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I though you have to wait until Christmas Day to unwrap your pressies, but it appears to be different around here.
The Johanniskirche, looking brand-spanking new, despite being extremely chronologically gifted.
Consecrated in 910 (which makes it the oldest church in Mainz) and was in fact the cathedral church of the Archbishopric of Mainz until the Dom (just across the road) was completed in 975.
For the next 800 years, it went through the usual “add a bit, knock a bit down” phase to match the architectural style and financial resources of the day until the French turned up in 1792 and decided that it would make an excellent warehouse.
So that was that for 30 odd years, until it was reinstated as a church and promptly gifted (probably surplus to requirements, if the truth were known) to the Protestant congregation.
Who did the same “add a bit, knock a bit down” thing as the Catholics had been doing, culminating in a complete makeover in Art Nouveau style in 1906.
Just in time to be completely burned out in the air raid of 1942.
Survived the wrecker’s ball and was reconstructed (given the post war fiscal constraints) in a late Carolingian style.
Maybe not quite so chronologically gifted, after all….
Mainz Daily Photo 
>It’s that time of year again! I’m doing the rounds and apologising for my complete failure to more regularly offer comment on everybody’s incredible efforts for the year. I know how hard it can be to keep up with the daily grind of everyday posting, and want to thank you for your efforts.I especially want to wish festive greetings for all from down here at [nearly] the end of the world, the bottom of Tasmania.So, if you could delete whatever is not applicable, I’d like to wish you a very pleasant/merry/happy/wonderful/safe Amaterasu; Ashurall; Beiwe; Choimus; Christmas; Dazh Boh; Dongzhi; Goru; Hanukkah; Hogmanay; Junkanoo; Karachun; Koleda; Lenæa; Meán Geimhridh; Modranicht; New Years; Ras as-Sana; Rozhanitsa Feast; Şeva Zistanê; shōgatsu; Summer Solstice [if you're in the Southern Hemisphere]; Sviatki; Winter solstice [if you're in the Northern Hemisphere]; Yalda; Yule-tide; Ziemassvētki; and Коляда!With a hearty three cheers from Kris, Jen, Henry and Ezra!
>So this church and I ( and you too JB) are all chronologically gifted!!! How delightful. I don't like this facade one bit. Put it back like it was s'il vous plait.BTW, check my Paris blog tomorrow, you're mentioned and linked! I see you smiling.V
>If I remember right from my time as a tourist guide in Mainz, 975 was the year they started the work on the cathedral. And in 1009 the original building was finished the first time, only to burn down on the day of inauguration or in the night before.Next version of the cathedral was finished in 1036!Keep up the good work with your blog next year!