A special time of the year....

This time of the year is really special to me.

A little history concerning the city where I am from….the city of Lyon.

Fifty years before Christ, Caesar realized the importance of this place at the confluence of two rivers: Rhône and Saône. He did not want to put a new Roman city next to the rivers because of the floods, so he went uphill looking for a good settlement. The name of the city derives from Lugdunum. Lug, meaning God of light and dunum, hill.

Lyon became one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire. The city developed quickly. Its position as a relay for Rome allowed for the construction of theaters, temples, and forums. After the attacks by the barbarians the hill was almost abandoned and the people moved to the other hill, the old forum or “foro vetere” from which the name of Fourvière derives. Years later new settlements started between the two rivers and along the banks of the rivers.
The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière was built and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who is said to have saved the city of Lyon from the plague in 1643. A small church was erected in gratitude, to which the gilded statue of the Virgin was added in the mid-nineteenth century, to mark its bicentennial. Each year in early December, Lyon expresses gratitude for the fact that the city was saved by lighting candles throughout the city, in what is called the Fête des Lumières.

Lyon now forms the second-largest metropolitan area in France after that of Paris, with the population of its urban area estimated to be nearly two million.

What is so special to me about this start of the month of December is that it brings to memory this miracle that occurred in that city when the plague disappeared. On December 8th and upon completion of the basilica, as a way of showing their gratitude, the citizens decided to place candles in their windows. Very quickly that night, the city became a “City of Light”; a name the city bears to this day. People from all over the world come to see this magical display of light throughout the city. The tradition of lining their windows with candles in brightly colored glass candle holders continues even still. It brings warmth and unity to the beautiful city of Lyon. Perhaps, even more importantly, it is a reminder that prayers are answered and that light in the midst of darkness is possible.

This tradition from Lyon, France continues in our home today. It is to me a reminder that when we are united in prayer, regardless of religion or other views, we can truly see miracles. We really are all children of the same God regardless of the name we give Him. I see that same brightness of hope as I witness the hand of the Savior in my life, each day. And so as we lit our candles tonight as a family and in gratitude for our Savior who blesses our family, I also have great hope in the human heart…great hope in the good will that exists in each and every one of us. May the best of us be what we offer to others during this beautiful season as we celebrate the birth of One who showed us the greatest example, our Savior.
No doubt that we will see miracles ….
PS...special thanks to all our neighborhood friends for being a part of this tradition with our family