All Things Christmas (2 page)

Suggested Advent Wreath Prayers

On the First Sunday of Advent, a parent blesses the wreath, saying: “O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth Thy blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and receive fr
om Thee abundant graces. Amen.”

Each day of the first week of Advent, the youngest child lights one purple candle and the family prays: “O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg thee, and come, that by Thy protection we may
deserve to be rescued from the threaten
ing dangers of our sins. Amen.”

During the second week of Advent, the oldest child lights the purple candle from the first week plus a second purple candle and the family prays. “O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Ame
n.”

During the third week of Advent, the mother (or another child) lights the two previously lit purple candles plus the rose candle and the family prays, “O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the
grace of Thy visitation. Amen.”

During the fourth week of Advent, the father (or another child) lights all of the candles of the wreath and the family prays, “O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, and come; and with great might help us, that with the help of Thy grace, Thy merciful forgiveness may hast
en what our sins impede. Amen.”

For the twelve days of Christmas, light the
center
white candle and pray, “
God of love, Father of all,
the darkness that covered the earth
has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh.
Make us a people of this light.
Make us faithful to your Word
that we may bring your life to the waiting world.
Amen.
”
Continuing the readings after Christmas up to Luke 2:40
completes
the birth narrative.
You may also want to go to Matthew’s account of the Magi.

Cloth
Calendar with Cand
y
in its Pock
ets

The Advent Calendar

The Advent Calendar is a more modern innovation that many families enjoy. Like the wreath, the calendar can be as plain as a series of numbered squares of paper or cloth hung in the shape of a Christmas tree, or as fancy as wooden cabinets or houses with doors and drawers for each day. Part of the Advent Calendar’s popularity lies in its versatility. It can be structured to convey a religious message for the Christmas season, or like the one
above
, take a more secular approach.

In either case, t
he calendar counts down to Christmas as the child
ren
turn over a tag,
open a little door
,
or
reach into a
pocket to
discover
a
small
hidden
treasure
. Stores sell
inexpensive
cardboard
calendars
with paper doors
that open to reveal a picture.

Some people insert candies
in the pockets or drawers,
while others put in
small
nativity figur
in
es
. Each day another figur
in
e is
removed from that day's pocket, door, box or envelope,
etc. One day a lamb or an angel
is revealed
;
o
n another day
it might be
a shepherd or a Wise Man. This continues right
up to the day before Christmas
,
or Christmas day itself.

Felt figures can
also
be
used and pinned
to an adjoining board. The solid figures can become
ornaments
to be
hung on the tree or used to assemble a separate nativity scene
in a small crèche
. A corresponding
p
ortion of the Christmas story c
an
be read
for
each
day’s
nativity figurine until it is completed on the last day
with the baby Jesus
.

One of the most important parts of parenting is creating memories. If used properly, both the Advent Wreath and/or an Advent Calendar will create family traditions and happy memories for your children that
can
last a lifetime.

Chapter
Three

THE
FOOD
S
of ADVENT

The Advent season presents an inherent conflict. Since Advent, like Lent, was a time of preparation and
fasting
it became the custom to practice some sort of abstinence…perhaps giving up a favorite food as a sober reminder of the season. However, Advent anticipates Christmas and cannot help but be suffused with joy as well. Traditional treats, especially on St. Nicholas Day —December 6— and during the Golden Nights —December 16 to 24— have long been a part of the Advent observance. In parts of Europe, especially Germany and Scandinavia, a number of traditional snacks and goodies have come to be associated with the Advent season. Here are a few that you may wish to try.

Cinnamon-Spiced,
Sugared Walnuts & Pecan

This is a super easy and quick way to make a sweet and nutty treat for your family or guests.

Ingredients:

3 C walnut halves

1 ½ C pecan halves

2 C sugar

1 C water

¼ tsp. of cinnamon

Preparation:

In a heavy skillet, dissolve the sugar in the water and add the nuts. Cook and stir until the water disappears and the nuts have a sugary appearance. Remove from heat. Pour nuts onto a baking sheet and quickly separate, using two forks. Cool and serve.

Spicy Chocolate Almonds

These almonds are typically found prior and through the Christmas season in Germany. The process is an easy one; coat the nuts with spices, bake and then dip in chocolate. This recipe yields about one cup of chocolate covered nuts. It can be proportionally increased as desired.

Ingredients:

½ to 1 C powdered sugar, divided

4 tsp. butter or margarine, divided

1 tsp. apple or pumpkin pie spice

1 to 1½ C raw almonds

I C semi-sweet chocolate baking chips

Preparation:

Combine 1/4 c. powdered sugar and the spice mix. Coat the raw almonds with the powdered sugar mixture by tossing together in a bowl or placing both in a plastic bag and shaking. Lay the almonds out in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until almonds are fragrant and toasted a bit. Remove from oven and cool to lukewarm.

Place chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat by 20 second increments, stirring in-between, until smooth.

Place the warm almonds in the chocolate and stir to coat. Remove with a pair of forks and drop them singly back onto the baking sheet covered with waxed paper. Separate as needed. Cool the almonds (place in refrigerator, if necessary). When the chocolate has set up, remove the coated nuts from the sheet and toss them with
fresh, powdered sugar to coat.

Store in a cool place or in the refrigerator.

Diples

Pronounced, Thee-
ples
, they get their name from the Greek word for fold. This Greek
recipe for
a
folded, deep-fried dessert is an Advent favorite that is said to memorialize the swaddling clothes of the infant Jesus.

Ingredients
:

3 eggs

¼ C sugar

2 C all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp. oil (to oil hands)

Oil for frying

Syrup
:

1 C honey

1 C sugar

3/4 Tbsp. orange juice

½ C water

½ cinnamon stick

2 cloves

Preparation:

Whisk the eggs vigorously until pale. Add sugar and continue whisking until the sugar is dissolved. Slowly add the flour whisking constantly until a dough forms. Oil your hands and knead the dough until smooth. Wrap in plasti
c wrap and rest for 30 minutes.

Divide the dough in half. Roll each half until very thin or use a pasta machine. To test if it is thin enough, when you lift a corner of the dough and gently blow under it, it should lift. Cut the dough into 4” wide stri
ps and divide into 3” sections.

Heat the oil in a large, wide frying pan to a depth of about 2 ½ inches. Hold one edge of the dough with tongs and place in the hot oil. As they start to puff, roll into a cylinder shape using another pair of tongs or a long carving
fork. Drain on absorbent paper.

Place syrup ingredients in a large saucepan and cook over low heat until hot.  Dip the
diples
into the hot syrup, making sure they are completely coated then drain and cool. Serve decorated with ground walnuts and almonds dusted with cinnamon.