This past weekend while I was in NC I picked up Donald Miller’s new book: To Own a Dragon. If you know me at all you know that I am a huge Miller fan. Some say that I have not business reading this book because I grew up with a father. While this is true, I say I have all of the business in the world reading this book. Yes the book is written by someone who grew up without a Earthly father, I feel that he also wrote the book for those of us that grew up not truly knowing our Heavenly Father. Or those of us that are currently seeking him out daily. When I was growing up I feel that I knew that God existed, but I was not quite sure that I really knew him, that is I did not have a close relationship with Him. It wasn’t until about 3 and ½ years ago, when I truly met my Heavenly father.
In this book Miller does a great job about describing his journey without an earthly Father, while seeking a relationship with His Heavenly Father. Miller teams up with John MacMurry who is a landscape photographer. Miller lived with John and his family for a few years in Oregon. Miller describes what he learned about families as well as life while living with John. I could talk for hours about this book and Miller, but I am not. So go pick up this book or anything from Miller.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Big Questions ?
If you have read a few of my last posts, you may notice that I have been asking a lot of questions lately. Call if a crisis, call it an epiphany, call it being an adult. Call it what you want. I quite don’t know what to call it. Maybe it has taken me 27 years to figure out I don’t have to take everything I am told literally. I don’t think I have fully don’t this in my life, but for the most part I believe a lot of what I have been told by my parents, teachers, and the media for what they tell me. But lately I have began to question everything. Maybe it is the company that I keep. Maybe this is Gods way of showing me that I should question a lot of things.
I think some of it is that I am tired of going with main line answer. I have taken a stance to think out side the box. Especially when it comes to my faith. All my life I have taken full stock in what I was taught about God. But lately it has been different. Questions that deal with heaven and hell, sin, grace and glory have been swimming in my head over the last couple of week. I do get a lot of these questions answered at the church I go to and in the books that I read. But I am convinced that only God knows these answers, and maybe he will show them to me in this life, or maybe in the next.
I think some of it is that I am tired of going with main line answer. I have taken a stance to think out side the box. Especially when it comes to my faith. All my life I have taken full stock in what I was taught about God. But lately it has been different. Questions that deal with heaven and hell, sin, grace and glory have been swimming in my head over the last couple of week. I do get a lot of these questions answered at the church I go to and in the books that I read. But I am convinced that only God knows these answers, and maybe he will show them to me in this life, or maybe in the next.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Church?
So I am still reading this book called Revolution and it is sparking a lot of thoughts in my head. The books talks about different way that people experience there faith. The author breaks it down to four different categories one being alternative faith based communities (meaning small groups, theology pubs, discipleship). Basically different ways of experiencing faith besides connecting with a local church. Working for a local church I am also thinking about way to get people who are not connected with our church to connect. Just to clarify I am talking about Christians that are not connected with churches. Which you doing think there would be a lot, but actually there at least 3 million people in America that claim they are evangelical Christians that are not connected with a church.
This past weekend I was in North Carolina. Unlike the state that I live in it is safe to say that there are a lot of people that are Christians in NC. But a pastor there told me that only 30% of Christians were tied to churches there, this was a surprise to me. After hearing this I asked myself this question:What does it take to get Christians tied into a local?
Or if they are tied into a local church what will it take to keep them there?
I am not saying that I all Christians have to go to a church. I understand that a lot of people don’t go to church, because of many reasons. They might have had a bad experience with church, or they just don’t fell that they don’t get fulfilled at church. Felling that church does not give them a sense of being close to God. So they find other ways. Some might fell closer to God in there P.J.s reading the bible with a hot cup of coffee. Some might fell closer to God singing in the shower.
While in a bookstore this past weekend I overheard a conversation, from a lady that was looking for a book. She was looking for a book that would answers some about Jesus’ life. She said that she loved her church but she felt that she was getting enough answers about Jesus’ life.
Now I am sure that this is a common all everywhere. But this tells me this is something that is plaguing a lot of people. They are searching for answers and they can not find them at their church. People are obviously asking big questions that they are not getting answered at church.
So can you cure this? Can you?
This past weekend I was in North Carolina. Unlike the state that I live in it is safe to say that there are a lot of people that are Christians in NC. But a pastor there told me that only 30% of Christians were tied to churches there, this was a surprise to me. After hearing this I asked myself this question:What does it take to get Christians tied into a local?
Or if they are tied into a local church what will it take to keep them there?
I am not saying that I all Christians have to go to a church. I understand that a lot of people don’t go to church, because of many reasons. They might have had a bad experience with church, or they just don’t fell that they don’t get fulfilled at church. Felling that church does not give them a sense of being close to God. So they find other ways. Some might fell closer to God in there P.J.s reading the bible with a hot cup of coffee. Some might fell closer to God singing in the shower.
While in a bookstore this past weekend I overheard a conversation, from a lady that was looking for a book. She was looking for a book that would answers some about Jesus’ life. She said that she loved her church but she felt that she was getting enough answers about Jesus’ life.
Now I am sure that this is a common all everywhere. But this tells me this is something that is plaguing a lot of people. They are searching for answers and they can not find them at their church. People are obviously asking big questions that they are not getting answered at church.
So can you cure this? Can you?
Thursday, March 23, 2006
The Passion
Last night the small group that I lead watched The Passion of the Christ. A couple of weeks ago we decided to start asking questions about Lent. As well as really digging into the story and traditions of the season. For me it has been a real rich time, focusing on this season in a way that I never have before.
Last night was only the second time that I have seen the Passion. It is one of those movies that you only have to watch once to grasp the magnitude of an event. As a Christian (a Christ follower – (i.e. someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus) it is a movie that paint such a vivid picture of the crucifixion. As I live my life everyday I carry the images depict in the movie with me.
But as my group went through our decisions the last couple of weeks, we decided that The Passion would give us a tangible view of what Jesus went through during the Crucifixion (or at least a glimpse). During this viewing, (which was still hard for me to watch) I started asking a couple of questions in the beginning of the movie.
One. Am I (are we) like Peter?
By this I mean do we say to ourselves and others that we love Jesus and will follow him no matter what. But when the rubber hit the road we get scared. We don’t know how to react. Will I be like Peter? When I am faced with the same situation, Will I deign Christ? I hope I can say I will not. But sometimes I find myself in situations that I have the choice to tell someone that I am follower of Christ and share my faith with them, for some reason I get scared and back out. Now some my not, but I consider this deigning Christ. I only hope that I can improve on this each time I find myself in this situation.
The second question:
What happen to those involved in the Crucifixion of Jesus?
(Judas, the Pharisees, Polite….)
Were they forgiven by God?
Or did they go to Hell?
(Ok so that is three questions, but this is my blog and I can write what I please).
Even though Judas brayed Jesus and committed suicide what happened to him? This is a question that we could debate for ever. (Actually if you are up for it I am down). I have been thinking along these lines for a couple weeks now. Specifically asking myself questions about Heaven. But that is whole another post. (A topic coming to a blog near you soon).
Scripture tells us some of what happens to these people. But only to a certain point. A lot is up to debate and speculation. I say that we may only know when we get heaven, as who is there or not………….
Last night was only the second time that I have seen the Passion. It is one of those movies that you only have to watch once to grasp the magnitude of an event. As a Christian (a Christ follower – (i.e. someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus) it is a movie that paint such a vivid picture of the crucifixion. As I live my life everyday I carry the images depict in the movie with me.
But as my group went through our decisions the last couple of weeks, we decided that The Passion would give us a tangible view of what Jesus went through during the Crucifixion (or at least a glimpse). During this viewing, (which was still hard for me to watch) I started asking a couple of questions in the beginning of the movie.
One. Am I (are we) like Peter?
By this I mean do we say to ourselves and others that we love Jesus and will follow him no matter what. But when the rubber hit the road we get scared. We don’t know how to react. Will I be like Peter? When I am faced with the same situation, Will I deign Christ? I hope I can say I will not. But sometimes I find myself in situations that I have the choice to tell someone that I am follower of Christ and share my faith with them, for some reason I get scared and back out. Now some my not, but I consider this deigning Christ. I only hope that I can improve on this each time I find myself in this situation.
The second question:
What happen to those involved in the Crucifixion of Jesus?
(Judas, the Pharisees, Polite….)
Were they forgiven by God?
Or did they go to Hell?
(Ok so that is three questions, but this is my blog and I can write what I please).
Even though Judas brayed Jesus and committed suicide what happened to him? This is a question that we could debate for ever. (Actually if you are up for it I am down). I have been thinking along these lines for a couple weeks now. Specifically asking myself questions about Heaven. But that is whole another post. (A topic coming to a blog near you soon).
Scripture tells us some of what happens to these people. But only to a certain point. A lot is up to debate and speculation. I say that we may only know when we get heaven, as who is there or not………….
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Revolution
I am currently reading a book called Revolution, by George Barna. The book speaks of Revolutionaries in a since are people who do whatever it takes to get closer to God and help others do the same. Some of these Revolutionaries are not connected to a local church. Which in a church mentally that seems weird. In America we are taught that is you want to be close to God you go to church.
Barna says, “There is nothing inherently wrong with being involved in a local church. But realize that being part of a group that calls itself a ‘church’ does not make you saved, holy, righteous, or godly anymore than being in Yankee Stadium makes you a professional baseball player.”
Mean that just because I go to church every Sunday, does not mean that I am a better Christian or person than the next guy. In fact there are millions of evangelical Christians in America that are without a church. Now I will say that being involved with a church give me a sense of community, where I can go and worship the Lord and be among the Church ( big C meaning the body of Christ, not just small c, the building and what it does). The fact that I attend a church, does not give me any glory in the sight of God. Now I don’t want to sound bitter at the church, in fact I work for a church. I am just burned out on what the church has become, specially the local American church. In recent years the American church has become too much out Mega size, power point, great music, and entertaining sermons. If I want to be entertained I will go to a movie, or a concert. This is on reason why I think a large number of Christians are not connected with local church.
Some even claim that “The local church is the hope of the world” as Barna argues, (and I argee with him) Jesus and Jesus alone is the hope for world. With that said I want to pose this question, Why is there so much emphasis put on the local church
Here is one closing thought from Barna, “You see, it’s not about church. It’s about the Church- this is the people who actively participate in the intentional advancement of God’s Kingdom in partnership with the Holy Spirit and other believers.
Barna says, “There is nothing inherently wrong with being involved in a local church. But realize that being part of a group that calls itself a ‘church’ does not make you saved, holy, righteous, or godly anymore than being in Yankee Stadium makes you a professional baseball player.”
Mean that just because I go to church every Sunday, does not mean that I am a better Christian or person than the next guy. In fact there are millions of evangelical Christians in America that are without a church. Now I will say that being involved with a church give me a sense of community, where I can go and worship the Lord and be among the Church ( big C meaning the body of Christ, not just small c, the building and what it does). The fact that I attend a church, does not give me any glory in the sight of God. Now I don’t want to sound bitter at the church, in fact I work for a church. I am just burned out on what the church has become, specially the local American church. In recent years the American church has become too much out Mega size, power point, great music, and entertaining sermons. If I want to be entertained I will go to a movie, or a concert. This is on reason why I think a large number of Christians are not connected with local church.
Some even claim that “The local church is the hope of the world” as Barna argues, (and I argee with him) Jesus and Jesus alone is the hope for world. With that said I want to pose this question, Why is there so much emphasis put on the local church
Here is one closing thought from Barna, “You see, it’s not about church. It’s about the Church- this is the people who actively participate in the intentional advancement of God’s Kingdom in partnership with the Holy Spirit and other believers.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Risk
After some crazy events that happened in my life this past weekend I have been giving a lot of though about risk. Specifically taking risks in my life. I came op with one particular question: (actually a lot of questions)
What is the balance in taking risk and obeying God’s voice.
In the last year I have made a lot consideration in the decisions that I make in my life. Most of the time, asking myself: Is this what God wants for me?
Or is it just what I think is what I want or need for my self. Should I consult and wait for God on every decision that I make?
Or if I am 100% absolutely sure that something is the right thing, without conformation from God, should I take the risk?
And what is not taking risk means, doing thing the hard way, or loosing that dream girl?
But on the other hand if is not from God (100 % conformation from him that it is the right thing to do) do I want that risk?
What is the balance in taking risk and obeying God’s voice.
In the last year I have made a lot consideration in the decisions that I make in my life. Most of the time, asking myself: Is this what God wants for me?
Or is it just what I think is what I want or need for my self. Should I consult and wait for God on every decision that I make?
Or if I am 100% absolutely sure that something is the right thing, without conformation from God, should I take the risk?
And what is not taking risk means, doing thing the hard way, or loosing that dream girl?
But on the other hand if is not from God (100 % conformation from him that it is the right thing to do) do I want that risk?
More about my trip
The more and more I think about what I saw in New Orleans the hardest it gets to explain.
I wrote a lot about my trip while I was down there, but I as read it now it seems rawer than I first realized. I wrote most of it and in heat of the moment, and in most of my writing I was angry. Angry at a lot of different people.
Mad at the government for taking so long to respond.
Mad at the local government for not engraining the levees correctly so they would not break.
Mad at myself for not going down before now, or not being able to stay longer and help more.
Right after Katrina, I was mad at God. (OK maybe not mad, but confused.) How could he let this happen?
My emotions tend to run high when I am in the mist of something that I feel so passionate about.
So when I look back at the four or five pages that I wrote about my experience, there are only a few that I feel comfortable sharing on this blog. If you know me this might seem unusual behavior for me. But I really felt that I was mad for the wrong reasons.
But as far as more of my experience in New Orleans here is a small snippet. Imagine coming back to your house or apartment after 3 – 9 feet of water had receded. Pretty hard to grasp how much damage this much water can really leave behind. Forget about saving any thing. From your family pictures to you insulation, all gone. Now that really puts into perspective how much these people lost, and how much emphasis that we put on possession.
As we drove through the had hit areas of New Orleans, my jaw dropped. I had never seen anything like it in my life. House literally gutted. Nothing left. And some areas of town have not even began to rebuild.
Most of the buildings and houses had an X spray painted on them, marking that they had been searched by local law enforcement agencies. Some months after the storms. The lone thing that stuck out was a number at the bottom of the X. This number represented the number of bodies found in the house. Some of the houses had 1,2, and even three at the bottom. Crazy! The authorities are still keeping the actual number of casualties quite.
The last crazy observation that I witnessed in New Orleans, is that six months after Katrina and Rita most people in the city are still rebuilding. You would think that this would not be happing so long after a natural disaster. But it is. Some are still not able to return to their house. Some people are living in the top portion of their houses. Some of the lucky ones are living in what are called FEMA trailers, literally in their front yards.
So this is a small sample of what I saw in New Orleans. The last thing I want to say is that there is still need in that town. Need of a lot things: volunteers, food, money, etc. If you would like to help out in anyway email me and I can let you know how.
I wrote a lot about my trip while I was down there, but I as read it now it seems rawer than I first realized. I wrote most of it and in heat of the moment, and in most of my writing I was angry. Angry at a lot of different people.
Mad at the government for taking so long to respond.
Mad at the local government for not engraining the levees correctly so they would not break.
Mad at myself for not going down before now, or not being able to stay longer and help more.
Right after Katrina, I was mad at God. (OK maybe not mad, but confused.) How could he let this happen?
My emotions tend to run high when I am in the mist of something that I feel so passionate about.
So when I look back at the four or five pages that I wrote about my experience, there are only a few that I feel comfortable sharing on this blog. If you know me this might seem unusual behavior for me. But I really felt that I was mad for the wrong reasons.
But as far as more of my experience in New Orleans here is a small snippet. Imagine coming back to your house or apartment after 3 – 9 feet of water had receded. Pretty hard to grasp how much damage this much water can really leave behind. Forget about saving any thing. From your family pictures to you insulation, all gone. Now that really puts into perspective how much these people lost, and how much emphasis that we put on possession.
As we drove through the had hit areas of New Orleans, my jaw dropped. I had never seen anything like it in my life. House literally gutted. Nothing left. And some areas of town have not even began to rebuild.
Most of the buildings and houses had an X spray painted on them, marking that they had been searched by local law enforcement agencies. Some months after the storms. The lone thing that stuck out was a number at the bottom of the X. This number represented the number of bodies found in the house. Some of the houses had 1,2, and even three at the bottom. Crazy! The authorities are still keeping the actual number of casualties quite.
The last crazy observation that I witnessed in New Orleans, is that six months after Katrina and Rita most people in the city are still rebuilding. You would think that this would not be happing so long after a natural disaster. But it is. Some are still not able to return to their house. Some people are living in the top portion of their houses. Some of the lucky ones are living in what are called FEMA trailers, literally in their front yards.
So this is a small sample of what I saw in New Orleans. The last thing I want to say is that there is still need in that town. Need of a lot things: volunteers, food, money, etc. If you would like to help out in anyway email me and I can let you know how.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
What is back to normal?
I spent last week in New Orleans with a team from my church to helprebuild. I did not go downthere to help rebuild because I wanted to feel good about myself afterI got back. I went downthere because when the Hurricanes hit was deeply impacted. Most of myfamily lives in New Orleansand some sustained damage to their house.The one thing that everyone kept saying to us when were down therewas, "When you go hometell everyone, that we are not back to normal here." Those words stuckwith me and so this is myopportunity to let everyone one know (at least the people that read my blog).Nothing could prepare me for what I saw when I went to New Orleans. Iknew to expect theworst, but some of the damage that I saw was beyond anything that Ihave ever seen.But the one thing that did surprise me, was the spirit of the people ofNew Orleans. You wouldthink that 6 months after a disaster everything would be rebuilt andback to normal. Well this isnot the case. But talking to some people you would never know thatthey went through somethingas tragic as Katrina and Rita.We had a conversation with one man who's house was damage so bad thathe is now living inin his upstairs master bed room with his wife and 2 kids, and atoaster oven. But you would neverknow by his spirit. As I was standing in line at a New Orleans coffeeshop this gentleman cameup and offered to buy our coffee. He said that he appreciated uscoming down and help. Nowthat is amazing. I mean this guy (and many others in the city) in thetop of is water damaged, moldinfested house, and all he wants to do is buy me coffee. How great isthat! Oh course I didnot take him up on his offer. But I did have a chance to talk and praywith him. And that wasenough for me.That was just one example of the amazing spirit of the people of NewOrleans that I experiencedlast week. I will be posting more about my trip in the next couple of days.As I wrote the other day I am working at the ski resort all week. Or Ias I am referring to it asTexas Land (Hopefully only for the next couple of days). I don’t mindthem, or at least don’t mindthem leaving their green, but I want my state back. Oh well by nextweek they will be gone.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Back From the Cresent City
I arrived back from the Cresent City on Saturday. I did not haveinternet access down thereso I was unable to post any updates. I will be posting about myexperience in the following days.I will also try to put some pics up on my photoblog soon. My camarabroke mid trip so I amwaiting to get some more pics from others that I went on the trip with.On another note. When I arrived back in Durango I was welcomed by alarge scale snow dump.By the time storm was over we were left with about 5 feet at ourmountain. After a unusally warmand dry this storm is a welcomed blessing for our town and oureconomy. Although as a localand working at the resort the abunance of snow means more traffic intown and longer lift lines.But I can put up with it for a week or two
Thursday, March 02, 2006
New Orleans
I am off to New Orleans on Saturday, so if I don’t post for a while it mean I am working like a dog. Actually that is fine with me. I am taking a team from my church to help in the rebuilding efforts. I have no idea what to except. I saw some pics that a friend of mine sent me the other day. (Check out them on my photo blog). And when I saw these pics my jaw dropped. I thought that there would not be that much left for us to do. But I think my arrogant assumption is wrong. There probably will be plenty to do down there for years. I will try to post some up dates. Also I will have pics on my photo bog.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
The King Cake
Today at work we had a discussion about the King Cake (tradition during Mardi Gras). I was kind of rusty on the history of the King Cake so I goggled it and found the following:
The history of the King Cake began in 12th century France where the cake would be baked on the eve of January 6 to celebrate the visit to the Christ Child by the three Kings. A small token was hidden in the cake as a surprise for the finder.
But the origins go back a little further than that and as you would guess, it has something to do with the catholic church.
The King's Cake has its roots in pre-Christian religions of Western Europe. It was customary to choose a man to be the "sacred king" of the tribe for a year. That man would be treated like a king for the year, then he would be sacrificed, and his blood returned to the soil to ensure that the harvest would be successful. The method of choosing who would have the honor of being the sacred king was the King's Cake. A coin or bean would be placed in the cake before baking, and whoever got the slice that had the coin was the chosen one.
When Christianity extended its influence and began overshadowing the religions that came before it, many of the local customs were not outright abolished, but instead were incorporated into Christian tradition and given a new spin. This even happened to the tradition of Mardi Gras, and from what we have researched so far seems to be the case, but that's another story. Catholic priests were not predisposed to human sacrifice, so the King's Cake was converted into a celebration of the Magi, the three Kings who came to visit the Christ Child.
French settlers brought the custom to Louisiana in the 18th century where it remained associated with the Epiphany until the 19th century when it became a more elaborate Mardi Gras custom. In New Orleans, the first cake of the season was served on January 6. A small ceramic figurine of a baby was hidden in the cake. Whoever found the baby was allowed to choose a mock court and host the next King Cake party the following week (weekly cake parties were held until Mardi Gras ). In 1870, the Twelfth Night Revelers held their ball, with a large king cake as the main attraction. Instead of choosing a sacred king to be sacrificed, the Twelfth Night Revelers used the bean in the cake to choose the queen of the ball. This tradition has carried on to this day, although the Twelfth Night Revelers now use a wooden replica of a large king cake. The ladies of the court pull open little drawers in the cake's lower layer which contain the silver and gold beans. Silver means you're on the court; gold is for the queen.
The classic king cake is oval-shaped, like the pattern of a racetrack. The dough is basic coffee-cake dough, sometimes laced with cinnamon, sometimes just plain. The dough is rolled out into a long tubular shape (not unlike a thin po-boy), then shaped into an oval. The ends are twisted together to complete the shape (HINT: if you want to find the piece with the baby, look for the twist in the oval where the two ends of the dough meet. That's where the baby is usually inserted.) The baby hidden in the cake speaks to the fact that the three Kings had a difficult time finding the Christ Child and of the fine gifts they brought.
The cake is then baked, and decorated when it comes out. The classic decoration is simple granulated sugar, colored purple, green, and gold (the colors of Carnival). King cakes have gotten more and more fancy over the years, so now bakeries offer iced versions (where there's classic white coffee cake glaze on the cake), and even king cakes filled with apple, cherry, cream cheese, or other kinds of coffee-cake fillings.
Prices range from two to three dollars for a small traditional cake to close to twenty for a large filled one. A more-or-less standard slice of king cake is about three inches wide. The ceramic babies have been replaced with plastic ones, but many places now sell both pink and brown babies. Haydel's Bakery usually has a limited supply of a ceramic baby that they include with the cakes (though not baked inside). Many bakeries will honor requests for custom-made cakes that have more than one baby. I know kindergarten teachers who always orders a cake with a baby for each slice, so none of the kids is left out! That type of cake is also great for practical jokes at the office.
Who makes the best king cakes is one of those questions like who makes the best po-boy, or is Morning Call now unacceptable because they've moved out to Metairie. Remember your manners whenever you enter into discussions on religious topics. Everyone has fond memories of a place in the neighborhood, and some folks are loyal to even the Real Superstore. My personal favorites are Randazzo's (locations in Chalmette, Metairie, Terrytown and Slidell), and McKenzie's (McKenzie's is ubiquitous; if you don't know about McKenzie's, you're not from New Orleans). Yes, I do enjoy the much-maligned traditional king cake from McKenzie's, even though it only has granulated sugar as a topping. Brings back memories from when I was a kid. There are tons of other places in the metro area doing king cakes, so it's almost impossible to review them all. Look for discussions of what folks are eating on the New Orleans Internet Mailing List.
King Cake is traditionally served with chicory coffee' as Coffee' au lat'. It is best eaten warm and if you must break tradition, it can be eaten with ice cream, preferably chocolate.
King cakes are available at bakeries all over South Louisiana, but only after January 6 through Mardi Gras Day. You can order a special King cake from Haydel's year around, One of the only two bakeries that you can. The other bakery is called McKenzie's.*
The history of the King Cake began in 12th century France where the cake would be baked on the eve of January 6 to celebrate the visit to the Christ Child by the three Kings. A small token was hidden in the cake as a surprise for the finder.
But the origins go back a little further than that and as you would guess, it has something to do with the catholic church.
The King's Cake has its roots in pre-Christian religions of Western Europe. It was customary to choose a man to be the "sacred king" of the tribe for a year. That man would be treated like a king for the year, then he would be sacrificed, and his blood returned to the soil to ensure that the harvest would be successful. The method of choosing who would have the honor of being the sacred king was the King's Cake. A coin or bean would be placed in the cake before baking, and whoever got the slice that had the coin was the chosen one.
When Christianity extended its influence and began overshadowing the religions that came before it, many of the local customs were not outright abolished, but instead were incorporated into Christian tradition and given a new spin. This even happened to the tradition of Mardi Gras, and from what we have researched so far seems to be the case, but that's another story. Catholic priests were not predisposed to human sacrifice, so the King's Cake was converted into a celebration of the Magi, the three Kings who came to visit the Christ Child.
French settlers brought the custom to Louisiana in the 18th century where it remained associated with the Epiphany until the 19th century when it became a more elaborate Mardi Gras custom. In New Orleans, the first cake of the season was served on January 6. A small ceramic figurine of a baby was hidden in the cake. Whoever found the baby was allowed to choose a mock court and host the next King Cake party the following week (weekly cake parties were held until Mardi Gras ). In 1870, the Twelfth Night Revelers held their ball, with a large king cake as the main attraction. Instead of choosing a sacred king to be sacrificed, the Twelfth Night Revelers used the bean in the cake to choose the queen of the ball. This tradition has carried on to this day, although the Twelfth Night Revelers now use a wooden replica of a large king cake. The ladies of the court pull open little drawers in the cake's lower layer which contain the silver and gold beans. Silver means you're on the court; gold is for the queen.
The classic king cake is oval-shaped, like the pattern of a racetrack. The dough is basic coffee-cake dough, sometimes laced with cinnamon, sometimes just plain. The dough is rolled out into a long tubular shape (not unlike a thin po-boy), then shaped into an oval. The ends are twisted together to complete the shape (HINT: if you want to find the piece with the baby, look for the twist in the oval where the two ends of the dough meet. That's where the baby is usually inserted.) The baby hidden in the cake speaks to the fact that the three Kings had a difficult time finding the Christ Child and of the fine gifts they brought.
The cake is then baked, and decorated when it comes out. The classic decoration is simple granulated sugar, colored purple, green, and gold (the colors of Carnival). King cakes have gotten more and more fancy over the years, so now bakeries offer iced versions (where there's classic white coffee cake glaze on the cake), and even king cakes filled with apple, cherry, cream cheese, or other kinds of coffee-cake fillings.
Prices range from two to three dollars for a small traditional cake to close to twenty for a large filled one. A more-or-less standard slice of king cake is about three inches wide. The ceramic babies have been replaced with plastic ones, but many places now sell both pink and brown babies. Haydel's Bakery usually has a limited supply of a ceramic baby that they include with the cakes (though not baked inside). Many bakeries will honor requests for custom-made cakes that have more than one baby. I know kindergarten teachers who always orders a cake with a baby for each slice, so none of the kids is left out! That type of cake is also great for practical jokes at the office.
Who makes the best king cakes is one of those questions like who makes the best po-boy, or is Morning Call now unacceptable because they've moved out to Metairie. Remember your manners whenever you enter into discussions on religious topics. Everyone has fond memories of a place in the neighborhood, and some folks are loyal to even the Real Superstore. My personal favorites are Randazzo's (locations in Chalmette, Metairie, Terrytown and Slidell), and McKenzie's (McKenzie's is ubiquitous; if you don't know about McKenzie's, you're not from New Orleans). Yes, I do enjoy the much-maligned traditional king cake from McKenzie's, even though it only has granulated sugar as a topping. Brings back memories from when I was a kid. There are tons of other places in the metro area doing king cakes, so it's almost impossible to review them all. Look for discussions of what folks are eating on the New Orleans Internet Mailing List.
King Cake is traditionally served with chicory coffee' as Coffee' au lat'. It is best eaten warm and if you must break tradition, it can be eaten with ice cream, preferably chocolate.
King cakes are available at bakeries all over South Louisiana, but only after January 6 through Mardi Gras Day. You can order a special King cake from Haydel's year around, One of the only two bakeries that you can. The other bakery is called McKenzie's.*
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