May peace be yours this Christmas

 

Where ever you are this chrismastide, may you know peace in your heart and in your life.

Deep and crisp and even

We have been enjoying a period of unusually cold and snowy weather - or should I say enduring? It's all very pretty and a walk this morning produced some pleasing seasonal images - I might even may my own Christmas cards next year!

It may be nice to look at, but the British are ill-equipped to cope with it all. The roads grind to a halt and grid lock ensures - either through accidents blocking the way or by gridlock and abandoned cars.

Wherever you are this Christmas - enjoy yourself!

Seasonal Tradition

This afternoon I am leading a service of Nine Lessons and Carols at Holy Trinity Wonston - my parish church. (I am greatful to Skink 74 for posting this nice view of the church on Flickr.) This service retells the Nativity of Christ through nine readings from the Bible and a series of relevant Christmas Carols. I hope the heating has been on for a couple of days!

With snow on the ground and the air crisp and dry, it seems very appropriate to be celebrating Christmas in this way - even though it is nothing like the reality of what we are actually celebrating.

My in-laws have flown in a day early to make sure they can make this service. Just as well ther's no sermon!

Rudesheim Christmas Market

We did make it to Rudesheim - and it was well worth it. There were lots of stalls from different countries although it was interesting to see that Gluhwein is also native to Mexico!

More photos on Flickr.

Wiesbaden Christmas Market

I'd heard a lot about German Christmas Markets - so I decided to check them out and see what images I could manage to create. This is my favourite. You can see more photos at http://www.flickr.com/

photos/duncanstrathie/

sets/

I am staying with friends in Wiesbaden and have visited Frankfurt, Mainz and Wiesbaden markets so far. This evening I hope to add Rudesheim to the list. There is an excellent website that shows all the markets - catch it at http://www.germany-christmas-

market.org.uk/ and then click on the locations on the left to get the details.

I must say that visiting a market at night is completely different experience. Apart from there being many more people, the lights completely transform the character into something very special. Of course you get the great smells whether it's day or night - the air is heavy with the scent of cinnamon, melting cheese, grilling sausages and much much more. A truly memorable experience.