Gathering together this Christmas might seem like another exhausting thing to schedule for. For the most part, we live really isolated, egocentric lives. Many families today function on a 9-5 schedule: getting everyone up and out of the house before the morning has truly begun, traveling to work and school, hurrying to activities, and rushing through meals to get in bed in time to do it all again the next day. This is truly no way to live. I put together this week’s blog to encourage you to slow down this Christmas and simply share a meal with someone. Do it without games, phones, activities or distractions. Do it uncomfortable. Plan a simple meal, and gather with other believers this week.
“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,” (Acts 2:46)
The early church gathered, as described in Acts chapter 2. They were of one accord. Living vulnerably with one another. Sharing meals, stories, hopes, and struggles. I believe this is God’s design and hope for us as believers. But in our increasingly individualistic culture of the west, it’s up to us to make the effort.
Jesus sharing meals
“While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ” (Mark 2:15)
I love the passages of scripture when Jesus is described eating with his followers. When reading these, I picture him so relaxed, at ease, and present. I’m sure He possessed an endless amount of things to think upon and worry about, but He chose to sit with others, breaking bread with them. This teaches us that there is something profoundly significant about this pause…this position of rest. One that makes room for others to show up. And one that serves.
Opening our vulnerabilities
“And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:14-15)
Like Jesus at the last super, sharing a meal together can open us up emotionally. Let this happen! There’s something vulnerable and wonderful about sharing a meal with others. Whether it’s because you prepared it, or simply in the act of eating, coming together over a dinner table softens us. You have permission to let your defenses and walls down. To connect with those in front of you, answer questions honestly, and truly enjoy the time spent. When we open our vulnerabilities, we choose to not go through the motions, but dig deeper. It is from this place that I believe joy and contentment are found with one another.
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)
Gathering together this Christmas
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Choosing to come together might feel easy to you. Maybe you’re an extrovert, or simply really enjoy hosting people. Think about your most recent time with others. It could be your spouse, kids, or peers from work. When you spend time with one another, do you leave feeling more connected? I’ve personally struggled with feeling like the time I spend with my family isn’t fulfilling. A lack of connection usually stems from not truly feeling seen or known by others. Like our relationship with Jesus, if we aren’t sharing honestly, with genuine interest for one another…things become routine. They become boring.
So as you prepare for the holiday buzz, the numerous dinner parties, and family events. I want to leave you with a challenge: what would it look like to intentionally prepare for these gatherings? Prepare you heart to love, your mind to inquire, and your actions to love? Would it look like asking Holy Spirit for questions to ask those you’re with? Or maybe bringing a blessing with you to give to another? Not out of obligation, but out of love.
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3)
Gathering together to reconnect
Our transparency before the Lord is the most important thing. From this place, we encourage and edify those around us. Gathering together this Christmas might look extravagant, with a huge, beautiful party. Or, it might be really simple. With a few who come together, share their hearts sincerely, honoring God. Neither is superior; they both hold value. But if you make you core purpose to be focused on Him, adoration will stir up out of your spirit. When we allow God to fill all that we are, we have something to offer the people in our lives–His presence. Once of the most precious gifts we’ve ever been given. Suddenly, you will find your self supporting those around you. Offering strength where your peers might have weakness, and building the body in God’s design.
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16)
Oh come, let us adore Him
Gathering together is choice we make. This season, let’s gather–not out of obligation, but from rest. From a place to give. Just as Jesus reclined with others, let the meals we share in our homes bring peace, hope, and light.
I am praying for you this week, as you plan and gather together: that your heart would be filled with God’s sweet presence, and that you would have supernatural connection and vulnerability with those you speak with each day.
I love the invitation in this song. And I love that it’s not a “me” but an “us”. Power lies in our gathering together. Our adoration not only invites heaven all around us, but shakes the pits of hell. Adoring is devotion. It’s a confession of oneness that we get to choose! What a gift. And how sweet it is to know that Jesus chose us first. So come, let us adore Him this Christmas season.
“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Revelation 22:17)