” . . . the Shabbat dinner was a rich, sacred, long meal full of prayers, songs, Scripture reading, laughing, and plenty of “L’chaim!” toasts.” ~Brett McCracken, Gray Matters: Navigating the Space Between Legalism and Liberty 

This weekend, as you huddle together on your bar stools at the counter, lean into the ladder backs around the kitchen table, scoot into your favorite booth, may the reflection of twinkle lights in your eyes and the smile on your face toast “to life!” even if you aren’t clinking a stemmed glass. As you break bread and swirl milk in your glass, may the cares of this week be like cookie crumb sediment. Remember that even in the season of waiting during Advent, the seemingly mundane act of eating can be become a sacred act of gratitude and worship. Rest well and celebrate on Sabbath.

Join me on Monday at The High Calling for a discussion on eating in the context of being a cultured Christian from Gray Matters. It’s inspiring my thinking.

I’m asking my Sabbath Society peeps to weigh in on  how we can translate the celebratory nature of a meal around a holiday, every week at the table during Sabbath. I would love to hear your ideas as well. Want to make Sabbath a weekly rhythm and not just something you fit in to the cracks between busyness? Join the Sabbath Society, it all started here.

What books are inspiring your thinking as you journey through Advent? Here are a few more titles I’m currently reading and loving:

The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp

The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing by Jeff Goins (its only $1.99 on readers right now.)

A Million Little Way: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live by Emily Freeman (just finished and I might need to read it again.)

Listening to Your Life by Frederick Buechner

Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller

Happy Sabbath Friends!