Candy is dandy for Christmas
Christmas cheer andblessings fromourhouse toyours!
“Are you ready for Christmas?” we ask.
What does it take for you to ‘get ready for Christmas’?
If I could easily get a reply, I’d probably get a thousand different answers. It would be super interesting to hear what Christmas reallymeans to all of you.
For me, it has so many dimensions. There is the side of family and friends, gathering in the cozywarmth of each other’s homes, enjoying a tasty meal together, and celebrating the big day. I love the relaxing afternoons of eating snacks and homemade candy around flickering candles. Then there is the simple yet stark beauty of celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus. While we do not have Santa or Christmastrees as the center ofour Christmas, I can’t say that I have ever felt deprived or cheated. Exchanging gifts is popular in many Ami sh communities, while others have never adopted the tradition.
My mind reels back to childhood days and all the Christmas gatherings with family in Holmes County, Ohio, on my mom’s side, where Grandma would always have a Bingo game ready. My eyes gleamedwith curious delight as I’d spy the table full of Bingo gifts, wondering which would be mine. Then there were the times my Dad’ s family would gather in Indiana. I smile as I think of how we teenage cousins would dressupas Bible characters and then act out various Bible scenes. Aswe presented our skit, the parents would see if they could guess which story it was.
Now I am a mother, and my six little ones will soak up anything I teach them about the holiday season; I wonder what will bring the most positive results in their tender young lives? I amconstantly amazed by howthey absolutely believe anything they are taught! I askmyself, “What do Iwant them to be likewhen they are teenagers or even parents; and what steps do I need to take to get them where they need to be?: It seems if I just do what comes naturally, it’s not enough.
Then I wonder, “What would glorify Jesus the most this Christmas season, and whatwould aChristmas celebration look like in heaven?” Hmm, maybemy ambitions are more about myself and less about Him than I realized.
This year Julia and Austin are excited to go Christmas caroling with their cousins. Mymotherplanstowalkwith them from house to house, singing several songs at each stop. Austin has been practicing some songs he’s not familiar with, such as “Go tell it on themountain”. His favorite song is “I said the Donkey.” You can imagine his boyish gusto as he heartily neighs, moos, and bleats at the end of each verse. My mother fondly recalls how she would go Christmas caroling with her cousinswhen shewas a little girl. I’m delighted to see her keep up the old tradition with our children.
Now, talking of old traditions, the earliest memory I have of my mother making candy was when I was six years old. I was completely impressed with her cracker candy, now I have enjoyed making it for our children as well. It is too simple not to make for the holidays. Be sure to share a plate with your neighbor, mail carrier, or someone who may be experiencing sadnessor grief this holiday season. Enjoy!
GLORIA’S BUTTERSCOTCH GRAHAMCRACKER CANDY
Saltines orgraham
crackers 1 cupbutter(forcrunchier crackers, useonly ½ cup)
1 cupbrownsugar
Put a single layerof saltine or grahamcrackers side by side (with4sides touching one another) on a 10by 15inch rimmed cookie sheet, lined withparchmentpaper. Bring butterand brown sugar to a rolling boil. Boil for three minutes. Spreadmixture on topofcrackers.
Preheated oven to400 degree. Bake crackers with sauce, for5 minutes.
Remove fromheat and immediately sprinkle with 1½ cups chocolate chips. Let set three minutes and then spreadmeltedchips over with a butter knife. Cool and break into sized pieces of your choice.