My wife and I love to host people in our homes.  The holiday season is one of our favorite times. There is always a labor of love that takes place.  There are times where people speak of this thing that we love to do as a burden. But it is not a burden in the least.  She will work to make sure that all the details are taken care of – plates, napkins, glasses and silverware. If this is to be a formal meal, the china will come out.  If the focus of the meal is conversation and fun, we will have festive napkins and plates or bowls. Serving spoons and condiments are laid out for all our guests needs to be met.  

We cook together.  We work together to try and fill the home with the smells of the season and to tickle the taste buds.  When we work to prepare a holiday meal, only we know the true amount of work that goes into preparing. We know the time spent preparing the meal, but also the home to welcome and receive guests.  We know the challenges that had to be overcome for the meal to be right. How many extra trips to the store were necessary so that everyone would enjoy the time to the fullest.

Only we know about the strained voices and stressed nerves as we focus to make it perfect and the other person might accidentally be in our way.  We know that the perfect meal is not the result of a peaceful perfect time of preparation. We know, from the beginning, that when we invite a crowd to our house to share in a meal at the holidays, the preparation is not always smooth and perfect.  

Despite all of that, preparing is my favorite part.  I savor getting up early in the morning to prepare the prime rib that is part of my wife’s family traditions.  As I prepare the meat, I remember the man who once shared his secrets with me. I think of the joy and smile that comes across Nanny’s face, as her husband’s legacy lives on in this holiday meal. And I push through the fear of making a mistake.  

As we finish the preparations the guests start to arrive, we hope that they smile as they walk in and greet one another.  The smells of the meal give them a sense and a hope of the goodness that is to come. The table settings tell them that they are special, and a place has been prepared for them at the table. The selection of drinks and condiments remind them that they are seen, special, and loved. A table for the children reminds us all about the joy of youth.  

During the holiday season as we prepare our home for guests, our hearts can be filled as we get a taste of what it means to make the kingdom tangible. We can see that as we approach Christmas, the world was not a stress-free place. We see that since there was light, God, desires to feast with us at His table. He knows our needs and our wants. He prepares a place for us, just as He prepared the world for His son’s entry. He knows that there will be challenges to make the meal perfect, but He awaits our acceptance of His invitation to the table.  

As we celebrate the arrival of Jesus, let us be thankful for the work that is preparation. I hope all can sit in awe and think about the preparation of the Creator as the journey to reuniting creator and created began. I hope that we can all be thankful for the kingdom glimpse we get during the holiday season as people who might not be close to one another gather around a table and share a meal. Let us always be thankful for the invitation to sit at the table and share in a perfect meal that no human hands could make.

Reflection by
GREG DEITZ
gsdeitz.com