Mamaw would get up about 4:30 am to make her homemade and World famous biscuits. Well, they were famous in our family and that was my whole world as a little boy.
I remember there would be groans and begging from the teenagers and pre-teens aimed at Mamaw to ‘please start making the biscuits later, to which she would smile and stay with her schedule.’ Anyone who knew my tiny little grandmother would tell you she was stubborn (resolute in today’s “proper” definition) and maintained her schedule.
The flour would be sifted and mixed with just the right amount baking powder, water, Crisco (only Crisco), rolled out with the same rolling pin that she had had for decades. I know there is a story about her rolling pin that may have gone back to she and Papaw’s wedding. Then the biscuits were cut out using a Clabber Girl can that had one end cut off, precisely cutting each biscuit perfectly round to fit exactly on the baking sheet to maximize amount. I am guessing the amount made on Christmas Eve morning was less than the 100 dozen that my mind recollects. I’m not sure who has that Clabber Girl can but it was a treasure among our family and we asked Mamaw every year ‘how many biscuits she had cut with that can?’
“For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5
The groans of the early morning surrendered to the aroma of those heavenly inspired circles of pure love. The desires to prolong the night and delay the morning soon gave way to the joy of splitting the biscuits in half and drowning them in homemade gravy (still don’t like gravy), or adding butter or some type of homemade jam, or just using them to sop up some of the eggs. Yes, ‘sop’ is a word in the Crooked Creek Christmas, Ky and now, Lenoir City, TN language.
I remember Mamaw being asked by my aunt and mother “if she was going to eat,” as she sat back and watched her beloved family devour her hard work. As a young boy I thought that was a lot of work for 20-30 minutes of eating. Now as I look back, I can see the absolute love and joy in her face as she watched what she created with love be ingested in love by her most beloved. Tear rolling down my face as I write this.
Grandma’s biscuits were discussed for decades to come after she graduated to Heaven. There were many attempts to replicate them but the truth is we could not replicate being 9,12,13,14 & 15. We could not replicate the sounds of Mamaw, mom & Aunt Lorraine talking and reminiscing. We could replicate dad, Uncle Monroe & Papaw discussing the events of the area and extended family. We could not replicate those delicious biscuits made most delicious by the beauty of love, kindness and serving. Joy invaded our Christmas Eve and the gateway was most certainly Mamaw’s biscuits.
This Christmas Eve, take a moment to read the Christmas Story with whoever you are with. It can be found in Luke 2:1-20. Recognize that the joy of life is in the process. That God created us for a lifetime of growth and gain. That the ingredients of your life will prove to be someone’s source of hope and joy if you will allow the Baker to mold and make you.
This Christmas Eve, recognize the simple and inexplicable beauty in the way that the only true King came and dwelt among us. See Jesus for exactly who he was and is. The Son of the most high God who taught us the least will be first and the first will be last. He showed us that royalty washes the feet of the broken. That the Creator of all most often speaks to us in whispers as Elijah learned because He wants to make sure we are listening. The Omnipotent does not have to announce himself and you, his daughter of son can rest wholly in the knowledge the he loves you so much that his son was born for you this night. Oh, holy night. Oh night when God came down for his children through his beloved son.
“Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” 1 Kings 19:11-12
Mamaw’s biscuits were made without bright lights, photos, Snap, BeReal or other attention drawing desires. Mamaw made her biscuits as an external outpouring of her amazing internal love for each of us. She did not have to say “I made these because I love you.” That was more than understood.
You are loved by the only King who came to earth. That is enough.
You’ve got this. Merry Christmas Eve