Christmastime is Here...

December, for Texans, begins the drop in temperatures for the "Winter" season.  We pray for a White Christmas, only to be disappointed year after year, as we run around outside in shorts playing Football in the yard.  Temperatures rarely get below 30 except at night and if it snows at all, it's gone the next day.  Not in Austria.  Check out the slideshow of Winter pics or my facebook pics and you will see this Texans first real Winter.  Snow staying on the ground for the last two weeks and more flurries every few days.  Temperatures were cold enough last week to freeze the Danube River in its shallowest places of 10-25 feet.  One thing is certain, it sure feels like Christmas!!  We have been in Christmas mode for the last three weeks and are loving it. Christmas begins in Austria around the middle of November.  Since the 18th of November, Christmas has been in full swing with markets, decorations, songs, and smells throughout the city of Vienna.

Please watch this clip from one of favorite Christmas specials!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=DKk9rv2hUfA

  Celebrating in Austria revolves around Christ which is so refreshing compared to the "Happy Holidays" focus in the US now.  Except that for most Austrians, it is merely celebrating a tradition rather than the true meaning of Christmas. The symbols of the truth are everywhere like the manger scenes, Christ's name of every market, and music selections about Christ Jesus.  Even a holiday for His Mother as she too, according to the Catholic church, was immaculately conceived like Jesus.  Holidays and symbols that after the season will be put away and forgotten until the next non-working Church Holiday.  As believers, this is one of the single greatest times of the year for us to focus on the truth of Jesus.  Our best opportunities to witness in Austria is now as questions and curiosities abound during this time more than any other save Easter.  Please pray for us during these weeks as we intentionally raise questions and stir up more interest in Jesus by using His birth and lifestory to light the way to salvation.

New Experiences

Christkindlmarkt

The traditional Christmas Market of Vienna is a sight to behold.  It is an assortment of food, decorations, and gatherings that happens from the middle of November until Christmas Day.  We had so much fun wandering through the market.  We sampled new foods like KartoffelPuree, potato patties made from mashed potatoes, and spicy wurst wrapped in croissant-like bread.  We also had some roasted chestnuts.  Never had a roasted chestnut, not a tradition in Texas, but surprisingly enjoyed them.  Sweet flavor.  The desserts called krapfen, giant filled doughnuts, were a big hit at our house.  Overall, a wonderful experience that we will treasure forever.

Snowfalls

We experienced our first and second snowfalls this week in Vienna.  The first snow fell and we played in it making snowballs to our hearts content.  A second snowfall, even more than the first, would have closed schools in Texas but not in Austria.  We trudged through the snow to school and had a great time keeping the kids from eating the snow and sliding around the streets of Vienna.  Freezing temperatures have kept the snow around and we have enjoyed seeing it for days now.  The girls came home tonight to have a snowball/ice war in the backyard in the dark.  What other choice do you have when the sun goes down at 4 o'clock!  Great times.