69th annual drive-thru Christmas story display lights up Lehnertz Avenue in Aurora
The 69th annual Lehnertz Avenue drive-through Christmas story display on Aurora's far east side opened Sunday, Dec. 13, when Father Matthew McMorrow of Aurora's St. Joseph Catholic Church blessed a manger scene, the display's centerpiece. The blessing was livestreamed on Facebook and Instagram.
Before introducing Rev. McMorrow, Lisa Hardekopf, Lehnertz Avenue Homeowners' Association president, reflected on how her great-grandparents and grandparents lived on the street where she became a homeowner in 2009. She expressed appreciation to volunteers and homeowners who make the display possible.
Rev. McMorrow led a prayer, a litany and group singing of several Christmas hymns before blessing the stable.
On Lehnertz Avenue from Sheridan Avenue to Ohio Street, the display depicts the Biblical story of Christmas with recorded music, large lighted storybooks and life-size statues and cutouts of shepherds, sheep and Wise Men placed on 45 Lehnertz Ave. residents' lawns.
On Lehnertz Circle, a block east across Ohio Street, visitors can drive by "A Snoopy Christmas," holiday scenes featuring Peanuts cartoon characters. The display began in 1979 when the homes on the circle were built.
Donations to maintain display decorations are accepted at gofundme.com/f/christmasst, (630) 800-7524 or Facebook. The Lehnertz Avenue Improvement Association Inc. received 501(c)3 status so they can solicit donations to make major capital replacements to the display items. Replacing 16 statues may cost over $20,000. To replace the story books could cost more than $10,000.
The Lehnertz Avenue Christmas display began 69 years ago when 33 families living on the two block long street decided to tell the Christmas story through decorations the families made themselves. The tradition continues today with residents of Lehnertz Ave still assembling the stable, a backdrop of Bethlehem and the star and residents up and down the street displaying their part of the story of the first Christmas.
Lights are on from 5 to 10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1.
Visit www.facebook.com/LehnertzAveChristmas/ for more information.