Dear Friends & Family,
Christmas is here!
We LOVE this season. Christmas time for our family represents so many warm and wonderful things. And this Christmas is a special one for our family. Now that we have fully settled into life here in France, we are re-defining our Kennedy family Christmas traditions. Still holding strong to our Canadian roots, much of our celebrations will look a lot like they always have: watching our favourite Christmas movies, sharing our favourite Christmas goodies, listing to our favourite Christmas music. But this year our Christmas has a wonderful Savoie-flair. As we make France home, we are “testing out” a few new potential future Kennedy traditions…
- Visiting the Christmas Markets – this one will definitely make the list! French Christmas markets are wonderful – little wooden cabin villages selling artisanal treasures and yummy treats.
- Roasting Chestnuts – Joel is learning to master the art of roasting chestnuts in our fireplace. Did you know there was such a thing as a chestnut roasting pan?
- Chapon, anyone? Instead of roasting a turkey this year, we will stuff a “chapon”. They are apparently super tender and juicy… and the size of a small turkey. We will report back once we have tried it.
- Some of our Canadian favourite Christmas chocolates are hard to find here (No Turtles or Almond Roca!)… so this year we are going to try Papillotes (a Savoie chocolate tradition) and Marron Glacées (candied chestnuts).
- What is Christmas Eve without fresh oysters and foie gras?
Celebrating Jesus
Of course there would be no Christmas without Jesus. Jesus Christ is the very namesake of Christmas! Centred around his birth more than 2000 years ago, Christmas was meant to celebrate our Saviour, born in secret, sent by God to be our Immanuel, God with us. While much of the world has forgotten Jesus, in our home, Jesus is celebrated. He is at the centre. He is who we live for and who we want to see glorified. He is peace on earth. He is our reason for joy and hope. Jesus is God’s gift to our broken world.
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light… for a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
From our family to yours, we want to wish you a very, Merry Christmas, and we pray God would richly bless you this coming new year.
