A Sacred Practice For Christmas Eve
(Recipes Inside Too!)
Oh how I love the holiday’s… all of the lights, decorations and festivities!
I was raised Catholic, so Christmas Eve and Christmas is (and always will be) lovingly nestled in my heart as two of my most favorite days of the year.
I know with every fiber of my being that all paths lead to one, so I CELEBRATE EVERYTHING (especially if there’s gifts involved LOL)!
I have a simple, sacred practice that I’d like to share with you. Sacred practices help to amplify your experience as they bring you into the present moment…
A Sacred Practice For Christmas Eve
Gather candles of all shapes and sizes (I use holiday colors like dark green and burgundy/red and OODLES of white candles), place them in fire proof containers, surround them with candy canes and branches from fir, pine, holly and cedar trees, and adorn your tables with fruits of the season like apples, oranges, pomanders and pomegranates, pine cones and cinnamon sticks.
Then gather together with loved ones and light all the candles. You can play music, be in silence, or eat together during this time. But everyone should be in the space together, by candlelight… candles make everything feel more magical. You can exchange gifts, chit chat, play a game or just be. The activity is unimportant, your presence is the real gift.
I make a super- simple Mulled Wine and Cider at every gathering I host during the holidays for the children and those who do not drink alcohol. Place 1 gallon of wine and apple cider in a dutch oven, simmer with orange peel, cloves, cinnamon sticks, cardamom seed pods, and star anise on low for 30 minutes (your house will smell magical by the way!). Then strain and serve in glass mugs with a cinnamon stick to stir.
For those who want to activate their inner Martha Stewart, I also have a wonderful Spiced Wassail recipe, which is a traditional winter beverage that you can make with or without alcohol that I’d like to share with you. It contains lovely, aromatic spices and is a perfect choice for the winter holiday season. I make it with alcohol (I’m sure your NOT surprised…), but if you prefer going alcohol-free, simply substitute the wine for apple cider and don’t add the brandy. It’s absolutely delicious both ways.
The origins of Wassail comes from way back, when people went wassailing from door to door, singing and drinking to the health of their neighbors. They would pour wine and cider on the ground to encourage fertility in the crops. Some say that over time wassailing became the modern day tradition of Christmas caroling!
Spiced Wassail
Ingredients:
One bottle of red wine (suggestions: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot or a Spanish red)
1 small apple, washed and sliced
1/2 lemon, washed and sliced
1 orange studded with whole cloves (optional but lovely) or 1/2 orange, washed and sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 small apple, washed and sliced
1/2 lemon, washed and sliced
1 orange studded with whole cloves (optional but lovely) or 1/2 orange, washed and sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp ground cloves (if you are using an orange studded with cloves, omit ground cloves)
3 cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup brandy
1/2 cup water
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in either a large pot or a slow cooker.
- Gently warm the ingredients on low to medium heat (avoid boiling), for up to four hours, stirring occasionally.
- When the wine is steaming and the ingredients have blended well it is ready to serve.
- Ladle into mugs and enjoy!
I hope that you enjoy partaking in this sacred practice of presence … wishing you and your family a blessed and magical Christmastide!
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Yes, I have to have the candles! Thanks for sharing some energetic tips to make the holiday more special!
You are most welcome Kellie! Candles … yup… and lots of them too! 😉
Love the idea of the candles. The recipe for wassail sounds lovely as well.
The wassail is wonderful Lilia, I hope you give it a try!
Thanks for the Wassail recipe. It is wonderful!