It's beginning to look alot like Christmas in Germany

It is so fun here during the Christmas season.  It is so easy to feel the joy and enthusiasm the Germans have for the holiday.  We have been going to Christmas markets the past 2 weeks.  They begin everywhere the first of December and proceed to the 23rd.  Our first stop was at a ward Christmas festival of some of our dear German friends.  They had been making things all year to sell and good food for lunch.  This sweet man works at the front desk in the Area office and lightens up our hearts every morning.  His wife made tons of beautiful things to sell .

We then went to a small village nearby to an outdoor Christmas market.  It was fun and cute and got us into the Christmas spirit.

One evening a group of couples got on the Ubahn and went downtown Frankfurt to the largest Christmas market in the area.  It is unbelievable with hundreds of booths selling German sweets and food and a huge array of handmade decorations.  There were thousands of people there and proved to be very festive but crazy crowded.

Friday the Area Presidency gave a Christmas devotional for all the missionary couples and employees working in the Area offices.  It was a lovely devotional with our regional choir singing and the Area Presidency speaking.  Elder Causse, 1st counselor in the Area Presidency,  is a professional pianist and he played a magnificent Christmas hymn.  Following was a yummy catered dinner.  We feel so blessed to be working with such wonderful people here.

So we are off to a happy and interesting Christmas season here in Germany.  There is excitement in the air and feelings of love and harmony abide.  I know as we turn our minds and hearts and actions to worshipping the Savior Jesus Christ we will feel great joy during this season.