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DECEMBER 12, 2021

How To Make … Where To Buy The Best in the SCV Page 7

Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

THE BEST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN SANTA CLARITA

EXPLORING LA COUNTY

ROEPER ON ‘WOLF’

AL F IN EE W K Do you believe? From the novel by Valentine Davies Adapted by MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY THEATER of Ben Lomond, California Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois Based upon the Twentieth Century Fox motion picture Miracle on 34th Street

Fridays at 8 pm

11/26

12/3 *12/10

12/17

Saturdays at 2 pm 12/11 *12/18 Saturdays at 8 pm *11/27 Sundays at 2 pm

11/28

Sundays at 7 pm

12/19

Weeknights at 7 pm 12/22

12/4

12/11

12/18

*12/5

12/12

12/19

2/23

*Proof of full vaccination against the COVID-19 will be required at only these 4 performances.

Sponsors

Ticket Prices: $22 Adults • $19 Juniors/Seniors

SINCE 1919

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24242 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321 (661) 799-2702 • www.CanyonTheatre.org

D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES 4 4 Holiday fun around the southland 5 Lighting up Santa Clarita 6 Explore Los Angeles County 7 ‘Tis the season for Tamales! FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8 8 Don’t forget your nightly #9pmRoutine HOLIDAY 9 9 Craft a cozy Christmas ENTERTAINMENT 10 10 ‘Wolf ’ is a dark fairytale, but outstanding 12 Top ten movies of the week FOOD 11 11 Special centerpieces for the holiday table Rum and Cola Holiday Ham • Dijon-Herb Prime Rib GIFT GUIDE 13 SENIOR LIVING 17 17 Reduce the chance of a second heart attack GARDENING 18 18 Yes, there are things to do in your garden KIDS & FAMILY 21 21 Donna’s Day: Guacamole adds zip to post-holiday meal Junior Whirl PUZZLES 22 OPINION 23 SPORTS

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Publisher Sunday Signal Editor Signal Editor

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661-259-1234 The entire content of the Sunday Signal is copyrighted 2021 by Paladin Multi-Media Group, Inc. All submitted letters and columns are strictly the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. If you would not like this delivered to your home, please call (661) 259-1000.

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D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

Holiday Fun Around the Southland

PHOTO COURTESY VISIT CALIFORNIA

his year, events around the southland have moved from last year’s strictly drive-thru events to more in-person events. Still you can load your household into the car for these fun holiday memories-in-the-making, some of which continue into the new year.

Dec. 11 - Jan. 2

12th Annual Gingerbread House Exhibit and Tours Fest 731 S A Street Heritage Square, Oxnard Info heritagesquareoxnard.com/christmas.html What’s more holiday fare than Gingerbread Houses? Visit Oxnard’s Heritage Square Hall which is full of holiday-inspired displays of gingerbread creations. There is a guided tour where you can experience much of the former houses’ exteriors with select interiors.

Dec. 13–27

Christmas Tree Lane, Oxnard

Info visitoxnard.com/blog/holiday-events-oxnard Drive along F & G Streets in the Ventura County town of Oxnard to see its annual displays — then, cruise past the Plaza Park with its pagoda and the tallest Christmas tree in Ventura County. There is much to see on Christmas Tree Lane.

Through Dec. 24

Dodgers Holiday Festival, Los Angeles

Weekdays 5 - 10 p.m. Weekends 3-10 p.m. Info www.mlb.com/dodgers/fans/holiday-festival Celebrate the holiday season at the stadium’s newly renovated Centerfield Plaza, the warning track and both bullpens. There is an ice skating rink, holiday-themed food and beverages, and the opportunity to take photos with Santa.

Dec. 19 and 26

Holiday Movie Nights at the Hollywood Roosevelt, Hollywood

Info https://rb.gy/di2tti It’s appropriate that the site of the first Oscars

PHOTO COURTESY ISLAND PACKERS

ceremony, the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel, has gotten into screening movies. On Dec. 12, see “Elf ” (6:30 p.m.) or “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (9:30 p.m.). On Dec. 19, see “A Christmas Story” (6:30 p.m.) or “Scrooged” (9:30 p.m.). And, on Dec. 26, there’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” (6:30 p.m. or 9:30 pm.) The earlier show is the colorized version.

Through Dec. 23

Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights and Holiday Cruises Holiday Lights Cruise with Island Packers Info www.islandpackers.com View the holiday beauty of Ventura Harbor’s decorated homes and boats from the water. Island Packers offers one-hour cruises from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and Dec. 18 Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights and Fireworks “Back to Seality” is the theme of this year’s Parade of Lights. As in past years, it comes with all the child-like magic of spectacularly decorated boats throwing their lights across the water, says

PHOTO COURTESY VISIT OXNARD

the Visit Ventura website. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. when powerboats and sailboats draped in glittering lights and decorations will cruise the harbor. On dry land, there will be kiddie rides, warm drinks, sweet treats and dining. Fireworks start at 8 p.m. Parking is free.

Dec. 17-31, Jan. 1-2

Six Flags Holiday in the Park Info https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/ events Experience the magic of Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain. You’ll make merry memories with millions of luminous lights, festive foods and your favorite thrilling coasters, according to the park. From coasters to cocoa it’s a holiday spectacular for the whole family. (Visit California) 

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Lighting up Santa Clarita: Where to find the best lights By Caleb Lunetta Signal Senior Staff Writer

hey’re athletes, professionals and/or employees for 11 months a year, but for that single solitary annual bookend — the month of December — they aspire to be creatives. For decades, people have flocked to various spots in the Santa Clarita Valley to see Christmas displays and lights, and it’s all due to the tireless, and sometimes months-long, efforts by some of those who regularly catch the Christmas spirit. Red, blue, green and any mixture in between colored lights dot the sky, familiar children’s and Christmas characters stand life-size on people’s lawns, and Christmas carolers sing to passersby as those perusing the lights clutch hot chocolate in hand. It’s holiday light and season in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Newcomers

When asked when Robyne Roberson and her boyfriend, Bret Paris, start decorating for the Christmas season, the Valencia resident doesn’t miss a beat: Nov. 1. “We start the day after Halloween,” said Roberson, who said she has been extensively decorating her 23235 Cuestport Drive home since moving there four years ago. “As soon as we take down the Halloween stuff, we start putting up Christmas.” “We can’t park our cars in the garage because the garage is storage for decorations,” she added. Before moving to their Cuestport home, Roberson said she had been decorating her home for decades. And even with the move, each year the decorations, lights and spectacle get bigger. “This year we added more. We’ve pretty much completely covered the roof of the house with lights,” said Roberson. “We have a music synchronizer that flashes the lights in our trees out there to the music that plays in the yard. It plays several different Christmas tunes and the lights blink.” Also on display are various cherished holiday characters, such as the Grinch, an angel, some reindeer and a giant nutcracker. When asked why she and her boyfriend do it — he, a

Holiday Light Stops Woodfield Place, Valencia 91354 Clearidge Drive, Valencia 91354 Homestead Place, Saugus 91350 Angelica Place, Valencia 91354 Wakefield Winter Wonderland Wakefield Court, Saugus 91350 23235 Cuestport Drive, Valencia 91354 Main Street, Newhall 91321 professional golfer and writer, and she who works in the optical field — year after year, she says it’s all worth it once seeing their guests’ faces. “People will bring their little kids; they’ll go on walks and they’ll walk their dogs by and they’ll bring their little kids or their grandkids by,” said Roberson. “And they just look at this house. Like they’re standing in front of Disneyland.” “They love it and I like to make people happy like that,” she added. When asked why she thinks there’s an attraction to Christmas lights, Roberson said she believes people love to see the artistic vision or creativity of another individual. For instance, in addition to the newly added musical performance, as well as their traditional characters, Roberson and boyfriend went so far as to carve and paint their own candy canes this year. “It’s kind of like a personal art display,” Roberson said. “We get out there and we create a display that there’s no two that are the same; everybody does it a little bit different.”

The Specs

Roberson said that between her 150- and 300-light strings, she has more than 10,000 lights going on top of her house. Having such high wattage and financial investment is not unique to the Roberson-Paris house-

Robyne Roberson and her boyfriend, Bret Paris, start decorating their Cuestport Drive house the day after Halloween. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

hold, however, as there is an entire community within a community devoted to the Christmas light artform here locally. For example, on Wakefield Court, also known as Wakefield Wonderland during this time of year, in years past there have been staggering numbers to showcase the holiday spirit. Among the 41 homes, there are roughly 50,000 icicle lights strung between the homes, millions of light bulbs decorating the homes, and some 7,000-8,000 visitors per year. For decades, the neighbors of the Saugus community have been inviting people to their street and this year are working to philanthropically assist Bridge to Home, Santa Clarita’s only year-round homeless shelter. As it has done in years past, Santa Clarita Transit is once again offering residents and visitors alike to join on a holiday light tour, promising to show attendees, the “brightest and awe-inspiring displays.” “The city of Santa Clarita is excited to once again offer the popular holiday light tour,” said Carrie Lujan, spokeswoman for the city. “Guests

can hop aboard the historic trolley for a dazzling display of holiday lights designed by some of the most festive members of our community.” This year, transit plans to stop at the following streets along their own light tour, but a number of others are set to still be lit up even if not included on the list: Woodfield Place, Clearidge Drive, Homestead Place and Angelica Place. Trips will be offered Dec. 16-18 from 6 to 9 p.m. each day. Holiday light tour trips depart approximately every 30 minutes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets are first-come, first-served, and can be purchased upon boarding for $3 per person or free with the donation of canned food or other essential items for the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry. “Don’t forget to stop by Old Town Newhall to see the magnificent Christmas tree adorned with more than 3,000 ornaments, as well as the picture-perfect photo ops up and down Main Street,” Lujan added. 

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D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

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Los Angeles County By Jose Herrera Signal Staff Writer

ost people assume Los Angeles is the city of stars with Hollywood and major television giants at the center with their studio tours or extravagant pop-up events they host. Although that sentiment is not completely wrong, there are many destinations across the county that attract thousands of visitors and are fun experiences for families or friends visiting for the upcoming final holidays of the year.

COVID-19 Protocols

Most places such as museums, theaters, bars, restaurants and other indoor spaces follow COVID-19 mandates per the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The Public Health Department mandates museum visitors over the age of 2 must wear a face mask over nose and mouth when inside buildings. Visitors and customers also need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to visiting museums. If a person plans to visit any of these destinations, it’s important to remember there will be a mask mandate or a vaccination verification requirement that must be followed to fully enjoy the visit.

The Autry

The Autry Museum of the American West brings together the stories of people of the American West and connects the past with the present to inspire future generations. An exhibit, “Art of the West,” showcases the dynamic and evolving world of art of artists Thomas Moran, Frederic Remington, Georgia O’Keeffe, and more from three themes — reli-

gion and ritual, land and landscape, and migration and movement. “Museum visitors of all ages would enjoy roaming through galleries where they can learn more about the varied stories of the American West,” said Keisha Raines, communications and digital marketing manager for the museum. The Autry is located at 4700 Western Heritage Way, near the L.A. Zoo, and it is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can be prepurchased online at theautry. org/visit.

The Petersen

The Petersen Automotive Museum offers a rich collection of vehicles from throughout history. Visitors can get a close-up experience of some of the most famous and most known modern supercars, American classics, award-winning hot rods and more. “Bond in Motion: Official Collection of Original James Bond Vehicles” is on display at the Petersen and it is the first official exhibit to feature original vehicles from the James Bond film franchise. “The Peterson is essentially located in the middle of Los Angeles and we have 400 vehicles on display between our three public floors and the vault,” said Michael Bodell, chief operation officer for the museum. “We opened our newest exhibit, ‘Hypercars,’ and that’s 15 of the newest, fastest, and most luxurious vehicles ever created from around the world — including Bugatti, McLaren and Ferrari.” There’s also a Pixar Discovery Center open for children of all ages. “It’s good to see that people are back in the museum,” Bodell said. “Attendance is up right now and we hope that it maintains that upward trajectory.” The Petersen is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. and it is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be prepur-

The Petersen Automotive Museum showcases a vehicle from the James Bond film franchise for its exhibit “Bond in Motion.” PHOTO COURTESY PETERSON AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM

chased online at petersen.org/tickets or at the admissions desk before 4:30 p.m.

The Getty Center and Getty Villa

The Getty Center and Getty Villa Museum are picturesque locations. The center focuses on scenic art and architecture while the villa showcases roman and Greek antiquities. “Watteau at Work: La Surprise” is a selection of works from Jean Antoine Watteau that depicts graceful scenes of courtship, music and dance, strolling lovers and theatrical characters during the 18th century, according to the Getty Center. At the villa, the “Rubens: Picturing Antiquity” exhibition is on display through Jan. 24. The exhibit features the work of Peter Paul Rubens (15771640), which depicts heroic nudes, fierce hunts, military processions and more. The Getty Center and Getty Villa are located at 1200 Getty Center Drive and 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, respectively. The center is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but closed on Mondays. The villa is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but closed on Tuesdays. Admission is free; however, each place requires a timed-entry reservation. New entry times are released daily. For information, visit getty.edu.

Beaches and Parks

Los Angeles has busy beaches with stunning sunsets, even in the fall when temperatures still reach highs into the 80s or 90s.

Santa Monica Beach is home to the Pacific Park amusement park on its pier and next to it is Muscle Beach, an outdoor gym established in the 1930s. If a visitor is not too fond of the beach, there’s much to do in the surrounding area. Huntington Beach is another option that is more family-friendly because visitors are able to do a myriad of activities such as surfing, hiking, biking, whale watching, beach bonfires and more. Near the beach is the Huntington Beach Art Center and the Huntington Central Park, which are available to visitors looking for a quiet time. There’s also a place for tranquility inland: At the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Arcadia, visitors can walk throughout the many gardens and take photos of the flora and fauna. Visitors can also purchase tickets for the Lightscape event — a night of wonder and light at the Arboretum. For Arboretum ticket information, visit arboretum.org.

Exploring L.A. County

Los Angeles County is one of the nation’s largest counties with 4,084 square miles and nearly 10 million residents. There are many places to go eat, drink and have a good time. For information on more events or destinations, visit lacounty.gov/thingsto-do/ or discoverlosangeles.com/ events. 

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‘Tis the season for … Tamales! By Victor Corral Martinez Signal Staff Writer

staple during the holidays in many Latino households is the iconic tamales at the dinner table, a treat that many families bond together making. A tamal is a corn flour dough surrounding a filling, wrapped in a corn husk and slowly steamed.

Tamal History

The origins of tamales date back to the Olmecs and Toltecs, prehistoric Mesoamerican civilizations that date thousands of years before the Aztecs. Tamales historically have been stuffed with various items such as turkey, fish, or vegetables. The recipe for tamales has changed a bit in the past 500 years but predominantly remains unchanged. Today’s tamales traditionally feature chicken, roasted peppers and cheese, or pork, and dessert tamales are commonly made with raisins. The festive food is given to family and friends, starting around Thanksgiving but continuing through Christmas. For more than two years, the Tamales Express has been owned and operated by husband and wife Romualdo and Yesenia Barrera. They offer tamales year-round and have a food truck used for special events and catering in Santa Clarita. The business began one holiday season when Romualdo and Yesenia Barrera ate tamales made by Romualdo’s mother. They only ate tamales during Christmas but wanted to enjoy them year-round,

This freshly prepared batch of tamales has been approved to sell to customers by Tamales Express Owner Romualdo Barrera. PHOTOS BY VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ

according to Romualdo. “We love tamales, and that was one of the main reasons why we opened the restaurant because It wasn’t fair that you could only have it during the holidays,” Yesenia said.

Local Places To Buy Tamales Jazmin’s Bakery

Located at 24330 Main St. in Newhall with more than two decades of operation, Jazmin’s offers many seasonal baked goods. The bakery also makes tamales including the more common fillings and traditional Guerrero style. Varieties include jalapeño and cheese, pork in red sauce, chicken in green sauce and a chicken mole in a banana leaf. You can reach them on instagram at @ jazminsbakery.

California Bakery & Cafe

Located at 23021 Soledad Canyon Road inSanta Clarita, the bakery makes many baked and fried goods and also sells tamales. The

business is also close to selling out of holiday preorders and advises placing a phone order in advance. You can reach California Bakery & Cafe at (661) 255-1254.

Tamales Express: Located at 18283 Soledad Canyon Road in Santa Clarita, Tamales Express offers tamales year-round and has a food truck used for special events and catering in Santa Clarita. For more than two years, the business has been owned and operated by husband and wife Romualdo and Yesenia Barrera.

The Barreras began researching and having their family taste test the items. Eventually, the business opened in 2019 but quickly filled a void for people wanting tamales outside of the holidays. “Right now we’re making a thousand pounds of masa in two days,” Romualdo said. Currently, Tamales Express offers beef in red and green sauce, chicken, pork tamales, chicharrón (fried pork belly), jalapeño and cheese tamales. Romualdo said there are times the business runs out, and it takes about three hours to make a batch of tamales, often selling out before the day is over. Even with increased production, it is still not enough. “Monday through Thursday we make up to 1,200 tamales a day,” Romualdo said. “Friday, Saturday and Sunday we sell over 2,000.” On Dec. 23 and 24, Tamales Express expects to sell 12,000 tamales in preorders alone and make an additional thousand for last-minute additions to orders. Many times the food truck will have more tamales available, in addition to churros and specialty Mexican drinks. The Barreras advise preordering tamales and checking their social media page for more information: instagram.com/tamalesexpress_ scv. See TAMALES, page 20

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D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Don’t forget your nightly #9pmRoutine By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

he safety and security of residents is a priority in the City of Santa Clarita. From partnering with the County of Los Angeles on the brand-new Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station to taking a data-first approach to reducing traffic collisions and injuries on our streets, the City is using innovative resources to ensure Santa Clarita continues to be one of the safest cities in the nation. In addition, the City and Sheriff ’s Department take a proactive approach to public safety through innovative and award-winning campaigns like Heads Up! and the Stolen Collection. Another campaign aimed at protecting personal property is the #9PMRoutine. The #9PMRoutine encourages residents to add a simple set of securi-

tect your valuables. ty steps to their nightThe #9PMRoutine ly schedule to protect The builds upon what you their home, vehicles #9PMRoutine already do at the end and personal wellbeing. of the day — lock your After a long day of encourages doors and windows. work, juggling family residents to However, it goes a step schedules and running and encourages errands, it can be easy add a simple further you to double-check that to forget critical safety set of security your vehicle’s doors and steps in favor of getting are locked, valusome much-needed steps to their trunk ables are kept out of your rest. This is especially true during the holidays nightly schedule vehicle and your home’s lights are workwhen the added stress to protect their exterior ing. By keeping valuables we face can also make home, vehicles out of your car and inus forgetful. It feels terribly vioand personal stalling motion sensors as part of your home selating to be a victim of wellbeing. curity system, you deter a robbery or burglary. would-be burglars. The effects of the crime These tips should also can weigh on you mentally be applied when you are out shoplong after it has taken place as you furping, particularly in the hustle and ther worry about your safety. bustle of the holidays. When you This is why it is important to reare out picking up last-minute gifts, view #9PMRoutine periodically to help combat property crime and pro- meeting up with friends for live en-

tertainment or popping into the grocery store, take a few extra seconds to be sure that you’ve locked your car. Take your wallet or purse with you and lock any gifts or valuables you have out of sight in the trunk. A few moments of your time go a long way toward keeping thieves from taking your possessions. Thanks to the hard-working deputies of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station and the diligence of community members, the City of Santa Clarita will continue to keep property crime low this winter. Connect with the City and Sheriff ’s Station on social media for more safety and security tips. I wish you and your family a safe and healthy holiday season and a happy New Year. Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santa-clarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal. 

D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

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H O L I D AY

ecorating for the holidays can be made even more special when decorations are handmade creations families can cherish for years to come. Holiday crafting is an enjoyable way to pass some time and create lasting holiday traditions and memories. The following are some crafts families can make together.

Personalized elf

For families who want to make their own personalized elf dolls, all it takes is a little computer knowledge, some clever photo work and a some sewing skills. Find a template for a rag doll sewing pattern or an illustration of an elf online. Superimpose an image of your child’s face on the template in a photo editing program. Print out the entire image onto iron-on fabric transfer paper. Iron it on to a light-colored piece of fabric from the craft store according to the product directions. Cut out the fabric with ironed-on decal, leaving about a one-inch margin to allow for sewing and eventual stuffing. Duplicate the shape of the doll onto another piece of fabric to make the back of the elf doll. Place the front elf image face down on the back piece of fabric and sew the edges together, leaving a small opening at the end. Using that opening, flip the elf right-side out and stuff with pillow fill material. Sew the small opening closed and enjoy a personalized elf doll for the holidays.

Holiday candle

This craft is attractive and also smells good. What you will need: One bar of fragrant soap (like Irish spring) A small, white washcloth Red and green ribbon A round of colorful mesh or tulle fabric measuring roughly 12 inches or enough to wrap your bar of soap Craft glue A piece of yellow felt cut to look like a flame

One or two sewing pins. 1. Roll the washcloth into a cylinder shape to serve as the “wick” of the candle. 2. Glue the edges together and wrap a piece of ribbon diagonally around the wick and adhere to secure even further. 3. Glue the felt flame to the top of the wick. 4. Place the soap in the center of the round piece of fabric. 5. Attach the wick vertically to the soap using the pins. Then gather the tops of the mesh fabric around the base of the wick and use another piece of ribbon to tie into a bow and secure the fabric to the wick base. 6. The soap and pins should now be concealed. 7. Place the “candle” out of direct sunlight and away from heat, preferably on a little dish so the soap will not damage any furniture.

Growth indicator ornament

Purchase a large glass or plastic Christmas tree ball. Select an acrylic paint in your color of choice and squirt some into a paper plate. Have a child dip his or her hand into the paint and then transfer the handprint to the ornament. Let dry and then attach a ribbon to hang on the tree. Through the years see how much children have grown from that little handprint.

Snowmen

The holiday season simply wouldn’t be the same without snowmen. Homemade snowmen can be made out of ping pong balls, which are the ideal size when making ornaments for the Christmas

tree. Those who want to go a little bigger can glue wiffle balls or large polystyrene balls together or create their own papier mache snowmen to display on mantles or on console tables in a foyer or hallway.

Reindeer

Santa would not be able to get the job done each Christmas Eve without his trustworthy team of reindeer. Popsicle stick reindeer projects can be fun for kids of all ages and a great way for youngsters to recognize the efforts of Dasher, Dancer, Comet, Cupid, and, of course, Rudolph, among others.

Cookie cutters

Family baking sessions are a holiday tradition for millions of people. Though that often leads to batches upon batches of tasty cookies, it also means families tend to have a surplus of holiday cookie cutters around the house. Surplus cookie cutters tend to be discarded or relegated to the miscellaneous items drawer in kitchens, but a more awe-inspiring fate can await them. A coat of paint, some glitter and a little bit of string or twine is all families need to transform their extra cookie cutters into colorful tree ornaments.

Gift in a Jar

There are so many gifts you can give in a jar. Personalize each “gift in a jar” for each recipient. Large glass jars, or Mason jars are perfect vehicles for “gift in a jar” giving. Dollar stores usually carry a variety of large-mouth, decorative jars with lids at various times throughout the year, or simply buy a supply of Mason canning jars. Finish off your jar with a label you print yourself and tie a pretty ribbon around the bottle or lid.

A few gift ideas:

Minibar in a Jar Buy a selection of cute mini liquor bottles and place in a jar. Barbecue in a Jar Share your homemade “secret” barbecue rub in a jar. Pampering in a Jar Include travel size moisturizers, body bar, bath gel, lip balm, hand lotion and other self-care products in a jar with a pretty scrub. Snackin’ Jar Place a variety of tasty treats into a jar. (MC) 

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D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

‘Wolf’ is a dark fairytale with outstanding performances By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Wolf ’

(out of four)

Focus Features presents a film written and directed by Nathalie Biancheri. Rated R (for some abusive behavior, sexuality, nudity and language). In theaters.

atres

ecently I’ve become acquainted with a prominent and respected doctor who has treated patients with some amazing and unusual real-life • Santa Clarita Signal disorders, including ...

George MacKay and Lily-Rose Depp star in in “Wolf” PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

functions or even orgasm.

is about another type of strange

adsource@exhibitorads.com and unsettling but very real condi• Alice in Wonderland syndrome: tion: species dysphoria, in which p. 888.737.2812 f. 203.438.1206 In essence, a persistent acid trip in

• Apotemnophilia: a form of body the patient is convinced they are not dysmorphic syndrome inDecember which which one might feel like an actual 12-16, 2021 date: Sunday-Thursday, human but are in fact a bird, a dog, the patient has the burning desire giant, or microscopically small. delivery date: Tuesday, December to amputate a healthy limb. 7, 2021 at 10:42:51 AM CASCS_LEM1212-a bear, a lion — or in the case of Tell me you wouldn’t watch a George MacKay’s Jacob, a wolf. • Transient global amnesia: a tempo- streaming series starring, say, Bryan A wolf that believes it belongs in rary loss of memory. the wild with the rest of the pack, a Cranston or Viola Davis as a physiwolf that howls in the dead of night, cian who treats such patients. Which • Florence syndrome: Patients are brings us to the unnerving, bold and a wolf that scampers about on all so moved in the presence of great fours, a wolf that refuses (or is ununforgettably bizarre “Wolf,” which art that they can faint, lose bodily able) to acknowledge the reality facing itself every time it looks in the mirror. TM MacKay, the British actor best known for his stunningly strong work in “1917,” does a remarkable job in creating a character who moves about with such canine grace, 22500 Lyons Ave. info Line 310.478.3836 it’s as if he’s starring in a motioncapture movie — especially after night has fallen, when the shirtless Jacob is prone to finding a rooftop or a balcony where he can howl with great force and pain, like a caged anNightmare alley E to What remaiNS imal. 3:35 5:40 7:45 Thu: 7:00 PM When we meet Jacob, he’s had anBeNedetta other relapse and his parents have Spider-maN: No Way Sun to Wed: 1:00 7:20; Thu: taken him to the True You clinic, home C 1:00 PM where he joins a small group of paThu: 7:10 7:20 tients who believe they’re animals eNcaNto B such as a squirrel, a horse, a panda, a Sun to Tue: 1:30 4:20 7:30 BeiNg the ricardoS E parrot or a duck. 1:10 4:10 7:10 Eileen Walsh plays a seeminghoUSe of gUcci E ly sympathetic therapist who conSun to Tue: 12:50 4:10 7:00 doN’t look Up ducts daily sessions and believes in c’moN c’moN E positive reinforcement — but the 1:10 4:15 7:20 4:20 PM real head of the institution is Dr. moSley B Mann (Paddy Considine), aka The harper I Zookeeper, and the fact he’s known 1:15 PM Wed & Thu: 1:20 4:30 7:30 as The Zookeeper tells you a little something about his extreme methWeSt Side Story C loUiS vaN BeethoveN I ods. 1:00 4:00 7:00 Mon: 7:30 PM; Tue: 1:00 PM The Zookeeper maintains a firm FOR 12/12/202112/16/2021 ONLY WWW.LAEMMLE.COM but caring facade when it is visi-

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tors’ day, but as soon as the parents are gone, he forces his patients to confront what he believes to be the absurdity of their conditions. A boy who says he’s a squirrel is told time and again to scamper up a tree; a girl who thinks she’s a bird is forced to a second-story ledge and told to flap her “wings” and fly, because after all, she’s a bird, right? And we’re just beginning to find out the depths of The Zookeeper’s sadism. With the effectively claustrophobic production design and swirling cinematography giving “Wolf ” a kind of “Cuckoo’s Nest” vibe, we also get a love story, as Jacob makes a deep connection with Lily-Rose Depp’s Wildcat, who believes she’s a bobcat and has apparently lived at the facility for most of her life and has privileges that allow her to roam the grounds freely. A scene in which Jacob and Wildcat circle each other, making animal sounds and sniffing, plays like an exercise in a stage acting class, and yet MacKay and Depp are so committed to their performances and so believable as these deeply troubled and tortured people, we buy into it. We find ourselves hoping against hope — and against the monstrous Zookeeper — that these two will find a way to have a real life together. Writer-director Nathalie Biancheri treats this potentially sensational material with sensitivity and empathy, though “Wolf ” sometimes careens in the direction of a pure horror film and introduces some late elements that border on the grotesque and seem superfluous to the main story. Still, this is an involving and dark fairy tale, with great performances from MacKay and Depp. Jacob and Wildcat might have a very long way to go before they’re truly human — but then again, so does The Zookeeper.  Copyright 2020 Chicago Sun-Times

D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

FOOD

Special Centerpieces for Holiday Celebrations

ew things bring family and friends together quite like the holidays, and serving up an elegant, seasonal meal centered around a mouthwatering main dish is a recipe for creating lasting memories with the ones you love. Forging a fabulous holiday experience for the special people in your life starts with choosing a flavorful, tender cut of meat to serve as the centerpiece of the meal. Hand-cut by expert butchers, options like Spiral-Sliced Ham, Boneless Heart of Prime Rib Roast and Butcher’s Cut Filet Mignons from Omaha Steaks can serve as the focal point of a mem orable holiday dinner. Flash frozen to capture freshness and flavor, you can select a standout cut of meat from the comfort of your home and have it delivered directly to your door in time to put together a tender, juicy main course. Find more holiday recipe inspiration at OmahaSteaks.com/blog/recipes. (Family Features) 

Rum and Cola Holiday Ham

Recipe courtesy of Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 80 minutes Servings: 10-12

Ham

1 Omaha Steaks Spiral-Sliced Ham (8 pounds)

Glaze

1 cup cherry fruit spread 3/4 cup dark spiced rum 3/4 cup cola 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt To make ham: Thaw frozen ham in refrigerator 24-48 hours. Remove from refrigerator and let ham come to room temperature, about 30-45 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 F. Remove ham from foil and film. Return ham to foil wrapping and place in oven-safe roasting pan. Roll foil down leaving 2 inches of foil around bottom of ham. Place roasting pan with ham in oven

on lower rack and heat uncovered 60-75 minutes, until ham starts to brown. While ham cooks, make glaze. To make glaze: In medium saucepot, whisk fruit spread, rum, cola, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and salt until well incorporated. Bring

to boil then reduce heat to medium. Simmer over medium heat 10 minutes then remove from heat. Cool to room temperature. During last 15 minutes of cooking, glaze ham every 5 minutes. 

Dijon-Herb Prime Rib Roast with Garlic Butter Mushrooms Recipe courtesy of Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 3 hours Servings: 4-6

Dijon-Herb Rub

1/4 cup minced fresh Italian parsley 1/4 cup minced fresh oregano 1/4 cup minced fresh thyme leaves 1/4 cup minced fresh rosemary leaves 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/2 cup canola oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Prime Rib Roast

1 Omaha Steaks Boneless Heart of Prime Rib Roast (4 pounds), thawed kosher salt, to taste ground black pepper, to taste 1/4 cup canola oil

Garlic Butter Mushrooms

6 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup small diced yellow onion 4 fresh garlic cloves, minced 1 pound button mushrooms, cleaned and

quartered 1 pinch kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided 1 pinch ground black pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided 1/2 cup chicken stock 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup finely chopped Italian parsley To make rub In medium bowl, whisk parsley, oregano, thyme, rosemary, garlic, Dijon mustard, oil, salt, black pepper and paprika until well incorporated. To make prime rib roast Pat prime rib roast dry on all sides with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper, to taste. Allow roast to come to room temperature about 30 minutes. Rub Dijon herb rub all over prime rib roast and allow to stand 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 250 F. In large cast-iron pan, warm oil over medium-high heat. Sear roast on all sides until golden brown, 2-3 minutes per side.

See how to make these recipes and more at SignalSCV.com/Sunday

Place seared prime rib on wire racklined sheet pan and place in oven. Cook until internal temperature is 10 F below desired cooking doneness. Rest 15-20 minutes before slicing. To make mushrooms: In large pan, warm olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and saute about 1 minute. Add minced garlic and lightly saute until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add mushrooms and pinch of salt

and ground pepper to pan. Saute 3-4 minutes, or until mushrooms are tender. Add chicken stock and reduce to onethird in volume, 3-4 minutes. Add butter and parsley to pan and saute until butter is melted and incorporated. Immediately remove from heat and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve mushrooms with prime rib roast. (Family Features) 

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D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

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D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

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D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

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D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

SENIORLIVING

Reduce the chance of a second heart attack or clot-related stroke

ccording to the American Heart Association, one in four heart attack or ischemic (clot-related) stroke survivors will have a second heart attack or clot-related stroke. To help prevent a second heart attack or clot-related stroke, lifestyle changes and communicating closely with your health care team can help make a difference. Taking the right medications for your unique needs can also help lower the chance of experiencing another cardiovascular event. The American Heart Association suggests five steps to lower your risk of a second heart attack or clot-related stroke: • Take medications as prescribed • Attend follow-up appointments • Participate in cardiac rehabilitation • Create a support network • Manage risk factors

Take medications as prescribed

Certain medicines can greatly help lower your risk of another cardiovascular event, which may include beta-blockers, antithrombotic, ACE inhibitors and statins. Additionally, an over-the-counter doctor recommended aspirin regimen can help lower your risk of another heart attack or ischemic stroke. However, aspirin is not appropriate for everyone, so be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen. Keep in mind, suddenly discontinuing any medication may have consequences. For reference, stopping a doctor-directed aspirin regimen without talking with your doctor may increase risk for another heart attack by 63%.

Attend follow-up appointments

It is important to attend follow-up doctor appointments to continue to monitor health. Ongoing, clear communication with your physician is important. If your health changes or you have any questions, it’s important to reach out by phone or make an in-person appointment. This is especially critical when starting or stopping any medication, including over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin.

ARE YOU READY? Participate in rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation can help change your heart’s future. It is a medically supervised program to help improve your cardiovascular health if you have experienced a heart attack. Rehabilitation can include exercise training, emotional support and education about lifestyle changes to reduce your chance of a second heart attack. Rehabilitation is also a key part of stroke recovery. Though it doesn’t reverse the effects of a stroke, it can help rebuild your strength and confidence to return to independent living. Under your doctor’s direction, stroke rehabilitation specialists can provide a treatment program suited to your needs, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, support groups and more.

Create a support network

Reach out to someone you trust, such as a friend or family member, to call or text you every day to remind you to take your medications and keep you accountable.

Manage risk factors

After you experience a heart attack or clot-related stroke, managing risk factors, like blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, through diet and exercise can help improve overall health. Regular exercise can include taking brisk walks, swimming and biking. A heart-healthy diet includes eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, reducing unhealthy fat and sodium intake and portion control. With a proactive mindset and open communication with your doctor, including conversations about medications, you can help lower your chances of a second heart attack or clot-related stroke. (BPT) 

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D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

GARDENING

Yes, there are things to do in December gardens By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

opefully, everyone had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Now we’re on to the last round of holidays for 2021. It is impossible to know what the winter weather will be this year, but prepare for extreme cold, heat, rain, frost, wind, drought and wildfires as best you can! We can get any or all of it! While the rest of the nation battles freezing temperatures and snow, we get to work outdoors in the garden. Cool weather makes this a good month for construction projects and short days make it easy for new or transplanted plants to settle in. Winter vegetables should be growing comfortably in the vegetable garden and the promise of rain should coax up wildflowers. You can also plant started vegetables from multipacks. Snap up the last of the best winter vegetables still available for sale. Or, plant seed for later crops of peas, cabbages, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, fava beans, lettuces, radishes, Swiss chard, etc. Plant root crops such as carrots, radishes, and beets from seed, too. And try some less traditional edible root plants like celeriac, parsnip and salsify for variety. Root crops are best planted from seed since they don’t like transplanting. Most vegetables do well with aged manure — all manure should be aged at least four months to destroy potentially dangerous bacteria. But if you are expecting to grow long, straight carrots, avoid adding manure of any

Lest we forget that Santa Clarita has been known to get snow. But winters have been warmer so such scenes are a bit less likely these days. PHOTOS BY JANE GATES

kind to your soil as it can encourage the roots to fork.

Weeding

This is a good time to keep up with weeding. The tiny plants that germinate right after rain pull easily. You may even want to replace those weeds with some California wildflower plants. Scattering wildflower seed is a handy way to fill up open areas or an empty garden with color for springtime. Just scatter seeds the day before rain is likely and let nature plant them for you. Prune dormant trees and shrubs. Sap is flowing more slowly and trees will suffer less stress from cuts or wounds. As the final leaves fall this month, you can shred them and add them to your compost heap.

Spring bulbs

Pop early spring-blooming bulbs into flower beds or a cutting garden. There is a wide choice of bulbs available now to add colorful flowers to an evergreen garden, add perfume to ordinary plant areas, supply cut flowers or just add excitement to any planter or garden. Think about adding new sections to the garden, removing lawn, building a raised vegetable garden or working on some garden designing. This is the best time to get projects and plans in gear before the spring rush. Start by listing what you want to do and the materials that will be involved, sketch out a design of the area and how it will go together, then price out and buy your materials so you have everything organized before you start the project.

This is a good time to plant root crops such as carrots, radishes and beets from seed.

Hardy annuals

Keep on planting those hardy annual flower

seeds, plants, shrubs and trees. Other hardy plants will likely transplant easily with the moister soil, gentler temperatures and shorter days of December. Make sure the newly planted don’t dry out in spells when there is no rain, and toss a cover of light burlap over them on frosty nights for protection. Pore through garden furniture, plant and seed catalogs online or printed. They provide a delightful way to spend a cold, windy or rainy day and will give you some interesting ideas for your garden. And check out some of the local garden centers for fun garden holiday gifts. You might find a gift or two that you and your garden deserve after putting in a year of care and hard work. Some gifts might make work easier, like some useful tools.

Gardener gifting

Other gifts will make gardening healthier to do, like hats, gloves, sunscreen, knee pads and more. And still others might just plain be fun, like décor, games, books, and clothes. When in doubt, gift your gardening friends (or yourself) with a gift certificate for shopping in the future! December is an ideal time to take on outdoor projects while the weather is comfortable for work. You can add new sections to the garden, plant lawns, build a raised vegetable garden or add some decorative garden edging so your landscape will shine come the spring season. And make sure you provide a spot for rest and relaxation in your garden. If you already have one, I repeat, use it during the hectic holidays! For more information about gardening in the Santa Clarita Valley, visit Jane Gates on YouTube at https://youtube.com/user/Janieg8s. 

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 9

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D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

TAMALES

Continued from page 7

If you’re planning to experience making tamales the traditional way with your family, Romualdo says to be in a good mood and have patience with the process. “I would say don’t get frustrated if you’re new to making tamales,” Romualdo said. “I feel like it’s one of the toughest items to make, honestly.”

Chicken Tamales Recipe

ecipes varies by country, region and grandmother. There is no perfect recipe that will make everyone happy, but this recipe is designed for beginners who want to try one of the most popular varieties of tamales.

Ingredients

Tamal dough 1 package of corn husks 1 cup vegetable shortening, room temperature 1 cup of broth (Use the water from boiled chicken) 2 cups of corn flour (also called masa harina or maseca) 2 tablespoons baking powder 1 tablespoon salt

Filling

1 chicken breast, boiled and shredded 1 pound tomatillos 2 cups water 1 white onion 1 poblano chili 1 clove garlic 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper

Directions

The corn husks must be soaked for 30 minutes and cleaned of any leftover corn hairs. After soaking the husk, you set them aside to dry. A batch of tamales just waits to be eaten.

Owners Romualdo Barrera and Jesmir Lopez checking the tamales are up to standard before selling.

You can choose to boil or pan cook your chicken, but for this recipe, boiling is easiest. First, place chicken breast in boiling water; add salt and onions for taste. After 15 minutes of boiling chicken, set the chicken to cool and shred with a fork. Combine the maseca masa mix, baking powder and salt. Stir into the vegetable shortening, adding more broth from the boiled chicken as necessary to form a spongy dough. You can add more maseca mix if you add too much broth. A clump should float in a cup of water; if not, keep stirring. You can boil, pan cook, or grill the peppers, but boiling the ingredients is faster and easier for this purpose. Cut the tomatillos into quarters and peppers into slices. Dice garlic and onions. Add the ingredients to a boiling pot of water, add a teaspoon of salt and

cook for 20 minutes or until peppers are soft. Drain the ingredients and place in a blender until ingredients are well-blended and you have a bright green salsa. Finally, pour the salsa into the shredded chicken, mix and let the chicken marinate. With a spoon, scoop the tamale dough and spread it on two-thirds of the inner husk; make sure the layer of dough is about a quarter-inch thick. Next, scoop the filling in the center of the dough-covered husk with a spoon. Fold half of the tamal to cover the filling, then fold the other half; fold the bottom of the corn husk under your tamal. The spreading of dough and folding is the hardest part of making tamales and will require many attempts before mastering the skills of a grandmother with decades of experience making tamales. Add a few cups of water to a traditional steamer pot and heat until water is hot. An old grandmother’s trick is to add a coin to the water. If you hear the coins rattling, that means there’s enough water. If you can’t hear the coins moving, then you need to add more water to the pot. Place the rack in the steamer pot, gently placing your tamales into the steamer upright with the open part of the husk at the top. Once you’ve added all of your tamales to the steamer, cover and steam over medium heat for 45 minutes or until cooked. Let tamales cool for 15 minutes before serving. Optional Alternatively, using a slow cooker with a steamer setting can equally work. Apply the recommended amount of water for your multicooker, place the tamales upright and steam for 20 minutes. Check to see the dough is cooked and separating from the husk. You can also change the fillings to incorporate cheese or other favorite ingredients. 

D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 1

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Rosemary cashews for holiday snacking Rosemary Cashews

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

’m nuts about nuts. All yearround. I try to keep a bowl of fresh, shelled California almonds replenished and within easy reach on the kitchen counter for a grab and go snack. And thanks to my Georgia-raised friend, I have a stash of tasty pecans for tossing on salads and desserts. For the holidays, our tastes shift to cashews, and this easy recipe that makes them, well, more festive. The addition of fresh rosemary and cayenne pepper is unexpected and always gets raves. Here’s our family version, which calls for your kids’ assistance. Let them take charge of pulling the fresh rosemary leaves off the stems before you mince the fragrant herb with a sharp knife. Heat up the nuts in the oven and the remaining steps come together in minutes.

Rosemary cashews set the scene for holiday gift-giving.

3 cups roasted, unsalted cashews 1 heaping tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon salt 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 1. Heat oven to 350 F.

Double the recipe for holiday gift-giving. Instead of filling cellophane food bags, use recycled clearglass jars. Your kids might want to make it whimsical and reminiscent of

a snow globe scene by layering the seasoned cashews in the bottom third and adding a cute foil-covered chocolate snowman or ornament on top of the cashews. Anchor sprigs of rosemary upright to mimic pine trees, screw on the lid and add a tag. For an extra gift, tie a spoon to the jar for scooping up the flavorful treat. Let’s get cooking ...

2. Spread the cashews in one layer on a cookie sheet and bake for about 6 minutes, or until warm and lightly toasted. 3. Combine the rosemary, brown sugar, salt, melted butter and cayenne pepper (if you wish an extra kick) in a large bowl. When the cashews are heated, immediately pour them into the bowl with the spice butter mixture. Toss thoroughly. 4. Cool and serve, or store in an airtight container up to two weeks. NOTE If you prefer, substitute 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup for 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”  © 2020 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

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SOLUTIONS

PUZZLES

D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

CROSSWORD TIME

D E C E M B E R 12, 2021

Opinion

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 2 3

Unless otherwise stated, the views and opinions expressed are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The Signal.

READERLETTERS

Finding Bias Everywhere To Mr. Edward Strawser of Valencia (letters, Oct. 26, “Too Many Conservative Opinions”), where do I begin? Newspapers are in the business of doing two things: 1) reporting facts and opinions (some from the community and some from their own staff), and 2) turning a profit. As for bias, Mr. Strawser, ALL newspapers are biased, and the only thing that distinguishes them from each other is to what degree they are biased, ranging from the New Yorker and Slate on the left to Breitbart and The Drudge Report on the right. In fact, I challenge you to name a single newspaper in this country that is not biased. Welcome to humanity, Mr. Strawser. Although you are correct in your observation that The Signal “leans” to the right, it is by no means a go-to for the “MAGA” folks, to use an over-used acronym. Being a loyalist to no person, party, or ideology, that is how I see The Signal. Many of my more “colorful” letters to the editor have been those that railed against what I saw as its more “eccentric” letter-writers and columnists, and they include people leaning in both directions. And it is a fact I doubt anyone in the Santa Clarita Valley will dispute that some of The Signal’s most eccentric letters and columns are indeed liberal, which are printed just as “shamelessly” by The Signal as those that are conservative. So how fair is that? And as for cartoons, it is an ages-old American tradition to use them to mock the foibles of the sitting administration regardless of its political affiliation, and as far as I’m concerned the current administration presents itself as enticing a target as the previous one did — both being ludicrous, just in different ways. What I would suggest, if I may, Mr. Strawser, is that you read The Signal’s opinion page with a more open mind, leaving your own bias out of the judging, because if you’re looking for targets you’ll find plenty of them no matter where you go, that much I can tell you. Arthur Saginian Santa Clarita Submit a Letter to the Editor

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E T H I C A L LY S P E A K I N G

Christmas Doesn’t Need to Fight By David Hegg

his time of year, I often hear about the war on Christmas and how those who celebrate Christmas need to fight back. But those who attempt to pick a fight over Christmas and its status among Americans just don’t understand the reality of the situation. And that is often the case when arguments are seated on foundations that are historically faulty. While years of cultural progression have coated the celebration of Jesus’ birth with layers of selfish commercial and religious soot, who can really argue that the celebration itself has pagan origins? Consider this: The date of Dec. 25 was picked, not because of any allegiance to paganism but to demonstrate the triumph of God’s Kingdom over all the false beliefs of this world. And an excellent argument can be made that the Christmas tree finds its origins, not in pagan symbols, but in two different German religious traditions, even as there is a case to be made that St. Nicolas, the Bishop of Myra, attended the pivotal Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. But frankly, all of this is quite beside the real point. While some attempt to pick a fight with Christmas and with those who champion it, Christmas just doesn’t need to fight back. Christmas has already won. The attempt to banish Christmas from the public sphere in our pluralistic society is yet another example of the way Christianity has been opposed down through the ages. And lest you think that I’m just trotting out the victim card, don’t worry. When you follow a Savior who was unjustly tried, condemned and crucified, you come to realize that following Him will mean that opposition is the norm, and suffering is the doorway to both clarity and power in this life. But it is also a fact worth mentioning that, like the Savior, Christianity continues to find life even after societies and nations have declared it dead and buried. Today in Rome you can pay your euros and take a spectacular tour of the Colosseum. You’ll hear about the thousands of Christians forced to die in the Roman blood sports. Yet, today the Colosseum is a relic while Christi-

anity continues to offer the free grace of God in Jesus Christ to millions yearly. And the stories of changed lives through Him continue to pour in from countries where those who follow Christ do so at the risk of their lives. Thousands who share our faith but not our freedom gladly follow their Lord with joy. Why? Simply because what Jesus has brought is much more than some political ideal or economic system. He brought — and continues to bring — life the way it was always meant to be lived, both in this world, and the next. And that is what Christmas is really about. What its opponents brand as foolish or worse is not actually about trees or lights or carols or fruitcake. It isn’t inseparably attached to gifts or parties or crowded malls. It isn’t even about time off or family or any of the myriad things that make this season so special and beloved around the world. Christmas is really about the love and faithfulness of God who, long ago, in the face of a sin-wrecked creation, determined that sin wouldn’t win. Instead, He made a promise to send the Savior who would reclaim creation, in all of its brokenness, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Christmas is the celebration that this promise was fulfilled, and the authority of Heaven had once again come to rescue and repair what sin and selfishness had polluted. And the rescue lives on, bringing restoration and purpose through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And it doesn’t look to governmental permission or acceptance from the scholars of academia for its place and power. Christmas doesn’t need to fight any wars. Neither do Christians need to fight for Christmas to find a place. It found its place, just outside Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. And both the King and His Kingdom continue to grow, bringing to reality the angelic proclamation of “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” And when you see it that way, Christmas has already won the war. Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays. 

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