Christmas is coming fast. It doesn't quite seem like December yet, much less almost the end of December, because the weather has been so warm all month. But it's coming. I'm making a huge effort this year to not get caught up in the madness. I'm consciously avoiding the shopping malls (I did most of my shopping online), and definitely making an effort to say "Merry Christmas" to shopkeepers and people I see, rather than nothing at all, or much worse, "Happy Holidays." I mean, what holiday(s) are we celebrating, really? It's Christmas, so we might as well say it. I'm trying to avoid images of Santa Claus and focus on what/who this holiday is truly about: Christ. I am so thankful for His birth, and I am so full of the joy that comes from celebrating Him this Christmas and all year.
Needless to say, however, I do get very much into all the traditions of Christmastime. One of my favorite family traditions is the "S" cookies. (No, the S is not for Sarah.) These have been in my family ever since I can remember, and it took my older brother, of all people, to remind us about these wonderful cookies. My mom made them every year with her old-fashioned cookie press, and she made them because the generation before her had made them. Mrs. Olson (not related to my family of Olsons), my Grandmother Winslow's friend, spent Christmas with my mom's family every year, and every year brought the S cookies. They are Swedish Spritz cookies, made with butter, flour, sugar, almond extract, and vanilla extract. They are divine. Not too sweet, but sweet enough. So this year I bought a cookie press at Williams-Sonoma, and got to work on the S cookies. I made a tin full and will bring them to Indiana for all of us--especially my brother--to enjoy.On the topic of favorite Christmas traditions, I want to share part of the lyrics of my 2nd favorite Christmas song (my very favorite is Once in Royal David's City):
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine
5 comments:
Merry Christmas Sarah & Paul! We'll see you in the New Year! Yum on the S cookies.
maybe you can post the recipe, unless it's a family secret. it sounds delightful~ :)
have a wonderful christmas with your family, skf~ can't wait to hear all about the fun.
It is such an amazing time of year to celebrate Christ and his coming! Thanks for sharing this and your second favorite song. I love that one too. Cute cookies!!!
I love that song too and recently found this girl that sings an amazing version of it. If you go to icompositions.com by Leah Banicki. Type in her name and then click on O Holy Night, it's worth it. Merry Christmas Friend!
Sarah, I too love Once in Royal David City! Merry Christmas!
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