Bringing In the New Year

We have enjoyed our holiday season so much this year. We have had somebody in our home almost everyday since the season began. Now is the time to bring our family close together and pause to see in the New Year. This New Year's Eve will be just for the seven of us. We will be enjoying a snack night of chicken wings, cheese and dips, veggie trays, cheese sticks, and chocolate chip cookies. We will play some games and generally just spend the evening being together. Then around 11:00 p.m. we will turn down the lights and light some candles. The worship music will be turned on softly. We will spend some time as a family praying and worshiping the Lord. Around midnight, Michael will serve our family communion. For some, this may be an odd thing, but it has been one of our most cherished traditions. We also serve communion in a different way than most. We use risen bread instead of flat bread. We know that Jesus would have served unleavened bread to his disciples. However, we chose to use risen bread as a symbol and reminder to us that our Lord rose from the dead. We also serve wine and for those of us who cannot drink wine, we choose to serve the non-alcholic version of wine. For us, communion is a time to eat and drink a meal... not a morsel. It takes time and it is a time of holy worship in our home. It is a time for each of us individually to look into our own hearts and it is also a time for our family unit to come together and worship the Lord. We use our best china and crystal to serve the bread and wine. It is a special time for us.

I always hesitate sharing something so personal on a blog. I am sure that there are many that believe that communion should only be served in a church by a pastor. I am sure there are more that believe that risen bread and real wine should never be served. Those ideas are fine too, but I am just sharing how our family has been lead to celebrate the New Year. I hope I have not offended any with our traditions.

grace and peace,
julie