Wassail

 Wassail:

1. A salutation or toast given in drinking someone's health or as an expression of goodwill at a festivity.

2. The drink used in such toasting, commonly ale or wine spiced with roasted apples and sugar. (https://www.thefreedictionary.com/wassail)

Wassail refers to a traditional English toast meaning "good health," and it can also describe a festive drink made from hot mulled cider, ale, or wine, often enjoyed during winter celebrations. Additionally, it is associated with the custom of singing and drinking to promote health and prosperity, especially in orchards.

Have you ever tasted wassail at a Christmas party? Have your family ever made wassail? It is very tasty and easy to make. There’s even a song you can sing after you make it.

 Ingredients:

You'll need just four ingredients to make this top-rated wassail recipe:

Apple cider: This wassail starts with store-bought apple cider, homemade apple cider, or hard apple cider.

Fruit juices: You'll need orange juice, lemon juice, and pineapple juice.

Sugar: A cup of white sugar sweetens things up.

Spices: This cozy wassail recipe is spiced with a cinnamon stick and whole cloves.

 

How to Make Wassail:

1. Stir the apple cider, juices, and sugar in a pot over medium-low heat.

2. Place the spices in a tea ball and add it to the apple cider mixture.

3. Simmer until warm.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/230045/grandmas-wassail/

Wassail Song

Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green,

Here we come a-wandering, so fair to be seen.

Love and joy come to you, and to you your wassail, too,

And God bless you, and send you a happy new year,

And God send you a happy new year.

 https://hymnary.org/hymn/CYBER/10358

 

Happy New Year! I hope you have a great time with your family this season. We may not be there, but we are thinking of you all!

Love Papaw

 

Birthday Party for Jesus

 

One of our Christmas traditions while our children were growing up was a Birthday Party for Jesus. We usually did it on Christmas Eve. Mema would make a birthday cake for the party. Sometimes we would decorate. You can make the party happen anyway you want. Here’s what we did.

 

1. Read the Christmas Story: Focus on the biblical account from Luke or Matthew.

The Birth of Jesus  (Luke 2)

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

2. Make Birthday Cards for Jesus: Make cards or write down gifts/promises to Jesus. Put them out for everyone to see.

3. Give Gifts to Jesus: Have family members share what they want to give Jesus (e.g., kindness, prayer).

4. Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus: Blow out the candles and sing Happy Birthday.

5. Eat Some Cake: Be sure to share!

6. Open 1 Gift: We let each child open 1 small present from their stocking or from under the tree. (Don’t get carried away. Save the big ones for Christmas Day!

 

We hope you all have a belled Holiday season at Christmas & New Year’s Day.

Merry Christmas from Mema & Papaw!

Where Did the Tradition of the Christmas Tree Come From?

Although decorating trees during the winter solstice goes back to ancient times, the modern, decorated tree comes from 16th-century Germany, where Christians used fir trees decorated with apples (representing the biblical "Paradise Tree") and candles, with Martin Luther possibly adding lights. (Google AI) Many Christian families have trees at Christmas, some do not. It is not a symbol to be worshipped. In our house it is a symbol of the season, a decoration, and a place to put presents underneath.

Christmas trees come in many varieties. The most commonly used tree is probably the Douglas Fir. Then there are Noble Firs, Grand Firs, and Scotch Pine. They can be green, flocked (covered in white powder) or even painted colors. There are artificial trees that can green, silver, or even golden.

Originally, lights were added to the trees in the form of candles, a very dangerous way to do it! Now we use safety lights. Some lights look like icicles. Others look like tiny candles. There are eve twinkle lights of all colors. You can also add colored balls, figurines, even popcorn on a string. We have ornaments that the kids made in school. Memaw even has one from when she was a little girl. On the top of the tree is a tree topper. It usually is a star, but I have even seen a Santa Claus on one tree.

I still like the presents under the tree best! What kind of tree do you have? Did you help decorate your house?

Even though trees, decorations, and presents are fun, it is important that you don’t forget the real reason for Christmas. It is about the birth of the Messiah, Jesus, the Savior of the world. Don’t forget to honor Him to.

I hope you have a great Christmas this year!

Love Papaw. 

Hippopotamus

The hippopotamus, hippo for short, is a truly amazing animal. They have also been called “river horses”. They live in rivers in parts of Africa. They can weigh between 3000 and 4000 lbs. and eat up to 80 lbs. of grass every day. They have a barrel-shaped body and short thick legs. Their purplish-grey skin is almost 2 ½ inches thick. They have a huge mouth with molars for grinding and 2 tusk like teeth that can reach 20 inches long. They can open their mouths very wide. It looks like a super yawn! You don’t want to make a hippo mad. A hippo can crush you with his jaws and even turn over small boats. Because of their size and those menacing teeth, they are more fear in the rivers than crocodiles. 

Even though they spend most of their time in the rivers, they are poor swimmers. In fact they don’t swim; they usually walk on the bottom of the river. On land they can reach speeds of almost 19 miles an hour. Adult hippos can hold their breath under water for 5-6 minutes.

Did you know hippos can secret their own sunscreen? It looks like red sweat. I think that would come in handy in the hot African sun.

Scientists estimate that there are between 100-130,000 hippos in Africa. They have been killed in some states because there are wars happening there.

Here’s a couple fun hippopotamus videos for you.

 

    

I hope you liked our hippo talk!

Love Papaw.