Best of South Orange Christmas Lights

Looking at the Christmas displays that currently dot South Orange, it's not surprising that they're as different as the residents who make up our town. There are colorful displays and houses decorated with only white lights. There are yards and roofs covered with inflatable Santas as well as homes displaying a single wreath. With all the different ways people choose to celebrate Christmas, it's no wonder the decorations follow suit.

I was lucky to take a drive around town after Saturday's snowfall, which lent an additional holiday element to all of the decorated homes I saw. No need here for fluffy white cotton posing as snow. We have the real thing. If the snow stays around for a few more days, we will be delighted with a genuine white Christmas.  Although, does "white Christmas" only apply when it snows on Christmas morning?

In addition to the diversity of displays and the way they're enhanced by snow, another thing struck me as I drove down many of South Orange's streets looking at homes. After an hour of looking at Santas, reindeer, snowmen, lights and even a clock counting down the days and minutes until Christmas, I realized I had not seen one nativity scene. During this time of year, there's a lot written in the media and certainly plenty spoken on TV about the meaning of Christmas. In the small space I have here, I cannot possibly make a contribution in writing. My contribution to all this is to simply point out what seems to be missing from my accompanying photos.

Enjoy this small tour of the town's Christmas decorations and please contribute your own photos as well.