For the life of me I cannot recall Christmas Morning traditions as a child. There were the squeal of delight accompanied the flurry of ribbons, bows and colorful paper ripped from packages and tossed aside. Santa always managed to bring us something special even when times were tight.
I just don’t remember if there was any sort of tradition for breakfast. When my kids were at home we had Blueberry Muffins for Christmas Morning. I could get up ahead of the family and get them ready to bake. Then while my kids opened their stockings the muffins would bake. There was a pause in the unwrapping as we ate, then back to it once again. Christmas Dinner was always a baked ham with all the trimmings at the family farm. When Kiddo was a little guy the tradition of Blueberry Muffins on Christmas morning continued. While in Las Vegas there was no family farm. Instead we had a traditional Christmas Ham and invited all those Vegas transplants with no family to speak of to join us.
The farm has been sold. It was the last nail on the “divore” coffin. No more watching the turkeys wandering about on the property or the goats to feed. No more feral cats in the barn to check on. I’m still struggling with the sad state of affairs. Marriages are suppose to last forever. Families might argue, but they manage to forgive. Especially at Christmastime. And Christmas Dinner should be a nice ham with all the trimmings as family gatheres round the table together. It’s tradition. It’s the way the world is suppose to work always.
This year it will be just us for Christmas. My son and his family couldn’t make it down from the mountain for a variety of logistical and financial reasons. That was fine, we drove up for an early Christmas with them. My youngest sister’s family is making the best of their situation with their oldest daughter working as a nurse on Christmas Day. They have put their Christmas on hold until they can all be together under one roof. We will see them before the New Year for some Christmas Cheer. I have one other sister who hasn’t spoken with the family in more than five years. While that breaks my heart, it’s a situation I handed over to the Lord a long time ago. And that’s okay, too. God has a way of working things out. I just wish instead of giving us three separate Christmas Gatherings, we could have just one and all be together on this most Blessed day as it once was.
As long as we are creating new traditions this Holy-Day, I thought I’d share something new and simple for Christmas Morning. Merry Christmas everyone!
Almost Home-Baked Christmas Morning Rolls
1 can Pillsbury Hot Cocoa Rolls with Marshmallow Icing
1/2 cup Semi-sweet Mini Chocolate Chips
1-1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
4 tablespoons Butter
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 tablespoon Heavy Cream or as needed
Icing from the rolls
Chocolate Syrup, optional
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Open can of rolls without separating rolls. Use a serrated knife to cut smoothly into 8 rolls along perforated lines. Carefully unroll each roll, sprinkle with chips and re-roll.
Lightly grease a round baking pan. Arrange rolls in the pan to create a ring. Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
While the rolls bake; sift powdered sugar and set aside. Cream butter, add vanilla. Slowly mix in powdered sugar. Add heavy cream and beat until smooth. Mix in icing that comes with the rolls, set aside until ready to spread.
Arrange rolls on a serving platter. Frost with Marshmallow Glaze while still warm. If desired, drizzle chocolate syrup over the rolls as a final sweet touch. Serve and enjoy.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
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