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Armodoxy for Today: Advent Series — Christmas on Las Lunas St.

There is a house on Las Lunas, less than a mile from our home, that decorates for Christmas.  We discovered it when we first moved to Pasadena, and since then it has been one of my favorite Christmas stop.

Yes, there was the Balian mansion. Many happy memories were made there, taking visitors from out of town to see the elegant display of lighting in this upscale Altadena neighborhood. Lights hung in an orderly manner with some traditional colored statues, such as the manger scene, angel singers, wise men, and the rest of Nativity seekers found in the Gospel of Luke.  Kids loved going for the added attraction, the vendors who lined the streets with electronic gadgets, bright lights that lured the kids and their parents to fork over a few bucks for these plastic sparkly lights that lasted just long enough to make it home. In the hands of the kids they broke down rather quickly. But even with all the lights hanging from the mansion, the glow sticks and sparkly lights were fun because they contrasted so brightly against the dark surroundings of the neighborhood.

And then there is the house on Las Lunas… no additional lights are needed. Here you’ll find a house decorated with lights on top of lights. Different sizes and shapes of bulbs. Statues of the Holy Family, the wise men and Santa Claus, yes! You expect those. But also, here to you’ll find lit plastic statues of cartoon carolers from Mickey Mouse to Looney Tunes, with a variety of superheroes like Batman and Spiderman, all assembled to greet the newborn Babe in the Manger.  Electrical outlets and wires throughout the front yard power the lights that roll off the roof and stretch to the curb, like a technicolor electric blanket. The house on Las Lunas is a celebration of Christmas both religious as well as secular. And I love it.

It is obvious that this is an amateur production, but… so was the First Christmas in Bethlehem. (I mean, making do with a manger for a crib?) It is also a labor of love, as was the First Christmas in Bethlehem.

Through the years I’d take our boys to see the “House on Las Lunas.” More than the house itself, I’d love to watch their expressions as they looked at the lights. Their expression were the definition of “Christmas Magic.”

A few years back, I knew it wasn’t right to enjoy this to this extent without offering something in return. So that year, and the years following, I’d carry some extra cash with me when we’d visit the house, with the hope that I’d see the owner, thank him and offer something to, at the very least, help with the electric bill for all these bulbs, many from the incandescent era. I never saw him. Even in the off-season, whenever passing by on Las Lunas I’d glance over on the chance I’d see someone in the yard. But no such luck.

A few years ago, it was time to introduce our grandsons to the magic on Las Lunas. My wife and I bundled them up, put them in the car and took them over to give them their first glimpse of Christmas on Las Lunas. I took some cash along with me again, on the possibility, and hope, that we might find the artistic director of the light show. This time, we were in luck.

We arrived at the house and helped our grandsons out of their infant seat harnesses. They walked out with wide eyes, taking it all in. Big smiles, not knowing in which direction to go first. Christmas music was playing loud. And then… there he was. The owner of the house and creator of the light show was there with a drill in his hand and an assortment of tools. He was working on a small “Santa’s house.”

The kids went in and out of all the lights and arrived at the barn where the Holy Family, wisemen and animals were circled around the manger with the Christ child. Our older grandson looked in and we explained what was happening. His younger brother who has to copy everything his older brother does, came and listened attentively. We went walking through the lights and different statues and of course, the kids were excited to find Batman and Spiderman peeking through some well-lit shrubs.

The owner was busy with the lights, but this was my chance to show my appreciation for the years of happiness he had given our family and make an offering of assistance. I approached him and introduced myself and our grandsons. I told him that I had been coming to his house for years with my sons and now, it was the next generation’s turn. I choked up as I reminisced. “I just want to thank you for all the happiness and joy you’ve brought to my kids and now my grandkids.”

He smiled and appreciated being appreciated. He gave me a brief history. His father lived in this house until his death 20 years ago. As a tribute to his father, he decorated the house every Christmas because one of his fondest memories was visiting the Balian mansion as a kid. We exchanged memories under the cold December sky. I was surprised to notice through all this light down here, the twinkling of stars high up above in the sky.

I reached into my pocket and began, “I know this costs a lot of money to maintain. I’d like to participate with a small offering to at least take care of the electricity.” He looked at me. I was in the shadow of the light, and he probably didn’t notice a couple of tears swelling up in my eyes, but he probably heard it in my voice.

He said, “I can’t take it. It’s not about me. It’s about him.” He pointed to the manger and the baby Jesus laying in it. “I know what he would want you to do with that money. Please give it to the homeless. There are so many on the streets,” and he pointed to the main street at the end of the block, with cars and buses rolling by.

I felt the greatest joy at that moment. I couldn’t say much, I was still choked up but I did manage to get out a few words. “I will. I will give this money to the homeless and may God bless you.”

During this Advent Season, the Armenian Church sets its mark on the destination, that is Christmas, by giving the shopping list for the Christ child, the honoree of this Birthday celebration. It is only proper to ask him his choice of gift and give that which he desires. The shopping list is given to us by Jesus himself. It is found in the Gospel of Luke. The Jesus’ words are as follows: When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14: 12-14)

This is the magic of Christman, a magic we find on Las Lunas Street.