This has been the week of the Christmas lights. The first thing I did when we got parked in Ohio was decorate the RV with our lighted angel. She has been shining every night and she is beautiful.
On Wednesday we went to visit my parents and we helped them put up their outside lights. There is a little evergreen tree outside that Tom and I bought the first year we were married. We planted it at Mom and Dad’s after Christmas because we lived on the 11th floor of an apartment building. Every year since there have been Christmas lights on it. Dad warned us that he was going to cut it down after Christmas – it has some problems – but after 34 years and growing from one foot to ten feet tall, I guess it might be time. Of course, Dad also said it was coming down after last Christmas so we will see.
On Saturday we went to John and Jackie’s and helped put up their lights. We put up lots of different strands and it looks very festive. There are icicle lights over the garage and front door, net lights on the bushes, multi-colored lights on the trees, and white lights along the branches of one of the trees. John and Jackie and Mom and Dad also have Christmas lights on their inside Christmas trees that looked gorgeous on the decorated (John and Jackie) and undecorated (Mom and Dad) tree. Mom thinks their tree looks too nice with the lights for ornaments. Hmmm.
Tonight, to continue the Christmas lights theme, we went to the Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek State Park with John and Jackie. Last year we couldn’t get anyone else to go with us. This year we hope to go several times with various people. The admission fee benefits Recreation Unlimited so we don’t mind paying more than once.
The lights are just as pretty as last year. I especially like the tunnels of lights that move as we go through them. One of the things I especially like about the Fantasy of Lights is the religious themed lights. Jesus was front and center from the herald angels and “Joy to the World” at the entrance to the cross and nativity toward the end. Giant “Rejoice” and “Peace” signs were set along the road. There are plenty of reasons to rejoice, but it seems like peace is a continuing unanswered prayer.
Considering we don’t really decorate for Christmas, we have had plenty of hands-on time with Christmas lights already this year. Driving along and seeing the lights that remind us of the Light of the World is one of my favorite things about Christmas.