First One Candle ...

Today in Germany the First Sunday of Advent is celebrated, the official opening of the Christmas season. On each of the four Sundays before Christmas one more candle will be lit. The Christmas markets have also opened today, unfortunately in the rain, no more festive snow flurries.

I picked up this sweet Nikolaus at the flea market. He is on his skis and I imagine just setting out to arrive on time for St. Nicholas Day, December 6th. When he arrives his job will be to fill all the children's boots with goodies, which used to be oranges, apples and a few pieces of chocolate. I can imagine the goodies are often a littlel more substantial these days. frown