The Feast of Tabernacles is an exciting time. It is like getting more than two months of Sabbath services in eight days.
It is a time of renewing old acquaintances and making new friends. It is a time of devotion and dedication to God's great plan of salvation in picturing the wonderful world tomorrow and the subsequent resurrections.
Service to our fellow brethren is enjoined and appreciated. Singing praises to God in the chorale or instructing children in their lessons at the Feast are noteworthy efforts. Ushering, setup and cleanup are important service opportunities, but taking care of your family is also very important. We must not forget that enjoyment at the Feast also needs to include our families!
In Deuteronomy 14:26, an inspired Moses wrote, "You shall rejoice, you and your household." We parents have God's instruction to bring enjoyment to our families while we go to worship God at the Feast.
What are some suggestions to add to the enjoyment of the family?
• Make time for your family. Too many meals in fancy restaurants with only adult conversation can be a recipe for boredom for the children. Neglecting the family sitting at the end of the table is no way to bring enjoyment to your children.
• Do something unique with the family. Horseback riding together, playing miniature golf, visiting a historic location, hiking to a beautiful vista or dining at a unique restaurant can give a memorable experience that helps the family bond together.
• Buy your children gifts. Some parents have a gift for each child on each day of the Feast.
• Sometimes let the children select the restaurant. Giving each person in the family the choice for a particular lunch means he or she will feel included in the decision making for the family.
• Give your children some money to spend as they desire. This also adds to the enjoyment. Then exercise the character to leave the decision as to what the children want to buy up to them. Watch them enjoy their selections.
• Take photos of your experiences to help remember them afterward.
• Collect memorabilia to put into a scrapbook or photo album or PowerPoint presentation when you return.
• Speak often of how it will be in the wonderful world tomorrow.
• As a family, do something nice for some unsuspecting individuals during the Feast.
• Tell your family members how much you love and appreciate them.
Please make your own list or borrow some ideas from the one above. But remember to rejoice with your family at the Feast! God's instruction in Leviticus 23:40 is, "You shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days" (and the eighth day as well). Let's enjoy the Feast with our families! UN
