Christmas Is Here

Candles flicker in the nativity scene.  Coloured lights twinkle in the dark.  Presents overflow their space under the tree.  Christmas is here.

John Lennon sings, “So this is Christmas.  And what have you done?”

What have I done to prepare for Christmas?  What have you done?

Christmas is a bit of a schizophrenic holiday.  There’s the busy cooking, baking, shopping, cleaning, make everything perfect, Santa’s coming personality of Christmas.  And there’s the Advent, slowing down, contemplating, preparing the way, and God with us side of Christmas.

Personally I don’t see anything wrong with a little bit of schizophrenia in the holiday season.  It’s only when the balance shifts to the busy, at the exclusion of God with us, that we have a problem.

December is our busiest time at work.  Not only do our clients want to get as much advertising as possible on the radio in December, but we also run our biggest promotion of the year as a station.  We work to bring Christmas Miracles to families in need of some love and help to make their Christmas season better.

By the time the week before Christmas rolls around we’re all pretty exhausted.  Late Monday afternoon another Manager came into my office. 

We were talking about how we were both looking forward to a rest over the Christmas season.  She made a comment about a book I had in my hand.  With a note of irony in my voice I shared what I’d just been reading from Ann Voskamp’s book, “The Greatest Gift”.

“The miscarriage of Christmas begins when anxieties crowd out space within simply to carry Christ.  Make room; be a womb.  Be a womb to receive Christ everywhere, and it is He who delivers everyone.  So you let the last of the trimmings go.  Cease the pace to do, buy, produce more.  Find the calendar and erase.  Somewhere make space.  And you can feel the space become a sanctuary.”

We looked at each other and laughed. 

“So this is Christmas.  And what have you done?”  Have you made space?  Do you have time to receive Christ as He comes silently tonight? 

Read the Christmas story starting with Luke chapter 1 and read to the end of verse 40 in Luke chapter 2.  Make space for Christ now.

Merry Christmas!

What Can I Do To Please God?

The first week of Advent is almost over.  Back on Monday I started reading Ann Voskamp’s book, “The Greatest Gift – Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas”.  It’s provides a reading for each day leading up to Christmas.

She includes scripture passages, some thought provoking reflection, and an activity for the day.  Yesterday’s activity was to do one thing just to please God.

I had to stop and think about that.  What could I do that would please God?  I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t have a good answer. 

I thought of Random Acts of Shineness.  On Wednesdays ShineFM, the radio station I work at, encourages people to do something kind and unexpected for someone; hence Random Acts of Shineness.  I could buy coffee for someone, but that seemed fairly unoriginal.

Walking into Walmart that morning to buy gifts cards for client Christmas gifts I thought, “Here’s my chance.  Maybe I can do something that will please God here.” 

I took all 65 gift cards (yes that’s 65 cards that have to be activated individually) to the cashier.  She began to ring them up and I felt sorry for her and the people waiting behind me.  What would please God in this situation?

“Give her one of the gift cards,” my brain said. 

Now it’s funny how we automatically question something that’s out of the ordinary.  “What, give her one of the gift cards?  That’s a little weird, and it throws my count off, what if she gets in trouble for it?”

But the thought persisted, so after she processed the last card, I thanked her for her trouble, took one of the cards, and tried to give it to her.  She refused, saying she was just doing her job. 

Well that attempt crashed and burned.  So, what else can I do that will please God? 

I stopped at Tim Hortons to pick up a Take 10 coffee box for my next meeting.  Another thought occurred to me.  When I paid for the coffee I asked the cashier to ring through six $5.00 gift cards.  After paying, I handed him back the cards.  He looked confused, but then I explained that one was for him to keep and the others were for the next few people in line.

This attempt went a little better.  He declined the one for himself, but asked if he could save them until the next morning.  He said he had regulars who came in and he’d like to treat them to a morning coffee.  We agreed this would put them to good use and off I went.

Did that please God?  Maybe, but I think it was more of a “Random Act of Shineness” than a God pleasing moment. 

I have to face the fact that most days I don’t think about whether my daily activities are pleasing to God.  Usually I’m caught up in the busyness of daily life and don’t take time to do the small acts of kindness that show God’s love.  Sometimes it takes a wake-up call like the simple question, “What can I do to please God?” to bring me to my senses and start paying attention.

I’m glad yesterday’s devotion made me think about this question. Because of it, I’m now more aware of the people around me during this Advent season and I’m looking for ways I can please God.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

What do you do on a daily basis that pleases God? 

Share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” below.

A Child Born

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

"So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.". Luke 2:7 (NKJV)

A prophesy and a fulfillment...the story of the birth of Christ, Son of God.  May it permeate your heart this Christmas and may you find peace, joy, and love.

Merry Christmas!

Open Door Opportunity

The mercury drops outside our house and we shiver in the chill of the fall day, knowing winter lurks around the corner.  My husband and I sit on our front porch talking quietly, when we’re interrupted by the meow of a small, matted, starving cat. 

If you know me at all you know how this ends.  Winter is approaching and there’s a beautiful tiny orange cat outside who doesn’t stand a chance at temperatures below zero.  The adoption story is a long one, but suffice to say, against my better judgment, we took her in.

 

I researched proper methods to introduce new cats to a multi-cat household and for a number of weeks we lived with the gated cat community you see in the picture.  Yes those are baby gates extending from floor to ceiling!

 

Zeus and Phoebe, our resident cats, plotted on how to gain access to Jasmine, the new cat.  One morning after erecting the gates, I realized I forgot to shut the bathroom door; a door providing access to the rooms where Jasmine was barricaded. 

 
Zeus and Phoebe, so focused on the barrier in front of them, completely missed the opportunity to walk freely through the door and enter the barricaded area!
 
I think a little of this focused “cat nature” carries over into “human nature”. 

Are you so caught up in the stress of Christmas concerts, work parties, church pageants, and shopping that you don’t recognize an opportunity to connect with God when the door beckons wide in front of you?

 

Are you paralyzed by the “To Do” list, longing to connect with God but never quite getting there?

This is Advent; a time of reflection and preparation.  Lots of churches have open doors this season.  Don’t miss the open door opportunity.  Visit a church and spend time reflecting on the significance of this Christmas season.

Do You Know Me?

A few hours ago I was waiting in line to board a plane in the Edmonton airport.  A young couple with a little girl, about four years old, was at the gate.  The flight attendant decided to engage the girl in conversation and it went something like this…

“GOOD MORNIG SUNSHINE!!!!  How are you today?  Are you excited to get on the plane?” 

I tuned out for a bit until her comment, “You have fun now” signaled the end of the conversation. 

As the family moved down the boarding ramp into the plane the little girl turned back to the flight attendant, a puzzled look on her face.  In a voice only a child can achieve, pitched perfectly to carry across the boarding lounge and down the terminal, she looked at the attendant and asked, “Do You KNOW Me?”

Needless to say the entire boarding lounge completely lost it in laughter!  It was SO perfect!

Do you know me?  Perhaps that’s a question Jesus is asking this Advent season.  In the busy press of a crowded shopping mall Jesus stands quietly in the deserted corner, knocking at your heart, asking, “Do you know me?”

Do you REALLY know me?

In the craziness that is your pre-Christmas life I encourage you to make some time to ask yourself that question.

If you’re not sure, or you’ve lost touch with Jesus, read the Christmas story in Matthew 1:18 to 2:23 and Luke 1:1 to2:20.

Get reacquainted with:

•  Jesus, the Baby
• Jesus, the Word made Flesh
• Jesus, the Miracle

Then continue reading through these gospels to get to know:

• Jesus, the Man
• Jesus, the Son of God
• Jesus, the Saviour
• Jesus, the Risen Christ

Do you know me?  Let the answer be, “Yes” to Jesus this Advent season.

Cherry Dream Slice

Christmas is coming and with it comes the pressure that it HAS to be perfect. 

Before your head explodes from the realization you're never going to get everything done in time consider this...

Just because it's tradition doesn't mean you HAVE to do it! 

Remember the Grinch?

In his attempt to put an end to Christmas, he takes away everything that, in his mind, "makes" Christmas for the Who's.  We all know what happens.

"...It came without ribbons!  It came without tags!  It came without packages, boxes or bags!" (From "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss)

And then we glean great wisdom from our beloved Dr. Seuss...

"Maybe Christmas...doesn't come from a store.  Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!". (From "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss)

Wise words to keep in mind as we move into the Advent season.

So, in an effort to simply your life, and NOT have your head explode, but still satisfy everyone's desire for home made treats I give to you...a sweet, cherry Christmas-y treat that takes very little time or effort...Cherry Dream Slice.

CHERRY DREAM SLICE

Shortbread Base
1/2 cup butter
1 1/4 cups flour
3 tbsp. sugar
Mix together and pat into an 8 x 8 inch pan.  Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.  Let cool.

Filling
24 marshmallows
1 small mashed banana
15 drained maraschino cherries, chopped

Butter the inside of a double boiler.  Put in marshmallows and melt, stirring regularly.  (If you don't have a double boiler use a standard pot on very low heat.  Stir regularly so marshmallows don't burn.). When marshmallows are melted stir in banana and cherries.  Spread on shortbread base.  Let cool.

Icing
1/4 cup butter
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1 cup icing sugar
A drizzle of milk

Beat butter until smooth, add icing sugar, vanilla, and a small drizzle of milk.  Beat until smooth.  Add small amounts of milk as necessary until you have a soft icing of spreading consistency.  Spread over top of slice.  Refrigerate.

Keeping Christ In 2013

“And so this is Christmas.  And what have you done.  Another year over.  And a new one just begun…”  John Lennon – “So This is Christmas” lyrics.

It’s December 31, 2012.  These lyrics play in my head as I sit contemplating the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013.

I’ve “put away” Christmas for another year.  The tree was undecorated on the weekend and hauled off to the recycle centre where it will resurface as mulch in one of the town parks in the spring.

The Christmas gifts have settled into their new homes around the house.  The decorations are packed in the Rubbermaid bin and stashed under the stairs for another eleven months.

This morning I lit the three tea lights that haven’t burnt away to nothing in the nativity set.  No point wasting them – might just as well use them up before packing it away.

I gaze contemplatively at it.  A thought strikes me.  How ironic.  Each figure in the scene has a lit candle – the angel, the shepherds, the kings.  All of them except the figure of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

I wonder if that’s a telling reflection of my life.   When I pack up Christmas for the next eleven months, do I pack up Jesus?  Do I put out the light of Christ for the year, only conveniently pulling it out to be relit for one month at Christmas?

Did my priorities from 2012 reflect this?  Did I make Christ the center of my life, or did I choose to worship other things.  Other priorities…busyness, work, money…instead of Christ’s priorities…relationships, service, and community.

Jesus is the centre of the nativity scene.  Without him there wouldn’t be a nativity scene…no angels or shepherds or kings. 

It’s the start of a new year.  What does 2013 hold?  New beginnings, new commitments, new goals, new vision.  A year full of promise, not yet sullied with hardship or struggles.

I refuse to pack away Christ’s light just because Christmas is over.  In 2013 I want His light to burn brightly in my life.  I want it to shine through me, enabling me to love and serve others so they can see and share in Christ’s light.

What does 2013 hold for you?  Will you pack up Jesus when you pack up Christmas, or will you choose to keep His light burning strong in your life through this new year that’s about to start?

Please share your thoughts on how to keep Christ’s light burning throughout the year by clicking on “comments” below.

Luke 1:36-38 - Contagious Love

MEMORY VERSE:
“What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age!  People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.’  Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.’  And then the angel left her.” 
Luke 1:36-38  (NLT)

Today we lit the fourth candle on the advent wreath.  The candle symbolizing love.

How Mary loved God!  She gave her life to bear God’s son.  She says, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.”

Mary couldn’t foresee the pain she would endure in being Jesus’ mother.  But she did understand the trials she would face when her family and the community she lived in realized she was pregnant.

Despite her uncertain future, she gave up plans she had for her life to follow God’s plan.  She loved her God.

And how God loves us!  How Jesus loves us!  He gave up his kingdom in heaven to come to earth as a helpless child.  He grew up and endured scorn, ridicule, hatred, suffering, and death for us. 

Jesus gave up His life because He loves us.  How do we respond to a love that runs so deep it surpasses our understanding?

You can respond by choosing to ignore Jesus and deny His existence.  Or, you can respond with love.  Love for Jesus and love for God.

And here’s the cool thing…love is contagious!  When you respond to God with love, you find yourself responding to people all around you with love, too. 

Mary responded to the angel with love and sacrifice.  Jesus responded to us with love and sacrifice.

Christmas Day is just a few days away.  How will you respond to the helpless baby lying in a stable?

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’  Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.’  The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age!  People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.’  Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.’  And then the angel left her.” 

Luke 1:30-38 (NLT)

Luke 1:34-35 - Conflicted Joy

MEMORY VERSE:

“Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.’  The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”  Luke 1:34-35 (NLT)

 

 

 

Today we lit the third candle in the advent wreath…the candle of Joy.

As I read through these two scripture verses I wonder what Mary thought.  How many conflicted emotions raced through her mind?  Did she have cause to be joyful?

Earlier in verse 31 the angel tells her she’s going to conceive and give birth to a son.  Mary’s not stupid.  Now she asks “But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.” 

In her world a pregnancy outside of marriage is a death sentence.  And the sentence is carried out by stoning.  Why would she rejoice over this news?

But the angel continues his message and tells Mary, “So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”

Wow!  Two conflicting events…imminent death…and the birth of the promised Messiah.  How do you process that information?  How do you respond?

I suspect Mary felt a mixture of fear, anger, doubt, resentment, excitement, hope, and yes, even joy.  So often we hold joy in tension with other emotions in our lives.

 

Where are you today?  What conflicting emotions live in your heart?  Are there things you have cause to rejoice over even if life isn’t perfect?

• Your home
• Your family
• Your job
• Food on your table
• Time with friends
• A safe place to worship
• Your car
• An education
• A warm bed to sleep in
• Money to pay your bills

Your family may not be perfect.  You may not have the job of your dreams.  But if you dig deeply enough you’ll probably still find some reason to be joyful in this Advent season.

I pray for a little piece of joy to permeate each reader’s life this week.  May you receive it, recognize it, and rejoice in it.

God bless.

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.  Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.’  The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”  Luke 1:30-35

Luke 1:32-33 - Preparation

MEMORY VERSE:

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”  Luke 1:32-33

 

 

It’s the second Sunday in the Advent season.  This morning we lit the candle of preparation.

What are you preparing for...Christmas?  And what is Christmas…A joyful time of celebrating a new birth?  But what if you don’t feel much like celebrating?

Perhaps your time of preparation this Christmas season isn’t for something as joyful as a new birth.

Maybe you’re preparing for a lay off from your job.  Perhaps you’re preparing to face the loss of someone very close to you who’s ill…a spouse, a sibling, or a child. 

 

Maybe you’re preparing to do battle against cancer, or depression, or anxiety.  Or perhaps you’re preparing to face the loss of your marriage, and with it, your hopes and dreams for the future.

This week I find myself reflecting back 29 years when my mother was preparing us (her family) to continue our lives without her.  She knew she was losing the daily battle for survival against what was then a deadly disease…lymphoma.

Being young, I was shielded from the details, but I imagine these weren’t preparations she wanted to make that Advent season.  She had a husband who loved her and three children, ages 15, 19, and 22, who she desperately wanted to see grow up into adulthood.

She knew that wasn’t going to happen, so she prepared by writing each of us a letter that would be given to us after she died.  She and Dad planned Christmas that year.  We would have Christmas whether she was there to share in it or not.

On December 10, 1983, she lost her battle, but the plans and preparations she made for our future continued.

Advent is a time of preparation.  The preparation you’re engaged in may not be pleasant.  But Advent is also a time of hope.  A time of finding light in the darkness.

I pray that all of you reading this today will find a ray of hope in your time of preparation this year.

God bless!

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’  “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 

Luke 1:30-33  (ESV)

Luke 1:30-31 - Mysterious Yearnings

MEMORY VERSE:

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’”  Luke 1:30-31 (ESV)

Snow falls, Christmas music plays, Starbucks is filled with shiny red mugs, decorations glitter on streets, and friends and family gather together.

Something dances like a tingling ball in the pit of my stomach.  (No it’s not irritable bowel) It’s a sensation of anticipation and of yearning.

Anticipation of what?

This is the first week of advent.  On Sunday, Christians around the world lit the first advent candle.  The candle of Hope.  Perhaps I’m yearning for hope in this world.

I wonder what Mary yearned for as she carried the Christ child in her womb.  Did she tingle with hope for the future as she awaited the birth of her miracle baby? 

The words from the song, “Mary Did You Know” resonate in this season. 

 

Take a few quiet moments to think about this song.  Let your imagination carry you into the mind of a frightened young mother waiting for the birth of an unknown child.

How could she have any idea of this baby’s future?

“Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to the blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect lamb?

The sleeping child you’re holding is the Great, I Am.” (See reference for lyrics below)

These words send shivers up my spine.  How could she have known? 

I wonder, if she did know what was to come in her son’s life, would she have had the courage to say, “Yes” to the angel when he told her God’s plan?

If we knew everything we'd face in our lives would we have the courage to carry on?  Perhaps it’s best not to know everything. 

Like Mary, God prepares us for what is to come by gradually revealing His plan for our lives.  He helps us grow and mature so we’re ready to face the challenges when they do come.

Advent is a time of anticipation, a time of waiting, a time of hoping, a time of wondering, a time of reflection.  There’s a sense of mystery in the air.  Something we can’t quite completely understand, but something we yearn for deep inside.

I pray that you find hope in this season of mysterious yearning. 

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’” 

Luke 1:30-31 (ESV)

 

 

Lyrics for "Mary Did You Know" taken from A-Z Lyrics - Clay Aiken Lyrics.  Song originally written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/clayaiken/marydidyouknow.html .  

A Dead Wooden God

What God are you worshiping this Christmas? Isaiah makes a fabulous point in chapter 44:13-19. Here’s a brief synopsis of his message...

A carpenter draws up blueprints for a statue. He carefully selects an appropriate tree and cuts it down. He wastes nothing of the tree; using it as fuel for his fire to heat his home and cook his food. He holds a part of the tree back and fashions it into a statue. He sets the statue on the mantle, calls it his god and bows down and worships it.

Where’s the logic in this?!? How can a statue made from the same tree as the wood that heated the house and cooked the food be a god? Once the tree is cut down it’s dead. The statue is just a dead piece of wood.

Can the statue create? Can it communicate? Can it control day and night, wind and rain, moon and stars and sun? Can it inexplicably cure cancer and restore someone to complete health? Can it bring peace and joy into your life? Can you have a relationship with a dead piece of wood? Can it offer you forgiveness and freedom from the mess you’ve made of your life?

It’s fairly easy to see the obvious answer to these questions is a resounding, “NO”. There’s no possible way a dead piece of wood can do any of these things no matter how many times you ask it. Most of us don’t go out and buy statues, bring them home, call them our gods and start a religion around worshiping them. Let’s consider a question a little closer to home.

Can you have a personal relationship with your big screen TV? (No, bonding with it for four hours every night to watch reality shows doesn’t count.) Will you find unending happiness and inexplicable joy in your new BMW or will it only bring you debt and stress once the initial pride of ownership wears off? What about the job that’s taken the place of your family? Can it bring you freedom and unconditional acceptance? We’re not so different than the people Isaiah speaks to. Our idols are just more subtle.

This Christmas let’s take time to quietly reflect on what god we’ve been worshiping and what god we plan to worship in 2012. If you look for Him you’ll find the Christ child. The true, living God lying humbly in a manger, not forcing Himself into your life, but extending an open invitation for you to welcome Him into your heart.

What god are you worshiping this Christmas?

The Cherry and Mint Snowball Experimentation Update

Last week I posted a recipe for snowballs - the only candy I know that's made out of a vegetable (assuming a potato qualifies as a vegetable which is another whole controversy...vegetable, fruit, starch...you decide).

This evening I had an opportunity to experiment with the recipe and am pleased to report a successful trial in flavouring with maraschino cherries and almond extract in one batch and mint in another. Both are quite nice with a dark chocolate coating.

So, for anyone who's feeling adventurous - start with the same snowball recipe from the original post - one boiled, mashed potato, add 1 cup icing sugar.

For Cherry Snowballs:
Instead of the vanilla extract add 2 tsp. almond extract and about 1/4 cup of chopped maraschino cherries. Add enough icing sugar to make a soft dough. (You'll find this takes more icing sugar than the original recipe as the cherries add more liquid into the mixture.) Just keep adding icing sugar until you get a dough you can roll into balls and set on waxed paper. Then dip in melted semi-sweet chocolate. Voila, yummy chocolate covered cherry snowballs!

For Mint Snowballs:
Instead of the vanilla extract add 1 tsp. mint extract (you can add more if you like a stronger mint flavour, but I found it quite strong with just 1 tsp.) Add enough icing sugar to make a soft dough, roll in balls, allow to set on waxed paper and dip in melted semi-sweet chocolate.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy!

Snowballs

It's recipe week here at Living Day By Day In God's Grace. Rather appropriate since I started my Christmas baking this week. Over the next few weeks I'll be sharing some simple recipes for sweet Christmas treats. I thought I'd start out with one that brings back memories from my childhood.


Snowballs were always fun to make as a kid because I could take a meal time staple that I wasn't particularly fond of...a potato...and turn it into a sweet, chocolaty candy treat. A little weird, I know but easy to do!


I have a vivid teenage memory of formulating a plan to snag one (or more) of these out of the cupboard while my mom was out the room. I went into stealth mode. Silently I carried the chair over to the fridge, balanced precariously on it and extended my reach with the help of a ruler. I patiently maneuvered the snowball container closer to the edge of the shelf and finally met with success as I was able to tip it over the edge and catch it with my free hand.


The taste of dark chocolate was mine. My mouth watered. I pulled off the lid and let out a shriek of alarm! Mom came running in to find me staring in dismay into the depths of the container. The entire contents was overtaken by a furry blue and black mass of mold!  Eeewwww! So much for stealth mode!


I speak from experience when I tell you to store these in the fridge!

SNOWBALLS


Potato
Vanilla
Icing sugar
Semi sweet baker's chocolate
Coconut and/or sprinkles and/or chopped nuts


Boil one medium potato and mash it - don't add milk or butter - just mash the potato
Use a mixer to beat in 1 cup icing sugar
Add 2 tsp. vanilla
Beat in enough icing sugar (1/2 cup at a time) to make a soft dough
Roll a bit of dough between your palms to shape into balls and place these on wax paper.
Let them set for two or three hours.
Melt semi sweet baker's chocolate.
Place rolled snowball on fork held over the chocolate pot.
Spoon chocolate over snowball, then use a knife to slide the snowball onto the waxed paper.
Sprinkle with the topping of your choice.


Hints and tips:
I used a potato that was about 3 1/2 inches (9 cm) long and 3 inches (7.5) cm wide
It took 5 1/4 cups of icing sugar to work up the soft dough
I used 8 squares of chocolate
I got 62 snowballs from this mixture


I hope to do further experimentation later in the week with cherry flavoured fillings and mint flavoured fillings and will post updates on how these work out.


Post your Christmas childhood memories by clicking "comments" below.

"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like"...STRESS!

As I write this I’m sitting in the Comox airport waiting for a flight that will take me to Edmonton after a week long vacation on beautiful Vancouver Island. I’ll arrive in Edmonton around 5:00 this afternoon and then get up at 5:30 the next morning to drive back to Calgary for a meeting early Monday afternoon, drive out to Sunshine Ski resort for a late afternoon meeting, and then drag my body, screaming in protest from the time difference, back to Calgary to meet my step-daughter for dinner before she has to drive back home to Manitoba. Tuesday morning I’ll mount a protest as I drag myself out of bed to the sounds of Christmas music emanating from the radio fixed on Shine FM, blast myself awake with a scalding hot shower and get on the road for Lethbridge for the day. Sound familiar? Maybe not the travel schedule but you can probably relate to the early morning and action packed days.

I look around at the people in the airport, watching the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle. Children wearing red santa hats and people holding bright bouquets of flowers anxiously mill around the arrival lounge, waiting with anticipation to be reunited with their family and loved ones for the holidays. On the departure side security is buzzing with activity. Travelers with carry on packages fidget impatiently in long lines, waiting their turn to practically strip down and pass through metal detectors, pat downs and explosive swab tests. I study the nameless faces as they pass by, yes “it is beginning to look a lot like”...wait a minute...what’s that I see etched deep into travelers’ faces and hidden behind forced smiles? Perhaps not “Christmas” as the song says, but...yes...that’s it...STRESS!

It’s less than a week before Christmas. Have you found yourself over the last week or so staying up late at night to decorate the house, bake the traditional Christmas goodies, shop for gifts, wrap presents, clean the house, prepare for guests, or any other number of chores we feel need to be done before we celebrate Christmas? It’s so easy to get caught up in “Christmas mania” and forget what the season of Advent is really about—a quiet time of reflection and preparation. Not preparation for dinner, or preparation for family, or preparation for gift giving, but preparation to welcome a tiny baby, the Saviour, Jesus Christ, into our hearts. In our busy lives we lose focus of this real reason for the celebration of Christmas and instead become hamsters on the perpetual wheel – always running but getting nowhere!  Christmas celebrations have become more challenging than ever with blended families, step-parents, step-children, step-grandparents, in-laws, out-laws, immediate family, visitation schedules and everything else that piles in on top of us.

I hope this will be a gentle reminder to me and to anyone reading it that the decorations DON’T need to be perfect, the house DOESN’T have to be immaculate, the baking DOESN’T have to get done and we don’t NEED all the gifts.  December 25 will arrive whether the house is decorated or not. The birthday of our Saviour and King will come regardless of whether all the traditional baking is done. Don’t miss the real reason for Christmas. Don’t miss the awe and wonder of what happened in a stable some two thousand years ago. “She gave birth to a son...wrapped him in a blanket and laid him a manager…” Luke 2:7 “The angel said, don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Saviour has just been born in David’s town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master…” Luke 2:10-11. Amen!

Savoury Blended Christmas Traditions

NUTS & BOLTS OF ADVENT

Advent is here and so begins a time of preparation – a time of preparing our hearts, our minds and our lives to welcome a tiny baby, the son of God, born humbly into this world.  A baby whose birth some 2000 years ago continues to make a huge difference in people’s lives today.

I want to share with you a recipe for Nuts and Bolts that makes a fabulous, salty snack that kids and adults alike love!  It’s easy to make, tastes way better (in my humble opinion) than the ones you’ll buy in the store, and makes great hostess gifts over the holidays.  But before the recipe, the story behind it...

My mother was a great cook and baker.  The weeks leading up to Christmas were always exciting – the kitchen air was thick with the spicy, sweet, homey scents of baking and you could almost see the scent waves wafting through the air.  You could certainly follow them with your nose!  One of the many traditional treats in our house was homemade nuts and bolts.  As a kid I loved to take a pretzel stick from the bowl, push small, round Cherrios on either end and pretend it was a car driving across the table!  Of course I enjoyed eating the cars after I was finished playing with them!

In January of the year I turned fifteen my mother was diagnosed with cancer.  She died in December of the same year, just two weeks before Christmas.  When I was in my early twenties my father met a lovely woman and re-married.  Beryl, my step-mother, also enjoyed baking. She had her own traditional Christmas goodies, one of which (low and behold) was nuts and bolts. She used a slightly different recipe, giving the finished product a little more zing (and a lot more garlic!).  We welcomed Beryl and her traditional baking into our Christmas celebrations and the recipe you see at the end of this story is the result of blending my mother’s recipe with Beryl’s recipe for a taste sensation that is savoury, salty and sensational!

Christmas traditions change over the years as our families and lives change. My family’s traditions changed after my mother died. They changed again, and became blended with some of Beryl’s traditions, when she joined our family and yet again when my father sold the farm where we grew up as children. Traditions continued to change and evolve when my father died, when my marriage ended, and now as I start a new marriage it’s a time of change again. I’d like to encourage you this advent season to think about the Christmas traditions you try to honour. If there are some from your childhood or your past that you need to let go of, give yourself permission to do so.  Perhaps you’re secretly still clinging to some traditions in your heart.  Don’t give up the memories, allow yourself to grieve the loss of these traditions, the same way you grieved the situations that led up to the loss.  All I’m saying is don’t allow your grief over the loss of the past to prevent you from experiencing the joy that new traditions can bring to you and your family in the present.

Remember, family comes in many different shapes, sizes and configurations.  I’m happy to say that over the years, Beryl has become a cherished member of our family and also one of my best friends!  Maybe this year your family includes a friend or neighbour whose spouse has died.  Maybe it includes a friend who is going through a divorce and is alone for the first time at Christmas, maybe it’s someone from your church or work who has no family. Perhaps it’s a new step-child or maybe you’re experiencing Christmas for the first time as a single parent. Whatever form your family finds itself in this year, remember that blended families can be just as spicy and savoury as blended recipes – you don’t have to stick to “time-honoured” traditions, give yourself the freedom to start some new ones today. 

NUTS & BOLTS - THE RECIPE!

You’ll need two big roasting pans – if you don’t have these, that’s OK...go to the grocery store and buy 2 aluminum foil roasters (they’ll cost around $5 to $6 for two). You can wash them and re-use them next year.

1 box (620 g) Shreddies

1 box (260 g) Cherrios

1 box (350 g) Crispix

2 lbs Spanish peanuts

1 or 2 packages pretzel sticks

Divide the cereals, peanuts and pretzels evenly between the two roasters – getting approximately the same amount of each cereal in each pan.  Feel free to adjust the amount of pretzels to your liking – I prefer to use two packages but some people like less pretzels.

SAUCE

Mix 2 tablespoons soya sauce and add enough Worcestershire sauce to equal ½ cup.

In a pot on the stove melt 2 cups butter or margarine and add 1 cup cooking oil. (Yes, I know it looks like a whole lot of fat in that pot – remember it’s spread out over all that cereal so you’ll only be eating a little at time! That’s my rationale anyway! J) Then add the soya sauce and Worcestershire mixture. 

Add 2 generous tablespoons of each of the following:

onion salt 

garlic salt

celery salt

And 2 teaspoons paprika

Cook the sauce mixture slightly to dissolve the spices (they won’t quite all dissolve but that’s OK).  Now pour the sauce gradually over the cereal in the roasters, stirring as you pour so everything is evenly coated.

Bake at 225 degrees F for 1 ½ hours – stirring every 15 minutes.