SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT
I’m always trying to make our family’s Passover Seder a bit creative and unique; even though I want to keep the traditional serious and sacred meanings at the same time.
This is always an interesting challenge; but this year and last year has to top all challenges that we have ever been given.
Our nation is locked down until the evil COVID-19 passes away. Let’s pray that God takes it away during Passover and we no longer have to fear the Angel of Death in this country, or even in this world.
Do you realize in many ways we are observing these days in a very similar fashion to those first ancient people observing the first Passover. They too were in the middle of a plague and observing the Passover was an assurance that they would not face the worst of the plagues of the land.
God protects His people who are obedient. Please consider that as you go about your preparations this year. It DOES matter. What if those first people had said, “Oh, it is not really important to observe the ritual of putting the blood over our door post. God will protect us anyway.”
It would have been a sad night for all parties concerned.
God cares that we obey Him and that we observe the appointed days that He has set aside to visit with us.
There is so much that He wants us to remember! Can’t you just hear the words of Jesus echo through the land as Passover grows nearer and nearer?
“Remember Me!”
PASSOVER STARTED OUT IN ISOLATION INSIDE HOMES
It should not seem so strange to shut down the world during the Passover; really. Isn’t that the way it is supposed to be?
Remember that Pharaoh AND Israel had the equal opportunity to became free by obeying the things that God said to do. Our instructions are not any different this year.
What would accomplish having a Passover during a time of national isolation and shut down?
Simply following God’s instructions for Passover.
Christians should carry out the things that symbolize the ways that Jesus gave His life for us. The Passover uses all of that symbolism when we remember to observe it properly.
All He ever asks of us is obedience.
FOCUS ON OBEDIENCE
This year as the time of Passover and Unleavend Bread and Early Firstfruits approaches; we must stay focused on that word “obedience.”
We MUST observe God’s commandments in spite of all our troubles and the chaos that is taking place across the globe. Even if we have to observe with a noted amount of separation from our loved ones.
Passover is one of the most sacred times of God’s calendar and it must not be neglected.
EARLY PLANNING IS GOOD
So; how will I tweak the time of preparation to match what we have been given to work with on this particular year?
One thing, of course, is to plan early and buy the needed ingredients early. That isn’t really a new requirement. We do it every year – it is just that this year may be a bit harder and take a bit longer. We will have to cover our faces as we go shop before the holy day arrives. Many of us will order and have food delivered. Time must be allowed and extra precautions must be taken because your delivery person may not understand your specific needs. Passover definitely isn’t a time for substitutions (for the food part anyway – it is great when it comes to holy sacrifices at the altar though.)
Our crowds will be thinner this time and there may be less food to buy.
Some families may be Zooming their Passover celebrations. That would be a unique experience for sure. Be sure that all equipment is working and that you know how to operate it properly.
One plus is that many of us have the extra time that we need this year in order to stop and think things through. We do not have to rush through a too-busy work schedule and hurry at the last minute to get it all together. Those who have extra time off now are blessed with extra preparation time.
HOW TO REARRANGE YOUR THOUGHTS
If you wind up going from store to store and standing in line after line; just meditate on Jesus on the cross as you shop.
Your troubles will suddenly seem very trivial.
Stores still have empty shelves so we must be diligent to shop early and carefully.
My grocery list will consist of parsley, horseradish, pecans, raisins, red wine (Kosher), Motzah (Kosher), salt (Kosher), a shank bone, eggs, and whatever is required for the unleavened recipes I decide to serve in our meal.
A HOLY CONVOCATION?
Normally; many of our Christian/Hebraic-thinking friends make a plan to join in with local congregations for a formal Passover Seder. This year that probably isn’t possible for anyone.
We must prepare for having the Seder at home with only the usual members of our own household. That isn’t out of the ordinary for me; we always plan our Seder at home, but with the whole extended family being in attendance.
I have so many beautiful, amazing years of memories of Passovers with our grown children and our grandchildren. This year makes those memories seem even more golden. I am thankful to God for allowing the blessings from each and every one. Each time we gathered; God taught us something different.
Yet; this part is the hardest part for me.
Seeing the grandchildren participate in the Seder always gives my soul a “lift” and puts new hope into my heart. This year they will be in their own individual homes instead of coming to our home. I will be praying that all the things we have taught their parents over the years will still be carried out under their own roofs on this night.
I have planned to buy a few children’s books for gifts that will serve as good reminders too. I’ll be sure to get them to the children early so that they can be read with their parents.
IN A WAY; THE WHOLE WORLD WILL STILL BE TOGETHER
We will simply have to be together in our hearts and our spirits.
These usually large, family/congregational and/or formal presentations can be such wonderful experiences. We’ve often done both with extended family and church fellowships.
The scripture says Passover and most Holy Days are to be a “convocation;” so basically having a “gathering” is important.
This year though, the “gathering” will be only the household members that live within each home. Perhaps knowing that we all are doing the same thing at the same time will give us a sense of community in this state.
We can also share more hope this year than last; that herd immunity is being developed and we are approaching a time where we can begin to return to normal. We are so much closer now than we were at Passover last year.
I heavily suggest calling extended family and friends and expressing love and telling them how much they will be missed this year. Cards and letters with greetings are a wonderful way to share.
A GOOD TIME TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS
Encouragement needs to be shared with those who are possibly even doubting that we should continue to work with these hard circumstances we have been given.
In only a few days after Passover we will be celebrating Early First Fruits and realizing all over again the miracle of Christ rising from the dead in Resurrection unto new life. We must keep this hope in our hearts and not get discouraged.
These moments remind me of a life-verse I picked years ago: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11). Thank God for such reminders that amazing leaders (like The Apostle Paul) have left behind as gifts to lift our spirits and be reminders when we are going through hard times.
It is important that reminders come down from the older generations to the younger generations. Let them know they will be prayed for as you gather (no matter how small in number) around your own table this year.
Encourage them to pray for you too at their own individual family Seder.
THE GATHERING
The translation of the word “convocation” into Hebrew actually suggests a “calling together” or “a rehearsal.” It doesn’t necessarily mean to meet in a specific building; but it suggests that families gather together to consider important things that are happening.
Our family has 13 immediate family members who always try to gather around our table at Passover; and if Elijah decides to come join us; we are usually 14 with only our immediate family. Often we invite others to join in with us. So we seem to already have a small convocation in our meetings each year even if we gather only inside one of our own homes. These people could be split into even smaller groups this year though. We will do whatever we can do to make this easier.
HOME AS A SANCTUARY
The home is always the first sanctuary.
It should be modeled around the wilderness tabernacle; and that building you go to often to gather with others in your community that you call church; can’t function properly at all if you don’t have those “home sanctuaries” in place before you arrive into that building.
This year will be a critical moment in time for the proof of your home Sanctuary.
Are there those from your home who are walking around inside God’s temples which are their own bodies? They are living testimonies to the Word of God. These bodies that are our temples receive their daily nourishment when God meets us from inside our home sanctuaries and inside our own hearts which truly are the altar that God uses to accomplish His purposes through us.
Whatever happens inside the home Sanctuary goes out to the world eventually.
A CHANGE OF SPACE; BUT THE MESSAGE IS THE SAME
Most likely, that familiar community building will not be in the picture this year; so I think I will put photos of those who are missing out on my coffee table, and I will say a special prayer for each of them all through Passover and Unleavened Bread this year.
The photos will be visual reminders of our spiritual connections that take place under God’s loving guidance. Time and distance can’t separate such things as this.
The dictionary defines “convocation” as a gathering of people to perform a ceremony. Passover would certainly qualify for that definition.
I think the definition of a “holy convocation” is where ever two or more are gathered together in the name of God. This year our home/individual holy convocation will only be made up of two, which will include my husband and myself.
We will do the basic Passover meal and stream in a live Christian based service from our television.
Fortunately we do have an old scripture passage that speaks of how God will help us to be at peace. We ARE “two or more.”
IF YOU THINK YOU ARE ALONE
What if you live alone though?
No need to worry, because the math I just presented was actually wrong.
I will correct it now and truthfully say we will be three this year, because of the most important Guest of all – God.
Since God’s Presence is always with us; my husband and I will become three for the evening.
If you live alone; simply invite God to your Seder.
You are NEVER alone.
We know this from this faithful prayer of David found in the Psalms:
Psalm 139:7-10 reads: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”
This is always automatic.
God comes to us in the appointed times.
When He does – you are always participating in a Seder gathering of “Two or more.”
When God is present; we all have a holy convocation. This is worth remembering every time we all pray alone. One person plus God equals a holy convocation and God will always bless that gathering.