The Jardin Principal, the towering Christmas tree, and the surrounding streets have been well-lit for the holidays since Dec. 6, That was the night of our first thunder-and-lightning drenching in weeks.

Timing is everything.

And the rains cooperated, stopping within minutes of the official Christmas tree lighting ceremony and the accompanying fireworks. (What would a tree lighting ceremony be without fireworks? Well, in San Miguel, what would any event be without fireworks?)

Still, it took us a whole week to make it to Centro to admire the displays.

And they are beautiful. As ever.

Rose Alcantara and Linda Jones Norman pose in front of the community tree and on Aldama:

Add that Friday night was the eve of the Cold Moon with its clear starless night and that scores of families, neighbors, and visitors turned out to mingle under the twinkling lights — yeah, there was a festive feeling in the air.

And who needed the stars in the heavens when bejeweled tin stars cover all the streets leading into the public square?

Honestly, it feels like we are living in the middle of a Christmas Card here in San Miguel.

The decorations are out on Aldama and Calle Nemesio Diez on our way home:

It was a delight to see so many families and visitors posing for photos in front of the tree and the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, circling around mariachi bands, posing with mojigangas, strolling beneath fairy lights in the Jardin, munching on steaming ears of corn, window shopping, and promenading about the square.

If you need to jump-start the holidays, a night in the public square will do the trick.

It isn’t Christmas until Rose Alcantara has distributed her collection of Nutcrackers on bookshelves and mantles. The collection started when she danced the Tchaikovsky ballet and was sadly diminished when we moved first to Belize and now to San Miguel de Allende. These few remaining hold precious memories.

As always, click on any image to enlarge it, click on “like” if the mood moves you, and share this with friends as your very own Christmas card!

And have the Happiest of Holidays filled with love and surprises of the good kind.