I grew up believing Christmas was a time when strange and wonderful things happened. Wise and royal visitors came riding in the lunar light of a special star when God came to earth as the Messiah Child to live among us.
Immanuel, God with us . . . and within us.
There has been a robbery. Stealing away the Christmas of old, with its calm restfulness and holy peace. But, each one of us can hold tight to the sacred that no one can steal away.
The gospel story of the men that came from the East is mystical and short. Scripture doesn’t tell us much about them. But, it does tell us that they knew and believed the word of prophecy, sought out Jesus, and when they found Him they humbled themselves to adore Him. Therefore, they were truly wise men!
The magi brought gifts to the holy house. Treasures of gold, incense and myrrh. What do you bring a King that has everything? I know . . . . Worship.
May we desire to be “wise men!”
I have a small gift (recipe) to bring to your house. I have no idea how this delicious fruitcake got its name, except that it is filled with treasures and makes a great gift!
GIFT OF THE MAGI BREAD
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
1 can mandarin oranges, drained (11 oz can)
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz)
2/3 cup sliced almonds, divided
1/2 cup maraschino cherries
1/2 cup chopped dates
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with bananas. Stir in the oranges, coconut, chocolate chips, 1/2 cup almonds, cherries and dates.
Pour into two greased 8 x4 x 2 in loaf pans or miniature loaf pans. Sprinkle with remaining almonds. Bake at 350* for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Yields: 2 loaves or 4 miniature loaves.
Let us breathe in the scent of the calm and silence of the Christmas of old.
. . . and they fell down and worshipped Him and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts . . . Matthew 2 :11
Verna
The bread sounds yummy, Verna! Sure wish I could make a trip up there and share a piece over coffee!
Thanks for your wonderous words, Verna….and for the recipe. Can you give us a description of its taste?
Hugs,
Jeanne
yes . . . yummy.
Oh, Verna… this…
Let us breathe in the scent of the calm and silence of the Christmas of old.
was beautiful….
Yum!
Thanks for sharing this recipe and your message.
Both are treasures.
Write on.
Thank you, Carolyn!
Oh yes, Verna! I remember the time you gave me a loaf after my visit in Souderton. It was delicious.
My mother made this bread and gave it as Christmas Gifts – I have been making it for 40 years. This is what she said about the name “Gift of the Magi Bread”. A small reason for the name is that some of the ingredients have a Far Eastern origin. The real reason, is that the real gift of the Magi was love…and when we give this bread at Christmas, that’s exactly what it is: A Gift of Love.
Lauralee from Tacoma, WA
Thank you, Lauralee for sharing this comment. I made many this Christmas also as a gift of love!