Christmas markets!

The Christmas markets are open here in Prague!

Oh they are so beautiful!

In many of the squares the Christmas markets have been open since the beginning of December for tourists and locals to enjoy.

There is such a festive atmosphere! Some of the markets have live Christmas music and dance performances and a person can hear carols being played all around.

The stalls are full of wonderful and interesting things to admire.

There are craft stalls with things like traditional Christmas ornaments (made from straw, wood and glass.) There are jewlery stalls and booths selling painings and photography. There are booths with wooden toys for children and other fancy gifts to purchase!

Then there are the food stalls! There is such a variety of traditional festival food that is for sale! Roasted chestnuts, fancily decorated gingerbread cookies (Pernik) which hang on a string that children wear around their necks, mulled wine, langos (a fried dough topped with garlic, ketchup and cheese, mmmm!), trdelnik (a dough that is wrapped around a long pole that turns over a fire until it is baked and then is rolled in cinnamon and sugar), coffee and horka chocolada (which is like really creamy hot cocoa) and many other delicacies! So wonderful and exciting to smell all of the aromas and enjoy the festive spirit!

Let us pray that as the Czech people come together to celebrate that the season will be more than just fun traditions and festive moods. "Lord, as the Czech people hear the carols with the lyrics that tell about your birth, please open the eyes of their hearts to believe that You are more than just a baby in a manger who comes to bring them their Christmas presents. Lord, help them to see that You are the SAVIOR of the world. That you came to earth to live a perfect life and die for us as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Help us adore you for your love for us and for what you did for us. In Your holy name we pray. Amen."