For me, Christmas this year will be getting together with my children who are in the state, over New Year’s weekend.  That may explain some of my deeper reflections the past several days.

So, I was working alone on my trailer brakes with some mechanical challenges and severe cold weather, while most people were with family.  Yesterday I may have gone too long without eating and was eligible for a migraine, which hit during the night.  I didn’t want to get out of the warm bed, and my medicine was in another building.

While I was lying there, I realized I was transitioning from a dream where I was sharing all-important things of life with my children—things I want them to remember when I’m gone.  But I so much want them to catch this now, so I can know I made a difference in their lives in the parts that are for keeps.

Some of those reflections are lost, as is the case daily.  I don’t get to record a lot of the insights that come, and that is hard.  But here is part of what I hope to share at the awesome meal this weekend.  (You won’t find better eating at a restaurant—several amazing cooks, and my daughter has a dream cooking store)

The common table prayer, expanded:

COME—Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-loaded, and I will give you rest.”  And we say, “Come to our table, come to our family, come to our hearts and lives.”

COME, LORD—“One day every knee will bow;     One day every tongue will confess, ‘You are Lord.’      Still the greatest treasure remains     For those who gladly choose You now.”  The choice today will not be open long.

COME, LORD JESUS—His name means “Savior,” because He saves us from our sins.  That too is by invitation only—by invitation accepted only.

COME, LORD JESUS, BE OUR GUEST—“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and have supper with him.”  It is my greatest desire that each of us individually invites this Guest and makes Him welcome, today, and permanently.

COME, LORD JESUS, BE OUR GUEST, AND LET YOUR GIFTS—Thanks for the food, thanks for the friendships within family and others, thanks for provision, thanks for Your love, thanks for Jesus, thanks for the offer of salvation, thanks for all the gifts that come from You alone.

COME, LORD JESUS, BE OUR GUEST, AND LET YOUR GIFTS TO US BE BLESSED—We don’t deserve Your blessings.  We stop to recognize that all we have comes from You—not our own doing.

COME, LORD JESUS, BE OUR GUEST, AND LET YOUR GIFTS TO US BE BLESSED, AMEN.—See the little baby     Amen.     Lying in a manger     Amen.     On Christmas morning.     Amen.     Amen.     Amen.

And everybody that believes in Jesus says,

AMEN !