Christmas European Style

Ten years ago I spent a semester abroad in London. It was especially lovely to spend the weeks leading up to Christmas in Europe. It was at the London temple distribution center that I discovered the above album by the Mo Tab. It is now one of my favorites and features Christmas songs from around the world (I think mainly Europe though). I love this album because the songs are familiar yet not the kitschy, over-played songs on the radio. Don't get me wrong, I love "White Christmas" and "Jingle Bells" and all of the old favorites but I also wonder why the "continuous Christmas songs station" can't seem to branch out a little and bring out some lesser known carols like "I Saw Three Ships" or "Go, Tell it on the Mountain" or "Ding, Dong Merrily on High" and the like. But I digress.
I thought I had lost my CD until yesterday when I found it crammed in the glove box. I immediately inserted it into the car player and was transported back to Europe.
I remember vividly listening to the beautiful strains of "The Rocking Carol" as our bus meandered through the streets of Oxford.
Joseph, dearest, Joseph mine.
Help me cradle the child divine.
We will rock you, rock you, rock you.
Jesus, Jesus, do not fear,
Those who love you will be near.

Later that evening, we went to King's College (pictured below) and listened to the famous boy's choir perform at Evensong (evening Catholic worship service) by candlelight. It was a beautiful and aesthetic experience.One of my favorite memories of Christmastime in London was when I attended a choir concert at St. Martin-in-the-Field (pictured below). This concert was held in the evening by candlelight and was absolutely amazing! The soft glow and flicker of the candles danced and reflected off of the antique walls and ceilings. The voices from the choir filled the room and its tones were impeccable. It was almost magical to be in that setting and to have nearly all of my senses awakened.

It seemed like Christmas in Europe was much more about the music, the community, tradition and less focused on gifts and commercialism. Maybe I was just blinded because of the difference in culture.
Even the Mormon church parties were different. I attended the London Stake Christmas concert in which a professional opera singer was hired to perform an aria from "Handel's Messiah." Holy awesome!
Speaking of "The Messiah" I just remembered attending a performance in London shortly before Christmas. All of the performers, including the orchestra, were dressed in traditional Baroque costumes. The sounds were so impressive and incomparable!
I had the the opportunity to spend the weekend in Germany with two of my flatmates. One of them had been an exchange student in Germany during high school and we flew from London to Frankfurt to spend the weekend with them. We attended their ward Christmas party and it was so neat to sing Christmas carols in German and, once again, listen to professional performers. Later that night, our German host mom sang us carols in German in her home over delicious cakes and desserts.
I'm so grateful I was able to experience Christmastime in another culture. One other thing I loved about London--caramel roasted nuts from street vendors. You could literally smell them all the way down the street and they were so warm and tasty on a cold day.