Joy!
When you have joy you often have feasting. Christmas is a time to bake special cookies and eat festive foods. In past times Advent was reserved for a type of fasting in preparation for the Christmas holiday, and that might not have been such a bad idea. It would have been better for the waistline!
There are so many ways to celebrate the joy of Christmas, and it doesn’t hurt to remember that there is more joy in giving than receiving. If you doubt it, try it first before you throw aside this tried and true maxim.
Today, enjoy a special treat you bake, give something away in the spirit of the season. Make it something of value to you for the full effect. Find a worthy cause, not just for Christmas giving, but to support all year long. Make joy an everyday occurence. Spread joy by determining to give each person you meet a meaningful smile. Discipline yourself to ask how people are with true concern and the waiting to hear the actual answer. Say “Merry Christmas” sincerely today… start with those in your household: “I hope you have the merriest Christmas ever this year, I love you”.
Sing “Joy to the World”, read from the scriptures on joy:Joy… in the Bible
======a Christmas recipe, with plenty to give away=====
Cardamom Sour Cream Cookies
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
5 cups flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cardamom (ground)
1 ½ cups walnuts, ground fine
Beat shortening until light; add sugar and beat until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and eggs to mix thoroughly. Beat in sour cream.
Soft together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cardamom. Add to creamed mixture. Fold in ground walnuts.
Chill 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.
Roll pieces of dough into about an inch ball (use a small scoop), roll in mixture of sugar and cardamom. Flatten with bottom of lightly greased drinking glass.
Bake in 350 degree oven for about 12 minutes. Remove to racks to to cool.
