what i found at the Trail of Lights

Beginning in the 1950s, Austin celebrated every Christmas with a quirky display of lights called the Trail of Lights. Mr. fantastic and I went the year we got engaged and we took our children when they were young. 

Two years ago, the city cut the budget and the Trail of Lights was no more. We were sad that our children would not grow up with this Christmas tradition that was one of our favorite memories of past years.

The entrance to the Trail

But this year, it is back.

600,000 people came the first night. My, my how Austin has grown.

Last night we poked along through traffic to join thousands of other people and walk through Zilker park. Like a beacon of hope, the Zilker tree led us to the field turned parking lot.

I don't know how Austin does it, but even at a big event like this, it feels small-town, personal, and just... perfect.

We spun under the giant tree until our stomachs flipped too many times. I smiled when I saw a dizzy girl lay her head on her boyfriend's shoulder, children falling over laughing, and joy filling. 

The smell of kettle corn and Tex Mex filled the air and a choir sang somewhere in the distance.

This is Christmas in Texas.

Oh, so happy to be here!

With my friend Melissa in the first tunnel

Mr. Fantastic and Brett on the Trail

We walked along the path, through tunnels of lights, past nativities, Charlie Brown, the Grinch, Disney characters, and tree after tree of lighted glory.

My heart swelled with faith. And I thought of Hebrews that says that by faith we know that  "what is seen was not made out of what was visible."

All this Christmas beauty built and designed by people, to bring joy, to celebrate a holiday that is centered on the birth of love, it is more than I can take in. 

This trail sings to us of what is not visible. That even after two years of budgetary cuts, 600,000 people will come together on one night to see the city lit with Christmas joy.

That even in the wake of national sadness, after news of Friday in Connecticut, as we all wonder how to live in a world that is torn and twisted, hope can still light the way.

And it was not Austin's government that made it happen this year. It was a grocery store, people! HEB, a Texas-based grocery store brought back the Trail of Lights. Can you imagine? 

Consumerism is dead, Christmas lives in Austin.

The Dinosaur Display

The Nativity

The Star Tunnel

Leaving the Trail

As we exited the trail, the view of the Austin downtown skyline delighted us once again.

My love for this city and its dedication to staying small in spirit while it grows grand in size, its love of the arts and the "weird" beauty of individuality, and all the people that live and make life here worth living,that love welled up inside me.

"I love Austin," I said outloud, to no one in particular, as I gazed on her fullness, her light, her core.

I knew as the words fell from my lips that God loves this place and these people, too. I am so grateful He has asked us to minister here, to love this place. 

The Zilker tree is raised high as Christmas approaches and so is my heart.

Merry Christmas, Austin.

The Zilker Tree

Austin's downtown, nestled behind the Trail.