So many good things begin with creaming butter and sugar! Including making “The Joy of Cooking” Iced Sugar Cookie recipe. This afternoon, my youngest son and I fired up the Kitchen Aid for our annual holiday tradition. From the time he wore a tyke-sized chef hat and apron to the teenager he is today, our steadfastness in this annual holiday preparation has not waned. Baking leading up to the holidays is one of my favorite ways to prepare for the celebrations to come.
We leisurely spent the afternoon working together. We prepared the dough. Then we selected Christmas trees, Santa Clauses, reindeer, bells, and snowmen from our collection of cookie cutters while the dough chilled. All the while, Christmas music was playing in the background. We filled pan after pan with wonderful shapes of soft dough, about a quarter-inch thick. The entire house smelled of sugary goodness and the kitchen warmed from the several batches baking from our oven. We mixed our favorite colors of icing to make them as beautiful as our patience and skill allowed.
Today, I thought of my Great Grandpa Ed, who always had a twinkle in his eye this time of the year right up until age 98. My grandfather’s old neighbor stopped me at church this morning to share the story of when she helped him prepare for Christmas. She picked up a decorated Christmas tree from the Catholic thrift store and put it up at his house as a surprise for him. She described his eyes lighting up in gratitude, and I could easily recall his look of awe this time of year.
At church, we lit the third candle of Advent representing joy as we continue to prepare for the coming of Christ. I prepare for Christ by being selective with my time allowing me to spend three hours with my son on a cold December Sunday baking. Today was unrushed and intentional, how I want my life to be. I want to leave room for steadfast preparation of good things to come. As I await the Holy Night, I prepare myself to welcome Christ into my home. The cookies are symbolic, but the real preparation comes in my heart as I make room for the powerful message of the season, which I hope leaves me with a little twinkle in my eye.
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