Inspiration & Worship

Why Christmas Still Matters So Much

Scholars debate many details about Christmas, including whether Dec. 25 is really the date of Jesus’ birth. But both the Old and New Testament are very clear about his purpose for coming: to bring light to a dark world and everlasting life to those who believe on him. And that purpose is no less relevant today.

In Luke 4:16-21, when his ministry began, Jesus opened the scroll of the prophet Isaiah (who lived about 1,000 years before Jesus was born) and read:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Then Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the minister, and sat down. “And

the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, ‘This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.’”

While many religions recognize Jesus as a prophet, only Christianity celebrates him as the son of God and the messiah prophesied in the Old Testament; and only Christianity offers salvation by grace to anyone who believes.

John 1:1 tells us, “For the law was

given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Shortly before his death, Jesus prayed not only for people who already believed on him, but for “all those who

shall believe on me through their word”

(John 17:20) – and that includes us.

Reading the story of Jesus’ birth, as detailed in the first few chapters of Luke and Matthew, is a great way to ready our hearts for the celebration of his birth. ❚

New Chef Elevates Dining at Goldmoor Inn

By Jermaine Pigee, managing editor

Goldmoor Inn’s intimate, fine-dining restaurant has always been a staple of this Galena bed-and-breakfast, but with the addition of new Executive Chef Brandon Veitch, the dishes have been elevated to new levels.

“Brandon brings the creativity and the complexity of the dishes up one notch, and the food is really sophisticated,” says Slobo Radin, who co-owns the Goldmoor with his wife, Birgit. “When people sit down and go through the menu, they often order one item to share so everyone at the table can taste the goodness of the food. It’s really amazing.”

Veitch, whose experience includes French and Italian styles, came to the Goldmoor after more than five years at The Peninsula Chicago.

Under Veitch, Goldmoor’s menu is simple, yet complex.

The fall menu features a hearty combination of dishes that warm the heart and feed the soul with ingredients supplied by local farms.

This season, diners can enjoy Chilean Sea Bass served with rosemary marble potatoes, roasted parsnip, pickled squash and salmon roe. Handmade Squash Agnolotti has brown butter cream, butternut squash, chevre cheese, walnut and pomegranate.

If you’re looking for something lighter, check out the Kale and Brussels sprouts salad with pomegranate seed, green apple, gorgonzola cheese, candied walnut and apple-serrano dressing.

Making the experience even more exceptional, diners are treated to breathtaking views of the Mississippi River. Fall colors and snow-covered trees add to a picturesque scene.

Brandon Veitch, Goldmoor Inn’s executive chef

“It’s just a really beautiful place,” says Radin. “You have to venture out and see how beautiful this place really is.”

The restaurant is open Thursday to Monday from 5-9 p.m. Reservations are encouraged. ❚

Goldmoor Inn is located at 9001 W. Sand Hill Road, Galena, (815) 777-3925, goldmoor.com.