Soup of the Day

With fresh organic beans in the fridge and one large leftover potato, today is the day for Old Fashioned Green Bean Soup.

While the cut beans were simmering and the potatoes cooking, I sauteed sliced onion in a lot of butter. Then I added the beans and potatoes and a small amount of beef broth made with bouillon and water from the beans. Next came just enough milk to cover the veggies and a little salt and pepper to season. Heat and serve. So simple, so good. 

Only one variation would take it to the next level - bacon! Old Fashioned Bean and Bacon Soup. Either way - delish. 😀

Christmas

Babies are not found in mangers. According to Luke's Gospel, an angel announced to shepherds in the night that the long-awaited Messiah was born! They would find him wrapped in swaddling clothes and in a manger. The shepherds could've said, "This can't be. Babies are not kept in mangers." Instead they believed and they hastened to look for the stable with the baby lying in an animal's feeding trough. They hastened with faith.

When they did find him, as the angel had said, it was a sign to them that what the angel proclaimed was true - that this baby named Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord whom so many generations were longing for. They returned to their fields praising and glorifying God for what they had witnessed: Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in a manger. 

Jesus was found at a time and in a place not expected by the shepherds. May we, like the believing shepherds, hasten to find him in our lives, even in ways we would not expect.

Advent By Candlelight

Advent is a time of spiritually preparing for the Christmas season when we proclaim the historic coming of Jesus into the world. We welcome him and glorify him who remains with us. 

To celebrate the beginning of Advent, on Monday evening nearly 100 women from our community, along with our parish priest, came together for an event called Advent by Candlelight.

The evening began by meeting and sharing with one another. We met friends, we met acquaintances, we met new people. We then gathered at beautifully decorated tables, each prepared by a "hostess" who had invited seven other women to join her. A variety of desserts, hot cider, and coffee were served.

Next we dimmed the lights and lit one of four candles at each table. We listened to selected Scripture readings from the Old Testament beginning with Genesis and leading up to the birth of the Savior. After each reading we sang an Advent carole and lit one other candle, symbolizing light coming into the darkness. Finally we lit each of the votive candles at each place setting and sang "Christ be Our Light." The room was aglow with candlelight.

It felt good to take time at the beginning of what can be a hectic season, just to reflect on its real purpose and to do so with others in the community. Some women have already volunteered to host a table for next year. 

Christ be our light,

Shine in our darkness...