Crossword Genius

Spirit uplifted through church providing Christmas fare (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cake

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'christmas fare' is the definition.
'cake' can be an answer for 'fare' (cake is a kind of food). I am unsure of the 'christmas' bit.

'spirit uplifted through church' is the wordplay.
'spirit' becomes 'ka' (I've seen this in other clues).
'uplifted' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'through' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters go through the word).
'church' becomes 'CE' (abbreviation for Church of England).
'ka' reversed gives 'ak'.
'ak' placed within 'ce' is 'CAKE'.

'providing' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cake that I've seen before include "Mixture of flour, sugar, eggs and fat" , "Dundee, Madeira, Christmas or birthday?" , "Item of food or soap" , "Something from Dundee, Eccles or Madeira?" , "Thicken" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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