This Christmas Part Five

Make Traditions!

Well slave hopes that you are starting to really get into being Agents of Christmas!

We have seen how just spending a little bit of our time and effort on smiling, on being positive and putting some thought into what others might enjoy All brings about the magic.

We mentioned one tradition of Christmas yesterday. Have you ever wondered where most of these Christmas traditions come from? We know the basic bare story line comes from the Bible, but so much of what we think of as part of the holiday comes from things that were added on much latter.

 

Most of what we associate with Christmas traditions come from an area in Germany called Erzgebirge or (Ore Mountains).

Among these are:

Christmas pyramid which became “Angel Chimes”

Christmas Tree Some say the tree likely started in the 8th century, when St. Boniface was converting the Germanic tribes. The tribes worshiped Oak trees, decorating them for the winter solstice. The story goes that St. Boniface cut down an enormous oak tree to stop the practice, but a fir tree grew in its place. The evergreen was then conferred as a symbol of Christianity, which the newly converted Germans went right back to decorating for Christmas. Go figure!

Kris Kringle: developed in Germany around 1600. German Protestants recognized December 25th , the birth of the Christ child, or Christkindl. This they wanted as a time to give gifts. “Christkindl” evolved into “Kriss Kringle.”

Then in 1840 Prince Albert, who was German, introduced these to England when he married Queen Victoria.

Nearly all of our Christmas traditions were solidified during that time.

 

This does not make these variation or additions any less a part of the holiday. In fact, let it encourage us to morph more of the traditions to fit us! This does not diminish the significance of it in the lest. In fact it incorporates the joy into our everyday experiences. Or at least if we set out with determination to make it so!

By the way, Is the refrigerator cleaned out? The turkey breast gets moved from the freezer tomorrow!

Today slave thought it would work on the aromas of the season. So often they can bring back memories as quick as a certain song.

So today the crock pot sits infusing the air with the wonderful smell of cooking beef and vegetables!

Quick Crock Pot Stew

Ingredients:

2 ½ lbs Chuck roast

2 Large yellow onions

3 medium carrots cut into 2 inch lengths

4 pieces of celery cut into 2 inch lenghts

1 32oz container of Beef Stock low sodium

2 cans of whole new potatoes

Directions:

Turn on the Crock pot to High.

Roughly chop the onions into large chunks and put in the pot.

Brown the chuck roast on both sides, just until it gets a good caramelization. Cut into three inch chunks. Add to pot.

Add celery to top and pour in the Beef Stock.

After an hour drop the setting to low.

After another 4 hours, open and drain the potatoes and cut into the same size as the other vegetables in stew and add. Continue on low for 3 to 4 hours.

Dinner is all set with the addition of maybe some hot rolls. This is a great way to comfort and nourish as well as treating all to the wonderful smells!

Serving my Master Indy

socialslave

To satisfy and restore.

To nourish, support and maintain.

To gratify, spoil, comfort and please,

to nurture, assist, and sustain

…..I cook!