Jesus, the Light of the World, has entered our lives, heralding a time of great joy! To honor this significant event, a twelve-day feast, known as Christmastide, is observed. This season is marked by feasting, joyous gatherings, singing carols, leisurely strolls, and Christmas cookies! Today I'm sharing one of my favorites, Lemon Butter Cookies. They are so easy and fun to make and are absolutely delicious! 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 2/3 cup confectioner's sugar 2 large egg yolks, room temperature and divided pinch of salt 2 teaspoons vanilla zest of 1 to 1 1/2 lemons 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar for coating Beat butter until smooth. Add confectioner's sugar and beat until silky. Beat in 1 egg yolk (only 1!), then salt, vanilla, and lemon zest. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the flour. Beat just until incorporated. Turn the dough out onto a surface and divide in half. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Form each half into a log 1 to 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. May be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the upper rack in the the upper 1/3 of the oven and bottom rack in the lower 1/3. Line 2 baking pans with parchment and set aside. Whisk remaining yolk, brush logs with yolk, and then roll in sugar. Slice 1/4 inch thick. Bake until set 12 to 14 minutes.

Good Friday is our most solemn day of the church year. It is the day that we remember Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross. Good Friday is one of the oldest days of remembrance in the Christian church. The origins can be traced back to Jerusalem during the 4th century. An account is given by a pilgrim named Egeria who traveled to Jerusalem during Holy Week. The actual cross that Christ was crucified on was processed through the streets to Golgotha and then venerated (honored greatly) by the followers of Christ. As Christians, Good Friday is our most sorrowful day. On this day, we remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus, our Lord. The mood is somber as we silently reflect upon the last hours of Our Lord’s life. . O ye people who pass by on your journey, behold and see, Look upon me: Could there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow? Behold and see, all ye people come, give heed, And consider my grief and sorrow. -O Vos Omnes by Tomas Luis de Victoria On Good Friday, we honor the Cross and recognize that we have been given the gift of eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Good Friday is a day filled with silence, reflection, and simplicity. It is a time to reflect on the suffering and death of Christ and what that means in our lives. May we never forget all that Jesus was willing to suffer so that we might live eternally with Him! Ways to Celebrate Good Friday If you can, attend the Good Friday service at your church. Services are usually held at midday, the hour that Jesus was crucified. If your family cannot attend the service, have a devotional reading and prayer reflecting on the sufferings of Christ. Observe a fast on this day. This is a major fast day for the Church. Traditionally, no meat or alcohol is consumed. Many choose to observe a complete fast from all food and drink, except water. If a complete fast cannot be observed, try to eat very small and bland meals that require no cooking. In Germany, a traditional Good Friday meal is big, soft pretzels and hard-boiled eggs. Traditionally, Hot Cross Buns may be eaten after the Good Friday service. Hot Cross Buns originated at Saint Alban’s Abbey in 1361. The buns were distributed by the monks to the poor. They are cut or iced with the sign of the cross and are traditional fare on Good Friday. Observe intentional silence between the hours of 12 - 3 pm. These are the hours of Christ’s suffering and death on the cross. It might be hard for children to be quiet for so long. Give them activities that will help them to stay calm and quiet. Have your children build a garden of Joseph of Arimathea in the backyard. Just like Joseph of Arimathea provided his tomb for Jesus, have your children make a tomb. They can construct it with sticks, leaves, and dirt, making sure to build a tomb with a large opening to roll a stone across or a cardboard disk across. Walk the Stations of the Cross with your family. Many churches have the Stations of the Cross set up around the church property for you to walk as a devotion. Some churches offer a Stations of the Cross service on this day. If you cannot physically walk the Stations, read the account of the Passion of Jesus found in John 18:1-19:42 with your children. Have your children draw the Stations of the Cross. Set the day's tone by trying to make Good Friday a day with no TV, video games, music, computer, or other modern distractions at home or in the car to create a solemn atmosphere. (Remember to warn your children the day before of what you are planning to do so they will be prepared!) Watch a film about Jesus as a family and listen to recordings of sacred music. Put a large simple cross made of sticks on your front door or black crepe. Shroud all of your crosses in black fabric. Have everyone wear black for the day. Explain to your children that we are in deep mourning as we remember Christ’s suffering and death. At the end of the day, make a shrine for a cross by laying it on a pillow. Gather around the cross with your family and discuss why Christ died for us and what it means for us that he did. Family Devotion for Good Friday Begin your devotion time with the following invitation to prayer: Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Let us pray. Opening prayer: Great God, look down upon your family with mercy: a family Jesus loved so much that he was willing to be betrayed and suffer death upon the cross. Help us give ourselves to you as freely as you gave yourself. We pray this in Jesus’ holy name. Amen. Read John 18:1-19:42 Discuss. Why was it important that Jesus suffer and die? Jesus obeyed God, even to suffering and death. Through Jesus’ obedience, he made the offering to God that we could not make; in him, we are freed from the power of sin and death and brought back to God. 2) What do we mean when we say that Jesus descended to the dead? We mean that Jesus went to everyone that had died before him and offered them freedom from the power of evil, sin, and death (redemption). Close with a prayer thanking God for his goodness and asking for his guidance and protection for you and all who are in any need or trouble. End your devotion by saying the Lord’s Prayer together. Have a blessed Good Friday! Helpful Links: Hot Cross Buns for Good Friday Quick and Easy Pretzels

Today is Good Friday. Good Friday is our most solemn day of the church year. It is the day that we remember Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross. Good Friday is one the oldest days of remembrance in the Christian church. The origins can be traced back to Jerusalem during the 4th century. An account is given by a pilgrim named Egeria who traveled to Jerusalem during Holy Week. The actual cross that Christ was crucified on was processed through the streets to Golgotha and then venerated (honored greatly) by the followers of Christ. As Christians, Good Friday is our most sorrowful day. On this day, we remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus, our Lord. The mood is somber as we silently reflect upon the last hours of Our Lord’s life. . O ye people who pass by on your journey, behold and see, Look upon me: Could there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow? Behold and see, all ye people come, give heed, And consider my grief and sorrow. -O Vos Omnes by Tomas Luis de Victoria On Good Friday, we honor the Cross and what it means in our life - that we have been given the gift of eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus. May we never forget all that Jesus was willing to suffer so that we might live eternally with Him!

We are in the last week of Advent which means it's time to start making your Christmas treats! One of my family's favorites is this Remarkable Fudge. It is so easy to make and it is mind blowing! (The marshmallow creme takes it over the edge!) It is creamy and smooth and so decadently rich! We make it to give as gifts to friends and teachers and we keep a plate of it on the kitchen counter as a special treat for Christmas. Remarkable Fudge 4 cups sugar 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk 1 cup butter 1 12-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 7-ounce dark chocolate or milk chocolate candy bar 1 7-ounce jar of marshmallow creme 1 teaspoon vanilla Line a 13x9x2 inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over the edges of the pan. Butter foil; set aside. Butter the sides of a heavy 3-quart saucepan. In saucepan combine sugar, evaporated milk, and butter. Cook and stir over medium-high heat till mixture boils. Reduce heat to medium; continue stirring for 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Add chocolate pieces, broken-up chocolate bar, marshmallow creme, and vanilla. Stir till everything melts and mixture is combined. Beat by hand for one minute. Spread in the prepared pan. When fudge is firm, use foil to lift out of pan. Cut fudge into small squares.

On the 17th of December we begin the “O Antiphons,” and the whole tone of Advent changes. We are only eight days (known as an Octave) away from Christmas Day, so there is an increase in activity and a renewed sense of expectation. During these last days, our prayers arise with an ever-increasing crescendo. They are cries from our hearts not only for ourselves but for the whole world, cries for the Messiah to come and reign and to set the world to rights. Christians around the world are so eager for this coming, that we cry out with one voice for Christ to come and to come quickly!  One of the ways that we cry out as the Church is through the “O Antiphons”. The “O Antiphons” are a beautiful tradition going back 1,300 years. They are scripturally based prayers focusing on the titles given to Christ in scripture. Originally, they were chanted in monasteries during the last days before Christmas. The “O Antiphons” were prayed before and after “ The Magnificat ” during the service of Evening Prayer. One antiphon was prayed each evening from December 17 until December 23. Then on December 24, the Octave was completed by chanting all of the Antiphons. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, one of the Church’s oldest and most beloved hymns is the “O Antiphons” set to music. Each stanza is an Antiphon and was meant to be sung during the Octave with a new verse added each day. Ways to Celebrate “O Antiphons” A great way for you to celebrate these last days before Christmas is to add the “O Antiphons” to your daily devotion. They add to our sense of anticipation while also helping us to keep our focus on what Advent is all about, the coming of Jesus Christ. You can either say or sing the Antiphon appointed for each day and then, on Christmas Eve, pray or sing all them all. Traditionally, in the monasteries, the monks would recite the “O Antiphons” and then they would hand out special small treats. After your family has finished singing the Antiphon of the day, serve a special little treat that corresponds to the Antiphon.  To help you celebrate the last days before Christmas, I’ve included the Antiphon for each day, as well as fun treat ideas. I’ve also included below the symbols to help spark creativity if you want to come up with your own treats. I hope this tradition is a blessing to your family as you move closer to Christmas! December 17 – O Wisdom (Isaiah 11:2) “O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – Oil Lamp, Open Book, Dove (Holy Spirit) Treat Ideas – Serve a treat that is made with a “brain food” like blueberries or dark chocolate. Since a symbol for Wisdom could be a book,  you could make cookies in the shape of a book or serve fig newtons and decorate them with icing so that they look like little books.  December 18 – O Lord (Exodus 6:6) “O come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times didst give the law in cloud and majesty and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – The Burning Bush, The Ten Commandments Treat Ideas – Pulling from the reference to the law or the ten commandments, decorate graham crackers with icing to make them look like the ten commandments. You could add the roman numerals 1-5 on one half of the cracker and 6-10 on the other. You could also serve something spicy like salsa and chips to represent the burning bush. December 19 – O Root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1) “O come, thou Branch of Jesse’s Tree , free them from Satan’s tyranny; that trust thy mighty power to save, and give them victory o’er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – Plant, Root With Flowering Stem Treat Ideas – Since the Messiah is the “root” of the tree of Jesse, serve root beer. You could also make carrot cake since carrots are a root vegetable. December 20 – O Key of David (Isaiah 22:22) “O come, thou Key of David , come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – An Elaborate Key Treat Ideas – The monastic tradition on this night was for the monk in charge of the wine cellar to use his key to open the cellar and bring out a special bottle of wine. Serve a sparkling fruit juice instead. You could also make cookies in the shape of a key. December 21 – O Dayspring (Isaiah 9:2) “O come, thou Dayspring from on high, And cheer us by thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadow put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – Sunrise, The Sun Treat Ideas – Serve oranges since oranges look like the sun or make any dessert made with oranges. December 22 – O Desire of Nations (Jeremiah 10:7) “O come, Desire of Nations , bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – Crown, Crown and Scepter, Cornerstone Treat Ideas – Make cookies in the shape of a crown. Make something in a loaf pan so that it looks like a cornerstone. You could make something like banana bread or pound cake. December 23 – O Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14) “O come, O come, Emmanuel , and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – Manger, Star Treat Ideas – Serve cookies in the shape of a manger or star. Make homemade chai tea using star anise. Serve chocolates from chocolate nativity set. December 24 – Sing Every Verse Symbols – Candle, Poinsettia Treat Ideas – Make cookies in the shape of a candle or a flower. Eat your special treats by candle light. Since it is Christmas Eve, serve something extra special and celebratory like chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling juice.

Happy Feast of St. Thomas! It’s almost Christmas! Saint Thomas was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles and is best known for not believing that Jesus had been raised from the dead. He is thought to be the only Apostle who went outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel. He is also believed to have crossed the largest area, including the Persian Empire and India. He was martyred for leading an Indian Queen to faith in Jesus. The Feast of Saint Thomas is the traditional day to begin all of your Christmas baking. Put on some music and have fun baking all of your favorite treats! Baking is such a great way to emphasize the Advent themes of preparation and of waiting. In many countries, particular cookies are made only for Christmas. The cookies keep for a long time and are often hung on the Christmas tree. What a wonderful way to emphasize the significance of the season with what we cook!

The season of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is the time set aside when Christians around the world prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ. Advent is all about slowing down, waiting, and longing for the fulfillment of God’s purposes. As a young mom with four little kids, the season of Advent was anything but those things! It was not the most wonderful time of the year, it was the most stressful time! There were sugar highs, presents to buy, cookies to make, and so many activities to go to! For me, the season of Advent was hectic and filled with anxiety. Remembering Christ One of the things that centered me every year was the Bidding Prayer from the Anglican service of Advent Lessons and Carols. It’s called a “bidding prayer” because it’s bidding us, inviting us, to enter into Advent with all our hearts. It invites us to “let it be our care and delight” to step out of the frantic pace of this world and to hear again the message of the Angels, that a Savior had been born to us which is Christ the Lord. Here’s the first part of the Bidding Prayer: Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise… The bidding prayer was written by an Anglican priest named Eric Milner-White. He served as an army chaplain during the First World War on both the Western Front and in the Italian Campaign. He returned home from the war on January 5, 1918, and was made the Dean of King’s College. Within his first year of being home, he introduced the Lessons and Carols service along with his beautiful bidding prayer on Christmas Eve, 1918. Remembering the World Though it begins by remembering Christ, the Bidding Prayer does not retreat from the world. Its second section invites us to remember in our prayers “the needs of the whole world:” let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. One hundred and ninety-nine men from King’s College alone died in the war, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of Milner-White’s countrymen. It is remarkable to think that having just returned from the war, with all of its senseless death and trauma, Milner-White could call both to pray for the world’s pain and also to delight again in Christ. An Advent Invitation for All If Eric Milner-White could delight in Christ in the midst of a World War, each of us can find hope in Chris in the midst of our struggles. As you enter into the season of Advent, maybe you feel overwhelmed, tired, or just distracted and anxious by all that needs to be done. Maybe, like me, you need to hear this bidding prayer – this invitation once again to let it be our care and delight in this holy season to prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the Advent Bidding Prayer in its entirety: “Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. Lastly, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.”

The season of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is the time set aside when Christians around the world prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ. Advent is all about slowing down, waiting, and longing for the fulfillment of God’s purposes. As a young mom with four little kids, the season of Advent was anything but those things! It was not the most wonderful time of the year, it was the most stressful time! There were sugar highs, presents to buy, cookies to make, and so many activities to go to! For me, the season of Advent was hectic and filled with anxiety. Remembering Christ One of the things that centered me every year was the Bidding Prayer from the Anglican service of Advent Lessons and Carols. It’s called a “bidding prayer” because it’s bidding us, inviting us, to enter into Advent with all our hearts. It invites us to “let it be our care and delight” to step out of the frantic pace of this world and to hear again the message of the Angels, that a Savior had been born to us which is Christ the Lord. Here’s the first part of the Bidding Prayer: Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise… The bidding prayer was written by an Anglican priest named Eric Milner-White. He served as an army chaplain during the First World War on both the Western Front and in the Italian Campaign. He returned home from the war on January 5, 1918, and was made the Dean of King’s College. Within his first year of being home, he introduced the Lessons and Carols service along with his beautiful bidding prayer on Christmas Eve, 1918. Remembering the World Though it begins by remembering Christ, the Bidding Prayer does not retreat from the world. Its second section invites us to remember in our prayers “the needs of the whole world:” let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. One hundred and ninety-nine men from King’s College alone died in the war, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of Milner-White’s countrymen. It is remarkable to think that having just returned from the war, with all of its senseless death and trauma, Milner-White could call both to pray for the world’s pain and also to delight again in Christ. An Advent Invitation for All If Eric Milner-White could delight in Christ in the midst of a World War, each of us can find hope in Chris in the midst of our struggles. As you enter into the season of Advent, maybe you feel overwhelmed, tired, or just distracted and anxious by all that needs to be done. Maybe, like me, you need to hear this bidding prayer – this invitation once again to let it be our care and delight in this holy season to prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the Advent Bidding Prayer in its entirety: “Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. Lastly, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.”

Happy first day of November! This is a slower month in the Liturgical Calendar, much slower than October (whew!). We are still moving through the season of Ordinary Time, the longest season of the Church Year. We start with All Saints' Day where we celebrate those who have faithfully served the Lord and who are now with him in heaven. At the end of the month, we celebrate Christ the King Sunday, a special Sunday where the Church recognizes and celebrates Christ as our King. We end November with the Feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle, a faithful disciple of Jesus who later became an Apostle to the Church. Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day this month, including the history, recipes, and traditions. Helpful Links: All Saints' Day

When it comes to baking an apple pie, my family has a delightful twist to the classic recipe that brings out an even richer and more homely flavor: using grated apples instead of sliced ones. Growing up, this was the only way I knew apple pie. My grandmother made it this way and so did my mom. When I would eat apple pie at other people's homes, I never liked it, the apple slices were too tart, crunchy, or big. Grating the apples makes every bite so soft it almost melts in your mouth. This method transforms the texture and gives every bite a smoother, deeper apple flavor. I promise once you've tried grated apple pie, you'll never make apple pie the old way again! Grated Apple Pie The Crust 1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed 2 tablespoons cold shortening 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water Whisk flour and salt together in a food processor. Add cubed butter and shortening. Pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse meal with pea-sized bits of fat throughout. Drizzle the ice water in, 1 tablespoon at a time until dough begins to form large clumps. Transfer the pie dough to a floured work surface. Using floured hands, fold the dough into itself until the flour is fully incorporated into the fats. The dough should come together easily and should not feel too sticky. Avoid overworking the dough. If it feels a bit too dry or crumbly, dip your fingers in the ice water and then continue bringing the dough together with your hands. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle on more flour and then continue bringing the dough together with your hands. Form it into a round disk. Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 5 days. After 2 hours, lightly flour the work surface, rolling pin, and your hands, and sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough. When rolling dough out, start from the center and work your way out in all directions, turning the dough with your hands as you go. Roll the dough into a very thin 12-inch circle. Use your rolling pin to help transfer the pie crust to the pie dish. Carefully roll one end of the circle of dough gently onto the rolling pin, rolling it back towards you, slowly peeling it off the work surface as you go. Pick it up, and carefully roll it back out over the top of the pie dish. The Filling 1 stick of butter 1 cup of sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 heaping tablespoon of flour 1/4 teaspoon allspice 3 cups grated apples Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add grated apples, sugar, allspice, flour, and beaten egg. Stir together until fully incorporated. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Bake for 1 hour.

One of the main themes of Advent is on giving rather than receiving. We give because God first freely gave to us. He held nothing back! He even gave us his most precious gift - his only Son. One of my favorite ways to emphasize the act of giving is through the Christmas Crib tradition. The Christmas Crib has become one of our family's most meaningful Advent traditions. It is a beautiful and simple activity that emphasizes thinking of others and doing good deeds. To make the Christmas Crib, before the first Sunday of Advent, gather together a small basket or the manger from your nativity set, a small cup or dish, raffia or straw cut into 2-inch pieces, and a baby Jesus figurine. You will also need a bowl filled with the names of the family members on slips of paper. Then, on the first Sunday of Advent, right after evening devotions, set the small basket or manger out on your kitchen or dining room table. Next to the manger, place the small cup or dish. Fill the cup or dish with the pieces of straw and place the baby Jesus figurine next to it all. The bowl with the slips of paper is passed around and everyone takes a slip of paper with a name on it. The person whose name one has drawn is now in one’s special care throughout Advent. From this day until Christmas, one has to do as many little favors for him or her as one can. One has to provide at least one surprise every single day - but without ever being found out. Explain to your family that Advent is about preparing our hearts for the coming of our Savior, Jesus, and that during Advent we try to do as many good deeds for others as we can. Tell them that the person whose name they have drawn and who is under their care becomes for them the little helpless Christ Child in the manger. Explain to them that the straw in the cup is for baby Jesus’ manger. From now on, whenever they do a good deed for that family member or for someone else, they should get a piece of straw from the cup and place it in the manger. Explain to your children that the goal is to get the manger as full as possible before Christmas Eve so that baby Jesus has a super soft bed. My family takes this tradition very seriously! I can’t tell you how touching (and surprising!) it is to see my children doing as many good deeds as they can. They love to know that baby Jesus will be surrounded by their love and good deeds made visible with the straw. It is such a sweet tradition that creates a spirit of selfless love and generosity.

Looking for a simple meal idea for Thanksgiving week? Try my “Homemade” Pizza! I use a homemade pizza crust that is ready in less than thirty minutes. It’s crisp on the outside, soft on the inside and so, so good! Then, to make things even easier, use a bottle of jarred pizza sauce. It makes everything SO much simpler! Next, layer on your favorite toppings: mozzarella, pepperoni, thinly sliced onions, feta cheese, parmesan cheese, whatever you like! I hope this helps make this crazy week a little bit less stressful and hopefully a welcome break from Turkey overload! My Favorite Pizza Crust ▢ 1 cup warm water (105 degrees F) ▢ 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar ▢ 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast ▢ 1 TBSaTablespoon olive oil ▢ 2 to 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour* ▢ 1 tsp fine sea salt Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Put a pizza stone in the oven while it preheats, and let it warm at 500 degrees F for at least 10 minutes.* Combine warm water, yeast and sugar in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy and bubbles form. Gently stir in olive oil. Add 2 cups of flour and salt and mix with a spatula until a ball begins to form (dough will still be slightly sticky). Add more flour as needed to form a dough ball. Transfer to a floured surface and knead into a smooth dough, adding up to ½ cup extra flour if needed. Sprinkle a pan with a little cornmeal or flour, place dough on pan and gently press out with your fingers till the dough is your desired shape.