The sun emerged on this darkest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the chill of previous weeks gave way to muted warmth, just long enough for us to imagine that this was indeed the turning point toward longer, warmer days ahead. 

The orange tree in front of our little house is bursting with fruit, ripe for the picking. The diminutive grapefruit tree in front of it has just two grapefruit, huge and weighty for its delicate limbs. The site of all this citrus fruit ripening under the cool December sun is like a ray of summer sunshine in each brightly colored orb. 

The "O Antiphon" of Advent today marks the solstice with this hymn:

"O dawn of the east, brightness of light eternal, and sun of justice: come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death."

St. Ambrose, the honey-tongued doctor of the Church, has a fun story for tellers. Credited with converting the great St. Augustine, overcoming the Arian heresy in Milan, and inspiring the Ambrosian rite of Milan, St. Ambrose nearly escaped this legacy by running away- literally. When Ambrose, then the governor of the city, was popularly elected to succeed the Arian bishop of Milan (even though he was not yet baptised) he attempted to run away and hid in a senator's home. He appealed to the emperor to overturn his election but the emperor too was impressed with his character and believed Ambrose was just what the Church needed. Ambrose resigned himself to his fate and then embraced his new mission with passion. He studied Scripture with St. Simplician, gave up all his property, and became such an eloquent theologian and peace-maker that legends arose that honeybees would gather at his lips when he preached.

As one of the proud founders and owners of the AA Honey Farm, I couldn't let this honey-themed day pass without a bit of praise for the liquid gold. In honor of St. Ambrose, here is a simple recipe for Ancient Roman Honey Cake. 

Beekeeping is major part of the Kirkos Caravan's homesteading studies curriculum, not only because it's our business, but also because it's such an interdisciplinary subject. One-third of the produce we all eat is pollinated by bees- just one example of how bees are a crucial part of ecology. Here's a fascinating documentary on life in the hive from Nova, and here's one on the plight of the honeybee and the need for an increase in the number of small scale beekeepers around the globe.

Back to storytelling and bees-- during the KC Autumnal studies, our favorite story to emerge was that of "The Beekeeper and the Bewitched Hare", a Scottish story illustrating the special relationship between beekeepers and their bees. It was passed on to us by the same storyteller who passed on "The Baker's Dozen", and we in turn passed it on to students at a bonfire this Autumn. Here's a video of a Scottish storyteller relaying the tale.

A happy feast of St. Nicholas to you! If you are looking for resources for celebrating with your children today or for Advent gatherings, allow me to recommend this wonderful website: www.stnicholascenter.org. The history of the real saint, collection of legends and recipes, and craft suggestions are all delightful ways to better understand this iconic figure with such a complicated past and imitable virtues.

I discovered the site last year through a storyteller friend who came to our Advent party and read The Baker's Dozen, a Dutch St. Nicholas legend. I also discovered "lebkuchen" through this site, one of the many recipes for St. Nicholas cookies flavored with Christmas-season spices.

Hopefully your children didn't forget to put their shoes outside the front door last night like our's did, despite all the anticipation of this tradition! Good St. Nick didn't leave them empty-handed, however-- he left a note with the following text in Italian: "Dearest Maya and Dearest Joseph, Black Bart (St. Nicholas' sidekick) and I were surprised that you didn't leave your shoes out for us. Did you forget or did you think you wouldn't receive any gifts? I will return on the 13th with my friend St. Lucy. Therefore, on the 13th, put your shoes out. Don't forget! Be good! -St. Nicholas"

Ever the bargainer, Magical Maya quickly wrote up a response: "Dear St. Nicholas, Yesterday we were busy and did forget! St. Nicholas, even though tomorrow is not your feast, could you come with gifts tomorrow? Please?! -Maya"

We'll see tomorrow if saints are open to negotiation...

This exchange of letters reminds me of a little known book by J.R.R. Tolkien, Letters from Father Christmas- we have the Italian edition and it's on the reading list tonight. Buona festa!