ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Despite the bracing cold in Ann Arbor, hearts were warm and spirits high at the annual Christkindl Market at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. Following the Dec. 14 Latin Mass — which, as always, filled the church — parishioners happily made their way to the old gymnasium, where they were welcomed by the heavenly aromas of mulled wine, gingerbread cookies and sizzling sausages. The scene was festive and inviting, a true agape: a joyful celebration of love rooted in God himself.

Adding to the cheer, several parishioners donned traditional Bavarian attire in honor of their German heritage, fully embracing the spirit of the season. Children scampered happily through the space as parents guided them past vendor tables, their laughter and energy filling the gym. Meanwhile, adults shared stories, smiles and warm conversation. Christmas joy was unmistakably in the air.

“Today is Gaudete Sunday and is a time to rejoice,” pastor Father William Asbaugh said. “With the Christkindl Market, we bring together cultures and faith in peace. And we are also celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas and defender of the unborn.” In that spirit, members of the parish’s pro-life community gathered to enjoy a Mexican meal, complete with festive cookies and cups of rich, spicy Mexican hot chocolate.

A wide array of vendors offered handmade baked goods, pysanky egg ornaments, linocut and watercolor art, cozy knitwear and more. Two local authors shared their work. Bethany Thelen Nugent presented Our Family: Seen and Unseen, a book she said offers consolation to parents who have experienced miscarriage. Bettina Senga displayed her striking linocut icons along with an alphabet book celebrating the city of Ann Arbor.

Young entrepreneurs and artists Lydia and Nora Grutter teamed up with Chiara Randolph to sell their own hand-designed crocheted animals. “We got tired of making blankets,” Randolph explained, “so we came up with patterns with ideas from our own minds and some inspiration from the internet.” 

The market also welcomed guests from abroad. Visiting from Austria was Father Mark Thelen, founder of the European Mission Campus, accompanied by six young people who are meeting with Catholic evangelization groups to share their experiences. “There has been an increase in the number of baptisms and conversions in Europe,” the Michigan-born priest said, “and we’re filling the gap as the number of religious vocations has fallen.”

Father Fares Hattar, a native of the Holy Land who has ministered to Christians in Bethlehem, said: “This is beautiful. It reminds me of home.” He expressed gratitude for serving at St. Thomas and as a chaplain at the University of Michigan Hospital. Just a week earlier, he had celebrated Mass with the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa — bringing, along with him, a little taste of the Holy Land to Michigan this Christmas season.

In every laugh, shared meal, and handmade gift, the Christkindl Market once again revealed the joy of faith, family and fellowship — even on the coldest of winter days.