Lights on Earth

As the end of the year approaches, it seems that you can find an excuse to celebrate every other week. And in the past I’ve decided to cater a most gluttonous instinct with home-baked cookies. Perhaps even more than once.

Today you may want to enjoy another heap of calories — lussekatt might do more than tip the scale in this direction —, and you will find a motive looking at the calendar. But in truth, you need as many reasons to enjoy a small treat as I need to tinker with JavaScript. I’ll leave you the cooking, however, and offer a different manner to evoke a warm feeling.

In several parts of Europe, in nations as distant as Italy and Sweden, as close as Croatia and Hungary, people gather to celebrate light.

Days get progressively shorter, continuously colder, and it is all the more comforting to delight in the glow. From the rare appearance of the sun, or a burning string lodged in a chunk of wax.