Christmas 7--Journey Home- Year's End

December 31

Genesis 1:14, Hebrew 8:12

Time, days, seasons, and the patterns of years are all gifts of God. In the Old Testament we also find specific instructions for festivals to mark the passing of seasons and commemoration God’s mighty acts. Marking the years, recalling not only our sins but also God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness, and abundant blessings is a good discipline. 

Take time for reflection before the year turns and we can again sing how “Every morning mercies new, fall as fresh as morning dew.”

Across the sky the shades of night This New Year’s Eve are fleeting.

We deck Your altar Lord, with light, In solemn worship meeting;

And as the year’s last hours go by, We raise to You our earnest cry, 

Once more Your love entreating.

Before the cross subdues we bow, To You our prayer addressing.

Recounting all Your mercies now, And all our sins confessing;

Beseeching You this coming year To keep us in Your faith and fear 

And crown us with your blessing.

We gather up in this brief hour The mem’ry of Your mercies:

Your wondrous goodness, love, and pow’r Our grateful song rehearses;

For You have been our strength and stay In many a dark and dreary day 

Of sorrow and reverses.

Then, gracious God, in years to come, We pray Your hand may guide us,

And, onward through our journey home, Your mercy walk beside us 

Until at last our ransomed life Is safe from peril, toil and strife 

When heav’n itself shall hide us.

For the Family:

Take the last page of a desk calendar and mark across the year “Hebrews 8:12.” Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and give thanks that God remembers your sins no more.

Bible Journaling:

Dec 31
Bible Journaling 
Journey Home- Year's End
Hebrew 8:12
Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

Every baker has a recipe for banana bread for those times that we purchased more bananas than we had use for before they got too soft. I remember well Dad’s comment on his 90^th birthday. He said, “seems like buying green bananas is not a good investment anymore.”

If you have a good banana bread recipe and use it, that statement might not be true for you. Here’s Mom’s recipe:

Banana Nut Bread

Dora Pfitzer Meyermann- Mother of  Natalie Hartwig

1/3 C butter

1 C sugar

2 eggs

1 ½ C flour

pinch salt

1 tsp baking soda

3 ripe bananas, crushed

½ C chopped nuts

• Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs and beat well.
• Sift dry ingredients together twice. 
• Add to liquid mixture.
• Add banana and nuts.
• Bake in loaf pan at 350 for 50 -60 minutes.

Works well in mini loaf pans. Keeps well for up to 2 days. Freezes well.

I read a hint the other day: frozen chunks of banana help to chill a smoothie and keep you from diluting your smoothie with ice cubes. 

Tree of Promise Devotions
Natalie Hartwig

Christmas 6--Joy Days

December 30

Read Galatians 3:26 – 29, and John 14:1-3

We are adopted by God! The Son of God, born in a cattle shed, is now our brother who goes before us to prepare a place for us in the presence of God. His promise to us is to return and take us to heaven to be there with all God’s children in His presence for all eternity. What joy is ours.

‘Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light’ is a morning prayer for the child of God waiting for the promised Joy to come. The dancing harmony is attributed to Bach – let your heart and soul dance in God’s presence. “O Come, All Ye Faithful” is likely among the top 10 processional hymns for Christmas Eve programs and services. It specifically bids us come joyfully to the celebration of Christ’s birth.  

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;

Come and behold Him Born the king of angels:

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

 O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Highest, most holy, Light of Light eternal, Born of a virgin, a mortal He comes;

Son of the Father Now in flesh appearing!

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

 O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God In the highest:

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, 

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning;; Jesus to Thee be glory giv’n!

Word of the Father Now in flesh appearing!

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

 O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

                                                                                 Google images

For the Family:

The symbol for today is a dark disc with the word ‘JOY’ in gold surrounded by golden rays. Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and welcome a new day of grace. All of God’s days are good. (some images to play around with)

Bible Journaling:

Dec 30
Joy Days
(loved the Christmas card JOY- 
keeping it simple these days after Christmas)
Bible Journaling
Connie Denninger

From the kitchen:

You are probably enjoying some cookies that were gifts to you from friends. Each year my father looked forward to the black walnut wafers that his sister, Agnes Westmeyer, gave him. The recipe says it was Uncle Carl’s recipe and I know that Uncle Carl did the hard work of shelling the black walnuts, but I am equally certain that Aunt Agnes made the wafers. I do not care for black walnuts and Dad’s stash was safe from me. 

It took me a while to realize that the last line of instruction on mom’s copy of the recipe contained a typo. I think they intended to type ‘wire’ rack. The typo was just too much fun to keep it secret. 

Black Walnut Wafers

Uncle Carl Westmeyer (Mom didn’t make these, 
but Aunt Agnes Westmeyer brought them)

2/3 C sifted flour

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp baking powder

2 eggs

1 C packed brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 C chopped walnuts
     
Sift dry ingredients together

• Beat eggs until thick, gradually add brown sugar.
• Fold in dry ingredients.
• Add nuts and vanilla.
• Drop by rounded tsp 2” apart on greased cookie sheet.
• Bake 15 minutes or until browned.
• Remove from pan at once with spatula and cool on wine (sic) rack.

Tree of Promise Devotions

Natalie Grae Hartwig

Christmas 5- Fulfillment of the Promise

December 29

Read Luke 2:8 – 20

The account of the annunciation to the shepherds, their trusting reaction, and witness following action are a treasured part of the Christmas story. Today focus on verse 20 and the attitude of the shepherds as they left the manger. The same spirit of praise and rejoicing is right for us as we leave the manger and return to our lives. We too have seen and heard the fulfillment of the promises.

‘Come Rejoicing, Praises Voicing’ is a translation of a beloved Slovak Christmas hymn that urges us to sing joyfully in response to promises kept. “Where Shepherds Lately Knelt” by Jaroslav Vajda has gentle tenderness and sound theology. If you look hard enough you can hear it on you tube. Martin Luther’s hymn, ‘To Shepherds as They Watched by Night’ tells the story of the shepherds.

To shepherds as they watched by night Appeared a host of angels bright;

“Behold the tender babe” they said,

 “In yonder lowly manger laid,

“At Bethlehem, in David’s town, As Micah did of old make known.

It is the Christ, your Lord and King,

 Who will to all salvation bring.”

Oh, then rejoice that through his Son God is with sinners now at one;

Made like your-selves of flesh and blood,

 Your brother is th’ eternal God.

What harm can sin and death then do? The true God now abides with you.

Let hell and Satan storm and rave, 

Christ is your brother you are safe.

Not one he will or can forsake; His cov’nant he will never break.

Let ev’ry scheme the tempter try, 

You may his utmost pow’rs defy.

You shall and must at last prevail. God’s own you are; you cannot fail.

To God forever sing your praise 

With joy and patience all your days.

For the Family:

A cross emblazoned with a treble clef symbolizes the rejoicing child of God. Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and pray God to give you a heart and voice of joy.

Bible Journaling:

Fulfillment of the Promise
Dec. 29
Bible Journaling
Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

If you are a compulsive baker you probably have some muffins in your freezer. If you are also a gardener, and knew my mother those muffins are probably Chocolate Chip Zucchini.

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Dora Pfitzer Meyermann -Mother of Natalie Hartwig

1 tsp baking powder 1 ½ C flour ¾ C sugar ½ tsp salt

1 t cinnamon 1 egg, lightly beaten ½ C oil

¼ C milk 1 T lemon juice 1 t vanilla

1 C shredded zucchini ¼ C semi sweet chocolate chips

¼ C chopped walnuts

• Sift dry ingredients together
• Combine egg, oil, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix well.
• Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
• Fold in zucchini, chocolate chips, and nuts.
• Fill paper lined muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20 – 25 minutes or until the test done. Yield 12 muffins

Muffins freeze well as standard size muffins. Mini muffins tend to dry out when frozen.

Tree of Promise Devotions

Natalie Grace Hartwig

Christmas 4- Holy Innocents Day

December 28

 Holy Innocents Day

Read Jeremiah 31:15, Matthew 2:16 – 18, 

John 3:16, Luke 23:42 & 43, and 1 Corinthians 15:12 - 26

This date seems out of sequence in the Christmas season. It falls before the Feast of Epiphany, the trigger date for Herod’s genocidal order. Then we remember this is an annual reminder of the grief of the mothers of Bethlehem. We all mark annual days of grief when we recall loved ones gone before us. Now is the time to remember the promise of salvation to all believers. We do not grieve like those who have no hope. We grieve, but our grief is comforted by the sure knowledge of salvation. 

“Water, Blood, and Spirit Crying” is a relatively new hymn by Stephen Starke who describes his work as doctrinal in nature. Through these words the thread of grace and salvation can reach to the grieving believer who clings to the cross in the face of death. If you have a copy of the LSB I strongly suggest reading that hymn. The child of faith turns to our Heavenly Father for comfort in times of deep grief. “Come and Sit Beside the Lord” is a new hymn I wrote that looks at the feet of Jesus as a place to sit for comfort. Jaroslav Vajda was kind enough to read it and encourage me to share it.

Come into God’s house with gladness; Come and sit beside The Lord.

He will comfort you in sadness, He will ev’ry joy afford.

At His feet now take your places, Let His words be read aloud.

See His love on other’s faces Let no doubt your vision cloud.

Come into God’s house with singing; Come and sit beside The Lord.

Hear the bells with joy loud ringing, Here His graces are out poured.

Brothers, sisters, now He calls you, “Come and rest here, by my side.”

Feel His arms surround and hold you In His love now safe abide.

Come into God’s house and rest you; Come and sit beside The Lord.

Choose the one thing needful for you Choose to listen to The Lord.

“It shall not be taken from you.” He has promised to abide

With His love forever near you And to keep you at His side.

For the Family:

The symbol of hope for this day is a baptismal shell encased in a cross. ( an image here of a cross on a Baptismal shell.) Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and give thanks to God for the sure knowledge of salvation and the comfort such knowledge brings to the child of God.

Bible Journaling:

The Sure Knowledge of Salvation

Bible Journaling

Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

2016 was the first year that I have included these cookies in my Christmas Cookie stash. 
Thank you, Shereth, for sharing.

Lemon Ricotta

Shereth Tran-daughter of Natalie Hartwig

2 ½ C flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 stick butter, softened

2 C sugar

2 eggs

15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese

3 TBS lemon juice

1 lemon zested

• Preheat oven to 375, line two cookie sheets with parchment paper
• Combine flour, baking powder, salt. Set aside
• Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until well incorporate.
• Add ricotta, lemon juice & zest. Beat to combine.
• Stir in dry ingredients,.
• Spoon cookie dough (about 2 TBS per cookie) onto baking sheets. Makes 44 cookies.
• Bake for 15 minutes until slightly golden at the edges.
• Remove from the oven and let cookies rest on baking sheet for 20 minute

• Glaze:
• 1 ½ C powdered sugar 3 TBS lemon juice 1 lemon zested

• Combine in small bowl and stir until smooth.
• Spoon about ½ tsp onto each cookie and use the back of the spoon to gently spread.
• Let glaze harden for at least 2 hours before packing away. 

Tree of Promise Devotions

Natalie Grace Hartwig

Christmas 3-The Word Made Flesh

December 27

 Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

Read John1:1 – 16

God’s ancient promise fulfilled in the incarnation of Christ. By faith, the gift of grace, we too have seen Christ face to face. 

‘O Word of God Incarnate’ is found in all the Lutheran hymnals of the past 100 years, but only 3 of them include the 3^rd verse listed here. For many raised in the church it was probably the first time we encountered the word ‘incarnate’ and the mystery of Christ as both Word and giver of words. Sing now and bend your effort to sharing the Word Incarnate with others.

O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, 

O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky:

We praise You for the radiance That from the hallowed page,

A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.

The Church from You, dear Master, Received the gift divine; 

And still that light is lifted O’er all the earth to shine.

It is the chart and compass That, all life’s voyage through,

Mid mists and rocks and quicksands Still guides, O Christ, to You.

O make Your Church, dear Savior, A lamp of burnished gold 

To bear before the nations Your true light as of old!

O teach Your wand’ring pilgrims By this their path to trace

Til, clouds and darkness ended, They see You face to face!

For the Family:

Place a radiant manger on an open Bible as a symbol of the word made flesh, the Christ that we celebrate this season. Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and pray that God would use you as a means of sharing the Word.

Bible Journaling:

Dec 27
The Word Made Flesh
Bible Journaling
Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

There were some breads that got left out. Mamma’s nut bread is one of them. It is a simple quick bread that has a resting period between mixing and baking so keep that in mind as you plan your time. This bread appeared in her kitchen often during the winter months. It does not seem to rise as well with pecans, I think the acidity of the walnuts helps to activate the baking powder. My note says it doesn’t keep well after 3 days. That statement has never really been tested well because it is seldom around after 2 days. It is a large loaf, so if you are the only one eating it you should consider giving half of it away.

Nut Bread

Dora Pfitzer Meyermann -Mother of Natalie Hartwig

4 C flour

2/3 C sugar

1 tsp salt

4 tsp baking powder

1 C broken nuts (walnuts work best)

2 C milk

• Sift dry ingredients together
• Add milk and nuts. Stir together.
• Put in greased loaf pan and let rest 20 minutes.
• Bake 40 minutes at 350

This bread does not keep well for more than 2 or 3 days and does not freeze well.

Tree of Promise Devotions 

Natalie Grace Hartwig 

Christmas 2- A Multitude of Heavenly Hosts

December 26 

Feast of St. Stephan, Deacon and Martyr

Read Luke 2:8 – 20

‘From Heaven Above to Earth I Come’, Luther’s cradle song, tells the angel’s message to the shepherds in the first 5 verses and spends the next 10 guiding the child of God’s response. It is easy to picture Luther rocking a child of his own and singing over and over of the Savior.  

“From hea’vn above to earth I come To bear good news to ev’ry home;

Glad tidings of great joy I bring, Whereof I now will say and sing.

“To you this night is born a child Of Mary chosen virgin mild;

This little child of lowly birth Shall be the joy of all the earth.

“This is the Christ, our God Most High, Who hears your sad and bitter cry;

He will Himself your Savior be From all your sins to set you free.

“He will on you the gifts bestow Prepared by God for all below, 

That in His kingdom, bright and fair, You may with us His glory share.

“These are the signs that you shall mark; The swaddling clothes and manger dark.

There you will find the infant laid By whom the heav’ns and earth were made.”

How glad we’ll be to find it so! Then with the shepherds let us go

To see what God for us has done In sending us His own dear Son.

Come here, my friends, lift up your eyes, And see what in the manger lies.

Who is this child, so young and fair? It is the Christ Child lying there,

Welcome to earth, O noble Guest, Through whom the sinful world is blest!

You came to share my misery That You might share Your joy with me.

Ah, Lord, though You created all, How weak You are, so poor and small,

That You should choose to lay Your head Where lowly cattle lately fed!

Were earth a thousand times as fair and set with gold and jewels rare,

It would be far too poor and small A cradle for the Lord of all.

Instead of soft and silken stuff You have but hay and straw so rough

On which as King, so rich and great, To be enthroned in royal state.

And so it pleases You to see This simple truth revealed to me:

That worldly honor, wealth, and might Are weak and worthless in Your sight.

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Prepare a bed, soft, undefiled,

A quiet chamber set apart For You to dwell within my heart.

My heart for very joy must leap; My lips no more can silence keep.

I, too, must sing with joyful tongue That sweetest ancient cradle song:

Glory to God in highest heav’n, Who unto us His Son has giv’n!

While angels sing with pious mirth A glad new year to all the earth.

                                                                                             Google image

For the Family:

A multitude of heavenly hosts sang that first Christmas. Hang angels on your Tree of Promise and pray, ‘Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled, within my heart that it may be a quiet chamber kept for Thee.’

Bible Journaling:

 Dec 26

Feast of St. Stephan-

A Multitude of Heavenly Hosts
Bible Journaling 
Connie Denninger

                                   For the Family:

It’s Boxing Day – pack up some plates or bags of cookies to give to friends and neighbors. Take some to your local police department, fire house, and rescue squad. That’s half the fun of baking, seeing the look of delight on other’s faces.

From the Kitchen:

If you are having left overs at home, make some fresh biscuits to go with them.

Easiest Biscuit Recipe Ever

2 parts self rising flour

1 part whipping cream

• Preheat oven to 450
• Mix flour and cream until smooth and cohesive
• Scoop 1 oz balls of dough onto an ungreased or parchment lined baking sheet. Leave 2” between biscuits
• Brush tops of biscuits with cream
• Bake for 10 minutes or until they’re light golden brown on top. Break one open. It should be baked all the way through.

Remove from the oven and serve  warm or at room temperature. Store well wrapped at room temp for several days; freeze for longer storage. 

Tree of Promise Devotions

Natalie Grace Hartwig