Are You Preparing for the Best Feast Ever?

"It was the best Feast ever!" We in the church often hear this phrase immediately after returning to services following the Feast of Tabernacles. Celebrating the Festival of Tabernacles in its modern form is a major blessing. During that eight-day period, we experience joy, renewed friendship, great fellowship, mind-expanding travel and much more. For many, it is the highlight of the year.

I would like to remind all that even though the Feast of Tabernacles is still a number of weeks off (believe it or not), what we do right now can have a major positive impact on our upcoming Feast experience. I'd like to present a few items for us to consider and act upon.

Feast of Tabernacles in Lusaka, Zambia

The Festival experience represents first and foremost a spiritual experience. Paul declared that God "calls those things which do not exist as though they did" (Romans 4:17). The coming magnificent Kingdom of God is so real, so sure that it should be a secure anchor for us all. In accordance with God's command, we can truly rejoice in this marvelous truth (Deuteronomy 12:12). During the coming eight days (October 5-12) we will joyously live in part and be deeply reminded of the incredible future that awaits those in the Church of God who have God's Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11).

Right now, as I write, ministers and speakers who were assigned sermons and sermonettes during the coming Festival are already engaged in deep preparation. Many have already discussed their topics and outlines with their Festival coordinators, regional pastors and others for input and refinement. We want nothing but the best our speakers can offer. And we set the bar high. I'm certain all of our speakers would appreciate your upfront heartfelt prayers that they are inspired and encouraged to take that extra step for the best that can be delivered. I am personally planning my Festival sermon now for the Church. As I prepare, I certainly would appreciate being included in your prayers!

Here's another item to check. As we in the Church of God know, to observe the Feast properly we are commanded to save a Festival tithe for our personal use during the annual Holy Day seasons (and principally during the Feast of Tabernacles). As the Bible states, this Festival fund enables us to fully enjoy "whatever your heart desires, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you" (Deuteronomy 12:15).

Sometimes families have extra Festival tithe beyond what they might need for a great Feast experience. Donating that to the church may well enable another needy Christian brother or sister to attend and have their own "best Feast ever." We, as a church, also ask that you donate 10% of your personal Festival savings to help pay for Festival facilities, supplies and needs.

Despite all of our preparations, there are some who simply cannot take part physically. This is through no fault of their own. This may be due to illness, accident, complications from aging, physical impairment or other issues. I have been told many times of the loneliness and feelings of separation that can emerge among those left behind, particularly when they have previously attended regularly for many years. Listening or watching Feast sermons online can help, but it's just not the same.

An important solution is to make advance preparations to stay in touch with our isolated brethren during the Feast. If your congregation doesn't already have one, why not volunteer to help put together a Festival mailing list? (And remember to mail your cards and notes very early in the Feast). Some congregations put together special Festival gift baskets for older members and those unable to attend. I know from personal stories that they are much appreciated, even cherished. Staying in touch is an important gift that means a lot.

A Church of God tradition for many families is to assemble a "Feast chain" from paper. Each paper chain link represents a day. The total "chain" shows the days remaining until the opening night service. Children remove a "link" each day as the Feast approaches, which keeps the Feast top of mind in the family (Deuteronomy 6:5-9) and helps build positive "Feast fever."

(By the way, my wife Bev and I have traveled abroad many times to serve brethren during the Feast. From that experience, I want to remind everyone planning to travel abroad for the Festival that right now is an excellent time to make sure you know where your passports are and whether they are up to date.)

While all of the above are good practical things to consider as we approach the 2017 Festival, the best thing that each of us can do to prepare for "the best Feast ever" is to really dedicate the time and effort to be personally spiritually ready in advance. Now is an excellent time to review and meditate on the inspiring prophecies of the coming Kingdom of God in Isaiah 2:2-4; 9:6-7; 11:6-9; 35:1-10; 65:17-19; 66:18-23; Daniel 2:44-45; Revelation 19:7-9, 11-16; 21:1-5 and many other places. For families, there are great online study guides specifically about the Feast that can be downloaded at https://www.ucg.org/members/family-study-guides. We also have an online Bible commentary for you to check out at http://bible.ucg.org/bible-commentary.

Take the time to reflect and prepare so the 2017 Feast of Tabernacles will indeed be your "best feast ever!"