On This Fourth Sunday of Advent

Wow – give me a minute to take pause. Today’s Advent Share marks six years that we have been celebrating Advent together. What a joy that has been! And we’ve had some amazing meals along the way.

Each of the Candles of the Advent Wreath represent a prayer and a gift. These are Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Today is all about God’s unending, unconditional love for us, His children. God knew when He placed Adam in the garden, that there would be a fall from grace. Yet He did it anyway. Why is that? If God knew from the beginning of time what a mess we would make of things, why bother? The answer is simple – love. It is the greatest gift. It is the reason for every breath we take. It is the purpose of life – to love and be loved.

ADVENT PRAYERS
Opening Prayer: Lord God, Lamb of God
Let Yours blessings come upon us
As we light the candles of this Advent wreath.
May the wreath and its light be a symbol
Of Christ’s promise of eternal salvation.

Response: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Light the 1st Purple Candle (Hope)
Prayer: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.
In the darkness and in the light, Holy is Your Name.
We place our hope in you, Oh Lord,
As we prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of the Lord

Response: Now and forever. Amen.

Light the 2nd Purple Candle (Peace)
Prayer: Blessed are you, Lord; God of all creation.
Let your light shine on those who dwell in darkness.
Let the earth receive her King
And fill our hearts with Your everlasting peace

Response: Now and forever. Amen.

Light the Pink Candle (Joy)
Prayer: Blessed are you, Lord; God of all creation.
Let our heats be glad as we wait in joyful hope
For the coming of our Lord
Give us a heart, O Lord, that seeks You always

Response: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Light the Final Purple Candle (Love)
Prayer: Rejoice, for God so loved the world
That He gave to us His only Begotten Son
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Now and forever

Response: Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel

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Each Christmas Hubby receives a lovely assortment from Omaha Steaks as a personal gift from one of the owner’s of the company he works for . In the past we’ve saved the steaks for spring. This year I wanted to do something amazing with the Filet Mignon as part of the Advent Season. This recipe comes to us from a fellow blogger at the Carter Family Recipe collection. The moment I saw their breathtaking picture, I knew I had to celebrate the final Sunday of Advent with a steak supper fitting the warm glow of our Advent Wreath.

Filet Mignon Tornadoes of Beef over Truffle Mashed Potatoes with Mushroom Duxelles and a Red Wine Reduction
Mushroom Duxelles
8 oz mixed fresh Mushrooms (Cremini, Shitake and Oyster)
2 Shallots
2 Garlic Cloves
1 tablespoon fresh Thyme Leaves
2 tablespoons unsalted Butter
Salt to taste
Fresh Black Pepper to taste

Clean and finely chop mushrooms. Peel and finely slice shallots. Peel and mince garlic. Snip thyme leaves. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic; sauté until translucent. Add chopped mushrooms and thyme to the pan. Cook until the mushrooms release their moisture and turn a golden brown. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Truffle Mashed Potatoes
2 lbs Yukon Gold Potatoes
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
2 tablespoons unsalted Butter
1 tablespoon Truffle Oil (white or black is fine)
Salt to taste
Fresh Black Pepper to taste

Peel and cut potatoes. Place potatoes in a pot with lightly salted water. Bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes.

Drain potatoes well; return to the pot. Over low heat, add the butter and heavy cream. Mash until smooth and heated through. Stir in the truffle oil, season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm until ready to assemble and serve.

Bacon Wrapped Beef Tornadoes
4 (6 oz) Filet Mignon
Salt to taste
Fresh Black Pepper to taste
2 tablespoon Grapeseed Oil

Heat oven to 400-degrees. Season steaks generously with salt and pepper, set aside.

Heat the oil in an oven-safe skillet over high heat. Sear steaks for about 2 minutes per side until well browned. Transfer the skillet to the heated oven, cook steaks to desired doneness.

Cooking time varies depending upon thickness of the steaks, fro 5 to 8 minutes for medium-rare.

Remove skillet from the oven, let steaks rest a few minutes. Prepare the Red Wine Reduction.

Red Wine Reduction
1 cup Red Wine
1/2 cup Beef Stock
1 tablespoon unsalted Butter
Salt to taste
Fresh Black Pepper to taste

In a saucepan combine the red wine and beef stock. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; reduce the liquid by half, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Finish the sauce off-heat by whisking the butter into the reduction to add richness and shine.

Garnish and Plate
Parsley or other Herbs for garnish, optional

Spoon a generous portion of the truffle mashed potatoes onto individual plates. Use the back of a spoon to create a smooth, artistic shape with the potatoes.

Place a Beef Tornado on top of each mashed potato serving. Spoon the Mushroom Duxelles over the beef and around the plate. Drizzle the red wine reduction sauce in a decorative way around the plate. Garnish with parsley or other green herbs as a final splash of color if desired.

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Asparagus
1 bunch Asparagus
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Lemon Pepper to taste

Trim asparagus, lay out on a small baking pan. Drizzle with olive oil, season with garlic powder and lemon pepper. Toss asparagus to coat.

Lay asparagus out in the basket of the air fryer. Set AIR FRY 400-DEGREES 8 MINUTES. Press start. When done, plate the asparagus or wrap in foil to keep warm until ready to serve.

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When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting
The infant leaped in her womb,
And Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit
Cried out in a loud voice and said
“blessed are you among women,
And blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
Luke 1:41-42