It’s here . . . Awaiting the Christ Child is officially available at Amazon! We’ve been using this Advent devotional for years at our house, but this edition has been edited, expanded, formatted, and jacketed in a beautiful watercolor cover painted by Fletcher.
Advent is the perfect season to gather around the table and cozy up with cookies, hot cocoa, and a few good stories. It’s a time filled with eager anticipation and warm carols. On long, dark nights, we warm ourselves by the fire of eternal hope.
Wintry December has an “Old Testament-y” feel—which is why it’s the perfect time of year to march through salvation history. The saints of old spent centuries in the winter of sin and death clinging to a promising glimmer in the Christmas sky. We can join them—one story at a time.
This devotional captures the momentum of the season through twenty-five short narratives. As we rehearse the ups and downs of Old Testament history together, our stories will snowball toward Christmas. We will see how each figure reminds us of God’s promise and each story finds its fulfillment in the arrival of the Christ Child.
I originally wrote this book as a gift to my kids many Christmases ago. These stories have been a blessing to our table for years. May they enrich your Advent season as you share them with family, friends, roommates, and small groups—or simply enjoy them on your own.
GLUTEN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE BREAKFAST AREPAS
I bake for my students on Math test days. It’s kind of a reverse psychology thing, where they actually look forward to test days because of the surprise of what goodie they are going to get. Also, half my kids show up to school without eating breakfast, and math on an empty stomach is no good.
The challenge this semester has been my Pre-Cal class, which has several dietary restrictions that make baking nigh impossible (no gluten, no dairy!).
I got creative this morning and made breakfast arepas, substituting apple pie filling for the normal cheese we do at home. They were great! Reminded me of old school McDonald’s Apple Pies.
If you live in a gluten-free home, chances are you already do a lot of Mexican—and maybe already have a tortilla press? If so, give these a shot.
Ingredients
Masa flour
salt
1/2 c + 2 tbsp sugar, separated
1/2 tsp + 1/2 tsp cinnamon, separated
3 apples, chopped into small pieces
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cornstarch
frying oil
Make it!
Make the masa using the label on the bag for tortillas—adding 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 2 tbsp sugar to the mix.
Meanwhile, fry the chopped apples in bacon fat or other frying oil with 1/2 c sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp nutmeg. When the apples are soft, sprinkle in 1/2 tsp cornstarch to thicken, then set aside.
Use a tortilla press (or your hand) to flatten walnut-sized balls of masa into slightly thick 2-3 inch diameter circles.
Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each masa circle, then cover with a second (like making ravioli). Use a circular biscuit cutter to cut and press the edges together. Scrap masa can just be tossed back into the bowl.
Heat a griddle and grease heavily with bacon fat or oil. Fry each arepa until dark brown spots form on each side.
Cover generously with powdered sugar and serve warm!