ADVENT ALPHABET Conclusion

 W = WASSAILING

I for one always wondered exactly what this word meant --- is it a water sport? a beauty treatment?

It has two meanings --- the most common is caroling. I feel safe to express that the majority of us at one time or another have gathered with a group of folks and strolled the neighborhood singing in front of people's homes. It's generally a good time and for a good cause.

 I am not one blessed with the gift of song; as I often say my job is to sing harmony, which by definition is any note one's neighbor isn't singing and trust me there are not many persons who even come close to my tonal expressions.   Apparently, in merry Ol' England when folks went wassailing they at times went to the orchards and sung to the apple trees hoping to influence a sweet crop for grand beverages. Which leads to the second meaning, a reference to a hot mulled cider beverage.  

There you have it, the next time you're invited to go caroling make a stop at the local apple orchard and sing to the trees....it may help to have some mulled cider prior to this event.

X = XERUS        

Betcha' were't expecting that, were you????  As I'm sure you know a xerus is a ground squirrel and I'm confident there were a couple of 'em at the manger in Bethlehem.  In fact legend has it the xerus at the manger are why we have the tradition of cracking and eating nuts during the Christmas season...

Y =    Yule log. 

How many of you at least once during this holiday season (and you may yet utter it) when faced with a plate of cookies or a pie or an adult beverage or a cheese and butter laden holiday feast, said, "Ahhh, what they heck, it's Christmas......"  

Food and treats are central to our celebrations.  I'm one who likes to say that I have friends in food places and part of belonging to a local community is to visit, support and get to know the local eateries and establishments. Trust me, these are good places to know.  

I'm a fan of good, local bakeries that have been around for at least a couple decades. On the North Side of Pittsburgh and one of my all-time favorites is THE PRIORY, so named because a Benedictine monastery once was housed there.  The tag line at THE PRIORY bakery is "Thou Shalt." How can one not love and frequent a place like that!!!! 

Along with beignets on Fat Tuesday (if they know you they'll make them fresh and hot just for you), amazing pies, damn fine doughnuts and a wide cookie selection, they also make Yule logs for Christmas.  Of course, there is the icing and the cake and it's all rolled together...yet, the darn thing is quite aesthetically pleasing....right down to the icing-made mushrooms the dessert is a work of art.   

Z = ZOOM

These holiday seasons have been rough for many.  We are not able to wander aimlessly in a book store or a toy store looking for some great gifts, we don't have the holiday parties and we are not with our families in all those old familiar ways that we'll never again take for granted. Yet, the wonders of technology through ZOOM have made it possible to meet and see each other, do studies and even game nights.  To ponder that this is possible and we've managed to grow somewhat at ease with it is amazing.  

We will journey through this and we will again be together in all those familiar ways...it can't come soon enough.....