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 Local Residents Express Their Faith by Sharing Inspiring Holiday Displays

 It’s more than the words, it’s the meaning behind them and our favorite experiences that turn into memories - the extra special ones that carry us through life. It’s the time of year for Childlike wonder to fill the air. Let your Imagination and Spirit run free and read on - this story is for you…

The Beauty of the Season: Christmas Spirit for one and all

With the current events in our world today, we need more love and inspiration than ever and there’s no time like the present to enjoy a little bit of that “In the Moment” approach to life. Take a look around you and you will find the beauty of life is always present for those who have the eyes and heart to see it.

As for me… I’ll Follow the Christmas Lights

Once the sun has said goodbye for the day, it’s time to say Hello to all the enchanting lights that grace our neighborhood homes.  For those of you who decorated, Thank You!  You have made so many people happy by all your time, thought and effort – what a labor of love and a gift for us all.

A Spectacular Christmas Sighting: Hold onto your Santa Hats!

Over the hills and through the snow to La Bajada street we go.
We’re traveling east now on Mar Vista- look to your right just a little way past the “Welcome to Friendly Hills” sign and you will see your first glimpse of the magic that awaits you.  A grand tree decorated all the way to the top welcomes you as you turn the corner onto La Bajada Avenue. You have now entered Christmas Wonderland. You will discover a giant nutcracker soldier, Santa’s sleigh and his reindeer about to take flight and a larger than life angel sporting a trail of dreamy, snowy-blue lights. We’re bringing you this special photo story because the words aren’t enough…

Neighbors who share

One resident, Raul, said that he celebrates his children’s birthdays and also wants to celebrate the birth of Jesus. He also added that the glowing strands of Christmas lights symbolize that Jesus is the Light. Another resident, Tony, said that his family was not able to celebrate the holidays due to finances. Now, he creates a beautiful display in his yard that he can share with others. This is his way of making up for lost time, being thankful for what he has, and it's all worth it to Tony when he hears the kids enjoying his display. Tony recalls male role models from his childhood who had the Christmas Spirit and a sense of pride in the work it takes to make this sort of thing happen.

It takes a lot of storage during the year and several weeks of preparation to complete the decorating, but for these Whititer Residents, it seems to be worth the trouble when they see the responses of children of all ages, and that it inspires people. We even heard people using their cell phones to call people to tell them “You have got to see this...”

Imagine... Three Hundred and Sixty Five Days a Year

What if every day was filled with the Spirit of Christmas and we never failed to “Believe” in Ourselves, Each Other and the Beauty of our Dreams. That some how, some way, no matter what the situation, when all is said and done, all will be well; That the Power that comes from the Joyful experiences of Love, Imagination and how good it feels to Give of ourselves was present in our lives, every day.

May you experience the gift of Christmas Spirit, Imagination and Love all year long.