Introduction to the Church Year
An Introduction to the Church Year
If you’re new to the Lutheran tradition—or to any church that follows the historic liturgical year—you might wonder why the calendar feels so different from the one hanging on your wall at home.
The Church Year is not just a schedule, it’s a story. And even more—it’s your story in Christ.
Instead of structuring our spiritual lives around deadlines, sports seasons, school calendars, or holidays created by marketing teams, the Church Year invites us to structure our lives around the life of Jesus. Every season helps us remember, celebrate, and enter more deeply into what Christ has done for us and what He is doing in us.
It’s a way of saying, week after week: “My life is hidden with Christ.” (Col. 3:3)
Let’s walk through these seasons together.
Advent — Anticipating the Coming Christ
Advent is the beginning of the Church Year—a season of waiting, longing, and expectation. It stands in quiet contrast to the frenzy of December. Here we slow down and learn to pray: “Come, Lord Jesus.”
We remember His first coming in Bethlehem.
We recognize His coming to us now through His Word and Sacraments.
We anticipate His final coming to make all things new.
Advent trains our hearts in holy longing—teaching us to desire Christ above all.
Christmas — Celebrating God Coming in the Flesh
At Christmas, the waiting gives way to wonder. For twelve days, the Church celebrates what Christians call the Incarnation—God taking on human flesh. Not a myth. Not a metaphor. God actually came among us. Christmas tells us that God is not distant, but near. Not abstract or cold, but embodied and compassionate.
This season invites us to marvel at the humility, tenderness, and glory of Jesus—God with us.
Epiphany — Christ Revealed as Savior of the World
After Christmas comes Epiphany, a season of light. The word epiphany means “revelation,” and this season focuses on moments when Jesus’s identity shines clearly—His baptism, His miracles, His teaching, His call to the nations.
If Christmas tells us who He is, Epiphany shows us what He came to do: bring salvation to the whole world. It’s a season that expands our vision and enlarges our love.
Lent — Preparing for Holy Week
Lent is a season of repentance, reflection, and returning to the Lord. It’s not about earning God’s favor—Christ already won that for us. Lent simply helps us see how much we need Him and invite the Spirit to cleanse our hearts from the sin and distractions that keep us at arms distance. During these forty days, we echo the ancient prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”
This season trains us in humility, honesty, and hope as we prepare for the central story of our faith.
Holy Week — The Heart of the Christian Story
Holy Week brings us to the center of it all.
Palm Sunday — Jesus enters Jerusalem as King.
Maundy Thursday — He gives us His body and blood in the Supper.
Good Friday — He dies for the sins of the world.
Holy Saturday — He rests in the tomb.
Easter Sunday — He rises in victory.
This is the week that changed the world—and changes us. Holy Week invites us into the depth of Christ’s love, the weight of His sacrifice, and the joy of His resurrection.
Pentecost — The Spirit Sends Us Into the World
Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate Pentecost—the moment when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and the Church was filled with power.
Pentecost reminds us that:
The Christian life is Spirit-enabled.
The Church has the glorious tasks of sharing Jesus with the world.
Christ continues His work through us.
What begins at Pentecost continues today in every congregation—including ours—as the Spirit forms Christ in us and sends us out as His witnesses.
Why the Church Year Matters
For many who are new to this tradition, the Church Year becomes one of the most meaningful discoveries of their Christian life. It gives:
Beauty
Each season paints a different facet of the gospel—light, joy, repentance, hope, victory.
Stability
In a chaotic world, you’re rooted in something older, deeper, and steadier than culture’s constant changes.
Formation
The Church Year shapes your heart over time, teaching you to live your days in step with Christ.
Joy
You don’t just learn about Jesus—you journey with Him.
Walking through the Church Year is like walking through the gospel again and again until it becomes part of you.
Your Invitation to Enter the Church Year
The Church Year isn’t just an idea or a history lesson—it’s a lived journey of formation, worship, and joy. It’s a way of letting the life of Christ shape the rhythm of your life… week by week, season by season, promise by promise.
And you’re invited to step into it with us.
At Trinity San Antonio, we walk this sacred path together—waiting in Advent, rejoicing at Christmas, beholding Christ in Epiphany, slowing down in Lent, standing in awe during Holy Week, and living in the Spirit’s power throughout Pentecost. Every Sunday is a doorway deeper into the story of Jesus and into the life God is forming in us.
If you’re longing for a church family, curious about historic Christian worship, or simply ready for something deeper and more rooted—come join us.
Visit us this Sunday at 10:30am and begin the journey. We’d love to walk it with you.
~ Pastor Matthew Ballmann
The Two Comings of Christ - Cyril of Jerusalem
We preach not one advent only of Christ, but a second also, far more glorious than the former. For the former gave a view of His patience; but the latter brings with it the crown of a divine kingdom. For all things, for the most part, are twofold in our Lord Jesus Christ…. In His former advent, He was wrapped in swaddling clothes in the manger; in His second, He covers Himself with light as with a garment. In His first coming, He endured the Cross, despising shame (Hebrews 12:2); in His second, He comes attended by a host of Angels, receiving glory. We rest not then upon His first advent only, but look also for His second. And as at His first coming we said, Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord , so will we repeat the same at His second coming; that when with Angels we meet our Master, we may worship Him and say, Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord. The Savior comes, not to be judged again, but to judge them who judged Him; He who before held His peace when judged , shall remind the transgressors who did those daring deeds at the Cross, and shall say, These things have you done, and I kept silence. Then, He came because of a divine dispensation, teaching men with persuasion; but this time they will of necessity have Him for their King, even though they wish it not.
Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecture 15
What is an Advent Wreath?
What is an Advent Wreath?
Many churches and families prominently display an evergreen wreath with four candles throughout the Advent Season.
It is traditionally made of some type or mixture of evergreens (fir, spruce, juniper, holly, etc.), symbolizing the continuation of life in the middle of the cold and dark winter (in the northerly latitudes, at least).
Advent wreaths traditionally include three purple/blue candles and one pink/rose-colored candle, which are arranged evenly around the wreath.
Only one candle is lit during the first week, two in the second week, three (the pink one) in the third week, and all four during the fourth week of Advent; the gradually increasing light symbolizes the approach of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, the light of the world.
Since the rose candle is not lit until the Third Sunday of Advent, it is best to start on the First Sunday of Advent lighting the purple candle located directly opposite the pink one, and then to continue clockwise around the wreath in the following weeks. Thus, one could go in the following orders: 1-right, 2-front, 3-left (rose), 4-back; or 1-front right, 2-front left, 3-back left (rose), and 4-back right.
Families can gather around the wreath daily for some brief Advent prayers and readings, especially at the time of the evening meal, lighting the appropriate number of candles for each week.
Many Christians assign specific symbolism to each of the candles:
1) The Prophet's Candle, symbolizing Hope;
2) The Bethlehem Candle, symbolizing Faith;
3) The Shepherd's Candle, symbolizing Joy;
4) The Angel's Candle, symbolizing Peace.
Most churches and families add a fifth candle (white) in the middle of the wreath for Christmas Eve or Day; others continue using the same wreath throughout the Christmas Season, replacing the colored Advent candles with fresh candles that are white or gold, symbolizing the arrival of Christ, the light of the world.
In many churches, a large wreath is blessed at the beginning of the first liturgy on the First Sunday of Advent. Families can also use a smaller Advent wreath in their homes, which they themselves can bless using the following adoption from the Sunday blessing:
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
Beloved in the Lord, as we begin the season of Advent, let this wreath remind us that Jesus Christ came to conquer the darkness of sin and to lead us into the light of His glorious kingdom. As the prophet Isaiah says, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.” Isa 9:2
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, the true light who comes into the world to enlighten all people, bless us as we light the candles of this wreath in preparation for Your coming, and enkindle in our hearts the fire of Your love that we may receive You with joy and gladness and evermore remain steadfast in the faith; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Lutheran Service Book)
More more Advent traditions, check out this blog post.
The Season of Advent
The following is reposted from: https://sjvlaydivision.org/advent-readings/
It’s a magical, stressful, too-short, too-long time: the nine months of pregnancy. Especially the first time—because despite all the Google searches and advice from friends, no one really knows what to expect. A mystery is unfolding, bringing changes you never thought possible. And the questions filling the dark of night are not about the baby bump but about the possibilities and uncertainties, joys and heartaches this child will bring. And you pray you’re up for the challenge.
As we prepare to enter the season of Advent, that same sense of longing and waiting captures the hearts of the faithful. What does the Incarnation mean and how does it relate to the Second Coming? Why don’t we just jump into Christmas like the secular world? What possibilities and uncertainties, joys and heartaches are unfolding in our lives? Are we ready for the Savior?
A brief history of Advent
The word Advent comes from the Latin ad venio, which means “to come.” The earliest mention of Advent in Church documents comes at the Synod of Saragossa in 380. The synod members prescribed that no one should be absent from church from December 17 until Epiphany. Pope St. Gelasius (d. 496) provided Advent liturgies for five Sundays. The Synod of Macon, Gaul in 581 prescribed that from November 17 until the Feast of the Nativity the faithful were to fast on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Pope St. Gregory the Great (d. 604) composed prayers and antiphons, selected readings, and composed responses for Advent.
Evidence of the Advent season is found in Rome in the 6th century as a preparation for Christmas, but with a less penitential emphasis. Since the 10th century the Church in the West has marked Advent as the beginning of the ecclesiastical year. Pope St. Gregory VII (1073–1085) set Advent at four Sundays. Towards the end of the 13th century, violet, a color of penitence, came into widespread use as the liturgical color for Advent.
Advent today
Today, the Church has a clear definition of how Advent is to be celebrated: “Advent has a two-fold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ’s second coming at the end of time. Advent is thus a period of devout and joyful expectation” (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar, 39).
This two-fold character is best expressed in the Scripture readings chosen for Advent. No matter which Lectionary cycle we’re in (Year A, B or C; this Advent starts us in cycle A), the Gospel theme for each Sunday of Advent remains the same.
The First Sunday of Advent centers on the Lord’s coming at the end of time: “Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you must also be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of man will come” (Matthew 24:42–44).
The Second and Third Sundays of Advent focus on the message of John the Baptist, who baptizes with water in preparation for the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John calls people to repentance, telling them that the kingdom of God is at hand: “John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’ It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” (Matthew 3:1-3).
Of note is the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete (“Rejoice!” in Latin) Sunday. On this day we realize that the time of waiting is coming to an end. To mark the different character of this Sunday, the priest can wear a rose-colored chasuble and/or stole, expressing joy rather than penitence. That joy is also reflected in the Gospel: “When John the Baptist heard in prison the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question: ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’ Jesus said to them in reply: ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them’” (Matthew 11:1-5).
It isn’t until the Fourth Sunday of Advent that the Scriptures focus on the preparations for the birth of Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel tells of how Mary was betrothed to Joseph and found with child. Joseph, who had thought to divorce her quietly, is visited by an angel of the Lord who tells him to take Mary into his home as his wife. “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us’” (Matthew 1:22-23).
The other readings also reflect the themes of the Gospel readings. The Old Testament Scriptures used during Advent are prophesies about the Messiah and the Messianic age. Most of them are taken from Isaiah, but they also include Jeremiah, Baruch, Zephaniah, Samuel, and Micah. Along with the Psalms, these readings help us see how Jesus recapitulates salvation history, bringing to fulfillment all the prophesies of the Old Testament. The second readings—epistles from the Apostles—serve as exhortations to be ready for the Lord’s second coming and as proclamations of the kingdom of heaven and the necessity to love as Jesus loved. The second readings are also chosen to complement the message of the Gospel for each week.
Wait and hope—in quiet
In addition to the Scripture readings, special attention should also be given to the Collects (opening prayers), Prefaces (dialogue between priest and congregation before the Sanctus) and Prayers after Communion, all of which allude to the theme of each Sunday of Advent. If we’re paying attention, the Advent liturgies can lift us out of the busyness and stress of the secular world, offering us time for quiet reflection and sincere worship.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church sums up the season of Advent beautifully: “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for in sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor’s birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: ‘He must increase, but I must decrease’” (CCC 524).
This is the prayer of parents awaiting the birth of a child, as well. Once that child is born, we put aside our self-care, and focus on the miracle of Life. Blessed Advent.
(Note: The Scripture passages cited in this article come from the Cycle A readings.)
Teach Advent to Your Family
Busy parent looking for easy ways to teach your kids about Ash Wednesday?
Easy Ways to SLOW DOWn and Teach Your Family About Advent
Well it’s not even Thanksgiving and Hobby Lobby is already clearancing their Christmas decorations. Believe it or not, next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent (it completely caught me by surprise this year). It’s so easy to race through the “holidays” from one plan to the next. This is the wisdom of the church year in giving us space to focus on one season at a time. Twice in the church year a massive holy day is preceded by a season of preparation. Many of us are used to giving something up for Lent (to prepare our hearts for Easter). But it can be so difficult to wait in the season of Advent. We want carols, lights, hot cocoa, and presents! These are all wonderful joys; but if there’s one thing you do this Advent season I want to encourage you to slow down, to wait in the longing for Christmas. This is the very reason for Advent. And for your kids (and mine!) that can’t wait for Christmas day and celebration and presents there are ideas below to help them (and you!) to slow down and anticipate the coming of Jesus. There’s several ideas below but I want to encourage you towards simplicity. Pick one or two that jump out. Go for quality over quantity. We’ll republish this blog next year and you can try out the others.
Attend aDvent Services
Okay I’m goin to cheat a little right off the bat and suggest you do this in addition to 1 or 2 other ideas. The Christian life is life in the local church. If you’re not already part of a congregation I want to cordially invite you to join us a Trinity San Antonio. We have a few Advent services this year. As well as our usual Sunday service, which we’d love to have you at! There’s tons of options below or you can read through them here.
Thanksgiving leftover potluck and wreath making: Bring your Thanksgiving leftovers and make an Advent wreath with provided real greenery. Sunday, November 27th; after service; at the Woehler Family Center.
Advent Midweek Service with Meal and Crafts: Join us in a brief worship service and a shared meal. Crafts for the whole family too! Wednesday, November 30th; 5:30PM; at the Woehler Family Center.
Saint Nicholas Party: Food and bonfire as we honor the spirit of generosity modeled by the historical Saint Nicholas of Myra. Wednesday, December 7th; 5:30PM; at Pastor Matthew Ballmann’s home.
Las Posadas: This has become a highlight for the whole year for my family. We’ll recreate the story of Joseph and Mary going inn to inn trying to find a place to stay. There’s songs, Mexican hot chocolate, a Mariachi band, piñatas, costumes, and of course buñuelos! Wednesday, December 14th; 6:00PM, outside the Woehler Family Center.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Worship and anticipate the arrival of Christ ending in a beautiful candlelight moment. Saturday, December 24th; 4:00PM, at the Woehler Family Center.
Christmas Day Service: This year Christmas is on a Sunday! What better day to gather for the Divine Service than Christmas. Please join us at 10:30AM on December 25th at the Woehler Family Center.
PRactice Generosity
There’s no better season to give to others than Christmas, when God gave us His Son. The best thing about this idea is it can be as simple or complex at you like. You could:
Tell your kids to secretly give their family and friends gifts. Kids get a big kick out of the anonymity and it keeps the focus off ourselves.
Spend some time at a local retirement community. Often the elderly unfortunately get too few visitors and this can be difficult season for many to be alone. Kids are also a great addition to a visit and it can be a great opportunity for conversation.
Put together bundles for the homeless. Buy some warm clothes, socks, toothbrushes, and other essential items. Pack them up in bundles and put them in your car. When you see someone in need give the bundle! Or make a trip to a local shelter to deliver several.
Invite someone over for dinner. Those of us with families can take for granted our daily opportunity for community (or chaos). Invite a neighbor, a single friend, a military member you know over. They may not have a place to celebration traditions and opening your home can be a great way to share.
Read an Advent Devotional
Reading a daily Advent devotional at the dinner table is a super easy way to reorient ourselves around Jesus. There’s no shortage of good ones out there. For younger kids I’d recommend Counting to Christmas. We have copies of this at church on Sundays, our gift to you! Still doable with younger kids but one for older kids, or you and your spouse, is God Is in the Manger. This book features reflections from Dietrich Bonhoeffer that you can read in a few minutes.
This can be combined with the classic Advent Candles and wreath. Kids love to light and snuff the candles each night to countdown the days to Christmas.
You could also read from the Lectionary (remember we’re going to Series A this Advent). Here’s a handy link. Consider reading the passages multiple times each week.
While not a devotional this is a great season to learn about the historical Saint Nicholas. This is a beautiful book to read to your family.
Make an Advent Craft
Here’s a few ideas:
Buy (or make!) an Advent Calendar to countdown the days to Christmas
Make some Advent “stained glass” (these are paper crafts also some coloring sheets are there).
Come to the wreath making after Service on November 27th! Or grab some greenery and make your own.
Make your favorite Christmas cookies and combine with the idea about generosity and share with someone.
If your feeling ambitious you could make red and white striped candy canes. You can talk about how they look like a shepherd’s crook (like the shepherds who witnessed the birth of our Good Shepherd or it’s a J for Jesus!), the red for the blood Jesus spilled to make us white as snow.
Listen to Advent Music
Just wait. You can wait to play your favorite Christmas music. I know it’s hard (okay even I cheat). But there are tons of wonderful Advent songs that have us sit in anticipation and longing. Maybe you can even make it practical but talking about patience with the kids. Here’s a playlist to get you started.
Add to Your Homeschool or Supplement School
If you homeschool your kids, add Advent and Saint Nicholas to your classes. Read Advent scriptures. And definitely make sure to include color pages and other fun worksheets. There’s plenty of resources out there even for Lent specifically. Definitely check out: https://www.lutheranhomeschool.com/. We also love the site https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/ (note you do need a free account). You can search for Advent or Saint Nicholas and filter to free (just make sure to review the content before handing to your kiddos). And bust out those purple crayons since that’s the Advent liturgical color.
If you don’t homeschool I encourage you to supplement your kid’s classroom learning. Any of the above can be added as “homework” or done as a mini class after school around the diner table.
More Ideas
If you’re still hungry for more recommendations, check out our previous years’ blogs here and here.
Whatever you do, or don’t, make it intentional and talk about it! Even one little activity with some good conversation will go a long way to bring your children, and your family, into preparation for the majesty of Christmas. Blessings on your Advent season!
About the Author
David Hein is a member of Trinity San Antonio with his wife Mindi and three boys: Kirk, Wesley, and Caleb. He is a first year seminarian at Lutheran Brethren Seminary. The picture below is the closest they’ve gotten to one with everyone’s eyes open.
Observing Advent - Part II
As promised, here is the second installment of our Advent recommendations for you and your family! These are some extras to help you find ways to make this season of Advent a meaningful one. Book recommendations, ornaments with the names of God, and saints days are covered here; and scroll to the bottom for our Spotify Advent playlist!
Picture Book Recommendations
Books to read the day you put out Advent calendars and decorate your Christmas tree:
Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
The Legend of the Christmas Tree
Some beautiful picture books that are based on the biblical story of Christmas:
The Story of Christmas (Golden Book)
The Christmas Story According to Luke
Three great choices for telling the real story behind Santa Claus:
Saint Nicholas and the Nine Gold Coins
Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend
The Legend of the Christmas Stocking
Picture books based on the history of a Christmas carol, or containing the lyrics:
Silent Night, Holy Night (Traditions of Faith series)
A good book to read on Saint Lucia Day:
And some additional favorites:
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree
Reading Recommendations for Adults (or kids ready to listen to/independently read longer books and poetry)
Waiting on the Word: A Poem a Day for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany
The Christmas Stories and Poems of George MacDonald
This last book is actually a children's chapter book. The story follows an adventurous journey of a boy during the time of Christ's birth, and his journey intersects with the Christmas story throughout the book. Great family read aloud, although be aware you may need to edit out some of the scary scenes for younger listeners!
Ever Thine Home Ornaments
Ever Thine Home, a part of FamilyLife ministry, sells a variety of sets of different ornaments that focus on the names of God. One of these sets, His Eternal Names, includes a family devotional and activity that can be done throughout the month of December leading up to Christmas. You can find the details here.
Celebrate Special Saint's Days
1) St. Nicholas Day, December 6th
Did you know Saint Nicholas was a real person? He lived in Asia Minor in the third century, and was a Christian bishop. Legend has it that he was known for his generosity to those in need. One story tells of a poor family with three daughters who could never be married because their father didn't have the dowry money needed to arrange marriages for them. Nicholas secretly gave three bags of coins to this family by throwing them down their chimney; according to the legend, these bags landed in the daughter's stockings which were hanging up to dry.
On this day we like to read a book about St. Nicholas (see three good choices above) and discuss ways we can show generosity to others just as St. Nicholas did. This would be a great day to plan an act of service as a family! We also like to hang up our stockings on this day, and sometimes leave chocolate coins in the kid's shoes as well.
2) St. Lucia Day, December 13th
This is a day to remember Lucia, an early Christian martyr. This wealthy young woman used her dowry to help those in need. As legend has it, Lucia would travel into the catacombs where persecuted Christians were hiding, with candles on her head to free up her hands for the food she carried to them.
St. Lucia Day became particularly popular in Sweden, and is celebrated by having the oldest daughter in the family wear a crown of candles and deliver saffron buns and gingersnaps to her parents first thing in the morning on December 13th. We love to deliver these to friends and neighbors later in the day as well! See above list for a picture book biography to read on this day.
Our favorite recipes for this day:
Saffron Buns
Ingredients
3/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
1 teaspoon plus 1/4 cup sugar
One 1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast
3 1/2 to 4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup of sour cream
2 large eggs
Raisins
1 egg, beaten
In a small pot, heat the milk, saffron, and 1 teaspoon of sugar together until the milk is steamy. Remove from heat and let cool until about 115°.
Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
Whisk together 3 1/2 cups of the flour, remaining 1/4 cup of sugar, salt.
Make a well in the center of the flour and add the yeast milk saffron mixture, the eggs, the butter, and the sour cream. Mix the ingredients until well incorporated.
Use a dough hook on a stand mixer (or mix by hand) on low speed. Slowly add additional flour, a tablespoon at a time, kneading to incorporate after each addition. Do this until the dough is still a little sticky to the touch, but does not completely stick to your hands when you handle it.
Shape the dough into a ball and place in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. (Note at this point you can refrigerate overnight and bake in the morning.)
Let sit in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, until the dough has doubled in size.
When the dough has doubled in size, gently press it down and knead it a couple of times. Break off a piece and form it into a ball about 2 inches wide. Roll the ball out into a snake, about 14 inches long.
Then curl the ends in opposite directions, forming an "S" with spirals at each end. Place on a lined baking sheet and repeat with the rest of the dough.
Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough shapes double, 30 minutes to an hour.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Using a pastry brush, brush some beaten egg over the tops and sides of the uncooked buns. Place raisins in the centers of the "S" spirals.
Place in the oven and bake at 400°F for about 10 to 11 minutes (turning halfway through cooking to ensure even browning), until the buns are golden brown.
Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before eating.
Gingersnaps
Ingredients
3/4 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar for decoration
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and 1 cup white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and molasses until well blended. Combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; stir into the molasses mixture to form a dough. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and roll the balls in the remaining sugar. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Last but not least we have an Advent Spotify playlist for you! This playlist includes classic Christmas carols, but also some beautiful lesser known Advent hymns. Happy listening, and may this season be a blessed one for you and your family!