Weihnachtsmarkt (21)

Last year at this time, I was roaming the streets of Germany, well I guess I was stalking the streets of Germany to be more specific. (Anyone that has served a mission knows exactly what I'm talking about.) But back to Germany, the city at this time of year is absolutely breath taking. Almost everyone takes public transportation in the main cities. There is a big town square where all of the buses and trains congregate. The big shopping centers surround the center and it is always full of busy, frenzy activity and noise. When the end of November rolls around, small little wooden shops are built and old german signs are hung. It is time for the German Christmas Markets! The smell of gluwein and bratwurst fill the air. Burnt almonds being toasted and freshly dipped are set out and displayed in the little shops. German cookies and chocolates hang from the lowly dipped roofs of the shops and can easily be purchased. Christmas isn't just an event in Germany, it is a feeling. Just walking down the isles of the different displays at the Christmas market was thrilling. 
Well tonight, I got to relive that in a small way. One of my mission companions, Sister Chard, she and her family put on a Christmas Market every year in Salt Lake City. Now, it is nothing of course compared to Christmas Markets in Germany, but just the recreated feeling still made it an enjoyable night. When we first arrived, there was a marked off section that led to the stage at the front of the area. Soon after, a man came riding on his horse, he being called St. Martin. Following behind him were several groups of children carrying lanterns and singing a song hailing St. Martin through carrying their lanterns. St. Martin was known to have helped the poor without anyone knowing. After years of this secret service, a friend of his finally told the people who had been helping and serving them. As a symbol of gratitude, the people lit lanterns for the Saint, who had become their savior. After watching the parade, we visited the small collection of German markets and the observed the goods they were selling. So, once again, it wasn't necessarily the goods that were being sold that made it worth the trip, rather it was the feeling of Christmas and joy that I felt by just being there.