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Christmas Eve
- Dinner:
- Crab Ciappino
- Nice Bread
- Salad
- Dessert: Opera Cakes
Christmas Day
- Dinner
- Cross Rib Roast
- Torta
- Dessert: Tiramisu
For those of you who might not know, the torta is probably my favorite thing on this list. It has a thin crust and is filled with ricotta, spinach, potatoes, salt, pepper, and a few eggs. The crust is the trickiest part and it is traditionally said, "Now, don't handle the crust too much or else it will become tough". Therefore, the strongest person in the household is ordered to roll out the crust. We made the torta yesterday and, as happens every year, our hands were soon covered in flour, as were our aprons and our clothes. Much to my ignorance and disapproval, Bridget happened to videotape and take pictures. It's not like I mind either of those things. I would just rather that she trained the camera on someone else rather than myself. The torta is traditionally a favorite part of any Christmas meal and is a source of great pride. My grandfather is about to cut the torta at his house. (It's quite the momentous occasion.)
Currently, I am typing in our living room, sitting next to our tree with hundreds of multicolored lights blinking out from under the branches. Our family has never believed in a themed Christmas tree. Hanging from it's branches are ornaments of many colors and many years, homemade and storebought, glittery silver snowflakes, shiny colored balls (green, red, silver, gold, and white), and red and gold beaded garlands. An angel in a white and silver dress and soft wings tops it all. My brother did the honors, because only he and my father are tall enough. Celine Dion sings "Blue Christmas", an old Christmas classic. This morning the family sat around the family room watching, "It's a Wonderful Life". We still have "White Christmas" and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Tonight, we will go to Holy Mass at 10:00pm.
Moving on, the weather is quite lovely here in SD. Chillier than usual and cloudy. A storm is supposed to move in tonight. I love going to sleep while listening to the rain hammering the window and falling on the roof. I love the exhilaration of burrowing under warm covers, grateful for a solid roof over my head.
Christmas is certainly a lovely time of the year. It's wonderful to be home with the family for a solid three weeks and to have a rest before continuing with education. However, I want to stress the importance of remembering why we celebrate Christmas. On Christmas morn, a small babe was born to a fifteen year old girl, a virgin who had every reason to be afraid and yet she found every reason not to be. How was she to know that this little infant who had come into the world was to save the world from sin by death, His death by crucifixion. Let us celebrate his birth and our salvation by his birth this Christmas! Let us remember why He came and let us all have a very Merry Christmas!
About a week ago, I could hear the voice of Mother Angelica in the other room saying, "Remember that Christmas is Jesus' birthday. What are you giving him for his birthday?" Of course, it was the subject of that particular show's talk, but seriously, what are you giving Jesus for his birthday? Remember, that whatever you do for the least of His people, you do it for Him. Give Jesus something for his birthday this year. Sing to Him. Say a special prayer for the world, our soldiers at war, tithe, do something.
Merry Christmas my dear readers and a Happy New Year! Goodness, it is almost 2009. Time does go by fast, does it not?
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"
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