As we move through the season of Advent, we encounter many opportunities to dine with loved ones around a table. When we feast, we catch up and share moments to share our concerns and lift one another. This act of sharing and supporting each other brings a unique joy. Laughter permeates the air as we enjoy each other’s company. The world’s worries briefly disappear as we get caught up in the season’s joy.

     There is a sense of intimacy as we gather. A dining table holds no superpower, but when loved ones sit to break bread, our spirits leap for joy. For a short time, we experience a profound transformation of the heart as the outside world fades away, and we focus on our guests. We celebrate one another’s company as we break the bread, feeling the power of love and connection.

     As we clean our spiritual house, we focus on the dining room. We lay out the feast of our hearts as we sit with our guests, anxious to hear words of kindness and hopefulness. At this holy table, we dine on the words of Jesus, which are like a rich, nourishing food for our souls. These words fill our stomachs with a message of love, and the sustenance they provide never leaves us hungry. The Divine makes us whole.

     As we draw closer to the birth of our Savior, our desire to feast with the Divine becomes overwhelming. However, we know we have more to do to prepare for our guest, just as we would tidy up and prepare a home for a special visitor. We continue to wipe away the things that block us from worshiping fully and tidy up the counters until all seems right. We sit and wait for the Lord to make the holy presence known. We say, “Come, Lord Jesus.”