Luminosity, Mystery, and Christmas in the Desert {2017}

This magnificent palm below thrilled me on a hike through a park in central Arizona the other day. Yet it did little to summon the cozy winter wonderland magic I typically sense during the hoildays in the Midwest.

Magnificent palm tree at Boyce Thompson Arboretum - Hello Lovely Studio
Fruit trees and winter colors at Boyce Thompson Arboretum - Hello Lovely Studio
Luminosity, Mystery, and Christmas in the Desert

Then it happened. An otherworldly sort of spectacle appeared the other night on our drive to Valentino’s for dinner. Something bright and grand and mysterious illumined the wintry night sky it stretched across with a tail of smoky white brilliance.

Space X rocket in the night sky over Phoenix by Hello Lovely Studio
Luminosity, Mystery, and Christmas in the Desert

Do you see what I see? A glowing starry spot ignited our imaginations first…was it a meteor? An aircraft? An exploding star? Was it friendly?

Quickly I began recording the sky with my phone (see my Instagram here), and butter my biscuit, if that starry sight didn’t astonish me so much my body began to shake.

I phoned our son Jake at the cottage and demanded “Go to the backyard with grandma immediately and look to the sky.” So they did.

I phoned my sister Jo at my parents’ home, parroting the same instructions for the 15 or so relatives there. Within seconds, the entire clan who had gathered in Arizona for the holidays (as per my mama’s dream), were outdoors, fully present and transfixed upon one extraordinary thing: a massive, wondrous, shape-shifting glow in the atmosphere.

My Family on Christmas Morning

Friends, I don’t know about your families, but ours is rarely focused on ONE singular source of light.

Dappled winter light on a vintage planked dutch door at Boyce Thompson Arboretum by Hello Lovely Studio
Luminosity, Mystery, and Christmas in the Desert

Before we learned about the UFO’s origin and the launch of a SpaceX rocket, we voiced theories and pondered the meaning and experience of engaging with the spectacle. We noted the dramatic contrast of bright light against the black night sky as opposed to the effect against a periwinkle sky.

Yellow leaves against a bright blue sky in Boyce Thompson Arboretum by Hello Lovely Studio
Luminosity, Mystery, and Christmas in the Desert

It’s the holidays so, of course, you understand my heart’s milieu.

A pond and mountain view in Boyce Thompson Aboretum by Hello Lovely Studio
Luminosity, Mystery, and Christmas in the Desert

One holy night, two thousand years ago a baby born in a Bethlehem barn caused shepherds to stop their watch. A bright star is said to have shone in the sky. “What was happening!?! ” (The exact words leaving my lips last night at the sight of the UFO on my video.)

The other day, I posted about a deepening hope and how our hearts can become a Bethlehem. Today, I am reminded our hearts can also become a Star in the East–luminous, loving, and full of mercy.

A magnificent tree and path at Boyce Thompson Arboretum by Hello Lovely Studio
Luminosity, Mystery, and Christmas in the Desert

Some of the family will venture out on a hike in the mountains today, where  they won’t spy pretty frosted trees or squirrels searching for nuts hidden beneath the snow. This year, Christmas wonder in the desert will not be framed by any precipitation at all. This Christmas, the thirsty clay under our feet, flowering cacti, and rugged mountains rising all around will remind us of the anchoring ground of being and invisible gravity always, always, invisibly holding.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum by Hello Lovely Studio
Luminosity, Mystery, and Christmas in the Desert

This holiday, we will remember in a fresh, unspeakable way how the dancing light of a rocketing holy force can move through the heavens, move through souls, and move through the ages, pointing us to peace and making us whole.

Space X rocket in night sky over Phoneix December 2017 by Hello Lovely Studio
Luminosity, Mystery, and Christmas in the Desert

Did you see the spectacle too? Wishing you light, happiness and prosperity in 2018, friends!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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4 Comments

  1. Rhonda
    January 5, 2018 / 9:09 am

    What a cool thing to experience! It’s been too cold here in the Southeast for me to venture out for star gazing. Enjoy the warmth of the dessert. Happy New Year! 🙂

    • michele
      Author
      January 5, 2018 / 3:02 pm

      It was cool after I heard what it actually was! I am home from the desert in the arctic cold now, Rhonda! 🙂

  2. Lisa
    January 5, 2018 / 1:54 pm

    Wow! What a sight! How long did it last?

    • michele
      Author
      January 5, 2018 / 3:01 pm

      I’m not sure how long it was visible before we were outside, but it moved slowly for awhile! 🙂

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing