A big family Easter meal has been a constant in my life.
When I was growing up and well into my adult years, my Mother hosted gatherings that included grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and more.
When my wife and I moved back to my place of origin (Dallas – Fort Worth, Texas) after nearly a decade away , we assumed hosting duties. And, we continued the tradition of inviting family living even somewhat nearby to join us. The initial experiences are shown below.
Then we observed a pause – a pandemic pause. We did not host an Easter dinner or other group gatherings and meals in 2020 or 2021.
In 2022, we started back small hosting my parents and one of my uncles.
Widening the Welcome
During Lent 2023, my wife and I discussed widening the welcome for Easter. It was an easy decision to expand our invitation list to include friends and colleagues. We invited church friends, neighbors, and professional colleagues.
It turned out that the expanded guest list meant we had to deal with the practical challenges of providing more food and shifting from one table to three. And, it also meant that we were able to introduce many people we care about to one another. New relationships were birthed on a day that is all about new beginnings.
So What?
It seems to me that on one of the biggest religious holidays of the year living out one’s faith should come naturally. Providing a radical welcome, building relationships, sharing a meal, and affirming the gifts of life and new life are simple ways to express faith in the Way of Jesus.
I’m already thinking of next year and wondering if we will need three tables, four tables, or an even larger number? Let me know if you’d like an invitation.
