We're Dreaming of a White Christmas

We are now less than two week till Christmas and you can see signs of Christmas everywhere.  Thursday afternoon we went to the Hamilton Temple.  Earlier this month a team of volunteers and missionaries worked to finish installing 280,000 colored light bulbs in trees around the temple grounds.  The lights on ceremony was Saturday night, December 12th.  

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/volunteers-prepare-to-brighten-christmas-season-of-tens-of-thousands

Friday night we went to downtown Auckland to see the Auckland Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert.  Performing with them was the Choir from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/auckland-symphony-orchestra-and-church-choir-share-christmas-spirit 

It was great very entertaining.  We had great seats and enjoyed singing Christmas Carols.  We sang "White Christmas" and noted that in New Zealand, all we can do is - 'Dream of a White Christmas'.

On our way to the concert we passed Farmers and Smith & Caughey's (department stores).   Farmers had a large Santa and his reindeer and Smith & Caughey's had decorated their store windows with the story of 'The Night Before Christmas'.

As we stopped to look at this window, a little boy about the same age (5) as two of our grandsons turned to us and commented on the elves on Santa.  He was delighted with the display.

Saturday morning we went with two other couples to check out Mahurangi Bay Regional Park.  It certainly does not look like Christmas there.  However the Pōhutukawa Trees (New Zealand Christmas Tree) are blooming and it is warming up. 

We had our Area Office Christmas Party this past week.  It is always fun to see everyone, relax and get into the spirit of the season.  During the holidays most people take some time off and vacation, as school is out (summer vacation).  We even have an adventure planned to the South Island over Christmas.  

We have put up a few decorations in our apartment and have started to play Christmas music to try and get in the spirit of the season.  The warm weather makes it an interesting experience.  

"Christmas is what we make of it.  Despite all the distractions, we can see to it that Christ is at the center of our celebration.  If we have not already done so we can establish Christmas traditions for ourselves and for our families which will help us capture and keep the spirit of Christmas." Thomas S Monson, Christmas Devotional 2011