A Heavenly Annunciation

Elizabeth, the wife of Zachariah, was now in her sixth month of pregnancy. The fact that Elizabeth was with child at all was a miracle in and of itself. For she was well beyond her child bearing years. But then nothing is impossible for the Lord.

Mary, a young girl of the house of David, was espoused to Joseph, an older Godly man of the same royal lineage. Mary had not yet entered the household of her spouse, but was still residing in her mother’s home in the small town of Nazareth. As she prepared for her wedding day the Lord sent His messenger, Gabriel. The angel took the form of a man and went into the house of Anne and Joachim. When he saw Mary, he greeted her “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.” When Mary heard him speak, she fell silent, troubled by what he had said. She knew him not, nor did she understand what this strange salutation might mean. Mary trembled.

“Fear not, Mary” the Angel continued. “For thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David his father; and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever. And of His kingdom there shall be no end.” The young girl knew of the promised coming Redeemer. Imagine how she must have felt at that moment, realizing that she had be elected from amongst all the women to be the mother of the Messiah! She had but one question. You would think that question would have been why me? Somehow Mary knew, from her Immaculate Conception on, that this was her destiny. She only needed to understand how she, a virgin, would become the mother of God. Gabriel removed her anxiety, assuring her that her virginity would be spared. It was by the will of the Most High, through the Holy Spirit, that a child was to be conceived. As a token of the truth of his words, Gabriel made known to Mary the news of the miraculous pregnancy of her cousin, Elizabeth, though she was old and thought to be sterile. Mary’s reaction was twofold. First came her response “Behold thy handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy will.” And it was. Mary then leaves Nazareth immediately to go into the hill country, into a city of Judah to care for Elizabeth. This is the reason behind the Feast of the Annunciaton.

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For reasons that escape me, on this Solemnity of the Annunciation, Swedish Christians eat waffles. Both Catholic and Lutheran Swedes indulge in the sweetness of waffles as a part of the Annunciation. I say who am I to argue? I like waffles.

Golden Malted Waffles
1-3/4 cups Flour
3/4 cups Malted Milk Powder
1-1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 large Egg Yolk
1-3/4 cups Buttermilk
1 tablespoon Oil
1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
2 Egg Whites
3-1/2 tablespoons Sugar

Whisk flour, malted milk powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl. In another bowl whisk egg yolk, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Whisk dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just moistened. Set aside.

In a clean bowl with an electric mixer whip egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, whipping until glossy but not dry. Whisk one-quarter of the beaten egg whites into the batter. Once mixed, gently fold in remaining whites. Let batter rest on the counter about 10 minutes while the waffle iron heats.

Lightly coat waffle iron with cooking spray. Spoon in batter, lightly spread. Close iron and cook waffle until crisp and golden. Repeat with remaining batter, lightly coating iron with cooking spray teach time if necessary. Place waffles on the rack of a warm oven to hold while other waffles are made.

Arrange waffles on a serving platter. Serve waffles with fruit as desired. Great with crisp bacon and orange juice or coffee.

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Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.