Evening star. [volume], December 13, 1959, Page 31, Image 187

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
There wos o time when the eating of mince pies was forbidden. But that's a thing of the past—thank goodness!
ON CHRISTMAS DAY, whether you choose a piece
of fragrant mince pie to climax your dinner or
a slice of delectable cake to complete an evening
buffet, you will be eating a mouthful of history and
legendry. For both these pastries are as rich in
Christmas tradition as they are In calories.
When the Crusaders returned from the Holy
Land, they brought with them numerous Oriental
spices. It was felt that the addition of these spices
to a mincemeat would provide a proper dessert
to be eaten in celebration of the Nativity.
The spiced mincemeat pie .became a traditional
part of the Christmas dinner in England until a
religious custom evoked what has been called the
“Battle of Mince Pies.”
Just before the Reformation, mince pies were
baked in the form of an oblong, representative of the
manger at Bethlehem. A tiny figure of the Infant
Jesus was placed within an indentation in the top
of the pie. When the pie was served at the family
dinner, the figure was removed lovingly, and put
away for another Christmas. This practice so
repelled the Puritans, however, that they vocifer
ously condemned the eating of the pie. Catholics
and Anglicans were prompted to bake more and
more mince pies, and when the Puritans gained
political power, the mince pie was forbidden.
But a good pie is hard to forget. Mince pies
were baked secretly and eaten eagerly by Catholics
and Anglicans. When the political thinking
changed, the Puritans went out and the mince pies
came back in By that time, however, most people
had forgotten that the controversial pies had ever
been baked in the form of a manger. Now they
were devoid of a reposing Infant and inconspicu
ously circular in form.
A Mouthful of History
By BETTY RIVERA
Contributing Writer
In New England, women have been adding “a
little of this and a little of tnat” to the Christmas
mincemeat pie for more years than there are
raisins in one. These women have been partial,
too, to a certain “regional” touch. Ceremonially,
they have kept aside “just a bit” of the autumn's
sweet cider to work up just the right “kick” to
perk up a pie. Modern New England housewives
buy the packaged mincemeat, cook it slowly and
add the amber "kick” to achieve aromatic appe
tizing results.
The Christmas cake also is colorfully back
grounded with legendry, and it should receive proud
prominence at the Christmas Night buffet.
So special a food was the Christmas cake In
Ireland at one time that Christmas Eve, when a
cake was baked for each member of the family,
was called “Night of Cakes.” These cakes were
flavored with caraway, and baked to bring health
and good luck to the eaters. But woe to the one
whose cake broke—bad luck would surely follow.
The Greeks drew a cross on the top of each
Christmas cake, and devotedly placed one on a table
on Christmas Eve to await the Christ Child, should
He happen to visit that home on the holy night.
The French people refrained from eating their
Christmas cake until a portion had been given to
the poor.
A cherry cake decorated with a poinsettia
motif incorporates two legends. One tells us that
Mary and Joseph were walking in a lovely garden
where cherries grew in abundance. Mary wanted to
SUNDAT. THE STAR MAGAZINE. WASHINGTON. D C . DECEMBER 13, 19S»
loodims'
eat some of the cherries, but Joseph, disturbed by
the words spoken to Mary by the angel at the An
nunciation, refused to pick the fruit for her, as he
was momentarily engulfed with doubt. The Infant
in the womb instructed Mary to go to the cherry
tree, which would bow to her so that she might
easily pick the fruit. When Joseph saw this, he
was contrite and apologized. An angel then ap
peared to assure him that the Infant would arrive
soon.
The poinsettia is singularly appropriate as a
decoration for a Christmas cake, as it is called the
“flower of the Holy Night.” This name is an out
growth of a legend which relates that a small boy
once went to church on Christmas Eve filled with
sorrow because he had no gift to bring to the Christ
Child. Before entering the church, he knelt outside
and silently told God of his deep desire to bring
Him a worthy gift. Almost instantly, a glistening
green plant with flaming blossoms sprang from the
earth where he had knelt. The child bent eagerly,
gathered the blossoms and carried them into the
church for the Christ Child.
For the children, who delight in early morning
activity on Christmas morning, a new and tender
custom has been growing in the United States.
Thoughtful parents provide a birthday cake for
the Infant. The candles on the cake are cere
moniously lighted after presents have been opened,
so that a few moments can be set aside as a gesture
of family observance of the Christ Child's birthday.
Knowledgeable interest in tradition and cus
toms which tenderly celebrate the Nativity will do
much to enhance the pies and cakes you serve and
eat on Christmas Day and provide fascinating tid
bits of Christmas conversation.
31