Rolled Ginger Cookies and Gingerbread Wisdom Poem

1 C butter
1 C granulated sugar
1 egg
1 C molasses
2 T vinegar
5 C flour
1 1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 - 3 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves

Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in egg, molasses, and vinegar. Sift together dry ingredients; blend both mixtures together. Wrap and chill for 3 hours.

Roll dough 1/8 inch think on lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes. Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 5-6 minutes. Cool slightly on pan before removing to rack. Makes about 5 dozen.

Glaze:

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 teaspoons milk

2 teaspoons light corn syrup

In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup.

Gingerbread Wisdom Poem:

Running and hurrying as fast as we can -
Sometimes we live like the Gingerbread Man.
During the holidays there’s so much to be done
It’s all we can do to keep up – So we run and run and run!

Parties, programs, decorations and baking
Shopping for presents and Christmas plans making
We have so little time to stop and to think
Our lists seem unending – yet it’s over in a wink

So we send you this card to remind you the reason
There is so much giving and loving this season.
We hope you will make your own Gingerbread Man -
And pause to reflect on your own Christmas plans.

We hope you’ll remember the Gingerbread Man’s story
How running and running brought him no glory.
Then maybe you’ll have the courage to cross off your list
The little things that won’t really be missed.

As you take time to reflect on this beautiful season -
We know your life will be touched by the heart of its reason.
For of all things that make Christmas, it’s important to remember just one –
The reason we have Christmas is because God sent His Son.