We need something a bit lighthearted after the seriousness of yesterday’s devotional. Allow me to take us to a Christmas tradition that’s been observed in America since the 18th century.
The lebkuchenhaeusle was introduced to America via German immigrants. Since the 16th century, Germans had been lebkuchenhaeusle enthusiasts. But they weren’t the first. “An Armenian monk, Gregory of Nicopolis, brought [his creation] to Europe around 992 AD and taught French Christians”1 how to make it. Evidently, the French shared it with the Germans who began using it for the creation of lebkuchenhaeusle before introducing it to America. And here we are in the 21st century carrying on a centuries-old tradition.
What is lebkuchenhaeusle? It is nothing more than the traditional gingerbread house, popularized by the Grimm fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel. This is a rather dark, un-Christmassy tale of a witch who wants to eat Hansel. Gretel pushes her into her own oven to save her brother. Yes, let’s tell that story to children and hope they don’t have nightmares!!!!
The house in the story is never called gingerbread but is called a house made of “bread, cake, and sugar.” Through the years, it’s become known as a gingerbread house.
Through the years, we’ve made gingerbread houses with our kids. Originally, I made the gingerbread from scratch. After a couple of years of the mess, we found gingerbread house kits at Hobby Lobby and a variety of other stores. The kits were complete with frosting (already made), frosting bags, and all the candies for lots of decorating joy.
The icing acts as “glue” as you raise the walls in place and set the roof. Colored icing
provides roofing décor as scalloped swirls are placed and accented with candy. Drooping icing around the edges of the roof gives the impression that icicles have formed. Gum drops, candy canes, starlight mints, and other colorful sweets are used to create doors, windows, chimneys, and more.
Maybe this year, you could start a new tradition and build your own lebkuchenhaeusle. This has been a tradition of the White House since the 1960s. Search online for some of those pictures if you need some inspiration!
Today, let’s consider another house. In fact, let’s consider two houses. Matthew 7:24-27 says, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (25) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (26) And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (27) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
The wise man builds his house upon the rock and this Rock is Jesus. 1 Corinthians 10 tells us about the adventures of the children of Israel before telling us in verse four, “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” Ephesians 2:19-20 tell us, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”
A house – a life built upon Jesus is a wise move. Any other foundation is nothing more than sand. As the pressures of life come upon that house, the sand moves, the house buckles, and disaster ensues. A spiritual life built upon the sand is about as wise as moving your family into a literal house made of gingerbread. Failure is imminent.
Acts 4:10-12 gives these final words for today. “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (11) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
1https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/gingerbread-house-day-december-12
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