Cookie Cutters Tell the Story of Christmas

Back in November Debbie shared an article with me (over at Shower of Roses) that was written by Iris Hammett in the 1940's titled "Cookie Cutters Tell the Story of Christmas."  We have made Nativity Cookies and Starlight Cookies in the past, but I thought this story would be a fun alternative for this year and we finally had a chance to make them today!   We also spent some time making cookies to go along with a couple more of our Christmas picture books, but I'll post about those later.

Cookie Cutters Tell the Story of Christmas

By Iris Hammett, written in the 1940’s

(Published in the Mansfield News Journal)

"It is a story, as suggested by cookie cutters, which are familiar to the younger generation both for their utilization purpose in shaping sweets and as playthings for toddlers. This is their message as interpreted by Mrs. Iris Hammett."

"The oven is heated, the dough is made, and the kitchen table is spread with an array of cookie cutters. But theses are not just ordinary cookie cutters, for they have a story to tell."

"Three (Seven in our case!) anxious little faces look on with great anticipation of receiving a sweet morsel when it is baked. Their dark eyes glisten as they listen to the story of the Christ child as each cutter tells his part."

"First, we make an angel, for it was an angel who came to Mary and told her that she would have a baby boy and should call his name Jesus, for he would save his people from their sins."

"Second, we make a donkey, for it was a little donkey that Mary rode into Bethlehem where the baby Jesus was to be born."

"Third, we cut a star for the star that shone in the East to guide the Shepherds to where they would find the Baby Jesus. The wise men had seen this star in the East and knew it told of the birth of the Savior."

"Fourth, we cut more angels for the angels who sang Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. The angels also brought the good news to the shepherds as they watched their sheep during the night."

"So we make candy cane cookies to represent the shepherd’s staff."

"Fifth, we make a camel because the wise men traveled over many miles of sandy desert on camels that they might find the young child."

"Then we come to some of the cookie cutters which we can’t find in the Bible, but which have wonderful meaning by which we tell God’s love for us. We make a wreath for it is round and has no end, even as God’s love has no end. He gave to us eternal life which has no end. We think of the wreath being made of evergreen and so we frost it green. The evergreen is a symbol of the eternal life which Christ bought for us on Calvary. Then comes the Christmas tree, again an evergreen tree, the symbol of everlasting life. It stays green winter and summer as no other tree. It tells of the love of Christ which goes on and on, and of the eternal life which he gives us if we believe in him as our Savior. And last of all we make the bells, for the bells ring out the glad news that a savior is born this day in the City of David."

"And so, as we bake our Christmas cookies, we see the story of the Savior's birth and purpose in our lives. What a wonderful way to gather the little ones around and tell them of God’s love for us. As we roll and cut the dough and mold it into shape, we tell over and over the story that never grows old."

"Then breathe a little prayer that we are molding young and pliable lives, minds, and hearts into the right form, that they might come to know and love this Christ that was born on Christmas Day."

"My prayer is that my children shall never forget the cookie cutters and the story they told of Jesus, His birth and purpose."

"Thus we keep Christ in Christmas even with the cookie cutters."

Download and print a copy of Cookie Cutters Tell the Story of Christmas here. 

Recipe:
The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies (Found in the Archives)

Our Cookie Cutters:

Nativity Bake Set

Wilton Holiday 6-Piece Mini Metal Cutter Set

Additional Angel, Tree, and Star Cookie Cutters

Our Christmas Story Picture Books:

The Donkey's Dream

The Nativity

Bethlehem

Additional Christmas Books Can Be Found Here

Wishing you all a very Merry 10th Day of Christmas and a Blessed Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus!

  

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Corn Flake Wreaths

The following recipe for Corn Flake Wreaths was submitted by HI Cookery, and is similar to the Rice Krispy Wreaths we have shared in the past.   I especially love the suggestion of  replacing the red candies with three purple and one pink for Advent.  Thank you Highlander and Islander! 

We have at least two wreaths in our home during the holidays: an Advent wreath with purple and pink candles and a Christmas wreath hanging on our front door. Another wreath, made out of corn flakes, is a sweet centerpiece on our table when we entertain. It is inexpensive and quick to make as an alternative to cookies and fruitcakes. A corn flake wreath is a festive food and a delicious dessert at holiday parties and potlucks. Make one (or many minis) for a Merry Christmas!

Recipe

(Adapted from Kellogg’s)

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 package (10 ounces) marshmallows
• 1 teaspoon green food coloring (we used Wilton brand Kelly Green color food gel)
• 6 cups corn flakes cereal (we used Kellogg’s brand)
• red tube frosting (we used Wilton brand icing tube)
• round red candies (we use M&Ms or Red Hots)

Directions

Have a sheet of wax paper and a pat of margarine or softened butter in a bowl ready on the work surface before assembling the corn flake wreaths. In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from heat and stir in the green food coloring until thoroughly mixed. Add the corn flakes cereal and coat well.

Using margarine or butter, grease fingers and quickly shape the cereal mixture into mini wreaths or one large wreath on a sheet of wax paper. Let cool and transfer the wreath(s) to a platter or round cake board. With a little amount from a tube or red frosting, dot one side of a red candy and place randomly on the wreath. Attach a bow with a toothpick (optional). Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Notes

• For an Advent-style wreath, replace the red candies with three purple and one pink candle.
• Try this recipe with rice cereal instead of corn flakes.
• Eat…drink…and be merry! Highlander and Islander wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

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