The Christmas Markts

Are you ready for the most festive Christmas celebrations in the world? They are here in Germany with the Christmas Markts--music, great food, cottages of colorful Christmas decorations, wood carvings of nativity scenes, and gifts for everyone on your shopping list.

The Frankfurt Christmas Markt

One evening several of our Senior Missionary couples hopped on the Ubahn and went downtown to the largest Christmas Markt in the area--the Frankfurt Christmas Markt. People turn out in great numbers to attend these seasonal celebrations. It was easy to feel the joy and enthusiasm that the German people have for this holiday. The Markts begin around the first of December and continue through December 23rd. It's quite the event!

We were greeted by a brass band playing carols from the top of a tall building. A giant tree ablaze with Christmas lights lit up the evening sky.

We headed for the double decker Merry-Go-Round and took a ride. We were able to see the whole Markt as we went around. Such fun!

Check out this wonderful video of the Frankfurt Christmas Markt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN4GgCUD8zY

Nuremberg Christmas Markt

We got a van and three couples, the Dearings, the Leonards, and the Bradleys headed to Germany's most famous Christmas Market on Nuremberg's Main Market Square. The Wells joined us there. We stayed overnight to see the magic of the lit markt in the evening and the city by daylight. The traditional red-and-white cloths have given the Christmas Markt its name of "Little Town from Wood and Cloth." Nuremberg Christmas stalls offer spicy gingerbread, fruit loaves, marzipan sweets, Christmas tree ornaments, candles, toys, and arts and crafts such as the "Nuremberg Plum People," little figures made from prunes. Rolls with Nuremberg roast sausages and gingerbread cookies warm the tummies. By Christmas Eve, more than two million visitors from all over the world will have passed through this Christmas Markt. 

Musicians played and a tall, tall spectre stood on the street corner. An exquisite towering ornament graced the Markt. Many wood carvers display and sell their art at the Markts.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner with the Dearings in a very crowded restaurant and then went back to the hotel. The next morning, we had a delicious buffet breakfast. Then I went shopping, and Bob went on the tour of the city. 

ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS

One stall had these toy displays:

A Festive Season

Christmas Devotional 

The Area Presidency gathered all of the Church employees and missionaries together for a Christmas Devotional about reaching out to others with love during this special Christmas season. Our regional choir sang and then we feasted together with a catered dinner of pork, schnitzel and gravy, cheesy potatoes, and broccoli and cauliflower in a cream sauce. We enjoyed chocolate mousse and cookies for dessert. 

Relief Society Party

We also enjoyed a fun Christmas Party with our Relief Society of the International Ward. We all brought good food, heard a wonderful Christmas story, and then made Christmas cards for women who have not been attending lately. 

International Ward Christmas Party

We really got into the spirit of the season at our ward Christmas Party, and guess who played Father Christmas? Bob! He wore a red robe, like a bathrobe, with fur trim, a long white beard, and fluffy white hair. With the cap of his robe pulled up on his head and his cute spectacles, he looked just the part. The children were so excited, because Father Christmas had a gift for each child. Bob did a great job with his 'Ho-ho-ho-ing" and wishing each child a Merry Christmas!

We enjoyed singing the Twelve Days of Christmas, which Lonnie put together and introduced. Each table tried to out-do the others by singing their assigned verses loudly and with great enthusiasm. 

We enjoyed a fun pot luck meal. The party was being put together as guests arrived. Some people were putting up lights and decorations. Others were getting the food on the table. We all just visited and helped as needed, and the party eventually came together.

December! It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Wow! We received our second letter from home from Michael, Mel, Sam and Simon. We loved the wonderful pictures and the delightful stories. What a great way to start off the Christmas season!

Our Christmas Apartment

Those of you who know me, know that I cannot get through the Christmas season without decorating to bring in the Christmas Spirit. We love Christmas so much, and now we are really ready to celebrate. We will have lots of people over this month to share food and fun--senior couples, missionaries, and new friends. 

Here are some photos of our Christmas Apartment:

Frankfurt Temple

What a privilege it is to be able to go each month to the Frankfurt Temple. We go on a Friday evening, and the session is done in English. It is usually just our Senior Missionary group on the session. Bob enjoys listening to it in German on the head phones. Afterwards we all go out to dinner together to enjoy one anothers' company. It is always a very fun and uplifting evening.

Frankfurt Flea Markets

The Flea Markets in Frankfurt are a garage sale junkie's paradise. I've never seen such an array of fascinating stuff that stretches on for blocks. Everyone turns out for the great food and fun. Vendors just drop their blankets or set up a rack and sell, sell, sell. Love the live entertainment as well.