Top 5: Christmas Traditions

 As it gets closer to Christmas I was reflecting on some of the traditions we have as a family.  Most, if not all, of these are ones that we have started with our own kids.  This year we did something a bit different and all agreed that it needs to be added to our annual traditions.  What are some traditions you have at your house?  Are these passed down from your childhood or new traditions begun with your own kids? 

1) Christmas Eve Service - I love the Christmas Eve service.  Our church does a candlelight service and it's always such a cozy, beautiful time of singing and rejoicing in the birth of Jesus.  

 

2) Reading the Advent Story Book - We have an Advent Storybook that we read every year.  It follows Little Bear as he journeys to Bethlehem.  Each day is a simple story of something he encounters along the way and each reading ends with a moral lesson or truth about God. You can read more here about this book and the advent calendar I made to accompany the book.

3) Baking Treats - As mentioned in my last post we love to bake at Christmas.  The kids look forward to having their favorite treats.  For many years I made Gingerbread pancakes for Christmas breakfast using This recipe from a Gooseberry Patch book.  More recently I have switched to making overnight cinnamon rolls for Christmas breakfast.  It is much more convenient as I can just pull them out in the morning and bake them while the kids open their stockings. You can find the recipe for the Overnight cinnamon Rolls in this previous blog post

4) Drawing names for gifts - We are very fortunate in that our kids are pretty content kiddos.  They rarely ask for things that they don't need and they have a hard time coming up with any sort of list at Christmas.  As we had more kids, and as they got older, it became very clear that they didn't need or want a lot.  So, we decided to start drawing names within our family.  This is probably one of their favorite traditions.  They look forward to seeing whose name they get and finding the perfect gift for them.  It's so fun to watch because often they know more of what their sibling would want than I have picked up on.  The kids get a stocking and one gift from mom & dad and then they get the gift from the person who drew their name.  In recent years we have expanded this tradition to the cousins also.  The focus shifts from "my list" to the excitement of finding the perfect gift for their sibling and cousin.  

5) Christmas Pajamas - This tradition is the one we tweaked this year and will be continuing with the new way!  So, for many years I bought the kids all matching pajamas.  Again, as we had more kids and they got older this became harder and harder with the large range of sizes (and I refuse to pay $50/pair for the specialty family sets).  For a few years we did themes, so one year it was character "footy" pajamas,  we did Among Us shirts from the game, and last year we did Disney Side-kick character shirts with black pants.  This year we couldn't decide on a theme so one of the kids suggested we draw names for pajamas too.  This drawing is separate from the gift name draw.  Again, they had SO much fun choosing pajamas for each other.  Last night we did the Great Pajama Reveal where everyone gave the pajamas they chose to their person.  It was really fun and one of the kids remarked on how it was like getting an early Christmas present.  I'm currently washing all the new pajamas and they will be worn Christmas Eve as normal. 

Top 5: Christmas (or anytime!) Cookies

 

Along with the movies and music of the season; Christmas also means baking yummy treats!  Over the years we have gotten into the habit of making certain types of cookies at this time of year.  Some are older recipes and others are ones that we found more recently.  So, without further ado...here are our top 5 cookie recipes.

1) Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

No fancy recipe, just the classic Toll House cookie recipe.  The only change I make is that I only use 1/2 tsp salt. 

Chocolate Chip

2) Ms. Jamison's Gingersnaps:

A favorite memory from childhood is visiting an elderly woman from church.  We were always so excited when we walked into her house and saw a tray piled high with wafer thin gingersnap cookies. Ms. Jamison passed away several years ago but we are fortunate to have her delicious recipe.

Ms. Jamison's Gingersnaps

1 cup flour

1/3 cup molasses

1 tsp ginger

3 TB Shortening

1/8 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix all ingredients thoroughly.  Spread very thinly on ungreased cookie sheet.  Cook until set, about 8-10 minutes.  While still warm, cut into 3 inch squares.  Carefully place on rack to cool. 

3) Spicy Ginger Cookies

Another ginger cookie, but these include some additional spices, including cayenne pepper!

Spicy Ginger Cookies

 2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

8 TB (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup molasses 

1/4 cup egg whites

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine flour, baking soda and spices.  Set aside.  In bowl of stand mixer cream butter and sugars together.  Add the molasses to the creamed butter, then add the egg whites until combined.  Slowly add the dry ingredients. Once all dry ingredients are incorporated, roll dough into 1 inch balls and place onto baking tray.  Bake 8-10 minutes.  Transfer to cooling rack.  Makes approximately 3 dozen.

4) Brown Butter Chewy Ginger Oatmeal Cookies

Yes, I know...another ginger cookie recipe.  First, the spices in these cookies just scream warmth and Christmas but also, they are so different from the other two.  The nuttiness from browning the butter and the addition of Oats make for a wonderful chewy and tasty cookie.  I have to say, these are probably my favorite cookie.  This recipe is from the ambitious kitchen website and can be found here:

Brown Butter Chewy Ginger Oatmeal Cookies

5) Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

Don't let the word vegan scare you off from trying these cookies.  They are absolutely delicious and a must in our house at Christmas.  My kids ask every year when are we going to make them.  The use of candy canes is a great addition.  The only change I make to this recipe is that I use pureed canned pears instead of the applesauce as we have a child with an apple allergy.   

Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies 

 I hope you enjoy these cookie recipes!  What are some must-make cookie (or other) recipes in your house for Christmas?  

Top 5 (hours): Christmas Music

If you've read this blog much at all you've probably figured out that I love music.  To me, there is something beautiful about expressing feelings and experiences through music.  So, this Christmas season I thought it would be fun to share a Spotify Christmas Playlist with you.  I love Spotify as there are so many playlists that you can always find some new music!

This Christmas playlist is a bit over 5 hours long and while it has many of the classics from Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby, there are also many newer songs of the season.  

So, my gift to you this year...my top 5 (hours) of Christmas music!

 

Spotify Christmas Playlist

Top 5: Christmas Movies

 🎶 Christmas two weeks away 🎶

Hard to believe that in just two weeks it will be Christmas day!  I had a plan to blog each day of December; maybe sharing a favorite song or recipe each day.  Needless to say that didn't happen.  The start of December has brought busyness and also sickness.  The dreaded flu that has been hitting so many households hit ours this past week.  I'm thankful to say that we all seem to be mostly back to normal but it has pushed out many Christmas preparations.  We finally got our tree yesterday, although, it's still not decorated, and today I made a first batch of cookies.  

One Christmas tradition we have been able to enjoy despite being sick, has been watching Christmas movies together.  So, I thought I'd start my December posts with a list of my top 5 favorite Christmas movies.  These aren't in any particular order but are definitely "must watch" movies each year.

 1) Joyeux Noel: Based on the 1914 Christmas Eve truce.  While this movie takes some creative liberties (and would be better without the female opera character) it's still a favorite.  To read the true story behind this movie check out this Smithsonian Magazine article.

 

2) White Christmas: What can I say, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney & Vera-Ellen.  It's just a cozy classic that always reminds me of curling up on my Gram's couch at Christmas to watch it with her. 

 

3) A Charlie Brown Christmas: Another lovely classic!  So much can distract us from what really matters.  The simplicity of Linus reciting Scripture and sharing the true meaning of Christmas refocuses everyone to Jesus.

 

4) Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas:  The original Beauty and the Beast movie is one of my favorites.  This Christmas movie is fun and has some new songs; I love the lyric "as long as there's Christmas I truly believe that Hope is the greatest of the gifts we receive."  While this movie doesn't specifically mention Jesus the focus on Hope in dark and desperate times is always timely.   

 

5) The Nativity Story: Last but certainly not least is this 2006 version of the Nativity Story.  So many movies based on Biblical accounts have the characters being stiff or a caricature of real people.  I love the casting in this movie and just the authenticity of how they tell the account of Jesus birth.  

 

So, those are my "top 5" Christmas movies.  Do you have any must watch movies for the Christmas season?  Drop a comment and share!

Psalm 73 Verse Mapping Study (verses 27-28)

 Before we dive into the last couple verses; I want to take a minute. I hope this study has been a blessing to you.  Whether you use this verse mapping technique or some other Bible Study tool/process I pray that you will know the importance of daily studying God's Word.  Stand on the Truth of His Word and stay close to Him!  

If you enjoyed this study (or didn't), would love to see more of this type of post or have any comments or suggestions please leave a comment.  I would love to hear your thoughts.  Now let's dive in...

"For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; 

you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

But for me it is good to be near God;

I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works"

Psalm 73:27-28

 

DESIGN:

"For behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful and have abandoned You.  But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God; I have made the Lord God my refuge and placed my trust in Him, that I may tell of all Your works." (AMP)

 

"For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.  But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works." (NASB)

DEVELOPMENT:

Verse 27: 

racheq - removing, departing (here = those departing from thee)

 

zanah - to commit fornication, be a harlot

 

Verse 28:

qirbah - an approach (here = approach to God) draw near

machaseh - refuge, shelter, trust (here = God as the refuge of His people)

FIND:

Psalm 119:155 - "Salvation is far from the wicked for they do not seek your statutes."

James 4:4 - "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?  Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

Psalm 65:4 - "Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!"

Psalm 118:17 - "I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD."

MANKIND:

- Those without God will perish

- The best place man can be is near God

GOD:

- God will punish sin and destroy those who worship other gods/idols (unfaithful to Him)

- God is a refuge to His people.

ASK/APPLICATION:

When people choose to live apart from God and serve idols; God says they will perish.  This is not God's desire but rather man's choice. God desires everyone to repent (2 Peter 3:9); however, God is Holy and must punish sin.  As Romans 6:23 reminds us "the wages of sin is death".  The good news is that that isn't the end as the verse continues "but the gift of God is eternal life."  When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and we repent of our sins God becomes a refuge.  He is our shelter Who we can trust.  God is always near to guard and guide His people.  James 4:8 expresses this truth "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you"  I pray that today you would make the choice to draw near to God; whether that is accepting Him as Savior or turning back to Him after a time of wandering away.  Like the father of the prodigal son; God is always watching and waiting to forgive and embrace.

PRAYER:

 

Father God, thank you for the salvation You have provided through Your Son Jesus Christ.  Thank You that through His sacrifice we can draw near to You.  There is forgiveness when we repent and You are our refuge.  Lord I pray for those who are living far from You today.  May they turn to You and find the peace, and shelter they are longing for.  Thank You for the truth of the promises in Your Word.  Amen.