When I was a child, I always knew what to expect for Christmas lunch, and I looked forward to it nearly as much as presents! It was perfectly normal for Christmas Eve to be disturbed by the electric noises of ham being cut for the feast the next day. When that happy hour came at last, the whole family would tuck into our choice of ham, chicken and turkey, along with mashed potato and roast veggies. We would talk and laugh together for hours around the delicious meal, sometimes finishing closer to dinnertime than midday.
Many of you will have similar stories of family meals at Christmas, or another special time of year. Traditional feasts are a part of every human culture in history. Why? It’s not just the food, although of course the food is wonderful. But often the meal takes on some special meaning. We gather as a family or community to celebrate, honour or remember something.
Exodus 12 describes the most important meal celebrated by the Israelites: the Lord’s Passover, commemorating when lambs were slain to save them from God’s judgement and free them from slavery. In modern times, we likewise celebrate Holy Communion, honouring the Lamb of God slain for our own salvation. Both of these holy feasts were commanded by God, so that His people would remember and proclaim what He did for them. Just like Christmas lunch with the family, this meal is more than a tradition. It is a joyful celebration of the life God has given us.
James.