Christmastime is full of traditions, some religious and some passed down through families and tied to our heritage. I ran into one of these traditions in Northeast Pennsylvania several years ago: Welsh Cookies.
Originally, Welsh cookies were created as a snack for the miners of Wales, where some of my family are from. Wales provided a great deal of coal for the British fleet in the 19th and 20th century. As families migrated to the coal mines of Pennsylvania, the cookie tradition came with them. Basically they are a cross between a cookie and a pancake.
Around Christmastime, the cookies remind the generations of the past. They are huge fundraisers for small churches with a Welsh heritage. People gather in family groups and talk about the faith and sacrifices of the generations past. They show pictures, laugh and love on one another… and eat a ton of cookies!
The cookies are an intentional way to gather and share faith. Maybe a challenge we can all accept this Christmas is to reflect upon our faith story. What were we like before we accepted Christ? When was that catalytic moment when we realized Jesus died for us? How has our life been different since following Him? Then share with our families around the table with our favorite cookies!
“.…if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT)
Your faith story matters.
Submitted by Rev. Dr. Kevin Walden
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,Father God, thank you for my family. Thank you for the traditions that have been passed down. Help me to use those traditions to find a way to tell my faith story with my family and friends. I ask in Jesus’ holy name, amen.
Welsh Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup of boiled then soaked raisins that have been pressed for 24 hours
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons nutmeg
2 cups sugar
½ cup shortening
1 cup milk
Directions:
Mix all ingredients by hand and then roll out and cut with biscuit or cookie cutter.
Heat on a griddle or hot plate at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until light brown on both sides.