So this is Christmas...

We are trying to get into the Christmas spirit around here, but it's been a bit of a slow go, what with no visible reminders around town and 75 degree sunny weather.  We have decorated our tree, and we took a little trip to Bethlehem to see the Manger Square tree and buy a cave version of Mary and Joseph's stable to update our Nativity set.

 Unprompted brotherly love

 A very cool camel at the wood carving shop in Bethlehem

 An Italian band at Manger Square

"All I Want for Christmas is Justice"

(a poignant reminder that even in the lovely "little town of Bethlehem",

there is rampant inequality and persecution)

Our new, much more historically accurate, grotto "stable"

We have also begun watching Christmas movies.

Here is Liam dressed as the snowman from "The Snowman." 

 If you have never seen this little gem of a movie,
you simply must take the 30 minutes to watch it.  

The music is breathtaking.

And here are my little reindeer watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

As you can see, we are doing our best to get festive.  But we're pretty sure that seeing our best friends from Sarajevo, the Saxtons, while touring the Christmas markets in Vienna next week will be the magic combo that finally does the trick.  We love and miss you all!