Decorating For Christmas

Well, the lights and decorations are coming up all around Moscow in celebration of the holidays.  "C новым годом!" (Happy New Year!) is read all over the city.  While the new year is celebrated here more than Christmas itself, the decorations are still prominent.

A tree being set up at a nearby mall.

Red Square lit up in the evening.

Beth and I spent some time this weekend decorating around our flat:

Although we're going to miss friends and family back in the States, we're looking forward to celebrating Christmas all this month here in Moscow.  We're planning on showing various Christmas movies every English Movie Night, and several friends have talked to us about celebrating Christmas together.  We're excited to share our culture and traditions with our friends, and explain the meaning behind why we celebrate Christmas every year.