Stir-up / Traditional Holiday Food

“Stir up,” from the Latin “excita,” reminds us of God’s power moving in the world, but the stirring up also connects Advent to preparing time-honored recipes for the season. In older versions of the Book of Common Prayer, the collect for the final Sunday before Advent asked God to “stir up thy power…and come,” and so that day came to be called “Stir-up Sunday,” a day on which families would stir up and steam the Christmas pudding. The pudding is then put away to allow the flavors to develop before cooking and enjoying it on Christmas day. In today’s Episcopal Church, the “Stir Up” collect is used third Sunday of Advent, and calls us to remember God’s power, grace, and mercy.

“Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.” ~ The Book of Common Prayer