Lehnertz Avenue Christmas Display Opens For 70th Season: Photos

AURORA, IL — On Sunday evening, Aurora's Lehnertz Avenue ushered in its 70th season of making visitors smile with its drive-through Christmas display.

This year, one thing different that many will likely note is a new set of "books" — lawn displays that tell the biblical story of Jesus Christ's birth. A group of volunteers, including a local muralist and the original books' artist, came in at the last minute to help remake the 17 books, according to reports from the Chicago Tribune.

"The sense of community that came in through these books was really, really amazing to me this year," Lisa Hardekopf, president of Aurora's Lehnertz Avenue Christmas Display committee, said during her opening statements Sunday.

She thanked a group of people in her remarks, which can be watched in a Facebook Live video on the organization's account, before a few carols were sung.

Starting at 6 p.m. Sunday in front of a gathered crowd, Rev. Matthew McMorrow of Aurora's St. Joseph Catholic Church presided over a Blessing of the Crib, which began with a litany. During the program, he led visitors in some carols, read passages out of the Bible and closed with a benediction.

With multiple decades under its belt, the Lehnertz Avenue display has garnered fans' affection from across the Chicagoland area.

"Such a special part of my Christmas memories," one person on Facebook wrote on one of the account's recent posts. "With my grandparents having one of the books in their yard, it was quite the treat to drive along, reading the Nativity story aloud, and then stopping by my grandparents for a visit. Wonderful Christmas traditions."

"Hubby and I were there tonight for the blessing of the crib," someone else commented. "It's was very nice and for us it is tradition! No magic light show just the story of the birth of the baby Jesus! The reason for the season. Have gone to the display every year since we've been married. 51 years!"

Now officially up and running, the free drive-through display — sponsored by a nonprofit association of neighbors — will be open nightly from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. until Jan. 10. Guests can see the display by entering Lehnertz Avenue through Sheridan Avenue, driving into Lehnertz Circle and exiting onto Ohio Street. The nativity scene can be found on the northwest corner of Lehnertz Avenue and Ohio Street.

Here are a few photos from Friday's opening festivities on Lehnertz Avenue.

In her opening remarks Sunday, Lisa Hardekopf, president of Aurora's Lehnertz Avenue Christmas display committee, welcomes guests and thanks donors.

A crowd of people gather to witness the Blessing of the Crib ahead of the Christmas display's official opening.

Rev. Matthew J. McMorrow, from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Aurora, blesses the manger on the first night of the 70th anniversary of the Lehnertz Avenue Christmas Display.