‘Lighting up your little part of the world’: 560 Christmas luminaires light Lincoln street

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Near South Neighborhood Association and Grace Chapel continued a Christmas Eve tradition Tuesday on Goodhue Boulevard.

Starting 14 years ago, volunteers come out to set up 560 luminaires that lead up to the state Capitol.

Marcie Young, one of the organizers of this event, said it is more than just lighting candles; it’s about illuminating the spirit of community, hope and togetherness.

“The candles represent, of course, Christmas Eve,” she said. “It represents the magic and the beauty and the light that’s being born into the world with that tradition. It also represents neighborhood camaraderie, just coming together, lighting up your little part of the world.”

Young also said each candle is a way to show a little bit of love in the city of Lincoln — and remind people what Christmas is all about.

Grace Chapel and the Near South Neighborhood Association are always looking for more volunteers, and they said it is a great opportunity to ring in the Christmas season.

“Anybody’s welcome to do this,” Young said. “So we have neighbors, we have the church, of course, and we have volunteers from all over the Near South neighborhood that come in. This is sort of like their favorite thing that they do in the neighborhood this time of year.”

The luminaires will be on display into the early morning of Christmas Day.