Bringing Joy to Those at Home During the Feast

There are many ways we can remember and encourage brethren who can’t go to the Feast of Tabernacles this year. Here is one approach.

Can you even imagine having to stay home from the Feast of Tabernacles?

Most of us in the Church of God who have been blessed with good health and a steady income have never had to miss this spiritual and physical highlight of the year.

However, we all know that a number of people, for whatever reason, have to stay at home each year. We will send them postcards, greeting cards and letters. We will call them, and in some cases maybe send them some flowers or a gift of some kind.

These are all great ways to show our love and remember those who are unable to join us for the Feast of Tabernacles.

Another idea

Here’s another way to make the seven days of the Feast, as well as the Last Great Day, a little more memorable for those who cannot attend.

When we go to the Feast, we typically look forward to each day. There are various reasons—the atmosphere on the opening night, the joy of hearing everyone sing together on that first service on the holy day, the inspiring messages, the special activities we can partake in.

How about making these highlights come alive for those who are at home? This takes some advance planning and some work, but if done carefully it will be very meaningful.

Begin by selecting a greeting card for each day of the Feast. Begin with the opening night, then include each day of the Feast, as well as the Last Great Day. This would be nine cards in all.

Then plan a small gift for each day of the Feast. The gifts don’t have to be expensive. Some ideas are a small piece of chocolate, a bookmark, a book of postage stamps, a gift certificate to the local grocery store, a CD with music on it. For one day’s gift, you may want to just put a note in the envelope and tell the person that a surprise will show up at his or her door—and then arrange to have flowers delivered.

Use your creativity. The possibilities are endless!

Writing the cards

Your next step is to write each card. Think about the day—is it a holy day or a Sabbath? Do you have a schedule of activities to share? If so, let the person know what you will be doing after church that day. Are you playing special music, singing in the choir, serving on parking, information booth, etc.? Let the person know that. Remind the person to join with us in prayer for safe travels.

Maybe you want to add a favorite scripture to each card. Once you get going, the ideas will come. Remind the person that you are thinking of him or her and will share the lessons of the Feast when you return.

Once you have completed the cards and assembled the gifts, enclose all the items for each day in one envelope. Label the envelope with the day and the date. When you deliver the gift, the person should receive instructions to open each envelope on the correct day.

This idea has brought joy to many shut-ins, and I look forward to choosing a recipient each year.

Barbara Lee attends the Twin Cities, Minnesota, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, and works as an IT business analyst in the financial services industry. She is a musician and an exercise enthusiast in her free time.

For more about the Feast of Tabernacles, see our article “The Feast of Tabernacles: A Bountiful Harvest” on the LifeHopeandTruth.com website.