ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
The moments of our lives may be bright with possibility, dark with fear or sadness, or even plain everyday gray, but God's glory never fades. May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks, and boring grays of your every day.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6TH, 2018
Sunrise: 7:39 am
Sunset: 4:59 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is St. Nicholas Day which honors St. Nicholas and his life. It’s a day to to focus on giving over receiving, remembering those less fortunate. Good old St. Nick lived in the country of Greece and was well known for giving to needy people, especially children.
St. Nicholas was well known to throw small bags of gold coins into open windows of poor homes. After one bag of gold fell into the stocking of a child, news got around. Children soon began having their stocking by their chimney ‘in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there’.
His name and fame spread to many other countries and so Santa Clause as we know him today came into being. We give gifts at Christmas because we know that it’s good to express our love for those who are special and important to us.
Thanks to Nicholas, Santa is alive and well. Our world would be such a darker place without his inspiring presence. Oranges or tangerines are often found in Christmas stockings as they symbolize the gold coins St. Nicholas would throw to the children. Candy canes are shaped after shepherd’s staffs and given out as a reminder of the care St. Nicholas had for people.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Jolly old Saint Nicholas,
Lean your ear this way!
Don’t you tell a single soul
What I’m going to say:
Christmas Eve is coming soon;
Now, you dear old man
Whisper what you’ll bring to me;
Tell me if you can.
When my children were young it was a family tradition to set our shoes out by the fireplace for St. Nicholas to fill. Small gifts of candy were usually given along with a small toy. It’s a fun way to add a little festivity early in the waiting weeks of Advent. At Christmas I always give out little bags of chocolate filled gold coins to my family that is a reminder of St. Nicholas gift of money to the poor.
Now there are no children at my house, but I’m hoping that this is one tradition that has passed on through the years and that some of my grandchildren still set out their shoes.
Speculaas, are a cookie that is very popular for St. Nick’s Day so I thought I’d share the recipe today. They are a traditionally thin, crisp windmill shaped cookie that originated in the Netherlands but you don’t need a mold to enjoy them. Just roll out the dough and use your favorite cookie cutter to make them just as much fun.
Spiced Star Cookies
1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cardamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 to 4 tbsp milk
For Icing;
1/2 c. confectioners sugar
3 to 4 tsp. milk
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter sugar, vanilla, spices and salt. Stir in the flour, and baking powder , then enough milk to make a stiff dough. Form the dough into two balls, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours or more.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease or line with parchment paper 2 baking sheets.
Working one one ball of dough at a time, roll out to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes and transfer to prepared pans. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly brown. Remove from oven and transfer to rack to cool.
To make icing stir the sugar and enough milk to create a thick but drizzly icing. Drizzle atop the cookie decoratively.
Makes 4 dozen small cookies.
Note: the original recipe called for 1/2 c. almond flour and 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, but I used only regular all purpose flour.
I hope you all have a GREAT day. Happy Thursday!
COUNTING MY GIFTS
Christmas has a way of bringing out the best in everyone.
Bing Crosby
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
6586. for St. Nicholas day, a reminder to be generous in giving
6587. for cookies that make traditions
6588. for snow on the ground, it covers all the leaves
Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!
Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.
Almighty and eternal God,
Protect our military
as they discharge their duties
with the shield of your strength,
may the power of your love
enable them to return home in safety
that with all who love them
they may ever praise you for your loving care.
AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters
and Paramedics and EMT’s
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
ADVICE FOR TODAY
The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic His giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.
St. Nicholas of Myra
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
5 comments:
All good things are ours if we but believe.
My son's father was the only one I know who ever observed St. Nick's Day … and had quite forgotten Troy telling me about it. What a sweet tradition, particularly in the Advent season. We've no little ones near, but perhaps this post will inspire someone else to begin that observance!
Good morning! I love all the traditions surrounding Christmas! I like your Believe signs! I have a few of them myself. Good reminders to believe all the good we can.....
We put out socks for St. Nicholas' Day and received candy, nuts, and a piece of fruit. Always fun to do and I do hope the tradition continues on for some. I know I didn't do it for my kids (not sure why I didn't) so I don't think it will live on here, but it is a good thing to do and a good remembrance of what he did to help the poor.
betty
Happy St. Nicholas Day, MA. I love the idea of setting out the shoes. I don't remember any sort of traditions we ever did for St. Nicholas Day when I was a little girl. We were Catholic too so go figure. *haha* Love, Andrea xoxo
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