Early Winter

It looks like January. It feels like January. And we haven’t even entered December yet.

Mosaic Monday: Christmas Market Collages

A “Santaland” is built up in the town square for December. Santa himself is still sleeping, but activity might increase as we get closer to Christmas. In the tent, reminding of a Lapp cot, hot drinks are served.

In front of the old town hall, big Advent candles are lighted (one for each Sunday, or in this case Saturday, before Christmas). Advent hymns are sung by choirs from the different churches. To the fountain in the middle of the square, a special winter decoration has been added to replace the usual running water.

Shopping is encouraged by extra Christmas markets held both indoors and outdoors. The yellow wooden building is one of few remaining wooden houses in town (most were destroyed in fires long ago). It is used for art classes and other study circles, and sometimes exhibitions and markets.

For more mosaics, visit Mary’s Little Red House.

The Star

I’m not sure how widespread the tradition is in other countries, but here many people put up an Advent star in their windows this time of year. The origin is of course the star that according to the Gospel of Matthew (Ch.2) was seen by Magi (“wise men”) from the East at the birth of Jesus. 

“… and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and or myrrh.”

 

For more reflection photography, visit Weekend Reflections at Newton Area Photo.

Favourite Shops

 Friday My Town Shoot Out

  

My favourite tea shop.
They also sell coffee; but I am a tea person...

Besides tea and coffee, they also offer other temptations
to go with it: Bread, biscuits, chocolate, candy…

.~.~.~.

     

Whether you’d like to buy someone a gift, or the materials to get busy yourself,
this arts & crafts shop is a good place to start looking for inspiration.

.~.~.~.

  

“HeartRoom” - a shop for interior design and garden decorations.
A place to go if you’re looking for that “little extra”.

.~.~.~.

My town does not really have a “main street”.
There are several streets lined with shops in the town centre.
Today the town square was all set up with extra Christmas market stalls.
(Old town hall/district court in the background. )

.~.~.~.