It has been a feature of Christmases in Sydney for 21 years, and now it is even better. This year, the Australian headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) in Carlingford features 140,000 Christmas lights, a huge new life-sized Nativity scene, and an enlarged exhibit on The Life of Jesus Christ in Art.
Since 1990, what has come to be known as Temple Hill has been transformed from its former role as a boys' home to award-winning gardens and the Church's well-loved Christmas display. In December, the grounds become one of the most recognised of Sydney's attractions and are visited by thousands of people.
This year, the Nativity scene has undergone a major renewal and now includes a huge image of the Christus, one of the most significant statues in Christendom. It was originally sculptured by Danish artist, Bertel
Thorvaldsen, in the early 1800s and still remains in the Copenhagen church where Tasmania's Princess Mary was married to Prince Frederik of Denmark.
As part of the Christmas offerings, a unique international art exhibition, including the works of Bloch, Hoffman, Anderson and Rane, is on display at historic Buckland House, now part of the Sydney Church grounds. The exhibition, valued at thousands of dollars, features world famous paintings of the life of Christ, from before his birth to his Second Coming. Appearing for the first time last year, the exhibit has increased in size and features new works of art.
Located at the corner of Pennant Hills Road and Moseley Street, Carlingford, the spectacular lighting display and Nativity is available to be viewed every night throughout December from dusk until dawn. The Life of Jesus Christ in Art exhibit is open seven days a week from 7 to 10pm. Parking is available on the Church grounds and on Moseley Street.