Heart - Creative generosity in this season

 

Sunday, I did a session on "Practicing Creative Generosity" at my church. The point was to turn away from the hyper consumerism that often occurs during December and look at other ways to be generous this season.  There have been many calls this year to boycott Amazon, Target, Walmart, to name a few.  Jim Wallis in his Substack post, "No Amazon for Advent" wrote:

“Instead of enriching the world’s wealthiest, we choose to strengthen the places and people that make our communities whole. We choose local businesses struggling to survive, nonprofits caring for the vulnerable, and neighbors in need of compassion. We choose to pass down memories to our new generations through the gifting of heirlooms and other items that hold special importance to us and our families. We practice being intentional by spending less on things and more on purpose.” 

"Let’s make Advent not a time of consumption, but of community, hope, and renewal.Together, we can embody our faith's call to love our neighbor and choose to invest in people,not corporations. Our gifts can build justice, nurture connection, and bring light tothose around us. "

Even the Star Tribune published an article by Harvey McKay in the Business Section on December 1, "For Gifts, Think Outside the Box."  He wrote:

"When it comes to creative gifts that can be given for any occasion, the key is to think outside the box and personalize the gift to make it memorable.

These are some of my favorites.

Personalized puzzle: Create a custom puzzle using a photo that holds significance for the recipient.

Customized cookbook: Compile a collection of recipes that you know the recipient loves or would enjoy trying. Include personal notes or stories related to each recipe.

Experience jar: Fill a jar with notes, each containing a different experience or activity you can do together."

During the 45 minute session, participants had an opportunity to think of different ways to express generosity in their gifts that didn't involve spending a lot of money, but rather spending time.  There was no shortage of ideas offered by those attending, including: offering a gift of companionship for a breakfast, lunch or dinner; preparing a family history and genealogy for younger relatives; recording favorite memories with siblings and the impact they had on your own life and then sharing with same siblings; baking, creating a meal to deliver or to share in the recipient's home; regifting a favorite book with a note on what made this a favorite.  Depending on age of recipient, there were a number of ways to create gifts that involved spending time, not money.  What kinds of creative generosity can you think of that would be well received by your own family, friends, or neighbors?  

And I'll close with a quote from one of my favorite authors, Robin Wall Kimmerer,

"Practicing contentment is a radical act in a

consumption-driven society."

May you find a new practice of creative generosity and contentment this season.

 

Faith in fellow travelers on this planet

 As per the card, the "world holds an abundance of good" and yesterday I was able to witness some of that goodness.  I signed up to participate in a training program for nonviolence because  ICE is in our Twin Cities and I have a house of worship just a block from my house where Somali and other community members from a range of African countries gather to worship.  I know it is just a matter of time before ICE appears in my neighborhood.  So what kind of good did I witness?  More than 250 people showed up for this training session.  The organizers were obviously not prepared for the turnout.  I was surprised as well, expecting the usual 20 or so persons to show up.  So my faith in the goodness all around me, but not always visible, was truly impacted.  Depending on where you live and what kind of activities are taking place nearby,  just knowing that many of our community members are taking action to stand up, be present, and resist peacefully is faith in action.  I also realize not everyone is physically able to partake in these kind of activities, but any support you can provide is welcome.  Seeing the turnout at this event gives me hope and during Advent, hope is one of the things we celebrate as part of our faith.  May this week include some "abundance of good" in your life and something to celebrate this December.

Comfort and Joy in December

 

Well, we definitely know the world is not calm right now, but may you find some comfort in taking today to slow down and just rest and find some personal calm.  The holidays can be hectic and sometimes you need to just take time for yourself.  And for me, personally, comfort right now is having my furnace working again.  There's nothing like the surprise of waking and finding the house is not quite as warm as it usually is.  The cat is no where to be seen as it has gone off somewhere looking for a warm spot.  The furnace is running, but no heat is coming out.  The good news was that a technician could visit within 24 hours.  The other comfort I have is a gas fireplace that when I close off all the rest of the house will heat up the room I am in to a level that is acceptable.  This promises to be a winter that is closer to what we used to regularly have in Minnesota.  So I will hope you can find some comfort in wrapping yourself in a warm blanket or throw and indulging in a cup of something warm to enjoy while reading a good book or watching a favorite holiday movie.  Or, if winter sports are your thing, may you get out and enjoy the snow we have had with the promise of more to come this week.  So whether it is exercise to get the kinks out or a quiet activity, I will hope that you are able to indulge in some time for yourself to recharge your batteries.  May you find something that  provides some comfort for the day and on into the rest of the week.

December is a time to celebrate!

Today is St. Nicholas Day.  December has several days that call for celebration, although I unfortunately missed National Pie Day on December 1.  However, it is not too late to celebrate St. Nicholas Day today.  There are any number of days to celebrate if you want to check out National Day Calendar.  There is even a National Lutefisk Day on December 9th.  Most Minnesotans know that Lutefisk is very much an acquired taste, and one that I can honestly say I never acquired.  But I did learn that Madison, Minnesota is the "lutefisk capital of the world."  In addition to St. Nicholas Day, the same folks that celebrate lutefisk also celebrate Santa Lucia Day, and that is next Saturday, also known as the "festival of lights."  Other noteworthy dates this month in addition to Christmas:   Hanukkah, December 14-22; Winter Solstice, December 21,  Boxing Day, December 26;  Kwanzaa, December 26-January 1.  And for my librarian friends out there, don't forget to mark your calendars for December 10 - Dewey Decimal Day, a celebration of Melvin Dewey's birthday.  And I definitely don't want to leave cat lovers outs, so please check out National Cat Herders Day, December 15.  And feeling a little grinchy this year?  There's a day for you too!  National Humbug Day on December 21.  And I also just discovered a new personal favorite,  National Eggnog Day on December 24.  So you see, there is a lot to celebrate in December!  Find your special day and enjoy!  And if you feel like sharing just what day rang your bell, please share in the comments section. Ho, Ho, Ho!

Or perhaps something to get your toes tapping...a more recent Christmas movie favorite.
 

December is a time to believe

Yesterday I had an opportunity to hear Bishop Mariann Budde at the Westminster Town Forum.  Some readers may be familiar with her sermon requesting mercy during a prayer service in January with newly elected officials and the response that followed.  Her talk yesterday was on how "Courage is Contagious."  It was an uplifting talk to a full-house with an overflow crowd in an adjoining room.  December is a time to believe that as the card says, "So much is possible.  So much goodness is within reach."  And Bishop Budde mentioned it starts with respecting the dignity of every person, but it also involves working for the common good.  It is often hard to believe in the goodness of others, especially right now when there is so much going on that seems to point in the opposite direction. However, if you believe, whether it is spiritual or secular, in the innate goodness of people, there is much of that goodness around us.  No, it doesn't get reported in the news, but I bet you can think of at least one time in the past week when you were on the receiving end of a small act of kindness.  At this time of year, opening our hearts to others and seeing what is possible, is a beginning.  Depending on your news source, whether you see a glass as half empty or half full, or what your worldview is right now, we have the opportunity to turn the tide.  There is no question that many people are seeing the dark side winning, yet December is a month of possibilities and each act of small kindness is a gift to someone and a means of lifting someone else up.  It takes courage, but as Bishop Budde stated, "courage is contagious."  As Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."  Right now, you just have to believe that anything is possible and love will win.  Bishop Budde reminded us that it isn't easy, but being intentional and with practice we can turn the tide.  You can choose to believe and believe in the power of love to win and with that belief, you can help change the course and right the ship.  "So much is possible."  Believe and have courage to act on that belief.

 

December is also a time of beginnings

When I first read this card, I had to ponder a bit.  December is the time of Advent, and so it is a beginning of a four week period of anticipation.  But, I also associate December with the end of the year, with darkness as winter settles in.  But it is also the beginning of winter when we celebrate Winter Solstice on December 21.  And the 21st marks the beginning of longer days.  At the same time, as the card states, "discoveries are just ahead."  Beginnings could mean many different things in December.  Maybe you welcomed a new family member this year, or maybe you started a new job, or you moved, or you got a new pet, or you entered retirement and this is a month of "firsts" for any number of reasons.  Are you looking at December as a period of "beginnings?"  What new discoveries await you this month?

For me, December is also the time to begin baking cookies.  So in the sense of beginnings, yesterday was the beginning of Christmas cookie baking.  Yesterday's batch, a vegan cookie first made two years ago for a special friend. It has become my favorite Christmas cookie to bake because it is moist, chewy, and delicious with a hint of peppermint.  Recipe below the photo.

I hope your December provides some happy "beginnings" for you and you have many happy discoveries ahead.

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

2½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup dutch-process cocoa powder

2 cups sugar

½ cup vegetable oil

¾ cup applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 tablespoon peppermint candies, crushed (optional)

sugar coating

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup powdered sugar

Directions

In a small bowl combine flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

In a medium bowl or stand up mixer stir together cocoa powder, sugar, applesauce, oil, extracts, and peppermint candies (if using) until well blended. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the granulated and powdered sugars in two separate bowls.

Remove chilled dough and roll into balls about one tablespoon each. Toss first in the granulated and then second in the powdered sugar, coating fully.

Bake for 12-13 minutes (cookies should be slightly underbaked). Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before transferring onto a wire rack to cool completely.

December is a time for memories

We had a light dusting of snow overnight and walking Ella this morning it was quiet and with the winter light a good time to just let my mind wander and reflect.  Lots of memories come to mind in December.  As I unwrap ornaments to hang on the tree, I remember most of the stories behind the ornaments. A few years ago I downsized the size of my Christmas tree, so I separated my ornaments into those that were mine and I had memories for and fit on the smaller tree, versus those that I had acquired, but came with my Mother and weren't really my ornaments.  Some were familiar from my childhood, but many were not.  So I labeled the boxes and one box contained all the ornaments that fit on my smaller tree and I wanted to keep. The other box was for ornaments I no longer hung.   I was unpacking Christmas decorations in stages this year and even though I carefully mark boxes with what each contains, I couldn't find one particular decoration.  This decoration always hangs on my light fixture over my dining room table.  The memory it holds is that it came from my two sister-in-laws, Bev and Susie.  We lost Susie some time ago in December.  But every time I hang the decoration she gave me, I remember my last interaction with her.  We were setting up her new Kindle at my dining room table and she was so happy.  It still is a very happy memory.  

I did a lot more sorting and separating into "keep" and "discard" boxes this year in my search for the missing decoration.    I had a conversation last month with Mary, who cuts my hair, and she let me know that she was putting up her first Christmas tree as she had moved into a larger apartment.  However, she didn't have any ornaments.  I told her I could help solve that problem as I had too many and would gladly like to see them go to a new home.  So yesterday I took a box of ornaments, all in good condition, to Mary at work and what made me even happier was that she told me she had been looking forward to receiving them.  I hope they will now be the basis for her own happy memories as she decorates her tree this year and for years to come.  

As for the missing decoration, I found it in the last box I opened.  It always brings a smile and it is now right where it belongs over the dining room table.  Ready to greet my next guests during this holiday month.  As you prepare for the holidays, may you unwrap some happy memories of your own that bring you joy.