One of our favorite things about Christmas are the lights. There are lights on trees, bushes, lawns, houses, wreaths, buildings, shops and fences. The lights flash, twinkle, change color and illuminate the darkness of winter. When sunrise is at 8:00 am and sunset before 4:00 pm the added lights of the Christmas season are a welcome sight. The new star in the sky was a beautiful sign of the Christ child's birth. Jesus Christ brought light into a darkened world. He gives spiritual light and comfort. His light helps us to find true happiness in this life and helps us know how to find true joy in the life to come.
He is the Light and Life of the World. 3 Nephi 11:10-11
"I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the light of life" John 8:12
Jesus Christ lives, loves, heals, lifts, forgives, and comforts.
At Christmas time the lights remind us of Him.
We also Light the World as we serve and help others one by one.
At Christmas time the lights remind us of Him.
We also Light the World as we serve and help others one by one.
We have been enjoying the Christmas lights throughout London.
These are the peacock feather lights on Bond Street.
Every place we go is more beautifully decorated than the one before.
Leicester Square has giant stars draping over the walkways and streets from Piccadilly Circus...
and it has lights hanging in the trees.
Piccadilly Circus has lights every direction you look.
The angels in lights on Regent Street are beautiful!
When we first got there it was just getting dark, but you could tell it was going to spectacular!
And it was!
While we were on Regent Street we stopped over and walked around
Liberty London.
Inside they have a replica of the store done in Lego blocks.
It looks exactly like my photo of the real thing.
It looks exactly like my photo of the real thing.
It was very busy, but we may go back when it's not Christmas time.
Inside is a fabric bonsai tree hanging from the ceiling called the Tree of Liberty.
It is this years Christmas theme inside the store and in the windows.
The concept is taken from a poem by Gabrielle Djanogly titled The Tree of Liberty.
Just off of Regent is Carnaby Street.
It is a pedestrian shopping street all decorated up for Christmas in an under the sea theme.
There are dolphins and starfish
and seahorses and whales...so so fun!
The Strand has blue stars and snowflakes spanning the street.
We've never seen anything like this city as it lights up each evening to celebrate Christmas.
Lights are everywhere...
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has been donated to the people of Britain from the city of Oslo, Norway since 1947. The lights are hung vertically as they do in Norway.
Harrods is all dressed up for Christmas with lights everywhere.
The Natural History Museum has an ice rink with lots of lights and this beautiful tree.
We were there during the day, so it's hard to see all the lights, but they are there & beautiful!
...and they sell these delicious hot nuts, perfect on a chilly day,
sorta makes us think of chestnuts roasting on an open fire...
The hotel that we stay at is also all decorated for Christmas with lights on the trees!
Lots of other things have brought light and joy into our lives lately...a rainbow...
a clear sparkling winter's day in London...
Our full time temple worker's Christmas dinner and devotional provided by the temple presidency...
missionaries attending the temple. (you can kinda see some walking in the temple in this photo)
The London Mission President had about 50 missionaries per day come and do a temple session and feed them a nice lunch each day for four days. It was so great having them here...it really brightened everyone's week...
our little tree...
all the love shared with our fellow missionaries,
cards and treats dropped off at all our doors...
cards and treats dropped off at all our doors...
Happy Christmas!