Festival of Lights

The Washington DC Temple Visitor's center hosts a month long Festival of Lights during the month of December to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Over 500,000 lights are hung around the grounds of the temple including a manger scene outside. Here are some the amazing pictures of the beautiful lights.




Away in a Manger

 


Even with all the colored lights, the temple still shines brightest as the center of my life.



  

Let the lights shine forth to guide you.

  


Truly a winter wonderland







 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; ... and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 

 

Nativity from Bethlehem.



Part of the festival is to have performances every evening with beautiful Christmas music to help not only spread Christmas cheer but to also share our testimony of the birth of our Savior. This evenings performance I was blest to hear Grammy Nominee Jenny Oaks Baker and her lovely daughters perform angelic Christmas music. 

Jenny Oaks Baker and Indian Flutist performing What Child is This?

The Baker Girls performing It's a Small World



Jenny Oaks Baker performed Ave Maria, I Saw Three Ships, and many others that were truly amazing.



 The fastest way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. They may not have been singing but their instruments definitely were and Christmas Spirit was felt by all who were present. 



A fun place to take a picture of the temple is through the huge gallery window from the Visitors Center where you are able to capture the reflection of Christ.



Christ is the Center of the temple and my life.

 

“Because when we keep the spirit of Christmas,” President Monson said, “we keep the spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit. It will block out all the distractions around us, which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning.”




Is there room in your heart? Will you let this miracle in?



“Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example, which if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.

Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.

Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or in distress, wherever they may be.

Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came.

Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life.

Because He came, we are gathered tonight to worship Him in bonds of brotherhood and love.

May His precious Spirit be with us, and may He ever be the center of our celebrations and indeed of our very lives.”

The Lord's arms are stretched out in welcome to me. Will I go to Him? YES!

 

 Truly a magical evening filled with the spirit of Christmas was felt with good friends. May we remember the true meaning of Christmas.

 “There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ,” President Monson said. “Christmas is what we make of it. Despite all the distractions, we can see to it that Christ is at the center of our celebration. If we have not already done so, we can establish Christmas traditions for ourselves and for our families which will help us capture and keep the spirit of Christ.”

 

AnnaLisa, Nani and I enjoying the lights.