Dianne and Pastor Larry Orth
Even as our kids left home, they’ve tried to gather at our house over Christmas so we can all be together, including the presence of our local grandparents and auntie. Grandpa reads Luke 2 and we read a story, The Last Straw, about a camel named Hoshmikaka who carried gifts to Jesus. Evenings together have transitioned from watching Its A Wonderful Life to playing board games once the “littles”have gone to bed.
Ann and Pastor Brian Martin
I have many memories as a child of admiring the wooden Christmas ornaments on my grandparents‘ tree. In fact, I’ve wondered if that is part of the reason behind my love of wooden toys, even now.
Each year our family all works together to take what is left of those same ornaments and put them on our freshly cut tree. Some are broken and used anyway, and many still make us laugh each year at their randomness. Why is there a pilgrim ornament included? It always makes me grateful, though, to think of my grandma – especially as we do this with our kids. She was only able to meet two of our five kids before passing away, but I think of her often as we navigate our family dynamics. She was a fierce advocate for her people, and I know that example has impacted me greatly. It’s a fun tradition that connects us across generations.
Michele and Pastor Tim
We married in 1989. In 1993, right after the birth of our daughter, we moved to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to plant a new church. For most of the next thirteen Christmases, we traveled back to Minnesota with increasing numbers of children and an occasional pet for the eighteen hour plus delightful journey. We are thankful for those memories, especially the time with Tim’s mom and my parents. Some highlights include candlelight services, Grandma Gloria’s cranberry Christmas cake with warm butter sauce. For Tim, the delightful aroma and nourishment of the Norwegian favorite, lutefisk. In these earlier years there were Christmas carols played by beginning pianists, filling Grandma’s gumdrop Christmas tree, and wrapping paper wars (crumpled paper thrown at unsuspecting targets).
Traditions have changed throughout the years. A favorite now is Christmas morning with just our gang enjoying fresh waffles and bacon, opening a few gifts, and usually arguing about taking another photo. Our oldest daughter and husband live near Sibley Park in Mankato, so we have made a new tradition of making hot cocoa and walking through the beautiful Christmas lights there. They are amazing!
Christmas Cranberry Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 35-40 mins. in 8 inch square pan
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cups flour
- 3 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups cranberries
- SAUCE:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3/4 cup cream
- 1 Tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, and then add vanilla. Mix in separate bowl, salt, flour, and baking powder. Combine sugar mixture with flour mixture and milk alternating until mixed together. Fold in cranberries.
Sauce: Mix sugar, flour, and butter in sauce pan. Heat on medium until bubbling. Add cream and vinegar, then vanilla. Pour over cake when slightly cooled and serving.