Figgy Pudding

I have waited for this moment to share with you, dear gardeners, ever since the fig harvest last summer! And even since establishing the Devotions Blog, I knew we must have a date someday with Figgy Pudding. Years of digging into the plants of the Bible and gardening Scriptures together, watching them grow before our very eyes to experience God’s overflowing bounty, then bringing them to the table to feast upon—let’s enjoy yet another adventure to taste the Lord’s goodness in the delight of figgy pudding!

The classic “We wish you a Merry Christmas” song has prompted this garden recipe, accompanying the season’s merriment with teasing bids for figgy pudding. When I was little, I loved this Christmas carol because it was so easy to sing and seemed to usher in the childlike, cheery hospitality of the holiday. At first, it was just a happy chorus to me, and only much later did I realize the lyrics were crooning for a reward of a favorite holiday treat with figs, a fruit and favorite Biblical tree now growing in our garden.

Figs in the Bible

Despite a troubling start, fig leaves aiding and abetting Adam and Eve’s cover-up—

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Genesis 3:7 NIV

—the Lord uses figs as a sign of His goodness and blessing as He brings His people to a good land and continues to speak to them throughout history. Fig tree carries the redemption story!

It’s a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of oil-rich olive trees and date honey. In that land, you’ll always have plenty to eat—you won’t lack anything! Deuteronomy 8:8-9 VOICE

Then the LORD asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “Figs,” I answered. “The good ones are very good, but the bad ones are so bad they cannot be eaten.” Then the word of the LORD came to me: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah… My eyes will watch over them for their good … I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. Jeremiah 24:3-5, 6, 7 NIV

Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. “ ‘From this day on I will bless you.’ ” Haggai 2:19 NIV

In several instances, “fig cakes” are mentioned in the Bible, perhaps the inspiration for the original figgy pudding recipe?

He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine. 2 Samuel 16:1 NIV

Though figs made a great show of hospitality throughout the Bible, sadly, Joseph and Mary were not greeted with fig cakes on the night of our dear Savior’s birth.

Figgy Pudding Recipe

When our tree yielded way too many fruits to eat at once, and we gave away as many as we could, a sing-song in my heart prompted me to puree and stash away the rest of the harvest for holiday fun. This recipe is a simple pudding to serve right away, without extra fruits or nuts, and non-alcoholic. Yet the spices make it delectable. I serve it right from the mold onto plates; give yourself a chance to practice if you want a pretty pudding to look at, dusted with powdered sugar (I still need more practice!)

God’s Hospitality

Now that we’re full of figs, let’s enter the fullness of God’s hospitality, cherishing His Words of welcome as we pour out to our family and friends in Christmas and Chanukah celebrations. May He fill our hearts with nourishment, fun, and strength to love each other delightfully.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward mankind appeared, he saved us—not by righteous works that we did ourselves, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior Titus 3:4-7 EHV

“What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. Exodus 4:14 NLT

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 NIV

When he spotted Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, he made her welcome by holding out the golden scepter that was in his hand. Esther 5:2 NCB

So welcome each other, just as the Messiah has welcomed you into God’s glory. Romans 15:7 CJB

Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV

So Yeshua welcomed them and began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those in need of healing. Luke 9:11 TLV

Trust instead in the One who lavishes upon us all good things, fulfilling our every need. 1 Timothy 6:17 TPT

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 EHV

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me Matthew 25:35 NCB

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. 2 Corinthians 9:11 The Message

In the course of their journey, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Luke 10:38 NCB

Also, their neighbors as far as the territories of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. There was plenty of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine, olive oil, cattle, and sheep, because Israel was celebrating. 1 Chronicles 12:40 GW

Closing Prayer

O Lord, thank You for coming! Thank You for coming to earth to save us, and not just in one mighty move but in a journey that began as a Seed. You are the Word who dwells with us, and I am grateful for Your every Word that turns me to You, and every song, too! Even as my days are filling up with to-dos, help me keep singing to You. I want to always remember that You are the One who welcomes me, holding out Your hand. It is from You that all good will flows, and anything I need to give to others is really just a pass along from You. Pour out Your Spirit, Father, as we celebrate Your Son. Holy, Holy, Holy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

W E W I S H Y O U A M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S !

Photo Credits: ©Shelley S. Cramm

CJB notes Scripture quotations taken from the Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stern. Copyright © 1998. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Messianic Jewish Publishers, 6120 Day Long Lane, Clarksville, MD 21029. www.messianicjewish.net

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