2015 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.COM NOVEMBER 25, 2015 Page 37
says “By the light of candles. . . parents
help their children enter into a reflective
Christmas Eve vigil by serving a simple
meal featuring food that Mary and
Joseph might have shared on the road
to Bethlehem.”
Wilson suggest serving food such
as fish, poultry, eggs, something
resembling pita bread, chickpeas (a.k.a.
hummus) onions, olives, almonds,
honey, figs, grapes, and wine or grape
juice, since these are foods a poor
couple like Mary and Joseph might
have eaten. As you eat the meal, you
can talk about Mary and Joseph’s
journey and the events surrounding
Jesus’ birth.
While the children eat candy canes
from their stockings, tell them the
legend of the candy cane. Years ago,
there was a candy maker who wanted
to make a Christmas candy that would
act as a testimony. According to the
legend, “The cane is actually a ‘J’ for
Jesus,” and if it’s turned upside down,
looks like a “shepherd’s staff. The
white represents the virgin birth and
the sinlessness of Jesus, and the red
stripes represent the wounds of Jesus.”
You can also provide treats for furry
friends at the holidays. Jen Betterly
says that “according to an old
Norwegian holiday legend regarding
the birth of Jesus Christ, God had
granted the animals in the manager a
voice to give their praise for the child’s
miracle birth. Many families put their
own spin on this popular legend each
Christmas Eve by leaving treats out
for the neighborhood wildlife, pets and
all of their favorite animal friends to
give thanks during a time when food
is scarce.” She says, “This can be
as simple as filling up the bird feeder,
setting out a salt lick or leaving peanut
butter bread on the porch for the
squirrels.”
Most of these ideas are not expensive,
and require more time than money. As
you gather for the holidays, remember
that it is more about the memories of
time spent together, the reason for the
season, and the fun you have, than
about the gifts you get.
Story by Angela Reiners
