Don't know how it happened, but Hoppin' John has become our traditional Christmas meal. It's more traditional for New Year's day, but we have it a week early. For those of y'all who aren't Southern, it's basically black-eyed peas and rice. It's my turn to make it this year, and it's going to be more a hoppin' juan, with chorizo and cilantro and hot peppers...

With all the clergy and choir members in my extended family, Christmas day is mainly about catching up on sleep; no one has the energy to cook a big or extravagant meal. Something that can sit bubbling away on the back of the stove while folks nap is totally our style!