“He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his hear. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” Isaiah 40:11
As I read this chapter I felt that there were two really important but distinct ideas to take away for personal application. First, I love the thoughts of a simple but tasty meal and a time focused on the birth of my Savior. However, I also felt that many of the concepts were very applicable to not only this season of the year but all the year through.
“My desire from the beginning was to have a simple meal, no fuss, so that we could focus on the story of the night when Christ burst into the world. Our Shepherds’ Meal, as it has evolved, is still simple, but so delicious and rich in meaning for all of us.” Sally Clarkson (pg. 202)
She describes her Shepherds’ Meal in a way that makes my mouth water. Potato soup is already a tradition in our house, only we typically have it whenever it snows. The fresh bread and cheese are simple but delightful additions to any meal. Our family always has dinner with part of our extended family on Christmas Eve so this is not a tradition we could adopt directly. I think that having a night near Christmas where we had a simple but tasty meal and intentionally slowed down and reflected upon the night of Jesus’s birth is something that we could adopt.
I thought about coming up with our own menu, but my children love potato soup and it rarely snows here so we may stick with that. The important part of this tradition is taking the time to reflect on His miraculous birth. I love the idea of having friends and family join us. Sally describes one of her early Christmas Eve meals where there were friends from multiple countries, religions, and languages all sharing the meal together.
” I ponder how I can make my home a place where people can see Christ more easily.” Sally Clarkson pg. 207
When we think about making our home a place where people can see Christ, we don’t want that to be once a year or only during this season. I want my home to be a place where people can see him every day. Anytime they enter my home I want them to feel the love and peace of Christ. I know that in reality there are days where I don’t reflect to my children and family the love of Christ in the way I should.
However, I try each day to grow closer to Him and better about showing His love to those around me. While, we love (and the Bible supports) having scriptures throughout our home, I think that it is far more important that the people who come into my home see the love and care of the Savior in my actions and heart. The words displayed on my walls or my new coffee mug won’t mean anything if I don’t reflect His light and love. The scripture is there to remind me, and my family, of his love and care but not to replace our actions in sharing that with others.
” And on this night we now see even more how the delights of home–the intentionally laid table, the familiar recipes prepared with care, the games and fun and making memories, the music filling everyday, the cherishing of Christ together–can give our children, family, and friends even more love for Him. ” Sally Clarkson (pg. 205)
It is my humble prayer and fervent hope, that one day when my children are all grown up they will look back on their time in our home with joy and love. I pray that I am able to help guide them and show them the love of Christ so that as they leave my home they have a strong and lasting faith in the only One that loves them more than I possibly can. This does not mean that life in our house will ever be perfect, that the kids won’t squabble, or that I won’t lose my temper on occasion. However, I pray that the fun times, the peaceful times, and the love will shine through in their hearts and memories.
Can you find a night this week to plan a time to be together over a simple peaceful (or as peaceful as it can be if you have young children) meal together? We serve the Prince of Peace and he can help us to bring peace into our hearts and homes.
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