Christmas Markets!

Christmas in Germany is absolutely Magical!

There is just no other way to put it.  I don't think one has truly experienced Christmas until they have done it in Germany...I know I hadn't.  No where I have lived previously has celebrated Christmas so majestically and so openly.  Here Christmas does not center around St. Nikolaus ..it centers around the coming of the Christ child.  St. Nick is an after thought.  The Christ child brings the gifts, at midnight of the 24th...when the Christ child arrived according to Germanic tradition, Christmas is over.  I love this tradition, the Christ child bring the gifts.  After all, didn't he give us and bring us the ultimate gift of the Atonement, and the ability to return to our Heavenly Father again?

There is no slang greeting here...no "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings", 

It is simply Merry CHRISTmas.

Another Tradition I love is the Christmas Markets.

Traditionally they follow the advent, or four weekend leading up to Christmas.  They have become so popular over the years, that now most of the big Markets are open throughout the week also.

Above I am at the quaint market the village of Grafenwohr puts on.

 They had a great Bavarian Horn band.  It was fantastic!

 This is the madness of the Nurnberg market.  The biggest, and most popular market in germany.  We went in the middle of advent, in the middle of the day...and still the place was packed!

I think we only lasted an hour...and then headed off to a more quaint/small market!

 We always have to stop and get Christmas market goodies: Kinderpunch (non-alcoholic version of gluwein...which is hot, spiced wine), crepes, brats, spiced nuts, and waffles!

This nutella waffle was very scrumptious...although not as good as the waffles in Belgium!

 Every market has performances throughout the day from different bands and choirs.  So you get to shop with the sound of Christmas music in the background...so magical, like straight out of a movie.

 Here is a typical booth at a market.  I love them...you can practically find anything you want for Christmas here!  On this day, the girls picked out ornaments for gifts for their teachers.

 Another madness picture!

Most of the markets we go to are not this crazy...just this one.

We ended the day in Lauf.  I love this little town.  I think out of all the markets I have been too, this one was my favorite as far as decorations.  It had these pine garlands strung from lamp post to lamp post...and in the center were these beautiful Moroccan paper stars, all lit up.  It led you to the center of town, where the market was and the town's nativity.  

It was so much fun, I got my favorite kinderpunch mug yet from here (it is red!)

and it was the perfect way to end the evening with a delicious mozzarella and herbed tomato crepe.

Perfect!