LIGHTtheWORLD

This week we enjoyed a family day out to Waddesdon Manor.... a local National Trust property near where we live. We've visited it every year for a number of years now and look forward to it as part of our Christmas traditions and a way of getting us in to the festive spirit. We enjoy going to see the house, trees, lights and doing some Christmas shopping at the wooden cabin "market" set in the grounds around the Manor. 

 
This year it is particularly lovely as they have dazzle@waddesdon going on.  The outside of the house (and trees surrounding it) are all lit up and bathed in rainbow coloured lights that change....choreographed to Bach and Tchaikovsky.  As you walk around the grounds there are also 9000 glass spheres planted in the aviary garden (the largest Bruce Munro display of lights at Waddesdon). It is all a real sensory treat... one which Heni would have loved.

As we enjoyed the light show, the experience brought up a mix of emotions...joy at the lights and the festivities... but sadness as I was reminded of Heni's absence. 
Heni was a huge "light" ... her smile lit up hearts and conveyed love to all... and she brightened our lives and home. Now she is not longer with us, it seems light a light has gone out....and the world is a little darker than it was before. We are not only bereaved of her presence but of the brightness and joy she exuded . As I contemplate missing HER light this year.... as the Christmas season approaches fast, I now have an urge to fill our home with an array of other "different "lights.

Hence, I am looking forward to illuminating our home with the Christmas tree lights, candles, the shiny baubles on the Names of Christ advent tree and becoming involved in the new #LIGHTtheWORLD campaign going on from the 1st to 25th December.   None of these will ever replace Heni's light... but the service ideas (to share the light of Christ and serve others as He served)  can be a reminder to us all that Jesus Christ is the light of the world and only He can bring the light into dark places...

 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, 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)

Since that new star appeared above Bethlehem all those years ago, Christmas has served as a symbol of light to many people. This year more than ever I need that light to dispel the gloom.  

I hope that you will feel inclined to join me this advent  and take a look at the video above. For information on service ideas you can also click here #LIGHTtheWORLD.

In doing so, I hope that you will be able to feel of His light and be inspired to follow His example... and kindle a desire to serve others in the 25 ways on 25 days that are suggested.  In doing so, maybe this Christmas we can all make the world a lighter, brighter place, just like He did. 

Jx

If you would like to see some more pictures of our Waddeson day... in particular the amazing reproduction of the Manor house in "ginger bread" you can scroll below...

 The Gingerbread Tree

 The book tree

The Paper Tree