My mother was born just before the war and when she was a toddler her father went off to serve in the merchant navy leaving his wife and daughter to fend for themselves for several years.  Mum tells the story of going to see her father when his boat was briefly docked somewhere in the UK.  Long journey in a brand new coat to go and see a man she didn't really know who was apparently her 'Daddy'.   She spilled soup down the brand new coat ( bought with long saved clothing coupons) and only really remembers the horror of her mother at this accident rather than anything much about the long-anticipated meeting

When my grandfather did eventually come home from the war to return to his job as an insurance broker Mum recalls things being very difficult. Wife and daughter had become used to life being just the two of them.  'Daddy' was, to all intents and purposes, a complete stranger.  Granny kept setting the table for two people instead of three.  Which upset my grandfather who must have felt .....well, ignored, unwanted, unnecessary?  There were lots of arguments.  Far from it being a warm and lovely welcome home from wartime into the bosom of a loving family, it was stressful and a massive adjustment for all three of them.

For some reason Ive been thinking about the 'table set for two instead of three 'this week. 

We invite Jesus into our lives but how often do we forget to set that extra place at the table?  Do we invite him to birthdays and Christmas Day and when we have friends round and then forget about him when we are just having beans on toast in front of the telly?  I know I do.

Im reminded of this old picture you used to see hanging over mantlepieces up and down the land

Ive  never been a fan of hanging scripture around the house, but a couple of Sundays ago a scripture was read in church at a baby dedication service.


Deuteronomy 6:5-9

English Standard Version

5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

My granny and my Mum probably did talk about my grandad when he was away at war. They doubtless had photographs of him in the house. He will have written letters to them while he was away. But those things didnt stop him from being a stranger when he came home. The scripture in Deuteronomy reminds us that God needs to be infused into every aspect of our lives. all the time, everywhere. We need to be talking about Him, inviting Him to join us on our trip to Tesco, watching TV with Him, reading His love letter to us and pinning His words on our doorposts. Thresholds. Places of encounter with the world and with each other.

This Christmas may He be the guest at your table and not only the listener but the clearly heard voice in your prayer times.

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