One of my favorite things about Christmas baking is making the cookies bite sized.  This size is the perfect party cookie, allowing you to fill a small plate of assorted cookies, pop one into your mouth, and continue on your merry way, engaging in conversations, creating memories, or singing carols with your friends.  I also like my cookie trays to look simple and natural, with small pops of colors.  However, when we attempted to tint the frosting in this Thumbprint cookie green and red for a more festive look, the garishness of the frosting made the cookies less appealing.

The following recipe was adapted by my husband and I the first year we were married.  Instead of jam, we decided to balance out the buttery shortbread cookie crusted with walnuts with buttercream frosting.  It soon became a hit with my friends and family.  This cookie freezes well, but I recommend tray freezing them after frosting to keep them looking as pretty as they are delicious.

Thumbprint Cookies

2 c. all-purpose flour

½ c. firmly packed brown sugar   

1 c. butter, softened                                                               

2 eggs, separated                    

1/8 t. salt                                                                                 

1 t. vanilla                                     

2 c. finely chopped walnuts (best if chopped in food processor)

Preheat oven to 350⁰.  Cream butter and sugar.  Setting the egg whites aside, add the egg yolks and vanilla, mixing until well combined.  Add the flour and salt, mix for 2-3 minutes longer, scraping the bowl down until all ingredients are combined.  Shape dough into round 1-inch balls.  In a small bowl, beat egg whites until frothy.  Dip each ball of dough into egg white and then roll in chopped walnuts.  Place on a parchment-covered cookie sheet.  Make a small depression in the center of each cookie with back of a teaspoon.  Bake for 7-8 minutes, until the center of the cookie looks set.  After they have cooled, pipe centers with buttercream frosting.

Michele’s Buttercream Frosting (this recipe is from my friend Michele Cassaday)

1/3 c. butter                                                      

1 ½ t. vanilla

4 ½ c. sifted powdered sugar                     

¼ c. milk

Beat butter till fluffy.  Add 2 c. powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.  Then slowly add the rest of the powdered sugar.  Thin out with additional milk if needed to achieve the right consistency.

“In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples, of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” Isaiah 11:10

The prophet Samuel was sent by God to anoint a new king over Israel.  He was to go to Bethlehem and find this king among the sons of Jesse.  With no pageantry or public proclamations, Samuel approached Jesse and his sons, looking for the one he thought was worthy to be king.  The oldest son stood proudly with intelligent eyes, but God quickly informed Samuel that this was not the chosen one.  Another son stood before the prophet, his strength was evident in his physical stature, but he too was not be the future king.  Five more sons, each having distinct characteristics outwardly that seemed royal in nature, passed before Samuel, yet God was not interested in any of these sons.  God told Samuel that He doesn’t look on the outward appearance, but rather on the heart.  Heeding God’s word but feeling frustrated, Samuel pleaded with Jesse, did he have any more sons?  Reluctantly, Jesse admitted his youngest was left in the fields, herding sheep.  As the forgotten David appeared before Samuel, God told Samuel that this was the one.  Although David was anointed that day, his time to reign would not happen for many years.  Meanwhile, he would be insulted by his family, face giants, be chased by a king and his army, and forced to be homeless!  Only after all these trials would David finally receive his crown and rule as king.

About one thousand years later, in the small village of Bethlehem, the king of all kings was about to enter the world.  His birth would not be marked by any other leaders of his nation, only poor shepherds would acknowledge his arrival.  His parents, likely feeling forgotten and inconsequential, could not even find a proper place for his mother to give birth.  Instead, their last resort was a stable meant to house animals.  His first cradle would not be covered with plush purple blankets, the color of royalty, instead he would be wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in a bed of straw in a rough feeding trough.  Although his birth signified the promise of redemption being fulfilled, he wouldn’t fulfill that promise for another thirty-three years.  During that time, he would be rejected by the people he grew up with, betrayed by all his closest friends, slandered by the religious leaders of his day, beaten until his body was covered with stripes, and crucified on a cross.  Yet, this king would reign, conquering death and the grave!  He would ascend into heaven, and more than two thousand years later, we eagerly await his return!  This time, his kingship will be recognized by everyone, for the Lord declares, “every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess”!

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

“Marley was dead” is the opening sentence in to one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time.  Charles Dickens quickly penned the novella, “A Christmas Carol”, in six weeks, hoping to inspire England to celebrate Christmas with more charity, and to improve his own financial situation.  It is reported that as Scrooge was traveling London with ghosts on paper, Dickens himself was wandering the streets of London for inspiration.  In 1843, the people of London were divided into two different worlds.  The first world was filled with bounty, lavish homes and furnishings, and idle entertainment.  The second world, containing most of the population of London, was marked by a lack of food and clothing, children working twelve-hour days in factories, poor houses, and debtor’s prisons.  Dickens hoped that his little ghost story would “help open the hearts of the prosperous and powerful towards the poor and powerless.”  In his sixty-six-page manuscript, Scrooge’s encounters with ghosts lead to his redemption with the declaration, “I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.”  Not only did Scrooge redeem his life, Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” helped reform much of London, inspiring changes not only in laws but also in hearts.

Like Scrooge, just maybe, I needed to redeem my Christmas in 2020.  This Advent season, I am using the quietness of Christmas in the middle of a pandemic as a reset for me.  I am not rushing around shopping, or busy with Christmas programs and activities.  Instead, I am spending that time leaning into Advent, exploring it through a few devotionals, rereading portions of scripture, and listening to Advent poetry.  For the first time, Terry and I are reading “A Christmas Carol” aloud together, engrossed in Dicken’s imagery with phrases like, “You may be an undigested bit of beef.”  I feel calmer and more peaceful than I ever have, even though my oven coil broke yesterday morning in the middle of cookie baking.  Even my research for my Advent blog posts has awakened a deeper curiosity about the big picture of Jesus’ birth and the redemption it brings for mankind.  Although I am looking forward to celebrating Christmas 2021 without a pandemic, like Scrooge, “I will not shut out the lessons” I have learned this Advent season!

“Every good gift and perfect gift is form above, coming down from the Father of lights.” James 1:17

It’s my grandson’s first Christmas, and although he is not going to remember it, I am so excited!  As I was shopping for Christmas gifts for Joel, I researched the best toys for a five-month-old, trying to find something that would stimulate his curiosity and help him meet developmental milestones.  I carefully weighed my options and picked out a few gifts I thought he would love.  Terry wrapped his gifts, and I cannot wait for Joel to open them.

Jesus, too, received gifts, and even if the wise men had done research, I am sure they could not have made all the connections to the significance of the gifts they chose.  As they worshiped the newborn king, they presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Mary and Joseph.  They would have known that each of these gifts signified royalty, deity, and consecration.  They might have even known how each of these gifts would have been used in the temple where the Hebrew people worshiped.  But they would not have understood that Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection would fulfill the symbolic uses of these gifts.  Furthermore, what the wise men could not predict is how these gifts were likely used.  Some commentaries have surmised that Joseph’s financial status was such that to escape to Egypt, he likely would have had to sell these gifts.  Think about this: the gifts were sold to save the greatest gift given to mankind.  Even more astounding, these gifts were presented by non-Jewish men, setting the stage for a salvation that was for everyone!  The research I have done for these blog posts has convinced me more than ever of the sovereignty of God.  Just like I spent time researching gifts for Joel, God even more perfectly designed every detail of the greatest gift of all, the birth of Jesus!

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” Proverbs 11:3

Mary, Elizabeth, and Zacharias sang poetic praise, Simeon and Anna spoke words of blessing, the shepherds told others the good news and the wise men asked earnest questions.  They all had a lot to say regarding the birth of Jesus, but Joseph, a principal character in the nativity, said nothing.  None of the gospels record any profound words that the earthly father of Jesus said about the miracle that others would perceive to be a scandal.  Instead, Joseph’s actions spoke louder about his character and His trust in God than any words he could have pontificated!

We first meet Joseph as he is deciding to show mercy to the woman he loves, despite all evidence indicating her betrayal.  Legally, Joseph had the right to have her stoned, but he felt no justification in destroying Mary or her reputation, so he decided to divorce her quietly.  While Joseph was contemplating this decision, he had a dream from God that gave him miraculous insight into Mary’s pregnancy.  He followed the angel’s directions, married Mary, and likely endured all the gossip that ensued about his newlywed status.  He had three other dreams, all relating to the safety of Jesus, and Joseph heeded the warnings, following the instructions of angels without question.  These instructions involved Joseph uprooting his family and moving to an unfamiliar place.  Not only did Joseph lose his reputation, but also likely had to start all over in his career.  Christian radio commentator, David Jeremiah, says, “Integrity is keeping a commitment even after circumstances have changed.”  Joseph embodies this definition of integrity, providing an example for all of us on how to act in the presence of our Savior!

“Judge not, that you be not judged.” Matthew 7:1

It was not supposed to be this way.  As a little girl, she had envisioned her first baby born in the presence of her mother and aunts, who knew what to expect and could help her endure the mystery of childbirth.  Instead, she was with Joseph, her beloved, traveling ninety miles from her home to Bethlehem, with the impending birth expected any day.  The roads were dusty, the days hot, the nights cold, and the scenery unfamiliar, leaving her sore, uncomfortable, and tired.  As she reflected on the last few months, she recalled whispers of judgment and disgust from her neighbors, friends, and family.  She looked at Joseph, who held his head high despite all the gossip about his decision to marry the woman who they thought had betrayed him.  Even though they both new the truth of her pregnancy, the comments still pierced her heart and wounded her soul.  Despite these wounds, she remained confident in God and continued her journey, unaware that there would be more visits by angels, shepherds, and wise men.

Knowing the end of the story, it’s easy to look with disdain on the people who gossiped about Mary and Joseph.  Yet, part of the Advent experience is recognizing our need for a Savior.  I have been doing some soul searching the last few years and I have concluded that I have been judgmental about other people, including some of their Christmas practices.  For example, I admit I sneered at the “Elf on the Shelf” antics that many families orchestrated for their children.  I believed it was another piece of evidence of how others were minimizing the real reason for Christmas.  But my sneering at other people’s family traditions is no different than the gossipers in Jerusalem.  I have no idea how these “Elf on the Shelf” families may, or may not, be incorporating Jesus into their Christmas celebrations.  And, more importantly, it is not aligning my spirit with the spirit of Advent.  This has moved me to repentance and a change of heart. Although “Elf on the Shelf” was not part of my family traditions, I smile and listen attentively when I hear children talk about their mischievous elves!

“And there was a .prophetess, Anna…She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36, 37, 38

It’s A Wonderful Life remains an iconic Christmas movie, setting the standard for inducing warm, heartfelt emotions which most modern Christmas movies strive towards, but fail to achieve.  The main character, George Bailey, feels like everyone would have been better off had he never lived.  He is given a rare gift by Clarence, a second-class angel, the opportunity to see what life would be like if he had never been born.  He quickly learns that the life he deemed insignificant was truly a life that was brave and impactful to those around him.  He found value and significance in his ordinary life!

So many of the characters in the nativity were ordinary people who found significance in the presence of Jesus, including Anna.  Only mentioned in three verses, Anna was married for seven years before her husband died, and she lost her sense of purpose, income, and heritage.  Likely being childless, Anna served in the temple for the next eighty-four years.  The Bible records that she “served God with fasting and prayer night and day.”  Her ordinary habits of praying and fasting aroused her spiritual sensitivities to the presence of God, allowing her to recognize the presence of the Messiah in the temple.  The Bible records she instantly came to Joseph and Mary’s side, offering words of gratitude to God.  She then proceeded to prophesy that this baby would bring redemption to Jerusalem.  Society had written off any value Anna’s life could offer, yet she remained faithful to God and found a hallowed place in scripture that made her life significant!

Whether we, or society, deem our lives as insignificant, we can be confident that our lives have significance in the presence of Jesus!

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” Psalm 34:8

One of my husband’s fondest memories of his childhood centered around Christmas and baking.  In the first weeks of December, his mother would spend her days baking delectable cookies and bars, storing them in the freezer till Christmas.  Terry would spend the month counting down the days till Christmas break, because only then would his mother bring out the cookie treasures to share with her boys.  Then, for the next two weeks, they could indulge in chocolate and sugar, while playing games as a family.  For a young boy with a sweet tooth, this was as good as anything found under the tree!

This cookie recipe has been in Terry’s family cookie repertoire since he was about 8 years old.  The original recipe made so many cookies that you needed a dishpan to mix the dough, hence its name!  This year as I was composing my cookie list, I thought about changing the name of the cookie to make it sound more appealing.  My daughter protested, saying that, although the name is not regal, it makes the cookie even more astounding.  Honestly, when it is placed on the tray of all the other cookies I make, the simplicity of the cookie gets lost in the chocolate, butter, candy, and nut explosions.  Yet, I have had people dare to take a bite and declare this cookie, a gooey concoction of oats and Corn Flakes, is one of their favorites!

*A few notes on the recipe below.  This cookie doesn’t freeze well, so I typically make it within a few days of consumption.  It’s a great cookie to have with coffee.  Also, splurging on Kellogg’s brand Corn Flakes is a must!  I have tried the cheaper corn flakes before, and the cookie does not taste quite right.  Finally, the dough is definitely worth snitching.

Collins’ Dishpan Cookie

2 c. sugar                                                                             2 c. brown sugar

2 c. canola oil                                                                     4 eggs

2 t. vanilla                                                                            2 t. baking soda

1 t. salt                                                                                 1 ½ c. quick oats

4 c. flour                                                                              4 c. Corn Flakes, crushed by hand

Combine both sugars, eggs, oil, vanilla, salt, and baking soda.  Mix well and then add remaining ingredients, one at a time.  Bake at 325⁰ for 8-10 minutes.  Cookies are done when lightly browned around the edges.  It is normal for them to flatten out when cooled.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Romans 15:13

The sickly green Grinch and his sly, wicked plans of stealing Christmas from the innocent Who'”s has captivated our home since our children were little.  As Christmas traditionalists, we prefer the 1966 animated version, as opposed to the recent attempts to modernize this Christmas fairy tale!  I still gasp when the mean Grinch steals the roast beast and the last can of Who Hash!  (By the way, what is roast beast?)  I, too, lean into the screen and listen intently with the Grinch to see if his efforts to steal Christmas have succeeded.  As soon as the first notes of music are heard from Whoville, my heart also swells three sizes bigger as the Grinch realizes that the true meaning of Christmas does not come from packages, boxes, or bags!

Like the Grinch, King Herod, a political figurehead set up by the Roman government, tried to stop Christmas from coming.  With the arrival of the wise men in Jerusalem looking for the birth of a king, Herod consulted the chief priests and scribes, learning about the messianic prophecy.  Recognizing that these prophecies threatened his status and power, he struck a deal with the wise men, hiding his true purposes.  His plan failed when the wise men and Joseph were warned in dreams to avoid Herod.  Yet, Herod was determined to stop the Messiah, killing any baby boy born in the Bethlehem vicinity that was two years and younger!  His killing spree ended the lives of many children and the hopes of many parents.  However, despite his diabolical efforts, Herod could not stop Christmas from coming!  Today, COVID-19, death, controversial elections, family difficulties, job losses and heartache may be making attempts to keep Christmas from coming, taking our joy and hope with it!  But like the first Christmas, Jesus lives, and his life not only provided hope for those parents whose lives were directly impacted by Herod, but for us today as well!

“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Matthew 1:1

In the last few years, my husband has been doing research on his ancestry.  He has been able to trace one line of his family back to English nobility and has been able to view the ruins of a castle in which they once lived.  As surprising as this information was, he later found, in a different family line, a member of his family who ended up in prison for murder in the 1800’s.  His family tree is reflective of all our family trees.  We might have some great ancestors who have accomplished amazing feats, while, at the same time, we might have some branches we wish we could cut from the tree!

One of the most interesting accounts of the birth of Jesus is recorded by Matthew.  It doesn’t start with angelic visits or the manger scene, instead it carefully lays out the lineage of Jesus beginning with Abraham, the first person to enter into a covenant relationship with God, through King David, a man after God’s own heart, and ending with Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father.  What is revolutionary about this family tree is that Matthew records four different women as part of Jesus’ ancestry.  Remember, at the time Matthew wrote this, women were not considered important or significant.  Yet, not only did Matthew record four women in the lineage, but these were scandalous women involved in adultery, murder, deceit, prostitution, and discrimination!  Most of these women were not terrible people, but victims in a society that treated them as less than human, broken by situations that were, often, were not of their own creation!  Matthew chose not even to name one of the women, referring to her as the wife of Uriah, the man that was killed due to her act of adultery.  She was so insignificant that, generations later, her very name remained shunned!

But isn’t this lineage representative of who Jesus came to save: those of us who are shattered and broken by sin?  While we are complicit in some sins, other sins are perpetrated upon us, leaving us marred by its effects!  He came to save those whom society has deemed insignificant!  He came to redeem those whose reputations have been destroyed!  So when I read the names of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba (the wife of Uriah), I am reminded that, “after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10)!