For over a decade, Mark Cornetti and Nasheel Joules have transformed their Texas home into a magical Christmas wonderland. Here's why.
With several dozen inflatables and over a million sparkling lights, their huge seasonal display has become a destination for holiday visitors, drawing crowds from miles away. The tradition, however, was born out of an unexpected challenge.
Nasheel Joules, once an avid fan of driving around to admire Christmas lights, was diagnosed with a rare autoinflammatory disease, and stage 3 heart failure. Her condition, triggered by cold weather, sadly made it difficult to enjoy outdoor festivities. Instead of giving up on the holiday spirit, the couple decided to bring the magic of Christmas to their own doorstep.
"We just buy a few more things each year," Joules shared with Fox 4 News. "We love looking at Christmas lights." But over time, their ever-growing festive decorations became about more than just their love for the holidays. "When we saw what it does for people that come and see it - the smiles, the laughter - it really became more about doing it for them and not doing it for us so much," she said.
In addition to the dazzling lights and decorations, the couple offers a personal touch of compassion. They leave a box outside for prayer requests and share a link for visitors to donate to the American Heart Association, blending holiday cheer with a message of hope and giving back.