This week we are considering Hope.
Good morning! Have you had your breakfast yet? Most people are hungry in the morning, after all, they have fasted throughout the night while they slept. What happens when mankind has gone through a period of darkness, without the Bread of Life? Perhaps a breakfast should be prepared, the good hearty kind.
14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
In the midst of the darkness of history, the Bread of life was given to mankind and we celebrate the arrival of this feast of light at Christmas. While we wait for the Christmas feast to arrive let’s strive to fast from those things which grieve God.
Isaiah 58:6
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
During this time we can lighten anothers load, giving kindness, having patience, being generous, we can attempt to break the yokes of hardship and rejection from our fellow man.
Advent is a time to fast, but we usually overeat during this season, we start feasting on Thanksgiving Day and take it right through New Years. We usually think of ourselves. Maybe we could cut back a little of that this year, and share a little more with those not as fortunate.
Every day we have a small fast when we stop our day to get the much needed sleep that our body needs, and then when dawn breaks, or sometime thereafter, we have a meal to break that fasting time. There are many such cycles that are part of how we live. Today think of how God breaks the fast of darkness with you and sets a table of plenty before you. Sustenance for the day, while we yet have day to work.
Breakfast is the favorite meal of the day for many people, while some just skip it while they rush off to start their day. I think they are missing something important.
During your devotional time consider
The Candle of Hope
Candle of Prophecy
Future Feast
Jesse Tree PDF – Bread of Life for first Wednesday.
Plan on making a nice breakfast for your family, here are some recipes to make it special.
What is your favorite breakfast food? We love “French toast” here.
Try this recipe:Grand Marnier French Toast
Ingredients:
8 tbsps butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsps corn syrup
1 large loaf of Challah bread
5 large eggs
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tbsp Grand Marnier
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Melt butter with the brown sugar and corn syrup over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Pour into a 13X9 pyrex. Cut bread into thick slices, and lay them in a single layer in brown sugar mixture (you need to squeeze them in!).
Whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla, Grand Marnier, cinnamon, and salt. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, bring the bread mixture back to room temp. Bake at 350º, uncovered until it puffs a bit and is a golden brown, about 35 minutes.
““““““““`mini quiches““““““““““
from Delish.com
Ingredients:
* 8 ounce(s) turkey breakfast sausage , removed from casing and crumbled into small pieces
* 1 teaspoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil
* 8 ounce(s) mushrooms, sliced
* 1/4 cup(s) sliced scallions
* 1/4 cup(s) shredded Swiss cheese
* 1 teaspoon(s) freshly ground pepper
* 5 eggs
* 3 egg whites
* 1 cup(s) 1% milk
Directions
1. Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 325°F. Coat a nonstick muffin tin generously with cooking spray.
2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool. Add oil to the pan. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to the bowl with the sausage. Let cool for 5 minutes. Stir in scallions, cheese, and pepper.
3. Whisk eggs, egg whites, and milk in a medium bowl. Divide the egg mixture evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle a heaping tablespoon of the sausage mixture into each cup.
4. Bake until the tops are just beginning to brown, 25 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Place a rack on top of the pan, flip it over and turn the quiches out onto the rack. Turn upright and let cool completely.
*Irish Breakfast by JaredFrazer