Advent messages and stories from around the world
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Christmas Eggnog
John 3:16
One of my favorite drinks at a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner is eggnog. Eggnog is made in various ways, sometimes with alcohol, but today most eggnog is purchased alcohol-free.
Eggnog has its beginning in Europe. As early as the 13th century, medieval monks in Britain were known to drink “posset,” a warm ale- punch with eggs and figs. In later years brandy was added to a milk and egg mixture, consumed chiefly by the aristocracy of Europe.
Early American eggnog consisted of milk, or cream, eggs, sugar, and some form of distilled alcohol. It seems like an odd combination, doesn’t it? But you have to consider that through the 19th and early part of the 20th century, our nation was a nation of farmers, and items like milk, eggs, sugar, and distilled alcohol were in abundance.
Today, most people purchase their eggnog at the supermarket during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. As I said earlier, most of it is alcohol-free, but many stores carry it with brandy or rum.
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Did you notice the word I described for the amount of milk, eggs, sugar, and distilled alcohol available amongst the farming community during the 19th and early 20th centuries? I used the word “abundance.”
Of those four items I mentioned, I can think of at least two of them that have not been in abundance until recently over the last 18 months. Milk and eggs. From the moment the pandemic was taken seriously in February/March of 2020, we (as well as the people of the world) went from being a country of abundance to one of looking for and wanting many things.
For months we saw empty paper aisles at the grocery store. Canned goods became scarce, cleaning products, even certain fresh produce, and meats became scarce. Of course, we could point fingers at people and companies, but that accomplishes nothing. Suffice it to say, for about 16-18 months, we were no longer a nation of abundance.
One thing that remained in abundance and always does was and is God’s love for us. God created our world with an abundant amount of food for Adam and Eve. But, unfortunately, that abundance was lost due to sin.
But God never stopped loving us, and he never will. His love is abundant. It is unending. God’s love culminated when He sent His Son, Jesus. He lived with us and taught us about the kingdom of heaven. Then, Jesus died for us on a cross and rose from the dead, so we would know incomprehensible abundance once again one day.
Because of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, He overcame death and sin for you and me.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Now one day, we will once again live in abundance with our creator. But, until that day comes, enjoy the eggnog; the shelves are packed this time of year. Amen.
Dear Lord. Thank you for all that you do for us. Help us to lead lives of faith, serving you and others.
We look forward to the day when we will be reunited with you in paradise and enjoy your abundant love in person forever. Amen.
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