This week we celebrated a monumental family milestone. My oldest daughter graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Hospitality Management and Tourism with a 3.5 GPA.
Northwestern State University was a true blessing to her and our family. They offered so many opportunities that possibly would not have been afforded anywhere else. She was honored to volunteer with the American Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. She traveled abroad to Toulon, France where she was able to complete research for NSU and attended a world renowned hospitality institute and participated in a culinary class.
Lucky for mom, she would always share the tidbits of information that were collected along the way from her experiences and from her Professor, Connie Jones.
This is where I learned that my centerpieces were entirely too high for the Christmas table. They did not offer a warm conversational area that was inviting to my guests because they were taller than ten inches. All this time, I have been doing it wrong.
She also taught me that I should be using a spoon for each pot that I stir while cooking. This could cause cross-contamination and someone could die a slow and painful death due to the act of mixing foods at different stages of being cooked thoroughly.
I was also made aware that I was not cooking with fresh ingredients. I should be making my bread from scratch. My pasta should be hand-made for maximum taste, freshness and nutrition. How dare I make biscuits from a can? I must not love my family very much if I do not churn my own butter.
While my cooking and hostessing skills have taken a beating for the last few years I am forever grateful for the skills learned from my daughter. My Christmas hosting may need to be polished and shined. My Christmas may, on occasion, be cross-contaminated but my understanding of the true meaning of Christmas has never wavered.
My Christmases may not be perfect. But….
Our Christmases today, compared to the very first Christmas over 2,000 years ago, are very different. In the eyes the world, Jesus was born in a lowly manger under the light of a star because there were no rooms available in a hotel. He was surrounded by animals, his family and a few angels. He was born of virgin mother who was unwed. By all accounts, the King of kings was born into simplicity and humbleness.
It was the most perfect Christmas.
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
Luke 2:6-7
