Savory Eastern Trio

Here is part two of Feasting on the Christmas Story, a Scripture-based meal I created to remember the first Noël. In case you missed the first course, Caesar Salad & Bethlehem Bread, you can find that here.

After we've set the stage for the Nativity story, we serve the Savory Eastern Trio. This is carrots served three ways, to represent the three gifts of the Magi who came from the East to find Jesus. Yes, even though they arrived after the Savior's birth, the Magi and their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh still have a place in our Christmas celebration.

Carrot-Ginger-Turmeric Soup (Gold)

Sauté 1 small chopped onion in olive oil until soft.

Add 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger and ¼ tsp ground turmeric, cook 30 sec.

Add 5 medium chopped carrots, stir 2–3 min.

Add 3 cups vegetable broth, simmer 20 min until carrots are tender.

Purée until smooth; stir in ½ cup coconut milk if desired. Salt and pepper to taste.

Carrot-Cucumber-Herb Salad (Frankincense)

Whisk 2 Tbsp olive oil, juice of ½ lemon, and salt and pepper to taste.

Thinly slice 1 large carrot and ½ large cucumber into ribbons.

Toss with dressing.

Add 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 Tbsp chopped fresh mint.

Chill 5–10 min before serving.

Roasted Carrots with Dates and Pistachios (Myrrh)

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Cut 3 large carrots into thick sticks.

Toss with 1 Tbsp olive oil, ¼ tsp ground cumin, and salt and pepper as desired.

Roast 15-20 min until tender.

Transfer to a serving dish and add ¼ cup chopped dates, ¼ cup toasted pistachios, and ¼ cup pomegranate seeds.

As we eat, we read Micah 5:2 (NIV): “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” 

We continue with Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV):

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Next: the main course, Lamb in a Manger!

And if you are looking for a convenient, printable version of Feasting on the Christmas Story to make it your own family tradition, you can find it in the Christmas Download Kit.