On the First Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a Partridge in a Pear Tree. My true love is my Heavenly Father. And on this, the first day, He gave to us all the Christ Child. Merry Christmas.
Originally I was going to post this recipe yesterday, Christmas Eve so it could be made today for Christmas Morning. I had forgotten how late in the year Advent began this year. The First Sunday of Advent this year was December 3 – the latest possible date. Which made Christmas Eve the fourth Sunday of Advent.
Today is more than opening gifts and eating a wonderful Christmas Supper – which by the way should be either a Christmas Ham or a Christmas Goose – or both, and not a turkey despite what the Hallmark Channel might lead you to believe. But then again, that’s just my opinion.
As children, we were allowed to open one gift early, if you could call that early. We were awakened at some point in the night, dressed in our Christmas best, then off to Midnight Mass we went. Since I don’t have clear memories of Midnight Mass as a child, but I do have photos of us half dazed on the sofa with a present to unwrap, I can only assume that we slept through much of the Mass. I do remember the music – the choir sounded like angels from above. I remember the church all aglow with candles. And I remember feeling the spirit of faith, although I did not understand it at the time.
I think what I liked about attending Midnight Mass is the same thing I like about attending the first Mass on a Sunday Morning. Midnight Mass meant God and the Birth of Christ came first, before all the secular trappings of Christmas. Just as starting our Sunday in Church puts a perspective not only on the day itself, but the week to follow.
Christmas is a magical time. I realize, not everyone shares that sentiment for a number of reasons – everything from a rejection of faith to economic hardships and broken relationships. Christ calls us all, but not all can answer that call.
On Christmas Morning, the three purple candles and the pink candle of the advent wreath are replaced with white candles. These candles plus the 5th candle in the center may be lit today and for all the days of the Christmas.
Christmas Candles
1st Candle
Prayer: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.
In the darkness and in light, Holy is Your Name
Response: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
2nd Candle
Prayer: Blessed are You, Lord; God of all creation
Let Your light shine on those who dwell in darkness
Response: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
3rd Candle
Prayer: Blessed are You, Lord; God of all creation
Let our hearts be filled with gladness
Response: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
4th Candle
Prayer: Blessed are You, Lord; God of all creation
And blessed be Your Holy name
Response: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
5th Candle
Prayer: Blessed are You, Lord; God of all creation
And blessed be Your only Begotten Son
Who lives and reins with you now and forever.
Response: Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Christmas Morning Coffee Cake
1 Lemon
1/4 cup chopped Walnuts
12 oz Cream Cheese, divided
1/3 cup Sugar
2 cups Bisquick Mix
1/4 cup firm Butter
1/3 cup Milk
2 tablespoons additional Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 (21 oz) can Apple Pie Filling
Heat oven to 425-degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet, set aside.
Zest lemon for a teaspoon of peel. Cut lemon in half, juice for 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, set aside. Chop walnuts, set aside.
In a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat 8 ounces of cream cheese with 1/3-cup sugar, the lemon zest and lemon juice. Beas until smooth; set aside.
Measure Bisquick into a large mixing bowl. Cut in remaining 3 ounces of cream cheese and the cold butter using a pastry blender (or 2-knife method) until crumbly. Stir in the milk. Place dough on a flat surface that has been well sprinkled with Bisquick mix. Roll dough in mix to coat; knead 8 to 10 times.
Roll dough into a 12-inch by 8-inch rectangle. Place rectangle on the prepared cookie sheet. Spread cream cheese mixture down the center of the rectangle. Make cuts in the dough about 2-1/2 inches long at 1 inch intervals along the 12-inch side of the rectangle. Fold strips over the cream cheese filling, overlapping the strips.
In a small bowl, mix remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar with the cinnamon; sprinkle over the top of the coffee cake braid.
Bake in the heated oven for about 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes on the cookie sheet. Carefully lift coffee cake to a cooling rack, cool completely to room temperature.
Transfer coffee cake to a serving platter. Spoon pie filling down the center of the cake. Sprinkle with walnuts just before serving.
Note: If desired, small fresh bay leaves and cranberries add a nice touch of Christmas Morning Magic to the presentation.
A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born to us.
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