• 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
        • In God’s Image
  • 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

How celebrating Mary Jan. 1 celebrates the Incarnation

At home with Jesus

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 |

St. Patrick’s Breastplate and the terrors of mid-Lent

A purple cloth covers an altar against a white wall in the front of a room

A Sacred Transformation (or a visit to a hospital chapel)

St. Patrick wasn’t actually born Irish, but here are 11 early saints who were

The beauty of Ballerina Farm mom’s nine kids

Prayer, sacrifice and charity in season of Lent

| Recent Local News |

Weather concerns cancel March for Life, cause early dismissals

Radio Interview: Pro-life deacons; Catholic Radio on WMET

New rule affecting visas seen as ‘positive step’ by foreign-born priests

Sister parishes unite congregations

Father Norvel, first Black superior general for U.S. men’s religious community, dies at 90

| 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

  • Every Church institution must listen to victims of abuse, Pope Leo XIV says
  • Vatican releases schedule for Pope Leo XIV’s first Africa trip
  • Pope Leo XIV urges media to show human face of war, not propaganda
  • Archbishop Caccia at UN: Surrogacy violates rights, dignity of women, children
  • St. Patrick’s Breastplate and the terrors of mid-Lent
  • Weather concerns cancel March for Life, cause early dismissals
  • Pope Leo to receive Liberty Medal for promoting religious liberty, human dignity
  • Christians in Holy Land face further despair, suffering, Latin Patriarchate official says
  • Radio Interview: Pro-life deacons; Catholic Radio on WMET

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2026 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED