we will see all around the Juniata Valley during the Advent season is the setting out of luminarias on sidewalks and driveways. See below the definition as provided by the “New Oxford American Dictionary.”

luminaria — noun (pl. luminarias) 1 a Christmas lantern consisting of a votive candle set in a small paper bag weighted with sand and typically placed with others along a driveway, sidewalk, or rooftop as a holiday decoration. Also called farolito.

Now, there will also be opportunities for prominent folks to step up to the podium during the holiday season as well. Let's agree right now to call them luminaries. Consider the definition here:

luminary — noun ( pl. luminaries 1 a person who inspires or influences others, esp. one prominent in a particular sphere : one of the luminaries of child psychiatry.

There's no doubt that both these nouns will appear in our daily Calendar of events, the Religion Calendar each Saturday, news briefs and even the Open Line. We're glad to get them and happy to print the news of this happy time of year.

To help us do that, please use the definitions above.

Oh yes, Merry Christmas!