Feast Day: St. Lucy & Lumen Christi

This is the first year we've celebrated St. Lucia Day in the style of the Swedes. After spending time this week reading Kirsten's Surprise (which is a great overview of all the preparation such a holiday requires) from the American Girl Collection, we decided to do this day right!



Seems the Swedes celebrate St. Lucia Day (Lucia is a name that means "light" and St. Lucy in fact is the patron of eye disorders and light) in order to light up the long winter nights caused by living so far north. It is also the kick off to the Christmas season in Sweden.



So, although we're in the midst of Advent, we thought it quite appropriate to adopt the St. Lucy "breakfast-bread in the morning tradition". Normally, a daughter of the house, wearing a crown of evergreen with lit candles blazing in the dark, carries fresh made bread to all the members of the house. I wouldn't let String Brean wear lit candles on her head or let the boys eat breakfast in bed; we compromised with candles on the table and String Bean serving the family the right-from-the-oven buns.



We used Kirsten's Cookbook and made the St. Lucia Buns. String Bean and I made the dough last night and then baked the rolls this morning -- for just-baked freshness at 7:00 a.m.! The recipe calls for saffron -- not something we use much here, but I did happen to have it on the shelf. It gives the rolls a gorgeous golden color and an interesting flavor, too.


Lucia Buns (makes 6)


Ingredients:
□ 1/3 cup milk
□ 1/4 cup butter
□ 1/4 cup lukewarm water
□ 2-1/4 tsp dry yeast
□ 1/4 cup sugar
□ 1 egg
□ 1/2 tsp salt
□ 1/4 tsp saffron
□ 2-3/4 cups flour
□ 1 tbls cooking oil
□ 1 egg
□ 1 tbls water
□ 24 raisins
□ Cinnamon-sugar mix

1. Measure the lukewarm water into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the water. Stir well and set the bowl aside for 5 minutes to soften the yeast.
2. Warm the milk and butter in a microwave safe container till just warm (about 1 min). Stir until the butter is melted.
3. Add the warm milk and melted butter to the yeast. Stir in the sugar, egg, salt and saffron. Add 1-1/2 cups of the flour and stir until smooth.
4. Add enough of the remaining flour so that you can shape the dough into a ball (about 3/4 of a cup more flour). Use the remaining flour for kneading the dough.
5. Put dough on a floured cutting board – dust your hands with the flour and knead the dough until it’s smooth and springs back – from 5-10 minutes of kneading.
6. Place 1 tbls oil in a bowl and coat the dough ball with the oil by swishing around . Cover with a clean dish-cloth and set to rise until double – about 45-60 minutes.
7. Punch down the dough. Then divide it into 6 sections. Take one section and split it in half – roll into an 8-inch rope. Cross the two ropes in the middle then coil the ends in tight circles. Shape 5 more buns in the same way.
8. Place the buns 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator overnight.
9. Next morning: about 2 hours before you want to serve, take the buns out of the ‘frig and place on counter to warm to room temp.
10. Preheat oven to 350.
11. Mix the egg and water with the fork in a small bowl. Brush lightly over the top of each bun. Decorate the buns with raisins (placing one in the center of each swirl). Dust with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
12. Bake the buns for 15-20 minutes. When the buns are golden brown, remove from the oven and serve!

These were so good and not too hard to make either. And for those in the family who don't like raisins, the four raisins in each roll are very easy to pick out. String Bean and I can't wait for next year to make these again.



Another light happened today: we're in a homeschool drama club called (appropriately enough) "Lumen Christi" or "Light of Christ". The Winter plays were performed this afternoon at dh's lovely high school theater (I think we're the first theatrical performance in the facility).

The first play, Magician's Nephew, is from the first Narnia book and is the creation of Narnia. Lego Maniac was a talking monkey and had such fun chattering, bounding about the stage and generally being a monkey! He was great!

Kotch helped with make-up and did an excellent job on making her brother look like the monkey he can play a little too well.

The second play was a traditional rendition of the Nativity Story ... from the prophecy to the annunciation ... visitation of Mary to Elizabeth ... journey to Bethlehem for the census ... arrival of the shepherds ... and the adoration of the Magi. String Bean was the angel who tells Joseph: "Joseph, Son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit ....". She was so beautiful and spoke out very clearly. (And it was extremely convenient that she was an angel so that her costume could do double-duty as "St. Lucia" this morning!) BamBam and LegoManiac were soldiers to announce the census and shepherds to visit the Christ Child (played very well by the little sister of the girl playing Mary -- the baby was only a few months old and stole the show!).


After a pizza party in the cafeteria, we headed home with a few close friends for real coffee and Advent time treats: Port Cake, Butter Almond Cookies, and St. Lucia Pepparkrakor (ginger cookies) -- with all the candles we have in the house lit of course!

Feast Day: Immaculate Conception

Couldn't let today go by without posting ... The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a BIGGGGGG deal for Catholics. This is when we affirm that the Blessed Mother, in order to carry the Christ Child, in order to BE the Mother of God, in order to be "full of grace" -- HAD to be conceived and born without the stain of original sin. In some ways, this is an obvious doctrine -- how could the woman who carried the Son of God be anything less than the New Eve ... be anything less than the perfect human.

Some folks have a problem with this doctrine -- to me, it's an obvious one.

And we love to celebrate this feast -- it comes in the midst of Advent, when we're all focused on Christ's birth. It comes when we need to remember the joy of the season of Advent, while still remembering that Jesus came into this world to die for our sins! It comes at a perfect time -- which makes sense as this is all part of God's plan and MUST be perfect.

Today, since Kotch had the day off (going to a good Catholic school, ends up paying off), we all were able to attend Mass with the students of dh's school. The chaplain, Fr. Z., does an amazing job of explaining doctrine so all the kids (especially the teens who may not have a whole lot of Catholicity at home) "get it".

After Mass, we did a quick run to the library, than home to celebrate the Feast. We read Tomie de Paola's beautiful tribute to Mary, Mary: Mother of Jesus, and then watched Steve Ray's Footprints of God: Mary video which is an amazing mix of history, catechism and legend blended into an entertaining and informative 60+ minute documentary. We also colored pictures and made another Marian plaque to go with our collection (thank you, Waltzing Matilda!).

We would have done more, but the littles had dress-rehearsal for their plays this weekend right between 5-7:30p.m. (and dh had to have a crown re-glued at 3:15) which doesn't leave a whole lot of time for partying (especially when dh and I are up 4:30/5:00 each school morning!).

Prayer of Pope John Paul IIDecember 8, 2003

Queen of peace, pray for us!
Our gaze is directed toward you in great fear,

to you do we turn with ever-more insistent faith in these times marked by many uncertainties and fears for the present and future of our planet.

Together we lift our confident and sorrowful petition to you,

the first fruit of humanity redeemed by Christ,

finally freed from the slavery of evil and sin:

hear the cry of the pain of victims of war

and so many forms of violence that bloody the earth.

Clear away the darkness of sorrow and worry, of hate and vengeance.

Open up our minds and hearts to faith and forgiveness!
Mother of mercy and hope:

Help every human being of every race and culture to find and embrace Jesus,

who came to earth in the mystery of Christmas to give us 'His' peace.
Mary, Queen of peace, give us Christ, true peace in the world!

Mary, the Immaculate Conception,

PRAY for US!

Advent: St. Nicholas Day

OK, I have to say my all-time, bar-none, favorite holiday movie is NOT "It's a Wonderful Life", "Frosty the Snowman" or "Charlie Brown's Christmas" -- actually, those don't even come close. My all-time, bar-none, favorite holiday movie is Miracle on 34th Street -- the original with Edmund Gwenn as Chris and Natalie Wood giving an amazing performance as a girl who finally believes: "I believe, I believe, it's silly, but I believe". Every year, growing up (this is before videos and dvds, when you had to wait patiently till a TV-station deemed a movie worthy to be shown), "Miracle" was shown on "Dialing for Dollars" on Christmas Eve. It's a classic!

In this all-time, bar-none, favorite holiday movie my all-time, bar-none, favorite scene is when Natalie is slightly off-stage, watching Santa talking to a little Dutch refugee and they begin singing a traditional St. Nicholas song. I love how Natalie Wood's eyes get really big as a man she begins to think may actually be Santa, begins to sing in Dutch.

The tune is also quite catchy. And now I have the words that Edmund Gwenn and the Dutch imigre sing:

Sinterklaasje kapoentje,
Breng wat in mijn shoentje,
Breng wat in mijn laarsje,
Dank je, Sinterklaasje!

Even though the words are in Dutch ... you almost get the sense of the words without the English translation; altho here it is ...

Dear good Sinterklaas,
Put something in my shoe,
Put something in my boot.
Thank you, dear Stinterklaas!

So this is such an appropriate song for our own St. Nicholas Day. We are teaching our kids that Santa Claus is St. Nicholas -- that the Saint who is the patron of children, young men, maidens, seafarers and others, is the Saint who brings gifts to children who have tried to believe and be good. He is the ultimate human symbol of complete self-sacrifice and love for others -- with no looking for what he might "get out of it". I'd love for the kids to try and emulate him a bit more in their own daily lives.

Last night, our family (even mom, dad and 17yod) put their Saint Nick letters in their shoes in the hopes that this morning St. Nick would have taken the notes and left maybe a little something. In our house it's usually a few chocolate coins, a book and maybe a candy cane.

This is such a wonderful tradition for us ... it gets the kids focused on giving to others -- St. Nicholas is such a great role model for that in his willingness to help others, to give to others and keep himself anonymous as much as possible.

We've been reading his story through lovely books:

• Marianna Mayer's The Real Santa Claus: Legends of Saint Nicholas
• Gloria Whelan's The Miracle of Saint Nicholas
• Louise Carus' The Real St. Nicholas: Tales of Generosity and Hope from Around the World

The book by Carus is a book packed with wonderful tales, amazing legends and facts about the 4th Century Bishop of Myra (now in Turkey) who gave of himself for love of God. This is what I want my children to imitate. This is why we spend much school-time during Advent talking about St. Nicholas -- and the other Advent-time saints -- those who gave of themselves, with no thought to self-aggrandizement but only for love of God and God's creation.

For our special treat today we made boterkoek (Dutch Almond Butter Cake) which is a traditional favorite from the Netherlands.

It's easy to make but oh, so good!
This recipe makes one 9x13 pan or three 8- or 9-inch pans.... so go make some now -- you'll love it!

Boterkoek (Dutch Almond Butter Cake or Bars)
(preheat oven to 325 degrees)

• 2 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 sticks butter (1 cup) softened
• 1 cup (1/2 pound) almond paste
• 2 cups flour
• sliced almonds (about 2 cups)
• cinnamon sugar mixture

Cream eggs, sugar and margarine, blending well. Slowly add almond paste -- if you cut the paste into small pieces and use a mixer, it will be much easier to incorporate the almond paste throughout the dough. Add flour and beat to all blended. Bake in greased pans (either one 9x13 or 3 8-9-inch rounds); sprinkle top with sliced almonds and cinnamon sugar. Bake till golden and done.

Enjoy!

This was a big hit at a party e went to this afternoon where we watched Navy slaughter the Army at the annual Commander-in-Chief Game (final score 34-0 .... yep, Army scored zilch, zero, nada -- good thing too as all the folks in the room were rooting for Navy!)

ST. NICHOLAS PRAYER

Loving God, we thank you for
the example of St Nicholas,
who fed the hungry,
brought hope to the imprisoned,
gave comfort to the lost,
and taught the truth to all.

May we strive to imitate him
by putting you first in all we do.
Give us the courage, love and strength
of St Nicholas,
so that, like him,
we may serve you
through loving our brothers and sisters. Amen.
—by Amy Welborn

Advent: early Advent saints' feasts

I had a discussion this morning (0-dark-30!) with dh about celebrating Advent with all the feasts or celebrating Advent by fasting and repentance in preparation for Christmas. I weigh in definitely on the "teach the kids the joyful with the sorrowful" so since I'm the main teacher, we celebrate as many feasts as we can throughout Advent in our home education journey.

-----*-----*-----

Yesterday, Decemember 3rd, was the feast of St. Francis Xavier. This is one great guy: not only is he Basque (even tho he's from the Spanish side rather than the French side of the Basque region, we'll happily claim him!), he was a Jesuit when Jesuits were "the good, the true and the beautiful", and he evangelized India, Japan, Phillipines and died on his way to China. He was born to wealth and gave it all up to be missionary to Asia. Ya gotta love this guy!

We had gone to Mass at dh's high school in the morning, so we'd heard from Father all about FX's exploits in the Far East, but when we got home we learned even more. 12 years AFTER he was in Japan, his converts still had the neophyte's zeal for his/her faith. This is an amazing achievement as so many other missionaries failed to convert the Far East native populations.

So, in honor of this Basque nobleman who had such an impact on Japan, we (thanks to MaryM's suggestion) did Japanese Origami ornaments for our craft-time (and thus created Christmas decorations at the same time). It was great fun to experiment and play with the origami paper -- I wish we had foil or other fancy patterned paper for this craft, but I could only find the tradtional colored/white paper. For the green one, I glue-sticked the red to the green and altho it was a little heavier than should have been, I really like the way it turned out!

For our Christmas reading we read: Strega Nona: Her Story (where we hear about her early life) and Merry Christmas, Strega Nona (where we find out just how much Big Anthony loves Strega Nona).

We finished up our day with a meeting of the St. Francis (nature study) and St. Clare (needlework) clubs -- the boys cut fresh wild holly for us while the girls crafted plastic-canvas stars. We didn't do any Christmas treat making because dh and Kotch had to be at her school for a Shakespeare night (she recited Horatio's soliloquy) while LegoManiac had a mandatory altar server meeting and I stayed home with StringBean, BamBam and an adorable 4-year-old friend (and made costumes for the kids' drama production next Saturday).

Today, December 4th, is the feast day of St. John Damascene (or John of Damascus). This is the last of the Greek Fathers and a Doctor of the Catholic Church named "Doctor of Christian Art" for his unceasing and direct defense of iconography.

We followed up our learning about St. John with a reading of Gloria Whelan's beautiful book, The Miracle of St. Nicholas. The kids really liked this one: a story of a boy who changes his village forever by dreaming of opening the 60-year-closed village church in time for Christmas Mass. Just beautiful.

This book is such a wonderful tie-in both with today's feast and St. Nicholas' feast in two days. St. John Damascene is famous for his defense of iconography -- what better way to "own" this than to become an iconographer for the day? So, I had the idea to have the kiddoes drew their idea of the book's St. Nicholas icon. StringBean, who really likes the Impressionists (Monet is her favorite artist) did her impression of the icon, while LegoManiac did his almost identical to the picture -- but since he couldn't get the hands right, he just removed the hands and the Scriptures).

They drew these icons to the smell of Syrian Biscochos (basically sugar cookie bars). Since I wasn't sure how these would taste -- check out the list of ingredients: WOW! -- I only made a half batch. The recipe I've included below is half the original -- and it made about 2-1/2 dozen bars. The cookie dough had an odd flavor but a beautiful color; the baked cookie had a great flavor but an odd color. A recipe of paradoxes, huh?

Here's the Biscochos recipe from Food DownUnder's "Syrian recipes" I used (I've given the halved version):

□ 1 cup butter, softened (the original recipe called for shortening, but I just can't bring myself to have that stuff in the house!)
□ 1/4 cup granulated sugar
□ 1/2 tsp salt
□ 1/2 tbls anise
□ 1/4 tsp ground cloves
□ 2-1/2 cups flour
□ 1/2 cup red wine (the original recipe said "wine"; checking around for a more definitive ingredient description, I found the recipes all said "any kind of wine" -- I used burgundy which accounts for the beautiful pink color of the batter)
□ Cinnamon-sugar mix to roll after baked

Preheat oven to 375.
Combine butter with sugar; add salt, anise and cloves.
Slowly add flour and wine to form dough. Continue adding flour (more than given above) until dough doesn’t stick to hands.
Roll out about 1/8-inch think and cut into squares.
Bake for 10 minutes at 375.
Remove and roll in cinnamon-sugar mix while still hot. Cool and eat!

These cookies are REALLY good -- and it turns out there are other countries who "claim" these cookies: Spain, Mexico and it's even the "state cookie" of New Mexico! Who knew?