Christmas in ADVENT??

It was one of those meetings where – if one word was enough, why not use 537? The circle of attenders was enthusiastic and talking at once – over talking each other.  If a mouth was silent for breath, it started again immediately, across the circle to another mouth that was busy talking to a mouth beside it.  The enthusiasm was sky-high.  We were planning a Christmas party (two, in fact) for people who wouldn’t have much Christmas at all.  Finding suitable dates was hard, because calendars were already crammed, leading up to Christmas. 

I ventured a, “all this is happening in Advent.  Why not celebrate Christmas during the 12 days of Christmas, after December 25^th?” 

Frozen shock of horror. Open jaws gaped staring and unmoveable. Wide unblinking eyes.  Lengthening, deepening silence.  Then suddenly, un-orchestrated, blasted a unison “No!” and the babble re-commenced.

Advent – a season in itself that provides new (ahem) “Advent-ure”.  The things we’re missing in Advent are covered up by too many Christmas events, leaving exhaustion before the 12 days of Celebration even begin.  Here is what we could be doing in Advent.

Spiritual

Christian Advent: 3^rd to 24^th December. Celebrates the coming of Christ in three ways: as a physical baby, in the heart of the believer, and anticipates His Second coming.  Prayers, meditation, sacred readings, an Advent wreath representing those who foretold Christ’s arrival, special carols, and special services of worship are there – somewhere – woven among the Christmas parties.

Winter Solstice. Midwinter:  The shortest day, the longest night (northern hemisphere). Occurs this year on December 22^nd at 3.28 a.m.  Celebrated since Neolithic times, now in many cultures across the world.   Time for meditation and self-reflection. Cycle of nature hoping for sun to return. 

Spirited

Advent calendars abound – ranging from day-to-day liqueurs to incessant acknowledgement of the world’s suffering (eg slavery). Some families create their own.  I once saw a whole wall of 25 pockets with mini-gifts and activities. This year I will be using a calendar-gift from a good friend:  a new recipe every day.  In German. 

Christmas Markets.  (wrongly named, of course, because they close before December 25^th ). (Redemption comes from the Germans, who call them Adventsmarkt.) If you’re fortunate enough to live nearby, they are a delightful Advent-ure.  This European-style market is happily leaking into Great Britain.  Wonderful!  Some folk choose a winter holiday in Germany just to be among the mulled wine, the large pretzels, the music, and the amazing tranklements (husband John’s word). 

Decorations.  Ivy, and laurel (from the Romans – signs of victory and a sign of Jesus’ victory over the powers of darkness.)  Lights!  Everywhere!  It gets very dark in our village, and the outside lights even now are beautiful, especially in areas without street lighting. 

Or………you may want to take up some of the customs from Brits of the past.  ( from Curious Country Customs by Jeremy Hobson.)

How about:

Tin Can Band. Midnight, first Sunday after the 12^th of December, you might hear a racket if you’re in Broughton, Northamptonshire, as the Tin Can Band weaves (operative word) its merry way through the streets.  The object is to make as much noise as possible in the dark in order to frighten away evil spirits.  Cans, pots, pans, metal dustbin lids all contribute to the fracas.  In pitch-black winter.

Star-gazey pie. Prepare it with upturned fish heads sticking through the crust in honour of Cornwall’s Tom Bawcock who sailed out in a storm and brought back enough fish to keep the village from starving. (23^rd December).

Tolling of the Devil’s Knell.  Since the 13^th century, Dewsbury Parish Church bell has been tolled every Christmas Eve (once for each year the Devil lost because of the birth of Jesus).  It takes quite awhile to do, ends at midnight.  Refreshing silence for the first moment of Christmas!

Christmas Day Dip. Slip into Christmas day with a brisk dip in the nearest sea, river, or pool.  Living, as we do, on the same latitude as Siberia, with water “never warm at any time of year” this is not meant for the fainthearted, but groups have been doing it all over Britain since the 1800s.

So, happy Advent everyone.  And if you really want to be a renegade, ensure that your cards and letters arrive during the 12 days of Christmas, when friends and family have time to read them in luxurious peace!

Slow Cooker Red Lentils

This is a new one on me.  I’ve never cooked lentils with tomatoes before. Adapted from Slow Cooking,  by Katie Bishop  (https://katiebishop.co.uk) , it seemed so easy that I had to try it: part of the Fix-It-and-Forget-It School of Cookery.  I bought a timer for Christmas lights one year, and it’s great for allowing the slow cooker to turn on and off without my presence. 

This recipe is open to versatility.  Eaten as is for a snack, or bumped up to dinner proportions with yogurt, hard-cooked eggs and naan, or whizzed up with vegetable stock as a hearty soup, or as a side dish when you’re having your slap-bang curry night for friends during the 12 Days of Christmas….and please celebrate all twelve days.

Saute a chopped onion and a clove of garlic in oil.  As it is gently chuckling away, throw into a slow cooker pot: 2 tins (cans) of chopped tomatoes, 250g (9 ozs, 1 ¼ cups) rinsed dried red lentils, 500 ml (18 fl ozs, 2 ¼ cups) vegetable stock, salt, 2 tablespoons curry paste * and the chopped onion and garlic, once softened. Cook on low for 6 hours.  You might want to add a bit of boiling water, because mine thickened enthusiastically.

*As usual, this will taste better the day after you make it.  It will be as spicy as the curry paste you choose.  Mine was Korahi and it was tasty but not at all hot-spicy.  

Optional topping or Tarka.  Saute ½ chopped onion, a chopped garlic clove, about ½ inch of peeled chopped fresh ginger, and a chopped seeded chilli pepper (or a pinch of dried crushed chillies). Sprinkle on when serving.