Strasbourg, Capital of Christmas

I am just back from Strasbourg where I spent Christmas. Strasbourg is self styled the Capital of Christmas. It is a place where the old traditional European connections are still very much in evidence. Somehow while it is has all the commercial trappings, the magic is still there, it is not commercial as it is in London with the impatient laden expectations of after Chistmas’ sales and bargains. It has the slight flavour of the fairy tale magic of Hansel and Gretel land like many of the villages in Alsace which has that chocolate box picturesque touch in the air.

It is not just the half timbred multi coloured houses with the many elegant lights in the streets, nor the spiced cookies or even the hot mulled wine – its something in the air. Just as being at the Christmas service at the Cathedral had a resonance just  by being held in that beautiful and grand edifice, the Strasbourg Cathedral de Notre-Dame  – the atmosphere in the cathedral seems to be steeped in tradition, suffused with the many years of  prayers that had gone yesteryears and everyday.

Strasbourg Cathedral stained glass window