Waiting In Wonder -Ideas For Observing And Celebrating Advent 2024 - Second Sunday

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SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Sunday, December 8, 2023

INTRODUCTORY HYMN
 Missa Populus Sion. Listen, here.

Introit: People of Zion, the Lord will come to save all nations, and your hearts will exult to hear his majestic voice.
- Based on Isaiah 30:19,30, (Roman Missal)

Populus Sion, ecce Dominus veniet ad salvandas gentes: et auditam faciet Dominus gloriam vocis suae, in laetitia cordis vestri.

Ps. Qui regis Israel, intende: qui deducis velut ovem Ioseph.(Graduale Romanum)

THE READING OF THE WORD AND THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH CANDLE
Isaiah 40:3-5
“A voice of one calling:
‘In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’” (NIV)


THE CANDLE OF PEACE
Light the Advent candle two,

think of humble shepherds who,

filled with wonder at the sight,

of the child on Christmas night.



Candle, candle burning bright,

shining in the cold winter night.

Candle, candle burning bright,

fill our hearts with Christmas light.

HYMN
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Listen, here, or listen to this beautiful version.  We enjoy listening to this at the end of every Advent devotional during the season.

Click on image to enlarge, right click and save to your computer.

HAND CRAFTS

Traditionally we put up our tree the weekend before Thanksgiving, although in recent years, I've held out for the weekend after, but always before the first Sunday of Advent.  

However, with the scripture reference to "the voice crying in the wilderness", and the poems mention of "the humble shepherds", it might hold special meaning to put up the tree on this day.  Not that there were pine trees in the fields, but most likely there were some trees, and as I though on this it just seemed an obvious fit.  I don't even know that I will hold out until the second Sunday of Advent, but it's a lovely thought, just the same.

That being said, perhaps you could even place the tree the day before and put on nothing but the lights and save the fun of decorating together as a family for today.  Or you could put the tree and the lights up and then decorate it a little more each night, adding different elements. As I've said in previous posts, there is no wrong way to observe the season, all that matters is what is right for you and for your family! So whenever you choose to decorate your tree, here are some lovely ideas for adorning it!

CHRISTMAS TREE GINGERBREAD ORNAMENTS

1 cup shortening (I used butter)
1 cup light brown sugar
3 farm-fresh eggs, well beaten
1 1/2 cups molasses
6 cups bread flour
1 1/2 tablespoons ginger
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon,

1. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and add the brown sugar, eggs, and molasses. Sift together all the dry ingredients and add them to the butter mixture. Mix thoroughly and chill well ­before rolling out on a floured slab. 2. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a cookie sheet.

3. Place them on the greased cookie sheet and bake them in the preheated oven. Bake until dry but not crisp.

CANDY CANE ORNAMENTS
A shepherds crook is a long and sturdy stick with a hook at one end used to guide and manage sheep. In tribute to the shepherds, why not decorate your tree with candy canes.  Of course you may choose to use the real thing, which we did for a number of years and it was lovely.  But here are some other ideas you might want to consider as well.

Rustic Holiday Candy Canes - wrapped in burlap and ribbon and adorned with bells and greenery.
Prim Candy Canes wrapped in twine, or these wrapped in red gingham, so cute!
Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes - these would be super easy and fun for the littles in your life!
Beaded Candy Canes - and these would be great for the not-so-little littles, so they won't be tempted to put the beads in their mouth!
Salt Dough Candy Cane Ornaments - I just love salt dough, and these are especially cute!

RECIPES
PEPPERMINT COOKIES
So while we're on the subject of candy canes, why not make up something that features them!? There are more recipes than you can shake a candy cane at, :), but here are a few that caught my eye!

- Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies
- Peppermint Melt-Aways
- Ultra Soft Peppermint Sugar Cookies
- Peppermint Snowball Cookies
- Frosted Peppermint Brownie Cookies

I traditionally make a sweet little peppermint sugar cookie dusted with peppermint sugar and drizzled with chocolate every year, but as odd as it may sound, I can't find a single picture of them. So I'll save that post for another day!

And, since we discussed putting up your Christmas tree, if you prefer a live tree (we do, but due to allergies in the family have always used an artificial tree), you might like to make up a batch of this and have it waiting for everyone, along with some of the cookies you've made! My long-time blogging friend, Rachel Proffit, shared this recipe with me last year.

CHRISTMAS TREE FARM APPLE CIDER PUNCH
2 cups hard cider
2 cups apple juice
1/2 cup of sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons allspice

Method: Boil and simmer to allow flavours to infuse. That's where the slow cooker came in handy!.

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Waiting In Wonder -Ideas For Observing and Celebrating Advent 2024 - Stir Up Sunday / First Sunday of Advent

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WAITING IN WONDER: IDEAS FOR OBSERVING AND CELEBRATING ADVENT 2024

The lovely season of Advent begins this coming Sunday, December 1, and so beginning today and then again on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of this week, I will be posting ideas for observing and celebrating this lovely season. Derived primarily from my archives and with some updated, ideas, recipes and resources, these posts will provide you with everything you need to observe and celebrate the season n as await with wonder for the arrival of our Lord and Savior. So whether you are familiar with  The Liturgical Year, or if this is all new to you, I pray that these simple devotionals, recipes and crafts will deepen your understand and love for this most beautiful of seasons of which Advent is but the beginning!

Before we begin, I do want to apologize. I had hoped to have this post up earlier and as such Stir Up Sunday, which is always the Sunday before the first day of Advent (yesterday), has now passed. But, there's really no hard and fast rule that says if you miss it you have to wait another whole year to enjoy it again. As luck would have it I came across a lovely idea for celebrating The Night Before Advent, and to be honest I think I rather like that idea even a bit better. It reminds me a bit of Christmas Eve which for me is perhaps my favorite day of the Advent/Christmas season. There's just something about the anticipation of it all that can't be matched. So while I'm including Stir Up Sunday in this post, it would be just as easy to observe this celebration on the Saturday before, which this year is November 30.

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STIR UP SUNDAY

Sunday, November 24, 2024

(or alternatively, Saturday, November 30, 2024

The Night Before Advent)

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of thine only begotten Son, 

 so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds. 

 Amen  

The last Sunday before Advent is Stir Up Sunday, the day when, traditionally, families gather together to prepare the Christmas pudding.

The day does not actually get its name from “stirring the pudding”; it gets its name from the Book of Common Prayer. The Collect of the Day for the last Sunday before Advent reads, “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of the faithful people.” However, since Victorian times is has become associated with the rather lovely custom of preparing for Christmas together by making the Christmas pudding, which was an essential part of most British Christmas dinners.

The Christmas pudding as we know it is said to have been introduced to Britain by Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, however it is thought that a version of the pudding was actually introduced from Germany by George I, sometimes known as “the pudding king”, in 1714.

The pudding is typically prepared well in advance, 5 weeks before Christmas, and then reheated and lit on Christmas Day itself. 

Most puddings will contain dried fruit, prunes and dates (often soaked in brandy), candied peel, mixed spice, treacle, suet, eggs, breadcrumbs and dark brown sugar. Traditionally there would be 13 ingredients in all, to represent Jesus and his disciples. Most families have a favorite recipe that is often handed down over the generations. Sometimes silver coins are added to mixture, and anyone who finds one when eating the pudding is said to receive health, wealth and happiness in the coming year.

On Stir Up Sunday, families gather together to mix the pudding. Each member of the family takes a turn in stirring the mixture whilst making a wish. The pudding is stirred from east to west, in honour of the Magi (Wise Men) who came from the east to visit the baby Jesus. It’s also a good time to enjoy a cup of festive mulled wine or cider.

On Christmas Day the pudding has its own ritual. It is topped with a sprig of holly to represent Jesus’ crown of thorns. A little warm brandy is then carefully poured over it and lit. It is then carried proudly, alight and flaming to the table to be served with brandy butter and cream or hot custard. 

If the thought of a flaming pudding is bit overwhelming, you can easily opt to make a cake instead, and lighting it up with candles is a perfectly suitable alternative to flaming liquor. The only drawback to making a cake instead of pudding, is that a cake won’t last until Christmas day and taste very good. But if you want to celebrate Stir Up Sunday with your family, consider making this the day you all get together to decorate the tree, and wouldn’t it be festive to serve a nice pot of your family’s favorite soup for dinner and this lovely cake for dessert?

Orange Cardomom Bundt Cake

Ingredients

For the cake;

Cooking spray

3 cups plus 1 tablespoon all purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 teaspoons ground cardamom

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup fresh orange juice

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon grated orange rind

2 teaspoons grated lemon rind

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 large eggs

For the glaze;

1 cup powdered sugar

4 1/2 teaspoons orange juce

1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Toppings 

Sliced Oranges

Cranberried

Star Anise

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350.

To prepare care, coat bundt pan with cooking spray; dust with 1 tablespoon flour. Set aside.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cardamom, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Add 1/4 cup of orange juice, vegetable oil, grated orange rind, grated lemon rind, vanilla and eggs to flour mixture; beat with a mixer until well combined, occasionally scraping sides of bowl.

Spoon batter into prepared cake pan, spreading evenly. Bake at 350 for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from pan.

To prepare glaze, combine 1 cup of powdered sugar, 4 1/2 teaspoons orange juice, and lemon juice in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Drizzle glaze over warm cake; and decorate with orange slices, cranberries and star anise. Cool cake completely on wire rack.  Insert candles and light it up!

The Season of Advent, which is the first in the The Liturgical Year, begins on the last Sunday of the month. Advent, and The Liturgical Year, or as I like to refer to it, The Year of the Lord, are precious to me and something I have observed individually and with my family for over a decade. Though I was not raised with the knowledge of The Liturgical Year, discovering it and incorporating it into my own faith has transformed my life. I'll share more about that in future posts, but for now I wanted to let you know about another series of posts I'll be writing and sharing every week of November, probably on Wednesday though this week I'm a day late.

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FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Sunday, December 3, 2023

Shhhh

An expected silence, a hushed anticipation

as if the very galaxy is holding its breath.

There are some truths even the stars know,

like darkness, like loneliness,

And how the nights can be a living thing.

And how once, long ago,

the night waited in wonder

along with the darkness and the loneliness,

for the sound of a baby’s cry.

For the miraculous to come down

to the earth mundane.

- LUCINDA HYNETT 

 

INTRODUCTORY HYMN
Missa Ad Te Levavi

Listen here.

Introit: To you, my God, I lift my soul, I trust in you; let me never come to shame. Do not let my enemies laugh at me. No one who waits for you is ever put to shame.

- Psalm 25:1-3 (Roman Missal)

Ad te levavi animam meam: Deus meus in te confido, non erubescam: necque irrideant me inimici mei: etenim universi qui te exspectant, non confundentur.

Ps. Vias tuas, Domine, demonstra mihi: et semitas tuas edoce me.(Graduale Romanum).

THE READING OF THE WORD AND THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH CANDLE
First Sunday of Advent Readings:

Isaiah 9:2, 6–7
“The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.” (NIV)

Following the scripture reading, one of the children lights the first candle, The Candle of Hope, and reads the bible verse and the leads everyone in reading the poem together.



We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises he made to us. Our hope comes from God.
- Romans 15:12-13



THE CANDLE OF HOPE
Light the advent candle one, 

now the waiting has begun.

We have started on our way,

time to think of Christmas Day.



Candle, candle burning bright,

shining in the cold winter night.

Candle, candle burning bright,
fill our hearts with Christmas light.

HYMN
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Full Choir and very beautiful)
Come Thoug Long Expected Jesus (Sung by Meredith Andrews, and perhaps easier to learn by listening to this version if ou want to sing along)

Click on image to enlarge, right click and save to your computer.

HAND CRAFTS

ORANGE AND CRANBERRY GARLAND
Oranges, a fruit once reserved for those with a high social status, has long been a symbol of prosperity. And with its bright golden skin, has likewise been symbolic of the sun and the light. Shopkeepers in mid evil times would place them decoratively in windows in the dark winer months, a reminder that the light and warmth would soon return.

So when we read in Isaiah of "the people in darkness have seen a great light", and that "He will reign over David's throne", it is fitting then that the orange in this craft is symbolic of Christ himself, the cranberries with their deep red hue, foretelling the blood that He would shed for the forgiveness of our sins.

As we make and look upon this garland, it serves as a constant reminder of Christ our King and His great love and sacrifice for us.

4-5 oranges
1 bag of fresh cranberries (12 oz)
Bakers twine or Jute Twine
Cookie sheet
Parchment paper or silicone baking mat

Drying the Oranges:
Oranges
Parchment Paper
Cookie Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 220 degrees and slice your oranges about 1/2 inch thick.
Place the oranges onto parchment paper or a silicone mat on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 3 hours.
Check every hour to make sure they aren’t turning brown. They are done when they are dried and translucent in color.
Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature.

Drying the Cranberries:
Cranberries
Water
Pot
Parchment Paper
Cookie Sheet

Put a large pot on the stove with enough water to cover the cranberries. Bring the water to a boil. Put the washed cranberries in a bowl. Then pour the boiling water over the cranberries. Leave the bowl in a safe place, and let the cranberries sit. You will hear the skins pops, don’t leave the berries in the water for more than 5 to 10 minutes, the berries will then be ready.

Drain the water and spread the cranberries in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Then put them in the freezer for two hours. The freezing process helps the berries dry faster.

Remove the cranberries from the freezer and place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Turn on your oven to the lowest possible temperature. Put your cranberries in the oven and allow them to dry which can take 5 to 7 hours. Take the time to turn them every 30 minutes to help the drying process. There will be some that get a little darker than others and some that you will have to pull apart after they dry.

For the Garland

4-5 oranges sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 12 oz bag cranberries

Slice the oranges into 1/2 inch slices and lay on parchment paper on a baking sheet. Bake at 220 degrees for 3 hours. Check every hour to make sure they aren't turning brown. They oranges are done once they are dry and translucent in color.
 Let the oranges cool to room temperature.


Thread your needle with bakers twine or jute twine and thread through the top part of the orange then thread in your cranberries. You can string them in any pattern you desire. I typically string 4-6 cranberries to one orange, but feel free to use any pattern you like. You can make the length as long or short as you desire and depending on how you plan to use it. For a mantel, draped over. winter, or as a garland for a larger tree, you would obviously need longer strands.


Other variations on this theme include adding popcorn to the strand, the white kernels symbolic of purity and the washing away of our sins by the blood of Christ.  You can add them to the oranges and cranberries, or make a cranberry and popcorn garland.

There are a number of ways to use oranges and cranberries in your observance this week, you could also try one of these ideas.

- Make orange bird seed ornaments and hang from the trees outside.
- Or these lovely citrus candles, inspired by my friend, Dawn.
- This cranberry, orange and clove stovetop potpourri is sure to leave your house smelling cozy and welcoming!
- And finally, why not make a loaf of this cranberry orange pound cake or a batch of these white chocolate cranberry orange cookies and shed the light of Christ's love by presenting to a friend or relative this week.

ADVENT LANTERNS
Another idea that is symbolic of the light, is to make a jar lantern, or in this case, Advent lanterns.  By simply covering a glass jar with tissue paper, adding a few festive stickers and a handle, you can then insert an LED tea light and go for a walk around your neighborhood at dusk. Be sure to pray for each family as you pass by their house. This might even be a good time to share some of the baked goods mentioned above. You'll find something similar, here.

RECIPES
During Advent I often like to make special foods to share together after our evening candle lighting and devotionals. It would also be nice to have some fun refreshments to come home to after taking an Advent Lantern walk. These recipes are ones that we have enjoyed in years past. I made the Winter Lemonade for the first time last year and we will definitely be making it again!

CHOCOLATE ORANGE COOKIES

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon orange juice 1 tablespoon orange zest
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark chocolate, finely chopped
1/2 cup candied orange peel

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a silicone liner or parchment paper.Set aside.


In a large bowl, use a hand-held mixer to cream together the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy.


Add the orange juice and orange zest.  Beat into the butter mixture.


Add the flour and salt.  Beat until just incorporated.


Add the chocolate and the candied orange peel.  Beat until just mixed through.


Divide the cookie dough into three equal portions.  Place two portions aside, and keep them covered they don’t dry out.


Lightly pat the cookie dough into a ball and place it between two sheets of parchment paper.  Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to slightly less than 1/2 inch thick.


Cut rolled dough into rounds using a cookie cutter.  (I used a 1 1/2 inch round cookie cutter.)

Transfer to baking sheet, leaving 2 inches of space between each cookie.  Round up remaining dough and roll again until dough is used up.  Repeat with the other two portions of cookie dough.


Bake for 13 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes.  Transfer to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling.


Before serving, grate some orange zest right over top and add a few curls of shaved dark chocolate.

CHOCOLATE CAYENNE COOKIES

1 and 1/4 cups all purpose flour 

1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons Rodelle Dutch processed cocoa 

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 

3/4 teaspoon if you're feeling really spicy! (*NOTE - They get a little spicier after you make them!)

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature 

1 cup granulated sugar 

1 large egg 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

4 ounces  Lindt Chili Chocolate Bar, chopped (or just any regular dark chocolate)

Cayenne Pepper - for sprinkling a bit of heat, if desired!

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside. 

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy (approximately 2-3 minutes). Turn the mixer speed down to medium, add the egg and vanilla, and beat again until combined. 

With the mixer on low, slowly add flour mixture and beat until just combined. Add the chopped chocolate and continue mixing until evenly dispersed. Cover dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days. 

When you are ready to bake the cookies, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350ºF. 

Using a cookie scoop, roll the dough into balls and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are set and center is no longer shiny. Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.  Sprinkle with a tiny bit of cayenne pepper for added heat, if desired.

WINTER LEMONADE WITH GINGER AND CLOVES
1 cup fresh lemon juice
4 1/2 cups filtered water
1/2 cup honey
2 inches fresh ginger, unpeeled and coarsely chopped
5 whole cloves
2 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick

In a medium saucepan combine lemon juice, half of the water, honey, ginger, and spices.

Bring to a simmer, stir until honey is dissolved, and remove from heat.

Cover and allow to steep for 15 minutes.

Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher. Add the remaining water.

Refrigerate until chilled through. Serve over ice! Enjoy!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
And now before I wrap this up, let me say this. There are daily readings for each day during the Advent season that spans this year from December 1 until Christmas Day. That being said, what I focus on primarily in these posts are the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day. I will be doing daily readings during my quiet time each morning, but since there are so many different and wonderful versions and resources to choose from, I'll leave that to you. I have yet to decide on one for myself this year, so I need to make that decision soon. But, just in case you need some direction, here are a few that I have read in past years both on my own and with my girls that you might enjoy.

ALL LINKS ARE AFFILIATE

For Families
- The 25 Days of Christmas: A Family Devotional To Help You Celebrate Jesus
- The Way To The Manger: A Family Advent Devotional
- Unwrapping The Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration Of Christmas

For Personal Reflection
- Advent With St. Francis - St. Francis is one of my favorite Saints, and this books is a lovely read during this season.
- Advent and Christmas Wisdom From G. K. Chesterton
- Advent and Christmas Wisdom From Henry J. M. Nouwen
- Come Thou Long Expected Jesus: Experiencing The Peace and Promise of Christmas

And here are some other books, that while not necessarily daily readings, would be nice to read during the season.

- The Characters of Christmas: The Unlikely People Caught Up In The Story of Jesus
- Because of Bethlehem: Love is Born Hope Is Here by Max Lucado

Over the next few days I'll be posting links to additional resources than you could use in observing Advent. Until then, I hope you've enjoyed what I've compiled so far.  Advent is such a beautiful season, a means of slowing and bringing stillness to what has otherwise become the often chaotic spirit of Christmas. Observing this holy season has redeemed and restored Christmas for me, and I hope it all for you as well!

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The Story of Advent

THE STORY OF ADVENT

Advent is known, and yet not known. To some it is merely a name; to others, a beautiful custom, a lovely practice. Most of us have taken little, if indeed any, time to learn the history of the season or ponder its significance.

Advent does have a. history, however, an interesting one. To begin with, the Advent season as we now know it does not go back to the beginning of the Christmas era. It may come as a surprise, or even a shock, to learn that the date for the celebration of Christmas has not always been December twenty-fifth. There was a time, for instance, when Christmas was celebrated on the sixth of January. The church year took form gradually, and even today is not uniform everywhere.

Advent as we think of it today, is a season of preparation for Christmas. It includes four Sundays and a variable number of additional days, depending on the day of the week on which December twenty-fifth falls. There is no evidence of an established celebration of Christmas on December twenty fifth until the fourth century, and the season of preparation for that celebration is even more recent.

The season of Advent as such as is not mentioned until the seventh century. Its observance is said to have originated in Gaul. However, a synod at Saragossa, Spain in 380 prescribed a penitential preparation for Christmas. Canon IV (a church rule), states that from the seventeenth of December to Feast of Epiphany (January 6), everyone must attend church daily and that worshippers may not go to church with bare feet. This canon is thought to be the first rule ever passed regarding the observance of the season before Christmas.

There is some vague evidence that a small church council held at Tours about A. D. 567 prescribed a fast to be kept by monks every day in December. This is regarded by some as the first unquestionable reference to an Advent season. A few years later, in the south of Gaul, there is found what seems to be a less exacting rule that applied to everyone regarding the number of days on which the fast was to be observed. It appears evident that it involved a period of tasing, broken only on the third Sunday, which bore the designation, Gaudete, “Rejoice ye.”

The Council of Macon, A.D. 581, also had something to say about the season we know as Advent. Beginning with the Festival of St. Martin (November 11), the second, fourth and sixth days of the week were to be observed as days of fasting. The length of the season, however, seems to have varied a great deal, ranging from six weeks to three, and even two. At the close of the sixth century, Rome established the four Sundays before Christmas as Advent Sundays; in the next century this practice became prevalent, though not universal to the West.

In Roman Catholic churches today, practices vary greatly as to fasting. In Great Britain and Ireland, Wednesdays and Fridays are observed as fast days; but in many part of Europe the weeks in Advent are not set apart in any special way.

In England forty days of fasting before the celebration of the birth of the Lord were observed in the seventh and eighth centuries, as ordered for the Western church by Charlemagne’s “Homilarium.” In 1662 the English Book of Common Prayer stated that “Advent Sunday is always the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew (November 30), whether before or after.”

In the Greek church the general observance of forty days of penitential preparation for Christmas does not appear to have been established before the thirteenth century. The Greek church of today begins the forty days of preparation on November eleventh. The fast is somewhat rigorous on Wednesdays and Fridays and somewhat relaxed on other days.

Different customs have obtained and still obtain during Advent. The Armenians, for instance, observe a fast during the week preceding the Nativity, and during one week beginning fifty days before the Nativity. For this reason it has been thought that these two weeks are of a survival of a fast that had originally lasted fifty days. In Normandy farmers still employ children to run with lighted torches through the fields and orchards setting fire to bundles of straw in order to drive out vermin so that the Christ child might have a clean bed. In Italy the last days of Advent are marked by the entry into Rome of the Calabrian pifferari (itinerant musicians from Calabia) who play bagpipes before the shrines of the Holy Mother, as the shepherds are believed to have done before the infant Savior.

It was natural, perhaps, inevitable, that in those branches of the early Protestant church which reacted violently against even the celebration of Christmas there should be no interest in the Advent season as such. In the liturgical branches of the Protestant church, of course, the season has always had considerable meaning. But it is to be noted that in nearly all church there is today a tendency to a growing observance of the special days and seasons of the Church year. The renewed emphasis presently being given to Advent is in part a reaction against the growing secularization of Christmas. Advent is seen to afford the Christian an opportunity to think clearly and soberly about the mystery of the Incarnation.

- Paul M. Lindberg
Advent: The Days Before Christmas (1966)

You May Never Eat Canned Again! - Pilgrim Sauce

Today I want to share a post from the archives featuring a recipe that has become a Thanksgiving family staple in our home, Pilgrim Sauce!

Growing up, I never cared for canned cranberry sauce.  But for many years that opinion was based purely upon sight.  I don't care for anything "jelled", unless it's spread on toast, and just the sight of that tubular, dark red, jiggling sauce made me dizzy! I was pretty sure it was plastic, and regardless of how "wonderful" others claimed it tasted, I wasn't taking any chances.

But then a few years ago by some twist of fate, a bit of it ended up on my plate, and in one small bite I was hooked! The only problem was, while I did love the taste, the texture still left a lot to be desired.

Enter, Pilgrim Sauce!  I came across this recipe in one of my Gooseberry Patch Christmas books shortly after that fateful encounter, and decided to give it a try.  Oh my goodness!  I could eat this stuff year round, it is just that good! It is a staple on my Thanksgiving menu now! It is so good with a slice of turkey! But my favorite way to eat it is the next day, in a turkey wrap!

This is a recipe I found on Pinterest. Once I had discovered the joy of fresh cranberry sauce, finding ways to use up the leftovers was important so that none of that goodness went to waste! The thing I love about these wraps is that I am not big on leftovers, so if I can find a way to create some variety using common ingredients, I'm all for it!  This recipe uses both leftover turkey and cranberry sauce and the combination of the almonds, celery, mayo and spinach wrap is just delicious!

I'm including the recipe for both of these today, but if you already have a tried and true recipe for cranberry sauce, or even if you like the canned stuff, just use what you have for the wraps!  Either way, you are in for a treat and it will help you use up some leftovers!

❈ PILGRIM SAUCE

1 can frozen cranberry juice, thawed.

(I had a hard time finding this for several years, and I have used substituted cranberry juice in its place and it worked fine!)

1/3 cup sugar

12 oz. package of fresh cranberries

1/2 cup dried cranberries

3 Tbsp. orange marmalade

2 Tbsp. orange juice

2 tsp. orange zest

1/4 tsp. allspice 

Combine cranberry juice and sugar in saucepan. Boil, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves. Add cranberries and cook for about 7 minutes until fresh berries pop and dried berries soften. Remove from heat.  Stir in marmalade, orange juice, orange zest and allspice. Chill until ready to serve.

❈ TURKEY CRANBERRY ALMOND WRAP
3 cups Turkey , cooked and shredded (or chicken)
1/2 cup almonds , whole or sliced
2 ribs celery, chopped
2 - 3 Tablespoons mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), to taste
1/2 cup cranberry sauce (or dried cranberries)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 - 4 large tortillas

Combine all ingredients together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon filling into tortillas and roll into a wrap.

If you love cranberry sauce like I do now, you are sure to love these recipes!

Until then,
Kim

Looking Ahead to Advent, The Beginning Of A New Liturgical Year

Beginning today I want to shift my focus to the upcoming season of Advent, which begins on Sunday, December 1. Following is a post I have shared several times before, but for those who are not familiar with Advent which is the first day of the Liturgical Year, or as I refer to it, the Year of the Lord, I find it helpful as a baseline for understanding the meaning and significance of this lovely season. 

Over the next few days and weeks I will be sharing our traditions, ideas, resources and recipes for celebrating Advent, including ideas for observing St. Nicholas Day (December 6), St. Lucy's Day (December 13) and The O Antiphons, the eight golden days of Advent which begins on December 17, as well as The Advent Ember Days which occur on December 18, 20 and 21.

But now. to begin, here is the post I have shared around this time for several years now. Perhaps in the midst of so much political unrest in our country, the observance of Advent and The Year of the Lord will be a calming balm for our souls.

Many years ago I stumbled upon a book in the public library, Holidays and Holy Nights by Christopher Hill, who first introduced me, a wholly Protestant girl, to The Liturgical Year, or as I prefer to call it, The Year of the Lord. Though I was not raised Catholic, in reading this book I found a beauty and rhythm in The Liturgical Year that was appealing, even comforting to me. Recently, as I’ve begun working my way through the spiritual practices, I was reminded again of this lovely book and the in particular, the following passage. In my efforts to slow the pace of life, these words are a balm for my hurried soul, and what started me on my journey to a slower, sacred, and more meaningful way of living. 

"The whole point of the Year of the Lord is that there is more than one way to experience time. The understanding of time that most people live with is only one way to experience it. We could call it the worldly or profane understanding of time. It is an image of time as a straight horizontal line with a middle point, where we stand, called The Present. This line is always moving past us like a conveyor belt. On the left is the Past, where present moments constantly flow and immediately cease to exist. On the right is The Future, which is always moving toward the Present, but never actually arrives. 

This model is almost completely abstract. In other words, we never actually experience any of it. The present is gone before we are aware of it, and the past and future lie outside our grasp. Anxiety is built into it. Each human possesses only a limited quantity of this kind of time, and it is constantly passing us by, never to return. 

This view of time is not necessarily bad. It can be a useful tool. All human progress, in some sense, depends on it. But its not the whole or most important part of the picture. It is not the way we experience time in the deepest parts of ourselves, on the level of our hearts, and it is not the way God experiences time. Above and below this abstract, one-dimensional timeline, is well, reality. This is the world we actually experience, in which we “live and move and have our being”, as Paul said. The word “I Am” as God introduced himself to Moses. The present moment is eternity. 

For most of human history, people experienced time very different. The pattern was not a line, but a circle or cycle. The cycles of sun, moon and stars; of the seasons of the life, death and birth of plants, animals and human beings. Everything went away, but then in some way everything always came back. We can be sure that people living with this image of time still got anxious about things, but anxiety wasn’t built into the system itself. 

The image of the cycle contains a lot of truth. It expands the one-dimensional timeline into a two-dimensional circle and so takes in a lot more of reality. it is less abstract than the line, truer to experience and incorporates the fundamental patterns of creation. Years, seasons, months, weeks, days and hours all come from this model of time. Birth, life, death and rebirth are all in it. What it doesn’t include is the possibility for growth. In this cycle, the more things change, the more they stay the same. 

The Year of the Lord, the Christian understanding of time, is a variation on the cycle. The timeline, as we’ve said, is a one-dimensional model. The circle is two dimensional. The Year of the Lord is three-dimensional. It is modeled on the spiral, a circle that grows outward and upward. It grows in a vertical direction as well as horizontally, combining the straight line of the past, present and future with the height and depth of eternity. Like a spiraling tornado, it sucks one-dimensional time up into three dimensional reality. It uses time to break us out of time. It hallows and sacralizes time and transforms it into eternity. Year, season month, week, day and hour all concentric circles that lead deeper and deeper into the center; the present moment, where we live in the presence of God. The present is the Presence. And the present time ripples outward again, connecting us with all time and all the cosmos."

❈

My Favorite Old Movies - Seasonal Selections for Autumn

 

Today I thought I would share some of my favorite classic movies that I enjoy watching during this season. I love old movies year round, but I do have a number that I set aside for each individual season, and this time of year there are a number that we enjoy watching. No one in our family likes horror movies or anything too witchy, and even though a few of these movies do include witches, there is nothing dark or scary about them, at most a few of them may be a bit suspensful at times, but they are all light-hearted and fun movies to watch.

*Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Arsenic and Old Lace is a screw-ball comedy crime film direct by Frank Capra and starring Cary Grant. But for me the two most loveable characters in the movie are Aunt Martha (pictured above left) and Aunt Abby (right). With the exception of their habit for helping forlorn old men to pass on to a better life, they are completely loveable, everything one could want in a doting old aunt. It's a perfect movie for the season, warm and cozy with just a hint of suspense.

*Bell, Book and Candle (1958)

Released in 1958 and starring Jimmy Stewart, Jack Lemmon and Kin Novak. The perfect romantic movie, and just a little witchy! 

*I Married A Witch (1942)

A charming comedy which went on to inspire the TV series Bewitched.

*The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966)

This is our favorite go-to classic movie for the season, and we watch it every year on All Hallow Eve! I absolutely love Don Knotts, and of all the movies he made this one is my favorite!

If you've never watched any of his movies before I highly recommend them. The Reluctant Astronaut is very good, too, as well as How to Frame A Figg.

*The Private Eyes (1980)

Another great movie featuring Don Knotts joined by Tim Conway, so double the laughs! A comedy/mystery perfect for the season.

*Young Frankenstein (1974)

Directed by Mel Brooks and starring Gene Wilder, Young Frankenstein is another family favorite this time of year. I would recommend using discretion when watching this movie with younger children as it has quite a bit of secual innuendo. Marty Feldman as Igor is probably my favorite! 

So there you have it, my friends! Maybe I've put you on to a movie you've never seen before, or perhaps you have some classic favorites that aren't on my list. If so, I'd love for you to share in the comments! I'm always looking to add to our collection!

❊

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On The First Day Of October . . .

"Days grow shorter now, the nights chillier. Crisp mornings call for buttermilk pancakes and maple syrup, with country sausage on the side; at supper the popovers are almost too hot to hold. The trees kindle with color, a few at a time: small flashes of scarlet appear in the swamp, and the sugar maples begin to glow, as the great wave of autumn glory slowly rises to full tide. Leaves start to fall; I pick one up. It is cool to the touch; a hint of pink lies under the gold. As it dries, the serrated edges curl inward and the leaf turns to tawny brown. I think, I am holding autumn in my hand."

- GLADYS TABER

Good afternoon, friends, and a warm welcome to the first day of October! Isn't this a lovely image? A sweet homestead in New Hampsthire taken a few years ago when my husband and went on an extended New England road trip. I fell in love with New Hampshire and would move there at a moment's notice, although I am certain I would miss my beloved Blue Ridge Mountains. I often reminisce about living for short periods of time in various places, even Washington D. C. and New York City, though I doubt they would hold my attention as long as the mountain villages and countryside homesteads that I prefer. Still, big cities hold their own enchantment, and to live for awhile in Washington D. C. and making weekly trips to the Cathedral, now that would be enchanting!

I'm writing today from my newly refurbished office/craft room. I've shared a few pictures over on Instagram, if you're interested.  I still have a few things to do, primarily painting and leveling my desk, but with all the rain we've experienced over the past week (which does not lend well to painting), I haven't been able to find the time.  That and acquiring some sort of rug for the cement floor and then this space will be pretty near perfect.  Even as it is, I'm enjoying a small space to seek quiet and solitude.

I've been enjoying reading a few of my favorite books by Gladys Taber in this season,* Stillmeadow Seasons and *Stillmeadow Calendar. Have you read any of her works? If you haven't and love stories and depict sweet images of home and cottage living I HIGHLY recommend them!  Knowing of my love for Taber, a friend suggested I read* Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Stevens. I downloaded the Kindle edition and I'm going to give it a try, It doesn't sound much like Taber, but several of the reviews were promising. Apparently for some it takes a bit to get into but you just might end up loving it, so we'll see. In my perusing I also discovered that there is a sequel, Cold Comfort Christmas, which might be fun during the season, depending on how I liked the first one. Have you read either of these books? If so, I'd love to hear back from you. 

I discovered in downloading Cold Comfort Farm that the November edition of Country Living UK is available, and I still need to peruse both the October and September issues.  Having access to these magazines with one click makes paying monthly for Kindle Unlimited worth every penny, at least for me. Like books, I would much prefer to hold an actual copy in my hand, but being a bit of a life-long magazine junkie, I simply can't afford the near $10 cover price for every publication I enjoy reading, so for now at least, Kindle Unlimited  is much more affordable. I've also found that reading them on my iPad rather than my phone is a far more enjoyable experience.

Aside from reading I've been busy cross stitching for my upcoming birthday in November and for Thanksgiving.  As usual, I'm getting a late start so I'm not completely sure I'll finish everything I hope to in time, but I'll do what I can. Every year I say I'm going to work on pieces a season ahead, the problem being I'm not much inspired to work on stitching pumpkins in June and July, and here I land again at the eleventh hour. Thankfully I plan to use most of the pieces for both occassions, so there's a chance I just might succeed.

I've also been playing around with some lovely diffuser scents and wanted to pass on a few of my recent favorites.

❊ FALL FARMHOUSE

- 4 drops pine

- 3 drops cinnamon bark

- 2 drops orange

- 1 drop peppermint

❊ PUMPKIN PATCH

- 2 drops cinnamon bark

- 2 drops ginger

- 1 drop cardamom

- 1 drop clove

- 1 drop blue spruce

- 1 drop nutmeg

I particularly like the Fall Farmhouse blend!

Before I close I want to direct you to a lovely blog that I've followed for a couple of years now, Inkberry Hill Cottage. She is hosting a lovely October series, Autumn Notes From Home. I've thoroughly enjoyed just about anything Elizabeth shares and particularly look forward to her annual October offerings, so be sure to click on the link and visit!

And now my friends I'm off. I've got a new recipe for Chicken Alfredo in the crock pot that I hope turns out nicely (I'll let you know!), and it's time to check on it!

Until then . . .

❊

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Three Cozy Videos To Usher In Autumn

Cozy Days of September
A Cozy Rainy Day At Cinnamon Cottage
Welcoming Cozy Autumn Enjoy!

Delightful Autumn Reading - Brambley Hedge/Autumn Story

It's been some years since we homeschooled, even longer since my girls were young enough to truly appreciate picture books. But there are a few books that seem to transcend time and appeal to all ages, and Brambley Hedge is one. The illustration above is from Autumn Story, which is my favorite of the seasonal series.

Autumn Story finds the mice in Brambley Hedge working tirelessly to finish the harvesting aheaad of a storm. Primrose sincerely meant to help, but being a bit of a daydreamer, she somehow manages to find herself in Chestnut Woods, and to her dismay finds that she is lost. The story continues on with describing the heroic efforts of her friends and family as they search to find and bring her home. It's such a sweet story, as is every book in the series, but even more than the stories what makes these books truly special are the illustrations.

Jill Barklem is the author and illustrator of this delightful series, who sadly, passed away in November of 2017. But there is a lovely website where you can learn more about her as well as meet all the mice! There's even a lovely Autumn Story coloring page!

You can pick up a copy of the books for around $10.00, but way back when, we were first introduced to them through the library (although I almost immediately added them to our personal collection). So  if you don't want to purchase them you might check with your library, but to make it even easier there's also a lovely reading of Autumn Story on You Tube.

Also on You Tube is the television series which aired in the UK on BBC in 1997. I discovered these a few years ago, but the quality wasn't very good. So I was very delighted to find that someone else has posted them as well, and the picture is clear and crisp. I plan to watch it one day this week, with a nice cup of tea. 

I was also delighted to find that Cobble Hill Puzzle Company has released all four of the books in the seasonal series as 1000 piece puzzle. I purchased the Summer Story puzzle back in June, but it was such a busy season I never got around to piecing it together. And then just last week I purchased the Autumn Story Puzzle, and this time I plan to be very intentional about getting it done. Isn't it just lovely?

The Brambley Hedge books are truly delightful, and as I said, I still enjoy them today and read each book in it's season. If you've never read them I highly recommend them, and the video, and the puzzles! Personally, I can't get enough!

Until then! 

❊

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Small Things - On The Cusp of Autumn Edition

"Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."

- GLADYS TABER

1. Keeping a Commonplace Book

I've been a collected or words for years now, and one of the things I loved about a Charlotte Mason Education was the keeping of a commonplace book.  I started a new one recently, and I'm really enjoying it. If you are not familar with a commonplace book, you might find these articles helpful, Keeping A Commonplace Book and How To Turn Any Notebook Into A Commonplace Book.

2. Apple Fritter Bites

I love a good apple fritter, but to be honest, very often I find the size of them just too much. So when I saw this recipe for apple fritter bites I thought this might just be the best of both worlds!

3. Early Autumn Diffuser Blends

And speaking of apples, here are some lovely diffuser blends as we look toward autumn!

Come, Fall

- 3 drops wild orange

- 3 drops cassia

- 2 drops of douglas fir

Apple Orchard

- 2 drops bergamot

- 3 drops wild orange

- 3 drops cedarwood

4. Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklists

To help better maintain our home, I've added a section in my home binder for seasonal tasks and found these lists from Better Homes and Gardens helpful.

5. On The Cusp of Autumn

I really enjoyed watching this video, On The Cusp of Autumn form Poetry of Slow Life

6. It's Your 20th Television Anniversary Charlie Brown

Most of you know I am a big Peanuts fan, so when I came across this never before seen video this week, I was pretty excited. It originally aired on May 14, 1985 and features highlights from specials over the previous twenty years.  Of course by now we're nearing 60 years of Charlie Brown specials, and I've loved every one!