Ecclesiastes 9:7.Go, eat your bread* with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, because it is now that God favors your works.
Ephisians 5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
Psalm 104:18.And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart. 15 and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.
Lesson:
The traditional Christmas dinner has a number of biblical meanings, including:
- Celebrating the birth of Jesus
Some Christmas dinners, like the Bethlehem Meal, are meant to tell the story of Jesus’ birth and the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. - Sharing food
The sharing of food is a command from Jesus, and is a way to bring people together despite differences - Expressing faith
The Christmas meal blessing is a way to express faith, acknowledge blessings, and invite God’s presence into the home - Symbolism
Some Christmas dinner traditions have religious symbolism, such as stirring Christmas pudding with a wooden spoon from east to west to symbolize the journey of the Three Wise Men - Abundance
The birth of Jesus symbolizes God’s abundant love and provision for humanity.
Other Christmas dinner traditions include:
- Twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper
In Central, Northern, and Eastern Europe, this tradition commemorates Jesus’ twelve disciples - Christmas pudding
This tradition includes trinkets in the pudding, and whoever finds one is said to have good fortune in the coming year.
Because Christmas is about the birth of God’s Son – Jesus. It is about how he came to give us love, hope and joy. That message doesn’t change from year to year.
Creator God, as we remember the humble birth of Christ, bless this meal and our gathering. May the spirit of the Nativity inspire us to live with compassion and faith. Amen. Lord, thank You for bringing our family together this Christmas.Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used.Confusingly, Christmas dinner is a late lunch, served between 2pm and 3pm. Go into early evening and guests will be too hangry or drunk to appreciate it. Traditionalists will be livid (“Your grandad didn’t vote leave so he could eat Christmas dinner at 7pm, Claire!
Food historian Pen Vogler, the author of “Stuffed: A History of Good Food and Hard Times in Britain,” explained that the timing of the meal has historic origins: “When we sit down to Christmas dinner in early or mid-afternoon, we’re returning to the mealtimes of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century,” she said.
For many years only the nobility were able to afford a Christmas turkey. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that turkeys became common on most families’ Christmas tables. Even then, a turkey cost on average a week’s wages to buy. Before turkey, goose was the traditional meat eaten for Christmas dinner.Thank you for giving us the gift of grace through your son Jesus Christ.
It was your will for him to be born, to live, and to die for us. This gift is the best gift you could ever place under our Christmas tree. As I say grace over my food and for all my many blessings, I will remember your grace now and always.
By blessing God and thanking Him for our food, it will help us to focus on God and to thank Him in every area of our life. As Paul says in Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Closing Prayer: “Heavenly Father, as we gather for this Christmas meal, we thank you for the gift of Jesus and the blessings we enjoy. Bless this food and our time together, and may our hearts be open to those less fortunate. May they too find comfort and provision during this season of joy.
Lord Jesus take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and I know you will answer my prayers. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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