The origin of Christkindlmarkt (Christ Child Market) Christmas Market began in Germany during the late Middle Ages. In 1434, Dresden's Striezelmarkt was considered the first market on record. Others took place earlier but were not titled as such. Today Christmas markets are found throughout the world in Europe, United States, China and Japan. Many commence with the start of advent and end just before Christmas day. Noted in there are at least 30 in the United States with 4 mentioned in Pennsylvania. Bethlehem, the Christmas City, is on the list. Christkindlmarkt began in 1997. This photo program highlights the hot glass blowing opportunity for people to make a ball.

The origin of glass blowing began with a Syrian craftsman in 1BC along the Syro‐Palestinian coast (Syria‐Palestine). The Phoenicians set up glass workshops in what is today Lebanon, Israel, Cyprus and Palestine. Later, Venice became the major center of glass making.

"Glassblowing involves inflating molten glass into a bubble, or parison, with the aid of a blowpipe, or blow tube. Glassblower, glassmith or gaffer is a person who blows glass. Glassblowing involves three furnaces. The major tools involved are the blowpipe (or blow tube), the punty (or pontil), bench, marver, blocks, jacks, paddles, tweezers, paper and a variety of shears."

Sources: https://www.artsquest.org/christkindlmarkt‐bethlehem‐kicks‐off‐5‐week‐holiday‐run‐nov‐20‐at‐steelstacks/, https://www.christmascity.org/christkindlmarkt/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_market, https://www.christmascity.org/christkindlmarkt/, http://www.historyofglass.com/glass‐history/glass‐blowing‐history/ and https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/superpowers‐near‐east/0/steps/19025. acuri.net John R. Vincenti Bethlehem, Pennsylvania's Christkindlmarkt