On the Ninth Day of Christmas

My true love gave to me Nine Ladies Dancing. As Children of God, we are encouraged to be more Christ-like in our relationship with one another and the world around us. God sent the Holy Spirit to help us in this endeavor.

On this, the Ninth Day of Christmas, God has sent the Holy Spirit once more. The Holy Spirit comes to each of us, eager to plant the seeds necessary to bear the Nine Fruits of Faith for all the world to harvest. As our fruits of faith grow, nurtured in the soil God has toiled within us, they begin to multiply and bring us ever closer to God, to one another and to realize the Kingdom of Heaven.

Faithfulness – To trust in the Lord in all we do.

Gentleness – In our dealings with all those we meet. Our gentleness will plant seeds of goodwill in others.

Goodness – To see goodness is to lift up gladly the lowly, to realize their worth, to forgive those who have hurt us, and to seek the face of God in one another.

Joy – Joy makes the heart light. To find joy even in the darkest of moments, makes the path less of a struggle and more of a journey home.

Kindness – To speak kind words is to illuminate God’s love to the world.

Patience – All good things come to those who wait. Patience brings understand and a realization of purpose.

Peace – To walk in peace is to be content with ourselves, to let go of that which we cannot control and accept the will of God in all things.

Love – To love means to put others before ourselves even when others put us last. Love is never selfish. It is sweetest fruit of all.

Self Control – Do not let the disappointments of life dictate our actions. Anger for the sake of vengeance enslaves our spirit in a web of darkness. It takes discipline to walk in His light.

God does not call upon us without first giving us the tools to answer His call. Each has our own path to take, our own journey home. Some are leaders. Some are teachers. Some are healers. Some are called to a Holy Order, some are not. Some are mothers and fathers, husbands and wives. Whatever your calling, trust in Him for He is always true.

After such a heavy conversation, I think we need something light – with ladyfingers and fruits and the colors of the season.

Ladyfinger Eggnog Dessert
2 (3 oz) packages Ladyfingers, split
1 pint Raspberry Sorbet
3 cups Eggnog
1 cup Evaporated Milk
1/2 cup Sour Cream
2 (3.4 oz) packages Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
Handful Fresh Raspberries
Mint Leaves for garnish

Split 20 Ladyfingers in half lengthwise for a total of 40 thinner fingers. Arrange 24 ladyfingers around the edge of an ungreased 9-inch springform pan; arrange 16 ladyfingers over the bottom

Note: Save remaining ladyfingers for another use.

Remove sorbet from the freezer and allow to soften a little. Spoon sorbet over ladyfingers; spread out as evenly as possible. Cover and freeze for 30 minutes.

In a large bowl, beat the eggnog, evaporated milk, sour cream and pudding mix until thickened, about 2 minutes. Spoon over sorbet. Cover and freeze for 8 hours or overnight.

Remove from the freezer a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with raspberries and mint.