A prayer at Christmas

A Prayer at Christmas

The shepherds heard the Angel's newsl
The Wise Men travelled far,
And there was wonder, joy and hope
For all who saw the star.

Now, Father, once more help us seek
The joy of Christmas night,
And spread the news across the earth
Of endless life and light.

And, Father, may we share Your love
In heart and soul and mind,
And send Your blessings round the world
With peace for all mankind.
~Iris Hesselden.

This morning my kitchen smells like the ham that I have had baking in a very slow oven overnight. I've checked it, and it is cooked to perfection, and just waiting to be glazed. In another few hours, Todd will be up, and we'll open our gifts, and then my mom will call. I can't wait to hear her voice. I know that I am blessed to be able to speak to my mom every Christmas morning. It has been ever so for the 54 years that I have been alive. I never take it for granted, and cherish each word.

Later this morning, I will be getting the turkey into the oven and finishing my vegetable preparation. Todd will hop into the car and go to pick up Terri to bring her over to spend the day with us. Then the missionaries will arrive . . . and we will all sit down and enjoy a delicious repast of turkey and ham with all the trimmings. (Thankfully my Christmas Veggie box arrived late yesterday afternoon so I didn't have to experience the chaos which is the grocery shop on Christmas Eve. Whew!)

Later on, after everyone has gone, I'll try to telephone my children over in Canada to wish them each a Merry Christmas. I can't always get through, but I'll keep trying until I do.

And that will be my day. Sounds just wonderful to me.

In the meantime I'd like to thank each of your for your faithfulness in visiting my page each day and for your love and comments. I'd also like to wish each of you a very Merry and blessed Christmas day, wherever you are and whomever you are with. May you love and be loved, and feel the peace in your heart that only the Saviour can bring.



*Eggnog Pound Cake*
Makes 1 10-inch bundt cake
Printable Recipe

A deliciously festive cake filled with the lovely flavours of eggnog, cranberries and orange. This smells just fabulous when it is baking! Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

1/2 cup dried cranberries (50g)
2 TBS dark rum or water
1 cup butter, room temperature (8 ounces)
2 cups white sugar (400g)
3 large eggs
3 cups flour (420g)
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup storebought eggnog (250ml)
(See note below)
1 tsp vanilla
1 TBS freshly grated orange zest

For the Glaze:
3 TBS orange juice
1 TBS dark rum (or an additional TBS of orange juice)
3/4 cup sugar



Pre-heat the oven to 160*C/325*F. Grease and flour a 10 inch bundt pan really well. Set aside.

Place the cranberries in a small bowl and cover with the rum or water. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream the butter and sugar to gether until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Add to the creamed mixture, on low speed, alternately with the egg nog, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Fold in the orange zest, cranberries and any liquid in the bowl. Spoon the batter into the prepared bundt pan, smoothing the top over. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes or until it tests down when a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a rack.

Prepare the glaze by blending together the orange juice, sugar and rum, until the sugar is about melted. Using a pastry brush, brush this glaze all over the surface of the warm cake, brushing it again and again until all the glaze is used and has been absorbed by the cake. Serve at room temperature, cut into slices with your preferred accompaniment.

Note - if you are unable to get eggnog use an equal amount of whipping cream and increase the measure of grated nutmeg to 1/2 tsp.

Nothing special over on The English Kitchen today, just the same recipe in metric.