“and she gave birth to her firstborn son …” – Luke 2:7 During my tenure as the pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, one of the annual highlights each year was anticipating which newborn baby within the congregation would play the esteemed role of baby Jesus in our annual Christmas pageant. A human baby Jesus in […]
Christmas
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Getting ready for the real Christmas
God’s salvation plan for fallen mankind was underway. That plan included and involved Zacharias and Elizabeth. Symbolic of God’s creation proclamation of “Let there Be,” plans for a forerunner of the savior were also underway. Many years had elapsed before the time for the savior to enter the salvation scene arrived. Elizabeth was already expecting […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
For what do you wait? For what do you hope?
This year Thanksgiving weekend is also the start of Advent, and Advent, the start of a new liturgical year in the Christian calendar. Happy Thanksgiving. Happy new year! Once again, we begin the cycle of the church year that flows from the birth of a child to His self-emptying sacrifice and resurrection, and on to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
A tasty tradition
This Christmas enjoy a hot, delicious meal shared among individuals of all faiths during the 12th Annual Holiday Interfaith Breakfast at Temple B’rith Sholom. The breakfast consists of scrambled eggs with chile verde sauce, roasted turkey sausages, hot pancakes (chocolate chips or blueberries available upon request), fresh fruit, juice and coffee. Admission is $6 for […]
Posted inMusic
Christmas music
James Armstrong plays his blues at the Alamo on Monday, Dec.28. Here we are full of holiday spirit, and hopefully spirits too, ready to finish off the holiday season with Christmas and next week’s New Year’s Eve. This year our weekend is a bit off as the big day occurs on a Friday, but there […]
Posted inArts & Culture
christmas lullaby
christmas lullaby (My mother wrote this lullaby for myoldest sister, on her first Christmas,1925. You may remember this; I’ve printed it before. Music on request.)Sleep, little baby, the daylight is fading;Dim yellow stars the dark heavens adorn;Once, long ago, in a Bethlehem mangerThe little Lord Jesus was born.Lullaby, lullaby, sleep, little baby, sleep.Sleep, little baby, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Spirited holiday desserts
Meyers rum. Desserts that include infusions of alcohol have been traditional for centuries. Perhaps because historically, celebrations were rare occasions for bountiful food, especially sweets and strong drinks. These days, for better or worse, celebratory occasions aren’t the only times many of us have the opportunity to overindulge. Regardless, the holidays (including but not limited […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Christmas yeast breads
PHOTO BY PETER GLATZ Variations can be found worldwide, although they’re most common in Europe. And it’s a safe bet that the roots of those found in other parts of the planet are from there, too. Holiday yeast breads. America focuses on cookies, but elsewhere the most traditional holiday sweet treats are yeast-based. Perhaps best […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Communal pot
Start the New Year with nature and friends. Join the Sangamon Valley Sierra Club at its annual Stone Soup Hike, Wed., Jan. 1, at Carpenter Park Nature Preserve. Bring something to throw in the soup pot, your own drink (something hot is recommended) and your own table service. There will be a vegetarian pot and a […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Cookie traditions
Linzer cookies are easy to make and delicious. PHOTO BY RICARDO DEARATANHA//MCT Cookies and Christmas. Is there any more universally traditional food of the holiday season? Sure, there’s fruitcake, though many people regard it as something best avoided rather than embraced – but everybody loves cookies. Even folks like my dentist husband, Peter, who doesn’t […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ice outing
The Springfield Park District offers Skate with Santa at the Nelson Center during designated public skate times on Dec. 21 and Dec. 22. On Saturday, Dec. 2, public skate time lasts from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Santa will skate from approximately noon to 1 p.m. On Sunday, Dec. 22, public skate time is 2-4 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Spritely seasonal sounds
PHOTO COURTESY SANGAMON AUDITORIUM Needing no introduction, this gold and platinum, No. 1-selling Christmas artist of all time, Mannheim Steamroller takes to the Sangamon Auditorium stage on Monday, Dec. 16. You won’t want to miss this lively, invigorating production of holiday sound with multimedia effects. Grammy award-winner, MS founder/creator Chip Davis directs and co-produces the […]
