There are so many Christmas traditions that connect us to our past. Many of my family traditions have been discarded or omitted this year, literally. While cleaning and purging the garage this summer, I gave away my nativity set and several bins of decorations, lights and ornaments. They just didn’t seem important anymore. Those traditions would never be the same. My family would never be the same.
But, one tradition I will never give up is my Christmas cookie baking marathon. I may not bake the hundreds and hundreds of cookies as in previous years, but I’ll be baking. Another sentimental tradition is taking a big batch of cookies to my local fire station. I’ve been doing this for over a dozen years and I don’t plan on stopping now.
So, after Mass, I stopped to take a picture of the nativity scene out on the lawn outside of church. If I didn’t have my own, I could look at the photo. That would have to do.
Then, I went to the grocery store to buy fresh eggs, butter, flour and all the other ingredients for my baking marathon. My pristine kitchen would soon become a big gloppy mess. I’m tired of trying to keep the house meticulously clean in case a realtor called for a showing. I had flour flying and goo gliding along every surface. It was invigorating.
Before.
After.
I made a huge double batch of chocolate chip and peanut butter cookie dough. I put the two big bowls of batter in the fridge so I can bake them tomorrow afternoon. This way I can take nice warm cookies to the lucky recipients. “Nothin’ says lovin’ like something from the oven.”
This is the reflection of MY values, desires, affections, traditions. Merry Christmas!
Toni Andrukaitis 
Leave a Reply