Advent Anew: Week 2

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

THE ANNUNCIATION

Luke’s Gospel recounts the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel appeared to a young Nazarean woman named Mary who is betrothed to a humble carpenter, Joseph. Gabriel explains that God has chosen Mary to be the mother of his Son, Jesus; she has “found favor with God” and will “bear a son” by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary is afraid, unsure and ponders aloud, “How can this be?” The messenger of the Lord, Gabriel, declares: “nothing will be impossible for God.”

In this week, as we light the second Advent candle, we focus on the virtue of faith and imitate Mary’s fiat—“let it be done to me according to thy word”—her faithful obedience and trust in God’s plan.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

“IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER”

CHRISTINA ROSSETTI

An English romantic poet inspired by her Christian faith, Rossetti originally published this work as a poem in 1872 and it was later performed as a Christmas carol.

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.

In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim worship night and day, Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, whom angels fall before, The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; But His mother only, in her maiden bliss, Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

FEAST DAY OF ST. NICHOLAS

PATRON SAINT OF Children, Sailors and Merchants COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Roman Empire BORN 270 AD

There are many legends of jolly old St. Nicholas, a faithful bishop known for his remarkable generosity and gift-giving. The most famous tale recalls that Nicholas tossed gold coins down the chimney of a poor man whose daughters could not afford a dowry to marry and would be forced into servitude. Today, many families celebrate St. Nick by having children place their shoes out the evening before his feast day. Children wake up to shoes full of candy canes, fruit, chocolate or real coins and religious trinkets.

The candy cane is rich in meaning. The shape mimics a shepherd’s staff and “J” for Jesus. The red and white foreshadow the suffering Jesus endured for us. The peppermint flavor reminds us of the Wise Men’s gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

SPECULAAS COOKIES

Even before Hansel and Gretel, gingerbread was popular among bakers in northern European countries, particularly during Advent. The thin, Dutch spiced cookie called speculaas is associated with St. Nicholas and enjoyed throughout the Christmas season. Traditionally, the dough is set in an intricate, hand-carved wooden cookie mold in the shape of the saint - mitre, staff and all. Make this tradition your own: bake your own speculaas – or build and decorate a ready-made gingerbread house kit with family or friends.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups brown sugar

1 ½ cups butter or hard margarine

3 ½+ cups flour (add extra flour for forming dough)

PREPARATION

1 egg, beaten 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. cinnamon ¾ tsp. cloves

½ tsp. allspice ½ tsp. ginger ½ tsp. nutmeg

Cream butter and sugar. Add remaining ingredients and mix, adding enough flour to form a very stiff dough. Chill the cookie dough. If using a St. Nicholas mold, press the dough into cookie boards or use whatever cookie cutters on hand. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350º F for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool and decorate with icing if desired. Store in a sealed container to retain crispness.

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE

CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

This Marian feast day commemorates that the Blessed Virgin Mary was the only human being “entirely holy and free from any stain of sin” (Lumen Gentium, 56). God created Mary, conceived without Original Sin, to bring Jesus into the world. If the land where Jesus walked was holy, just imagine the sanctity of the womb that bore Him.

“GOD WHO MADE THE SUN, ALSO MADE THE MOON. THE MOON DOES NOT TAKE AWAY FROM THE BRILLIANCE OF THE SUN. ALL ITS LIGHT IS REFLECTED FROM THE SUN. THE BLESSED MOTHER REFLECTS HER DIVINE SON; WITHOUT HIM, SHE IS NOTHING. WITH HIM, SHE IS THE MOTHER OF MEN.”

Archbishop Fulton Sheen

FEAST DAY OF ST. JUAN DIEGO CUAUHTLATOATZIN

BORN 1474

Our Lady appeared as a native Aztec woman to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill, on the outskirts of Mexico City on December 9, 1531. She spoke to “Juanito” in his native Nahuartl tongue:

“Know my son, my much beloved, that I am the ever Virgin Mary, Mother of the True God who is the Author of life, the Creator of all things, the Lord of heaven and earth, present everywhere.”

At the time of the apparition, Juan Diego was still learning his catechism - a reminder that God chooses the most humble among us to announce His Good News.

FESTIVE CHARCUTERIE

When hosting for the holidays, parties often include charcuterie boards. Consider adding a few special sweet and savory “stars” to yours that are rich with the meaning of the season: Citrus: of the few fresh fruits that grow during winter, oranges and tangerines are reminiscent of the gold coins St. Nick gave to the poor.

FAMILY ACTIVITY

Pomegranate: often depicted in medieval art of the Madonna and Child, historians attribute this to the fruit’s symbolization of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. When you peel back the tough outer layers, the pomegranate reveals bright seeds bursting with taste - a metaphor for the pain Jesus bore for salvation.

Rosemary: this fragrant, perennial plant signifies God’s fidelity and faithfulness- He is the Lord God of the Israelites who keeps His promises and sends the Savior, Jesus Christ. Use rosemary as garnish to fill in gaps on the charcuterie board for a polished look.

Spiced Nuts: almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts - you name it - have been enjoyed for centuries during the Twelve Days of Christmas. In Christianity, the three-part layers of a nut - shell, skin and kernel - represent the three persons of the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

STEP BY STEP

1. Start by choosing from a variety of ingredients: meats, cheeses, bread, spreads, accompaniments and garnishes.

2. Arrange the meats. Ham, prosciutto, pepperoni, ham and salami are great options. Style the meats according to the texture and size. Fold salami into quarters and layer into a fan shape. Or make a ribbon, winding slices of meat back and forth. For prosciutto, spiral slices into a flower shape.

3. Offer an array of hard and soft cheeses with cheese knives available for the guests to do their own slicing. Soft cheeses like brie or chevre are best left whole, while hard cheeses—cheddar, gouda, manchego—can be cut into smaller, bite-size pieces.

4. Fruits—dried or fresh—and vegetables enhance the flavors of your spread. Choose from what you have on hand: apple slices, blueberries, dried cherries, or a bunch of grapes work well. Fermented items such as olives and pickles also add variety to your noshing.

5. Spreads like drizzled honey, fig or apricot preserves, whole-grain mustard, and oils and vinegars are wonderful additions.

6. Layer in breads and crackers for assembling the perfect bite.

7. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.