Tag Archives: Christmas

When Anxiety is Great

Whatever anxiety it is that may grip my heart, my Heavenly Father has a consolation to meet it; a beautiful majesty of his character that surpasses any worry. Loneliness is met with his presence. Animosity is met with his love. Guilt and failure are met with his forgiveness and mercy. Weakness is met with his strength. Hard tasks are met with his grace. Decisions are met with his wisdom. Difficult situations are met with his peace. Grief is met with his comfort. Indifference is met with his compassion. Weak faith is met with his abundance. Lies are met with the truth of his Word. All the evil done in the world will be met with judgment. All those who hope in God will be with him forever.

Therefore, little heart, obey his call to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Post- Christmas Pancakes: Holiday Nog Edition

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I ended up with quite a bit of leftover holiday nog.

I love the taste of holiday nog – whether it tastes like eggnog or not, I wouldn’t know- but two cartons is a bit much for one person to drink. Naturally my mind turned to baking… and breakfast and scones and pancakes and muffins… and finally, came a new recipe! So, here they are, gluten-dairy-egg-soy-nut free holiday nog pancakes!

Holiday-Nog Pancakes (for 1… or two if they’re not very hungry)

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/2 c. Brown rice flour
  • 1/2 c. Oat flour
  • 1/2 c. Sweet Sorghum flour
  • 1 tsp. Baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. Salt
  • 1 tsp. Ground cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp. Oil (I used avocado oil.)
  • 1 tsp. Apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbs. Honey
  • 1 Tbs. flax seed
  • 3/4 c. Holiday Nog

*Note: I made a flax seed egg by letting it stand 5 minutes in 1-2 Tbs. water. However, the dough needed more help thickening, so I ended up sprinkling another 1/2 tablespoon on top. Next time, I will try just adding the flax seed and letting it gel in the pancake batter.*

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl snd stir until blended an few lumps.

Let the mixture stand to thicken. It should look about like this:

I added avocado oil to the skillet because it is not a strong-tasting oil, so it wouldn’t mask the flavor of the nog. Word to the wise, use a really good non-stick skillet so that you can use as little oil as possible. If you aren’t avoiding cooking spray, that would be best. Too much oil makes the edges a bit crumbly…

But they make good, thick pancakes nonetheless. I used a full 1/4 c. measuring cup to pour the pancakes into the skillet once it was to temperature (water droplets sizzle when dropped in pan). To help the pancakes rise, I cover for the first few minutes with a lid. I had more trouble with this recipe burning… maybe because of the extra sugar in the holiday nog.

This recipe made six pancakes and taste delicious!

Sixth pancake not pictured because I was already eating it…

Christmas Medley

As there has been hope and fulfilled promises in the past, so there are promises that will be fulfilled in the future.

Christmas is a reminder: God makes promises to weak and lowly sons of earth, and he delights to keep them.

So, we delight to sing with hope in his goodness in the present and hope in his faithfulness for the future.

By God’s grace, arranged and played by Katie.

What Child is This: a song for Christmas

1. What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

2. Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

3. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

William Chatterton Dix, 1865

By God’s grace, arranged and played by Katie.

Video created using iMovie. Scripture images from YouVersion Bible App, NIV & ESV. Photos by Katie.

Saturday Song: Christmas Medley

Come Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free…

Just as we long for Jesus’ second coming, others longed for his first. The story and songs of Christmas are reminders that he faithfully kept his promises in the past, so he will be faithful to kept his promises for the future.

Songs (with links to lyrics): Come Thou Long Expected JesusCome Thou Long Expected Jesus, Angels We Have Heard On High, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful

By God’s grace, arranged and played by Katie W.