You know how it guh- Christmas is propa Cris’mmmUs when you have sorrel and songs, laughter and lights, gifts and pure delight, fluffy poinsettias and euphorbia leucocephalas! Nuh True? Christmas is that one time of year your epicurean palette comes to life for days on end. Even when you are mindful, you find yourself orbiting the galaxy of delectable treats of this and that here and there.
Yes, this Christmas was propa fe me, fe true! Plus, it was my birthday! 2022 gave me a new problem. You see, people take it for granted that just because I am a December baby I want the Christmas cake too. Yes, the same people have the audacity to think that they should give us December-borns one deggeh-deggeh[1] tinsel wrapped present for both Christmas and birthday. Yup! I don’t pay them much mind because dem same ones are overly-sensitive if we don’t call them on their birthdate to sing and dance. Tsk! Tsk! Bah-humbug!
Anyway, back to the real birthday problem I had this year. Over the years I would order my own cake. Last year, for the first time, I realised the reason my cake tends to be a hit and miss is many “bespoke” bakers shift to making Christmas cakes and puddings. Their tools, ingredients and mindset transform to take on the demands of the season.
As a result, I decided to have a cake-less birthday this year. Well, uhm, that’s until I happened to see the delesh-lovely photo of a golden rum cake. At that time, I changed my mind. I changed it so till I decided to try my hand at baking one. I gathered recipes and even bought a bundt tin and cake mixer. Long story short, it still no bake yet!
Then, yesterday, something surprising happened. You see, my mother-in-love, Inez Elizabeth, celebrates her birthday in December too. Our family wanted to spend the day with her. As it turned out we went to Lavender Moon - the boutique hill-top oasis for discerning guests.
The experience was extremely special. Everyone there was so kind. The scenery is breath-taking, serene, "Christmas breezy" yet cosy. Later, we had a Christmas feast for lunch. Yup! Propa Christmas food like sorrel, sweet potato balls, curry, gungo peas and rice infused with lavender, refreshing green salad, and other delicious, eye-catching delights.
Make me tell you! — no matter how me pace meself, I still returned to the buffet to taste the other thing I hadn’t taken, or, to replenish my fave. And, seeing that I prefer savoury foods I ended by rolling my sweet potato ball in curry gravy. After that, I asked for ginger or mint tea to seal the deal.
Now, this is where things took a turn. As I waited for my tea, I palaaved[2]. The Christmas cake was served, and I declined. After all, my belly more readily resembled Santa Claus’ own. Moreover, I didn’t want to lose the flavours that were still doing the jive on my tongue.
So, you can well imagine, how curious I became as family members began to comment about the cake. My resistance whittled down as each person encouraged me to try it. I relented and just took a bite. Just one bite and then there were fireworks!
My sister-in-love and I commented on how springy and tasty it was. How it sort of melts in your mouth. It’s not overpowering in flavour but it makes you want to have more and then a little bit more.
I nibbled in order to discern the ingredients that made this unique! Finally—Eureka! It was chocolate! hahahaha-chocolate! Chocolate in this Christmas cake. Me seh! I laughed so till! I laughed when I realised the baker was right there with us, and that she and her grandson were willing to share a wee bit of their expertise. I laughed because chocolate was a part of the secret sauce. I laughed because this truly was a moment on the moon for me! Imagine— I finally found my own Christmas-Birthday cake!
Grandma J enthusiastically shared her rich expertise. I was amazed at the skill, the timing and technique involved in folding the batter just right, baking it, then taking it out of the oven and the tin and storing it before serving.
Aaaiii sah! Suppose I had not tried it at all? Suppose I didn't take the time to discover more?
Well me fren’, the story doesn’t end there. Later that evening, I journalled and tried to schedule my week as well as plan for the new year. Like you, I want to make sure I cast the right vision. I want to set up the right systems. I want to make the right investments. I want to nurture the right relationships. There are so many choices, so many unknowns and so many dynamics. Sometimes it is dizzy-ing, no true?
I felt full. So full of ideas and full of gratitude and full of food! Just before landing in bed, I scanned a bookshelf as I waited for my herbal tea to cool. I selected a booklet by Henri J. M. Nouwen entitled In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership.
It intrigued me to see what a priest from the 1950s would have had to say to leaders facing the millennium and beyond. Would he have anything to say that is still relevant to us today?
Like the tea, the book is small, refreshing and light. Yet, there is an intensity that seeps in. The thing that resonated most with me was at the very beginning of chapter 1. Just below the picture, and just before the subtitle- “The Temptation: To Be Relevant” there is a verse. A very familiar verse. “One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
It is piquant! You know what I mean? Consider what Christmas would be if all we ate was bread. Just bread. Who would have been satisfied with that? No one.
Also consider the fact that we spend so much time drinking and grazing and feasting. In my case, my gourmet, home-cooked, soul food only came to a satisfying close when I ate that unique Christmas Cake alongside the Ginger Tea. It’s the flavour that leaves imprints, you know what I mean?
Similarly, I realised fully that all my plans, hopes and dreams would only be fulfilling if it marinated in God’s Word. Like, if I literally sought to listen to His ideas and purpose and plans. Like, if I truly desired to infuse them into mine own till only the discerning could tell that there is chocolate in the mix too.
So many persons provide rich, dark, moist fruit cake. But only one person provides the one that is offered at Lavender Moon[3]. You and I have to go there to experience it. And, even then, you have to put it in your mouth to taste it.
Similarly, I need to approach our loving Heavenly Father. Did you notice that it says the mouth of God? I figure that means you have to get up close and personal like you would with your friend or favorite relative. I should have audience with him to ensure that my success is as He ordained.
Like Grandma J, He is the real deal baker. Moreover, being in the kitchen with the baker will ensure the cake turns out better than if I do it on my own. So, allow me to paraphrase Job 23:10 by saying, I am happy that He knows the heat in the kitchen; He knows what I wish to bake and, He desires that my cake comes out just right!
May I encourage you to do the same. Yes, 2023 approaches. It has its own troubles and triumphs. There will be new beginnings and endings. There are obstacles, temptations, opportunities, and decisions waiting. As we move ahead let’s be intentional about having God’s word mixed just right into our batter.
Have a boonoonunnus Cris'mus [4] me fren'. Till we meet again, walk good!
[1] deggeh-deggeh means just one and only one [2] palaav – to leisurely or idly chit-chat. [3] No part of this blog was written in agreement with Lavender Moon Villas, Breadnut Hill, or Henri Nouwen Society to earn from it. There is no sponsorship or affiliate link.
[4] boonoonunnus Cris'mus means an extra special Christmas filled with love, peace and joy
I enjoyed all of what you ate. Thank Jesus He is the Bread of life. Blessings for the season and may He be our guide for the new year and beyond😍