Sabbath Celebration

To finish up our first week of school we celebrated with our version of a traditional Jewish Sabbath.
As we study Old Testament history this year we will learn about several biblical feasts and celebrate them(at least in part) in our home.
 To be honest, I am excited to learn about these feasts myself! Last year while studying Revelation I developed an even deeper love and appreciation of the Jewish nation. We touched on the feasts and I remember thinking then that I wanted to learn more.

 Sabbath begins Friday at sundown and ends at sundown on Saturday.

We spent Friday preparing for our Sabbath celebration which begins with a special dinner on Friday evening. Typically a braided bread is served, and the mother prepares the bread on Friday. As she kneads her bread throughout the day she prays for her children. Isn't that beautiful? I couldn't help but think of all the Jewish mothers praying for their precious children. I thought of Mary, praying for her son Jesus.

I will admit I did not knead my dough as I bought frozen bread dough. And praying for your children while steering a shopping cart through a busy store with a 3 yr old in tow is just not the same!
Later that day when the girls saw me attempting to braid the bread, Emma said, "Don't forget to pray for us!"
Again, praying isn't what comes to my mind while working with bread dough. Pretty sure that runs in my family :)

But later, as my bread was baking, I looked out my kitchen window and saw my children in the yard, one running around like a wild, crazy kid, one throwing a ball and the other playing quietly. Finally, at that moment, I said a prayer of thankfulness for those little blessings that God has given us to raise, and for the lessons He has taught us through them. I prayed that each one would know Christ as their Saviour and live a live fully devoted to Him.

We each had a special job to do in order to prepare for the Sabbath. Emma made the centerpiece for our table. She went to see an old friend for some flowers that she made into an arrangement.

As mentioned earlier, I made the braided bread and it came out pretty well for my first time!

Moriah made the special covering for the bread. She colored on a flour sack dish towel that we picked up at the dollar store.

 For dinner we had spaghetti, which isn't traditional, but it's a family favorite here.

For dessert we had frozen yogurt with fresh peaches!! The girls enjoyed our Sabbath, and they have asked if we will do it again. There was something special about that night. Aiden was still a bit loud and boisterous at dinner, but the girls were more quiet and peaceful.

To begin the Sabbath, the mother recites a prayer and lights candles on the table. This is the preparation prayer:

Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
King of the Universe,
You are the Author of peace.
You made the Sabbath holy,
You called us to honor this Sabbath,
enter our home this night.
Almighty God,
Grant us and all our loved ones rest
on this Sabbath day.
May the light of the candles drive out from among us
the spirit of anger,
frustration and fear.
Send your blessing that we may walk
in the ways of Your Word
and Your light.
Enter our hearts this night.
Heavenly Father,
we rejoice in your creation!
It is fromYou we receive every good and perfect gift.
Giver of life and love,
grant us Your peace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.