Sights & Traditions of Christmas

The familiar, cozy sights of Christmas are warm and comforting. Here are some I want to remember from this year: 

These were Abue's angels. I have nice memories of them at her house, and love seeing them every year now at my own. My girls say I'm the one in the middle, and they're the ones on either side.

Here is a powerful excerpt from Bonhoeffer's God is in the Manger: 

This was our church's Advent book last year. Since I like tradition and familiar things, I decided it would be my Advent book each year. Because Advent started late this year (Dec. 3), I ended up missing a week in this book and The Cloud of Witness. From now on, I will begin both books the Sunday after Thanksgiving every year, regardless of the official "start" of Advent. 

These were creations the girls made at the party with their American Heritage Girls friends: 

(Front and back)

I covered the plates with plastic wrap, and we enjoyed looking at them throughout the Christmas season.

One of my girls has a birthday one week before Jesus's, so we always have non-Christmas sweets for her special day: 

These had chocolate chips and Andes mint chips baked in!

Baking is a big event during this season. It's easy to get overwhelmed with sweets. Next year I believe we should start baking earlier. We waited until Dec. 19 to make treats for friends and family, and ended up with some for us, too. The closer to Christmas Day it is, the more sweets seem to accumulate. Why not bake around Dec. 10 and stagger the desserts? This would also enable earlier distribution to neighbors.

A note I made to myself last year was to set aside an entire afternoon or day for baking. It's terrible to cram such a joyful activity in with other things and feel rushed. I was thankful we planned lots of time for the gingerbread, my girls' favorite Christmas project. Their designs are more elaborate every year! 

We always use the same recipe, same vintage tablecloth, same cookie cutters...and listen to our "Wonderful Christmastime" station while working. As I said, there's nothing like the comfort of traditions, and I delight in the memories my girls and I are making.

A slight break from food, back to the real meaning of Christmas...Here is my favorite decoration of all time: 

This is another of Abue's former things. When I was a child, it moved to my house, and then my mom graciously gave it to me. My girls now cherish and delight in this manger scene. Abue tells me every year that she bought it in 1966 for $6. I keep it in its original sturdy cardboard box. We had to replace the old newspapers (from the 1960's) that cushion the figures, but even the straw is original to the set. The one thing that hasn't survived are the plastic trees. They lasted until about two years ago, and finally crumbled. The star is shabby, but still holding on. This set is one of my most special treasures.

Here is another treasure from a grandmother: 

Jeremy's Granny Beulah had this ceramic tree out every Christmas, and later, kept it in her room when she moved in with my in-laws. What a privilege to have it in our home now, and carry on the tradition! It reminds us of her, too.

We put up two artificial trees in our home each year:

The tree on the left is our big one in the den. It has three light settings: white, colored, and both flashing. We prefer the colored lights, since for years, all we saw were white. We keep presents for the girls under this tree. The smaller tree rests nicely in the dining room by the window. I've had to re-string it over and over, but it's a sweet little tree under which all other gifts go. We remove its ornaments after Christmas, but I carry it down to the basement and leave the tree standing as it is, lights strung, until I get to carry it back up next year.

Back to the dainties, and other fun things: 

A blessing from our friend and his cappuccino maker

An afternoon of homemade peppermint patties, and anything else we could find to dip into chocolate (pretzels and spoonfuls of peanut butter)

Mimi's pork crown roast...

...and ice cream roll! 

Brick always brings us joy!

Speaking of animals and joy....

What do you think of Liz's gifts to Nibbles? The poor guinea was a good sport, and the girls were overjoyed! 

A new rodent was under the tree: 

Meet Sidney the hamster, named for the Pens #87!

We are officially rodent experts. The difference between a guinea pig and hamster is tremendous, although both are cute and lovable.

My hubby knows that for me, nothing is more exciting than unwrapping old books: 

I spotted these at the antiques mall, and knew what I wanted for Christmas. He navigated his way through, found them, and put them wrapped up under our den tree! Jean Ingelow's poems are throughout The Cloud of Witness, and I couldn't resist this beautiful book, especially since my girls and I study a poet per twelve-week school term. The McKinley book was written in 1901, right after his assassination, and is full of striking photos and information. I even discovered a folded-up church devotional guide from 1903 in the pages!

We ended Christmas with two more favorites: 

Deep fried duck...

...and sweet potato soufflé loaded with spices and gooey marshmallows!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Advent Season

The season of waiting before Christmas, Advent, is meant to be savored in anticipation of the coming of Christ. I began last year to be more intentional about not getting caught in the trappings our culture has come to think are what Christmas is all about. While none of our favorite seasonal activities are wrong, it's too easy for me to become overwhelmed if I'm not careful. Nothing should be allowed to creep in and steal our focus on Christ's entrance into the world. The late Barbara Johnson, one of my favorites, wrote, "Set priorities, and practice saying no. Don't be afraid to change traditions if you can't cope with doing things the old way." I have to remain constantly vigilant.

I found this verse tucked in the folds of the seldom-read book of Amos, the Old Testament prophet. It popped off the page. Life comes when we seek the Lord! Jesus said this, too: "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

There is freedom in focusing on Christ...after all, He is the reason we celebrate Christmas! He enables us to find joy in those special things we associate with this season so that they don't become trappings. Eyes set on the Giver of Life  are able to enjoy the season and not become enslaved to it. Bondage to Christmas is the antithesis of the holiday; it's falling into the enemy's trap and contrary to the whole reason Christ came. I cringe when I hear people talk about Christmas as something weary, complaining of all they have to do, and what little time they have. Seek the Lord, and live.

Here I am at one of my favorite places, with one of my favorite people:

My friend Liz and I were at church about two weeks ago, and I had to have a photo of her gorgeous dress. She makes all her own dresses, and they are works of art! Liz is well-known at Missio Dei church (and, I guess in our area) for her exquisite wardrobe. She uses her God-given talent to glorify Him and spread the joy of Christmas in a unique way.

The girls and I couldn't ignore this in school:

I was taken aback when I realized that the attack on Pearl Harbor happened seventy-five years ago this year. I remember when I was in high school, it had been "fifty years ago," which seemed like a long time. The "Greatest Generation" is rapidly being taken from us by time, which has to march on. We are blessed to have had them as our grandparents, and to have heard their stories. Soon our World War II veterans will be but a cherished memory. This sentence was our copywork for the day, which the girls carefully put into their notebooks. 

Something we look forward to all year is baking gingerbread. This is not an activity to be hurried or crammed in between other events. There's the dough preparation, cutting out various shapes, baking the cookies, then finally the girls' favorite part: the decorating! I reserve several hours, and often an entire morning or afternoon for gingerbread. The fun and memories (as well as the finished product!) are well worth the time.

The girls had a blast and put hard work and time into these cookies. They are the folks at the racquet club where the girls practice tennis, and we took them right over as soon as they were ready. Notice the animals; these are the club dogs, Daisy and Dinho!

And you might guess who these are...the girls made cookies of themselves this year!

Our pastor recommended this book for Advent this year, and I'm enjoying spending time in it daily:

In addition to my usual reading of The Cloud of Witness (which begins daily readings during Advent and goes throughout the year), Bonhoeffer's selections provide profound growth during Advent. Each daily devotion takes only a few minutes to read, rich in ideas on which to meditate during the day. I like to read this in the morning and The Cloud at night. 

Here is a note from today's reading in God is in the Manger:

"...look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28

I have written before about our church group that comes over every Tuesday. Our church serves several counties in western North Carolina, so we have people who go from near and far. During the week, groups meet in homes all over the area so that we can get to know those from the church who live close to us. Our group consists of thirteen adults and seven kids; the adults vary in age from twenty-five to forty-five, with some married, some engaged, some single, and some separated and standing for their marriages. We share a meal every week, then spend rich time in the Word and prayer. 

We have come to love each individual in the group as we share our lives together. Life is messy, and our group is a safe place. People can share deeply or not. I have noticed that it never takes long for a newcomer to feel like a part of our group. We are brothers and sisters in Christ who sharpen each other and spur one another on, growing more confidence to know each other and be fully known. 

This week, we decided to all provide appetizers and desserts, then we did a "white elephant" gift exchange with old stuff from our own homes that we didn't want anymore. One thing about our group: not only do we laugh and cry together...we EAT together! I wanted to make something special, but there was that time factor I mentioned earlier. 

I decided to try an easy Pinterest bark recipe. The girls and I used one bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips, a bag of Andes mint chips (a seasonal item; can also crush regular Andes mints), and some crushed Kit-Kats. All we did was put foil on a shallow baking pan, dump and combine the chips and mints, and put them in the oven for two minutes at 325. Once they were slightly melted, we took them out and the girls swirled it with toothpicks while I drizzled the Kit-Kat pieces over the top. This process took a total of maybe five minutes. We placed the creation in the refrigerator for a half hour to harden, then I took it out and broke the sheet into pieces. Instant Christmas bark!

This will be a must for future Christmases because of its ease, and the little time it takes. The possibilities are endless: omit the mint chips and just do chocolate with drizzled bits of coconut and almond for the Almond Joy fans in your life, or use white chocolate instead and drizzle it with crushed candy canes. Broken Reese's peanut butter cups would make a yummy topping for a plain chocolate version, too.

Liz and Burney were first to arrive, and he was donning his own unparalleled creation:

This wins the Christmas sweater contest! Burney is a coffee roaster and spoils us with freshly roasted and brewed coffee every week. This time, as he went around the kitchen and dining room serving it, he jingled everywhere he went!

What a feast we had!!!!!! I love the foretaste of heaven, fellowshipping over the table with my brothers and sisters. 

There was apple-cream cheese spread, regular cheese spread, ham croissants, a  beautiful meat tray, pizza bites, biscuits and a veggie plate that arrived later, corn, ambrosia, Oreos and Nilla wafers, chocolate chip melt-aways, mini chocolate chip cookies and ice cream, candy canes, and the bark. Our group knows how to have a meal!

Until next time....focus on the real reason for Christmas, our Creator and Sustainer, the Giver of Life. Although He should not be overshadowed by anything, don't be afraid to receive the joy that this season brings in the form of fun things. It is our receiving with gladness and not guilt or tiredness that we prepare to receive Him, our greatest Gift.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

Allergy-Free Gingerbread

I didn't come into adulthood with traditions from childhood.  It has been a welcome revelation that traditions had to start somewhere, and my heart is warmed by ones that my family and I now enjoy.

I am learning that traditions need not be elaborate or costly.  Sweet memories are made by an atmosphere of love, warmth, and something familiar.  My girls and I have come to treasure the simple tradition of making gingerbread this time of year.

During our baking and decorating, we had a conversation about Christmas being Jesus's birthday.  Our culture, I explained, has taken many fun and good things and turned them into the focus of Christmas instead. I clarified that we can take pleasure in baking, however; Christ is the giver of the joy we feel in spending time together adding ingredients, mixing, listening to Christmas tunes in the background, and adorning the baked goods.  He is the Creator of all, and we can delight in His presence and the good things He has bestowed on us. We can do everything to His glory, and be glad in the freedom that Emmanuel came to give us.

This recipe came about when my baby was less than a year old and allergic to egg. I wanted to make a gingerbread that she would be able to eat, and somewhere (probably the Internet) I found this. The timing was perfect, as I discovered I was in early pregnancy with my second daughter, and the ginger and spices soothed my queasiness. To this day, I tell this now seven-year-old that she is made of gingerbread!

My older girl grew out of her allergy, but this time of year wouldn't be the same without this recipe. The spicy fragrance and taste have turned into welcome and comforting pleasures on cold, dreary December days.

Decorating gingerbread is an exciting art project!
Simply buy white icing, divide it, and drop in green and red
food coloring.  Sprinkles are an inexpensive and fun addition.

To make allergy-free gingerbread (not gluten-free), you will need:

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup white or brown sugar

1/2 cup molasses

3 and 1/2 cups flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

And, this year, we threw in a shake or two of allspice!

Blend butter and sugar with mixer until fluffy. Combine molasses and 5 tbsp. water in a separate bowl. Stir this into the butter mixture.  In a separate (big) bowl, sift together the remaining ingredients. Take 1/2 cup at a time of this sifted mixture and sift it again into the butter mixture, stirring as you go, until all of this mixture is well blended into dough.  

To cut the dough into cookies, I put an old Christmas tablecloth on the kitchen table, and place cutting boards (one per child) on the table. Shake flour onto the boards, because the dough will be sticky.  Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350. Then, it's time for the kids to take charge! They use the rolling pin (or pound the dough down with their fingers), and decide which of the many cutters they want to use.  Some will be thin, and others may end up thick and cake-like.  It's okay to put the cookies close together on the baking sheet; they will not spread much.  Bake about 8 minutes, cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then hand them over to the kids.  I like to have the finished products rest on cooling racks, where the icing has a chance to dry a little.  

My husband is not a fan of frosting, and this recipe produces enough cookies to leave many plain.  They are scrumptious with morning coffee, as a pick-me-up between meals, or to cleanse your palate after supper.  I hope your family will treasure this lovely gingerbread as much as we do.  From our house to yours!