Masonic Christmas Pudding Tradition

Red Wing Lodge #8 for the past ten  years has a tradition of a Christmas Pudding at the December Stated Meeting and Officer Installation . Its a tradition that has certainly grown over they years, and certainly one of my favorite masonic events of the year...anywhere!

Now you just don't go down to the local bakery ( if you have one) and pick one up to take home.
Past Master Gary Thomas and Chef by occupation makes it every year for us. Gary says that its a labor of love for him, and that he loves to make it. When I asked how long it takes to make he replied about all day. "All Day I asked" Gary said "Ya about an hour and a half to cut, chop and mix all the ingredients and seven hours to steam it, oh shopping for all the stuff, ya pretty much all day."

I asked what was in it, and Gary said Raisins,Plums,two and a half pounds of butter, three cups of sugar, a little suet and some other things.There are thirteen ingredients and there is a ritual to making it. I said Gary there's a Masonic Ritual to making Christmas Pudding? Being a Past Grand Master I know the Masonic work I wondered how I missed this one? Gary replied that there is a traditional  ritual that he uses with recipe that's not masonic.

Here is a summary of the process and its symbolism:

The Christmas pudding is a custom that goes back to medieval England.

The pudding has thirteen ingredients to represent Christ and the twelve disciples.

Each family member of the household takes turns stirring the mixture. They stir in the direction of East to West honoring the Magi who traveled in that direction.

There was a prayer that was said during the stirring, but Gary couldn't remember that part.

Brandy is warmed and then placed on the pudding, and lite. For a little flavor and a very nice dramatic effect.

It is served with a dollop of  icing that Gary wont talk about. (maybe in ten more years Ill get that out of him)

Its the perfect dessert after an excellent hearty meal on a cold December night. The room is filled with Masonic Brotherhood, a few candles its the perfect night.

I should also mention that Past Master Jeff Seaberg prepares an excellent dinner.