What is it about Christmas lights which make the days and nights so magical as we prepare for the big day? For me it brings back childhood memories of Christmas trees, town displays, Advent candles, Angel chimes and just the overall magic of Christmas.
As children, my sister and I always went to Cheltenham to see our grandparents and one of the main events was when my dad and grandad drove us around the town centre to see the lights on display. It was always beautiful and colourful. We also had a game we would play when driving home. The game involved counting the number of Christmas trees we could see on our side of the car as we drove. Invariably, one of us would cheat at some stage and we were rather competitive at times. I still do this with my sister if we're in the car and with little people it has also become a new tradition.
Yesterday I spent the day in London with 3 girlfriends and we walked to Regent Street to see the lights there. The huge stars hung across the street like enormous cobwebs. We also walked through Carnaby Street and Covent Garden where they had an enormous tree decorated in red and silver and huge silver and red baubles hung from the ceilings. In Trafalgar Square was the traditional tree sent to the UK from Sweden.
Closer to my home, the other night, they turned on the lights in Manning Close where each home is decorated outside with the most amazing displays and the money raised goes to charity.
As for me, I will put up my tree when I get home from my week away and light the Advent candle each night as we count down to Christmas Day. I will also remember those people who do not celebrate Christmas but use light to celebrate other faith traditions. For Christmas can also mean Hannukah where specials candles are lit each night a week in memory of a miracle which happened for the Jewish people thousands of years ago? How will your traditions be celebrated?
What a lovely story, thank you for sharing. I remember those competitive rides in the car with my children.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and thank you for sharing your story. I too remember being competitive in the car with my sister! I shall be lighting my advent candle each evening and hope to be putting up my decorations this week.
ReplyDeleteWe used to play similar games in the car - to while away the boring journeys. My kids just plug into their MP3s or DS2s to keep boredom at bay, but I think that they're missing out - you never know what you might spot through the window!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas ♥
Jo, J has just this very hour put out the little lit Christmas trees which light our way up the stairs every December. Each time I pass I'll be thinking about you and your lights and wishing you a Merry CHristmas.
ReplyDeleteYour stories have been a pleasure, and a privilege becasue I know you haven't been blogging as much lately. So I love that you are still joining us! Thank you.
Merry CHristmas!
What a lovely story Jo! My favorite Christmas light tradition are the decorated boats in the harbor. Father Christmas wanders about, and one man gives away free stuffed animals to the children.
ReplyDeleterinda
I love all the lights of Christmas and for you to see the one's in London. Oh, how I wish I could too! But I have, through your story. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteHave a very merry time!
Lovely story, sometimes I feel that it is all about the twinkle, which is apt considering it all comes from the light that guided to the stable. Our lights are twinkling and I love it:)
ReplyDeleteGosh, that sounded quite religious and i'm not really, I didn't quite mean it to sound like that IYSWIM :)
ReplyDeleteWe have a village near us where a whole street puts up the most amazing lights....we still drive out each year to see them.
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas traditions ( and a little bit of cheating!) and I am so glad the next generation play the same game xxx
ReplyDeleteI too love Christmas lights. In fact, I asked my husband on the way home from Church last night, that we schedule an evening to drive around and look at lights. We used to do it when our children were little, but haven't in years. I'm looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the twinkling lights of Christmas. How wonderful to have seen the lights in London this year. Merry Christmas to you and your family Jo.
ReplyDeleteThe London lights are lovely aren't they? The ones in Covent garden are always pretty and a bit quirky. I love the way you described your Christmas tradition or counting the lights.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Christmas light make us all smile, and your lovely story as made me feel happy. I've just looked up nd seen the lights of our own tree, and thinking of you :)
ReplyDeleteJo, I haved loved your story today and the connection between other faiths and the use of light - just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas :-)
Yes, lights are such a special part of my Christmas memories too. I remember going to Midnight Mass, as a little girl (we went to bed early, then were woken up and dressed - it was very exciting). There was always a big tree in church, dressed with lights and at midnight mass, it seemed so magical - especially with the lights from all the candles too.
ReplyDeleteWe had lights for our tree, a Swedish angel chime (which is now mine) and an advent wreath, with five candles, the last of which was lit at Christmas.
When I was at senior school, there was a Christmas concert every year. The Senior Choir would process into the Hall along the corridor, singing a gorgeous Latin song and carrying lanterns. At the end, they would process out again, with re-lit lanterns, singing "Past Three O'Clock". It was magical to witness - and even more magical when I was allowed to be part of it.
Light has always been a special part of my Christmas celebrations - and I love to remember the verses from John about the Light coming into the World.
Thank you for sharing this lovely story, with the great photos. And for reminding me how the season is special for those of other faiths - and how light is part of the season for them too.
Merry Christmas Jo!
Wonderful story - there is something about seeing the lights up at night that just makes us feel extra special, isn't there, especially when we are sharing the moment with family and friends. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI love to see the Christmas lights, although we don't put our tree up until the first weekend of the children's school holiday. How exciting to see the lights in London. Hope you had a magical time with your girlfriends :o)
ReplyDeleteOh Jo this has brought back so many memories of driving around and looking at the lights or when we were in California for Christmas of going to the Christmas boat parades. Wish we'd had digital cameras in those days. :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.