Spectacular lighting on display at Mesa temple; focus on the Savior
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MESA, Ariz. — In one of the Southwest's most spectacular Christmas lighting displays, the grounds of the Mesa Arizona Temple illuminate each evening with hundreds of thousands of lights. In addition to multi-colored lights decorating trees, shrubs, and groundcover, are new, life-size biblical characters, which help highlight the birth of Christ.
Joining the Nativity scene and shepherd village of previous years of the display, which is entitled "Celebrate the Birth of Christ in Light and Music," visitors now see the prophet Isaiah represented eight centuries before Jesus Christ and hear a recorded presentation that cites scriptures that foretold of His birth. Other figures depict Mary and Joseph journeying to Bethlehem in fulfillment of those prophecies.
"We wanted to tell the story from the beginning," said Julie McFarland, lighting coordinator. "These new displays are designed to focus on the Savior by tying other aspects of Christ's birth into the Nativity."
The new presentations are also intended to reach a larger crowd as both English and Spanish recordings are alternately played. Dee Hobbs, president of the lighting event, said that his committee is making great efforts to reach the growing Spanish-speaking community. "Everything we do has a Spanish consideration."
Brother Hobbs sees their efforts being realized. "We definitely see more Spanish-speaking people coming to the lights," he said. "They really recognize and appreciate that we're including them and making them as big a part of this as we can."
One evening of the nightly musical concerts will be presented entirely in Spanish. On Dec. 26, Carlos Rivas y su Orquesta Mex-Sal will perform Latin music. Brother Rivas of the Peoria Arizona Stake is a convert from El Salvador and he and his band members will perform what he calls "Christmas music with rhythm." On Christmas Eve, narration for a live Nativity scene will also be given in both English and Spanish. Alayne Favreau, program chairman, said she hopes to add more Spanish nights in coming years.
Inside the visitors center, half of the sister missionaries speak Spanish and tours are given in both languages. Elder Bruce Christensen, visitors center director, said that more than half of the referrals they receive come from Spanish-speaking visitors. "There are a lot of opportunities," he said.
Also inside the visitors center, unique creche sets from around the world are on display. These sets are different from those included in last year's exhibit and may be viewed daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily throughout the holiday season.
The Christmas lights were officially turned on during a lighting ceremony on Nov. 25.
Two brothers who survived Hurricane Katrina and relocated to Phoenix flipped the switch to begin the 26th season of this holiday tradition.
Clyde and Freddie Munn consider themselves lucky to be alive after the levy broke in New Orleans following the hurricane. "When the water started backing up, the water was chest high up to me," said Freddie Munn, who is confined to a wheelchair. After trying to make a raft to get to safety, the men found themselves swimming four blocks to the nearest bridge where they survived for six days. Freddie was able to use the cushion from his wheelchair as a flotation device, which probably saved his life.
The brothers were rescued by helicopter and eventually wound up in Phoenix where they were one of 82 families who were helped by donations from wards throughout the Phoenix area through an effort organized by the Arizona Interfaith Movement.
Freddie Munn said is happy to call Phoenix his new home. "A lot of people went out of their way to help us out here and my experience has been good, real good."
The temple garden lighting event, located at 525 E. Main St. in Mesa, will run nightly through Dec. 31 from 5: 30 p.m. until 10 p.m. Concerts begin each evening at 7 p.m.
