Christmas is the only time of year I fancy myself a baker. Almost any other time of year I can acknowledge my own limitations and go with the store-bought goodies. But something about the holiday season calls me to the kitchen to try my hand at homemade treats.
Baking is an interesting challenge, equal parts art, and science. Bread, in particular, fascinates me. When done well, there are few accomplishments as satisfying and delicious as a well-baked bread. However, it can be a huge disappointment if even one small element goes wrong. The most accomplished bakers are brought to their knees by the difficulty of baking a perfect loaf. I’ve watched a lot of the Great British Baking Show, so I know what I’m talking about!
I used to think it all came down to the yeast. A tiny bit of yeast used properly and the dough will double in size. Yeast has to be kneaded; coaxed through and broken down so it will work through the dough.
Yeast makes for an interesting little metaphor. It is used throughout Scripture as a picture of how quickly and thoroughly influence – good or bad – can spread. Jesus taught his disciples that the kingdom of heaven was like leaven (yeast) hidden (or mixed) into three measures of flour (Matthew 13:33) but he also warned them about the “leaven of the Pharisees”:
“How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matthew 16:11-12
“This Bread Will Change Your Life”, She Said
A few years ago I found a recipe for Stir and Pour Bread. It was so simple, the blogger’s three-year-old could make it. I watched him do it on the video. Amazing! I gave it a try and managed to make, not one – not two – but three loaves of bread! Each one was perfect and delicious. Sweet success!
But what about the kneading and the yeast? What about the spiritual analogy??
I don’t know exactly why the Stir and Pour bread works so well. But I know bread, once it’s mixed with the yeast, needs time. That’s the trick. Leaving it alone in the proving drawer for the right amount of time. Unlike other recipes that can be tweaked along the way, once the bread is in the drawer, it’s done. There is nothing you can do to fix it. It either rises correctly or it doesn’t. If it doesn’t rise… well, I suppose there’s always next year!
Give It Time
This has been a long year of waiting. In chapter 18, verse 30, the Psalmist writes “This God — his way is perfect. The word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”
Like bread in a proving drawer (or sitting on the shelf of your counter, like in my house) God’s Word is actively working, even in moments of stillness, to bring about his perfect purpose.
Like bread in a proving drawer, God’s Word is always actively working, even in moments of stillness, to bring about his perfect purpose. #ChristmasTeaClick To TweetChristmas is a time when we remember God as the Keeper of Promises. From the very beginning when Adam and Eve disobeyed, bringing sin into the world, God had a plan for redemption and restoration. As He cursed them, He spoke of the rescue plan that was already in motion. “I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
But it was thousands of years before this prophecy came true! The people of Israel had to be born, formed into a nation, given a homeland, go through the trials of having a king, and the whole cycle of provision, disobedience, discipline, obedience, and rescue, over and over again. At every step, God reminded them that a permanent solution was coming. His promise would not fail.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon[fn] his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Then for hundreds of years, the people of Israel waited for the Messiah in silence. No more prophecies came until at last, a barren, elderly couple and a young, unmarried woman, heard good news from an angel. Jesus was born and God’s Word proved true. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” Romans 16:20
Simple Stir and Pour Bread
Here is the recipe I use to bake bread (it’s from The Heavenly Homemaker) Whether you’re an awesome baker or a mess in the kitchen like me, I hope your baked goods remind you that God keeps His promises!
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole wheat flour (I use freshly ground hard white wheat)
- 2 teaspoons active rise yeast
- 2 Tablespoons sucanat or sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 egg (optional)
- ¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
- 2 cups warm water
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients together.
- Cover and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
- Pour contents into a well-buttered cake pan or 1 well-buttered 9″ loaf pan.
- Bake in a 425° oven for 20-25 minutes (cake pan) or in a 350° oven for 45-60 minutes (loaf pan) or until evenly browned.
Notes – If you have egg or dairy allergies, skip the egg and cream and you’ll still turn out a great bread.
