Food for Thought, literally

Cookies, peppermint bark, carols, Christmas trees, parties, presents... this is the typical list for Christmas preparations. I love all of these things, and this past weekend I made Christmas cookies with John, with cookie cutters, frosting, sprinkles and all! I also made peppermint bark, and even John who doesn't like peppermint, loves this bark.

But before I get to my recipe (it's hardly a recipe it's so simple) for peppermint bark, a little food for thought.

I was reading my Advent study for She Reads Truth and have been thinking about the purpose of Advent ever since this introductory paragraph:

The purpose of Advent: Amidst the noise, still your heart.

What a challenge among all the season has to offer with lights and trees and decorations!

Yet, this next part of the study resonated with me. We think of Advent as preparing for Christ's coming - which it is - but we often forget that this began long ago, at the beginning of the world, in Genesis. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, they needed a Savior. And God promises them one, but not in the way we expect:

Only a God with an ultimate plan of salvation could transform this enmity into an act of grace. Although Adam and Eve turned from God, He desires to draw them back to Him. Meditate on this incredible grace today. Still your heart and prepare it to accept this gift of grace.

It's not that making cookies and peppermint bark, and decorating your Christmas tree (in our case trees!) take away from Advent. God desires for us to enjoy His creations and world! But see them as gifts and opportunities for fellowship with family or friends.

Now, onto my bark recipe:

Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:

1 10 oz bag of white chocolate chips

1 10 oz bag of semi sweet chocolate chips 

1 cup (give or take) of Trader Joe's peppermint bark baking bits 

Preparation:

1. Line a small cookie sheet with tin foil or parchment paper. 
2. Put white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Melt in the microwave for 1 minute, stir chocolate, then melt in increments of 10 seconds until chips are completely melted. Pour chocolate over lined cookie sheet, spreading out evenly with a spatula.
3. Sprinkle half cup of peppermint baking bits (or enough so that it evenly covers in a light layer)  over white chocolate. 
4. Put semi sweet chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Melt in the microwave for 1 minute, stir chocolate, then melt in increments of 10 seconds until chips are completely melted. Pour chocolate over white chocolate, spreading out evenly with a spatula.
5. Sprinkle remaining peppermint bits over dark chocolate.
6. Let harden on counter for about 2 hours, then break into pieces. Store in airtight container.

The peppermint baking bits are what really make this bark delicious because they have white and dark chocolate chunks and fudge with the peppermint. But if you don't have a Trader Joe's nearby, you can take 24 peppermint candies, put them in a freezer bag, and hammer them into smaller bits.