• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Fireworks explode behind El Salvador's patron saint the Divine Savior of The World in San Salvador, El Salvador. (CNS photo/Jose Cabezas, Reuters)

Lights in the sky a cherished Christmas memory

December 22, 2022
By Mitzy Deras
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary, Feature, Guest Commentary

Near the beginning of the new millennium, my parents decided to celebrate Christmas in their native country of El Salvador. We packed the entire family, including “Precious,” a mini schnauzer that loved food just as much as she loved us, and eight pieces of luggage filled with “regalos” – presents.

Christmas in El Salvador was different from what we experienced in the United States, of course. There was no snow, and the temperature was probably 80 degrees.

As a 10-year-old, the one thing that most interested me was the loud, booming fireworks that started as soon as it got dark on Christmas Eve. The beautiful, colorful display went on until the sun rose.

Enjoying snow and hot chocolate is a cozy way to spend Christmas, but watching the sky light up in celebration of the birth of Christ is just as magical.

Read More Christmas

Putting away Christmas

Archbishop Lori preaches message of hope during two holiday homilies

Families fostering Gospel values provide hope in dark world, pope says

At home with Jesus

How celebrating Mary Jan. 1 celebrates the Incarnation

Open your hearts to baby Jesus and one another, pope says on Christmas

Copyright © 2022 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Mitzy Deras

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

AI literacy: A digital examen for the soul

Silence in place of homily at daily Mass

Question Corner: Why are there so many different kinds of convents out there?

Cardinal Dolan: By no means finished yet

What is the feast of the Presentation?

| Recent Local News |

Catholics asked to step up for Maryland’s Virtual Catholic Advocacy Day

New vision ahead for pastoral councils 

Sister Joan Elias, leader in Catholic education, dies at 94

Speaker and musician Nick De La Torre to lead pre-Lenten mission in Frederick County

Deacon Lee Benson, who ministered in Harford County, dies at 73

| Catholic Review Radio |

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Pope concerned about lack of progress on protecting children
  • In National Prayer Breakfast address, Trump backs Noem after Minneapolis fallout
  • Catholics asked to step up for Maryland’s Virtual Catholic Advocacy Day
  • AI literacy: A digital examen for the soul
  • Shevchuk: Faith endures as Ukraine’s source of hope as full-scale war marks 4th anniversary
  • Arlington celebrates first ‘harvest’ from its Hispanic diocesan diaconate program
  • U.S. solicitor general says Colorado should not deny Catholic preschools early education funds
  • House hearing examines rising global religious freedom threats, policy challenges
  • Silence in place of homily at daily Mass

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2026 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED